A Brand Rooted in Heritage
VOYA is a world-leading brand in the field of premium organic cosmetics and sustainable development. From its founding to the present day, the brand’s image has always been closely tied to product lines featuring organic seaweed extracts—the key ingredient that has helped shape VOYA’s reputation today and is also where their story began.
The family behind VOYA—Mark Walton—has a long tradition of running a historic seaweed bathhouse in Strandhill, Sligo, on Ireland’s west coast. Tired of the fast-paced city life, Kira and Max Walton returned to Sligo to carry on the family’s seaweed bathhouse business. It was here that they witnessed firsthand the wonderful relaxing and soothing effects of seaweed baths and recognized the desire among visitors to bring this restorative experience home with them.
Thus, VOYA was founded in 2006, nestled among the majestic sheer cliffs, bustling towns, and—in the distance—hidden beaches and coves along the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route. VOYA—derived from “Voyage” (journey)—is a journey that takes each guest on a discovery of Ireland’s most distinctive traditional seaweed bath ritual, with over 300 years of history.
From Seaweed to Product
Although seaweed extract is its primary ingredient, the VOYA brand has never harmed the coastline during the harvesting process. On the contrary, the brand contributes to protecting biodiversity through sustainable, traditional harvesting methods, helping to maintain Ireland’s reputation as having the cleanest and least polluted coastline in the world.
To preserve the seaweed’s distinctive natural purity, VOYA’s team of experts scientifically plans the harvesting process based on tidal cycles and weather conditions. The process is carried out entirely by hand, with absolutely no machinery used, to minimize any potential harm to the marine ecosystem and marine life. During each harvest, the team collects only a small portion of the seaweed, ensuring it can continue its regeneration process within 6–24 months.
The Brand’s Core Values
Established early on, VOYA is the world’s first premium skincare brand to hold organic certification and use seaweed as the primary ingredient in its product lines. Through seaweed extracts, the brand aims to provide consumers with skin that is nourished from the inside out, achieving holistic health.
In addition to this strong vision, VOYA is built on core values including tradition, family, innovation, a pioneering spirit, and, ultimately, sustainable development. As the husband-and-wife team Kira and Mark once said: “This is a story of innovation, heritage, and the belief that there is always a better way.”
Strong Growth Over the Years
Because VOYA meticulously attends to every detail of its products—both in terms of experience and quality—it comes as no surprise that the brand has quickly won the hearts of not only consumers but also global partners. To date, VOYA has successfully partnered with numerous luxury hotels and leading global spa brands. Notable examples include The Peninsula hotel chain, Emirates First Class, and the Waldorf Astoria hotel and resort chain, among others.
In addition, VOYA boasts a robust product ecosystem spanning the spa sector, amenity distribution, and the retail market. In the retail market, VOYA distributes globally to companies such as Milles, Lookfantastic, Brown Thomas, AVOCA, Kilkenny Design, and Arnotts.
Originating from a seaweed bathhouse with a history spanning over 300 years, VOYA has always cherished tradition and the heritage values accumulated over generations. Yet, this does not mean VOYA lacks modernity. On the contrary, the brand continues to pioneer innovation, offering consumers high-quality seaweed-based products that strike a perfect balance between the old and the new—creating a uniquely VOYA experience.