Skincare for Sun & Salt? My Honest Mermaid’s Secret Review
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I don’t really have a skincare routine (Don’t judge me. Like I USED to waaaaay back in the day do a10-steps-to-gorgeous religiously. But I’ve swung the other way. HARD).
I have Dove soap.
Aveeno.
And Glow Lab recovery night cream if it’s on special at the supermarket.
That’s the intensity level we’re now working with.
But this summer has looked a little different. Slower days in my motorhome. More time parked by the sea. Outdoor camping showers. Dive sessions, long pool swims, sunscreen layers, and plenty of wind from coastal living. And somewhere in that rhythm, I realised something: Minimal is great, but can turn into mildly neglected — especially when your dry hair starts to live permanently in a mum bun survival knot.
I’ve been wanting to invite a little more restoration into my days. Nothing complicated (this perimenopausal woman ain’t got patience for that) but more nourishment. When you’re spending time in a small liveaboard space, you’ve already sacrificed a big bathroom and unlimited water supply. So building in small ways to feel good matters.
Mermaid’s Secret, founded by a freediver, promises products that are “not your ordinary ritual — built for real days, real water, real discovery.” When they sent me their First Breath Bundle for testing, I tried them exactly like that. Parked in a DoC campground by the beach. Drenched with post-snorkel salt. Setting up our outdoor shower. Ready to feel clean.
In this review, I tested the Seafoam Revive Cleanser, Sea Shield Water Cream and Sea Silk Hair Serum through weeks of saltwater dipping and New Zealand beach cruising to see whether they genuinely support sun-and salt-stressed skin.
Here’s what held up.
Days in the ocean take their toll on your skin and hair
Seafoam Revive Oil-to-Foam Cleanser
Seafoam Revive Oil-to-Foam Cleanser does the trick
Best for: Gently removing sunscreen and salt
After a full beach day, the real test is simple: Can it get zinc sunscreen and salt off without stripping my skin?
The instructions were simple: Apply it to dry skin first, massage it in, then add water (or in my case, apply it to a wet salty face still sporting a delightful dive mask outline).
Happily, I can confirm the cleanser removes:
Zinc sunscreen
Salt crust
Mascara remnants
And, poetically, the general heaviness of a long, hot day
Importantly — it didn’t leave my skin toy-ht like a toy-ger (if you didn’t read that in an Austin Power's voice we cannot be friends). The softness (according to the box) is because it’s pH balanced and uses gentle, coconut-derived cleansers. Which is to say: it feels good.
The fragrance is fresh and citrusy with a subtle herbal edge. It smells quite strongly while cleansing, but doesn’t linger heavily after a rinse off. Even my husband has been giving it a whirl, and emerges smelling pretty good.
It’s also easy to pump one-handed while holding a shower head, which is very useful outdoors.
There’s no better feeling than washing off a salty day!
Sea Shield Water Cream
Sea Shield Water Cream - beautifully hydrating
Best for: Post-sun skin recovery
For me, this is the standout product in the range.
If you live outdoors — sailing, diving, swimming, road-tripping coastal highways — your skin barrier takes a subtle beating. I’m not talking sunburn per se (because we all wear sun protection right?!). I mean that end of day, slightly hot, a bit tight in the face feeling you want relief from by evening time.
I actually wasn’t sure what to expect from a “water cream.” Now I’d describe it as less of a thick facial cream and more of an ultra-light gel.
And it’s genuinely soothing.
It’s built around non-harmful ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid and trehalose for hydration
Aloe and centella (cica) for calming
Allantoin for sensitivity support
Light shea butter for barrier cushioning
There’s no added fragrance in this one. A little goes a long way, and it sinks in quickly, with no shine or greasiness. Plus it layers easily under sunscreen the next morning.
After consistent use post-dive and post-swim shower, I noticed:
My skin feels less tight
It looks healthier
I ENJOY using it
And yes, while there are plenty of cliché lines on the packaging about rituals and transformation — I’ll admit I’m feeling something.
Plus, the silver scale detailing on the bottles got me. As someone who grew up watching Splash and wishing I could have a mermaid tail, there’s a part of me that looks at those little scales and…it feels a little bit magic.
Daryl Hannah as Madison in Splash (1984), my mermaid expectations were set early
Small enough to tuck into my toiletry bag, this moisturiser would go in first. For anyone looking for skincare for sailors or divers, this recovery focus makes practical sense.
Sea Silk Hair Serum
The serum is like liquid gold
My hair has definitely appreciated the extra love
Best for: Salt-rough hair that needs smoothing
There’s a point in summer where your hair just gives up. Like it’s finally taken all the knots you’ve ripped from mask straps and tangles from windows-down roadies, looked around at the salty towels still on the line, scrunchies strewn across the bench, and gone ‘f*ck it, I’m out’ and walks past slamming the front door.
So this ‘calm the heck down’ hair serum is exactly I needed.
I was worried it might feel too oily. But provided I didn’t overdo it, it worked great. This liquid gold goes a long way!
There are nourishing oils included, but its main job is sealing and smoothing. And it works on either wet or dry hair (I like to put a bit on when my hair is freshly washed, which helps with detangling).
Overall, it:
Softened my locks
Lessened frizz
Added shine (my blonde hair can always use a boost)
A little bit worked through my ends while standing barefoot by the motorhome, followed by a gentle comb-through while watching pukekos wander past? I’m liking this new ritual.
Using It With What You Already Have
What I appreciate is that this range doesn’t demand a complete overhaul of your toiletries. You can use these alongside whatever you’ve already got (some days you won’t be needing full-on salt protection). But they’re great at helping you reset on days you do spend in the water.
Thoughtful Details
The formulas are developed in Korea and manufactured in certified facilities that meet high standards of quality and safety.
The sustainability effort is also considered:
50–100% post-consumer recycled plastic
FSC-certified paper
Soy-based inks
Water-separable labels to support cleaner recycling
They’re also a 1% for the Planet member!
Where Can You Buy It?
Mermaid’s Secret currently ships within New Zealand and Australia. You can find them online here, and they welcome international enquiries outside those regions.
In Summary
Treat yourself or a friend who needs some TLC
Mermaid’s Secret is a great option for women of the ocean. The product price sits in that considered-purchase category but for someone constantly in the elements, it’s worth the investment. After a summer of salt, sun and wind, the Sea Shield Water Cream especially feels worth it. A little goes a long way, and it made the most noticeable difference in how my skin recovered. The hair serum is also one I’d happily splash out on — it feels genuinely helpful for my salt-stressed hair, and it looks healthy again.
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