Contents
ANCHIALO massage gels and oils contain over 95% Black Sea lye — a natural product rich in magnesium. Free from harmful chemicals, preservatives and colourants, they leave the skin smooth, soft and supple, while the magnesium helps tired muscles and aching joints.
In brief
- Composition: over 95% stabilised Black Sea lye, rich in magnesium salts (MgCl₂ and MgSO₄), plus a herbal extract.
- Who it is for: muscle stiffness and cramps, joint pain, fatigue from office or physical work, post-training recovery.
- How: apply and rub in with a massage; leave on for 30 minutes to a few hours, then rinse off.
- Where: at home and in professional rehabilitation, spa and wellness centres.
Why magnesium
Massage gels and oils with lye contain plenty of natural magnesium — a mineral the body depletes through physical exertion and with age. It is readily absorbed through the skin (transdermally), so the products work exactly where they are applied. Regular use helps restore magnesium levels — and with them, helps counter chronic fatigue, listlessness and stress. Learn more about why magnesium is so important.
Which herb to choose
The action of the gels and oils is enhanced with herbal extracts — each with its own additional properties:
| Herb | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| Arnica | Muscle pain, bruises, sprains |
| Lavender | Relaxation, better sleep, tension |
| Rosemary | Circulation, firmer skin, cellulite |
| Juniper | Fluid retention, fatigue, cellulite |
For details on each herb, see the article “Arnica, lavender, rosemary or juniper?”
ANCHIALO massage gel with juniper
How to use them
- Apply the gel or oil over the whole body or only on the affected area.
- Rub in with a massage.
- Leave to work for 30 minutes to a few hours.
- Rinse off thoroughly with water.
You will find more ways to use lye products — compresses, baths, frictions — on the “Lye procedures” page. Those who play sport will find advice in the article “Magnesium and sport”.
Browse the massage gels and massage oils.
What is Black Sea lye
Black Sea lye, also known as Pomorie, mother or medicinal lye, is obtained during salt production at the Burgas and Pomorie salt lakes. In recent years it has been extracted only at the Burgas salt pans. Once the water in the salt pans evaporates, a cloudy, thick, oil-like liquid remains above the salt layer — yellowish-brown with a reddish tint and sometimes a sharp smell.
According to research by scientists from the Medical University (ISUL) and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, lye has an anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antiseptic action. In composition it is close to the mud solution and works much like liman mud. That is why it is used for recovery, rehabilitation and therapeutic procedures, while for the skin it soothes, nourishes and hydrates. It is also called medicinal to distinguish it from the technical lye used on roads.
Professor Simeon Bachev — the father of lye products
Professor Simeon Georgiev Bachev, DSc, is considered the father of the first Black Sea lye products. He carried out some of the most detailed research into the properties of Black Sea lye and its application in balneology. More than 70 years ago he began studying the mother lye of Pomorie Lake and created the first lye products — not only in Bulgaria, but in Europe.
The healing power of lye has been known since the Middle Ages — nobles travelled to Anchialos (today’s Pomorie) to ease their pain and strengthen their immunity. Today ANCHIALO products are made at the company’s own modern facility on the shore of Pomorie Lake, using technology and know-how in the spirit of Professor Bachev’s research.
ANCHIALO massage gel with arnica
What they are used for
The Black Sea lye they contain is used for joint and muscle pain, stiffness, arthritis, arthrosis, neuritis, inflammation of the periarticular tissues, sprains, dislocations, recovery after fractures, neuralgia, plexitis and discopathy. It also helps with acne, psoriasis and varicose veins.
The gel is stabilised so that its rich mineral and biological composition is preserved for a long time and at varying temperatures. It has all the qualities of stabilised ANCHIALO Black Sea lye.
Composition (INGREDIENTS/INCI): AQUA, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PARFUM, EXTRACT
Natural Bulgarian cosmetics, produced by Azimut 6000 EOOD, Pomorie. See also what the difference is between natural and ordinary cosmetics.
About Luga.bg
Maker of natural products with Black Sea lye and liman mud from Pomorie. We have been writing about lye, mud and sea minerals since 2015 — with doctors, physiotherapists and our own experience.
