Seamas Mac Cathmhaoil of Ri Na Mara cosmetics is in the process of filling a “fairly huge” order that will bring the Le Mara skincare range back to 110 Aldi outlets in November.

Aldi approached Mac Cathmhaoil to make an all-natural seaweed cosmetics brand specifically for the supermarkets. The Le Mara range launched last year, and it sold out.

Mac Cathmhaoil is working on four new products to add to the brand, including conditioner and hair gel.

Mac Cathmhaoil started Ri Na Mara cosmetics with his wife, Deirdre, 10 years ago. While they have another brand called Irish Organics, Ri Na Mara is their main range.

The products are sold across Ireland, as well as in Germany and the United States. They started selling the brand in Dubai last year.

“What you have is an Irish language brand in Marina Pharmacies in Dubai. It’s a big brand of around 15 pharmacies in key areas, and they’re also in Abu Dhabi. It’s selling really well out there,” he said.

The company has set its sights on expanding in the German market. According to Mac Cathmhaoil, it is one of the biggest natural cosmetics markets in the world.

They are in an Enterprise Ireland programme that aims to bring Irish cosmetics into that market, and they have met with German buyers.

When the Mac Cathmhaoils started the company, they sold their products in pharmacies. During the recession, they realised they had to branch out.

“Leading into the recession, a lot of pharmacies closed down, so we reduced the number of pharmacies we supplied. You need different sales channels,” he said. They started supplying to gift shops, spas and other retail outlets. They also have an e-commerce shop at www.rinamara.com.

“Even though we had to chop and change a lot through the recession, we can see a slight lifting in the high street.”