"SAPRO gel" – a 100% natural product for beauty and wellness
"SAPRO gel" is obtained from Lake Ubagova in Rāzna National Park. This is one of the rare lakes with the highest-grade sapropel. Sapropel is an organogenic sedimentary rock that forms on lake beds under anaerobic conditions through the biochemical transformation of plant and animal matter over many hundreds of years. Sapropel mainly comes from plankton and aquatic plant remains mixed with organic and mineral particles carried by inflowing waters.
Decades of research have found sapropel mud in more than 200 lakes in Latvia, but not all of it is suitable for therapeutic use. Only mud from a few lakes is suitable for this purpose, including Lake Ubagova - the source of "SAPRO gel".
"SAPRO gel" composition
"SAPRO gel" contains pure sapropel with no chemical additives; it is free from parabens, pathogenic microorganisms, and other harmful substances.
The main component of sapropel mud is highly dispersed organic matter – 55–95% (dry weight). Sapropel with more than 85% organic matter is considered particularly high grade. The sapropel used in "SAPRO gel" contains about 90% organic matter. Sapropel mud is a complex system of water, minerals, organic substances, gases, and microorganisms.
Mineralization of the mud fluid can range from 0.1 to 35 g/l and includes dissolved organic substances, minerals, gases, and microorganisms. The fluid contains cations such as calcium, magnesium, and ammonium, as well as anions – bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate. It also contains microelements – copper, barium, manganese, and others – and gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide produced by microorganisms.
The most important and complex part is the highly dispersed colloidal complex of sapropel mud, which contains biologically active substances – humic acids, fulvic acids, lipids, hormone-like substances, and enzymes – as well as a wide spectrum of vitamins – carotene (a provitamin of vitamin A), D, B, B2, B12, folic acid, and others. The microorganism spectrum is also broad – bacteria, actinomycetes, and microscopic fungi.
How to use "SAPRO gel"
In cosmetics
Facial mask
Apply "SAPRO gel" to facial skin in a 2–3 mm layer and leave on for 10–15 minutes. Facial masks are best done twice a week. They provide a calming, relaxing effect, cleanse pores, improve drainage, help reduce acne, renew the skin, and slow aging. After the treatment, rinse the face with clean warm water and apply a nourishing cream. For facial treatments, we recommend using "SAPRO gel" at room temperature.
Anti-cellulite treatment
Apply "SAPRO gel" to cellulite-affected skin in a 2–3 mm layer and leave on for 30–60 minutes. This supports circulation, helps eliminate toxins, and promotes fat breakdown. For greater effectiveness, warm "SAPRO gel" to about 37°C before application and wrap the treated area in film once applied.
Download info bookletBody treatments
Apply "SAPRO gel" to the affected body area in a 2–3 mm layer. Depending on the skin region, leave on for 20–60 minutes. Before using "SAPRO gel" on other body areas, we recommend consulting a doctor, dermatologist, or specialist.
Therapeutic use
Apply "SAPRO gel" to the affected body area in a 2–3 mm layer. Depending on the skin region, leave on for 20–60 minutes. Before using "SAPRO gel" on other body areas, we recommend consulting a doctor, dermatologist, or specialist.
It is effective for treating skin conditions and improving skin metabolism. It also helps with:
- psoriasis, fungal, and other skin conditions;
- arthritis, polyarthritis, and spine conditions;
- bruises, fractures, fresh wounds, scars, and burns;
- various inflammations.
When using "SAPRO gel" for the first time, leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then gradually increase to up to 1 hour, repeating twice a week. It is especially effective during remission. It is important to use "SAPRO gel" consistently and without rushing.
For more precise, personalized guidance on how "SAPRO gel" can help you, consult a doctor, dermatologist, or one of our partners who use "SAPRO gel" in their treatments. The "SAPRO gel" team recommends dermatologist Ināra Karpoviča, who has long experience with sapropel and "SAPRO gel".
100% natural product for beauty and wellness
Download the SaproGEL booklet"SAPRO gel" quality
Opinion of the Latvian Association of Balneology on Lake Ubagova sapropel mud
LKA opinion
Key finding: Lake Ubagova sapropel contains about 80–85% organic matter (dry weight), average moisture 93.9%, pH 6.3–6.6; by quality indicators it belongs to therapeutic sapropel muds and may be used in medicine and cosmetics.
Research results from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre
LEGMC results
Key finding: LEGMC Laboratory test report No. 13/650 (14 May 2013) for a “Sapro Gel” sample reports, for example, mercury <0.07 mg/kg, cadmium <1 mg/kg, lead <11 mg/kg, and arsenic 0.48 ± 0.07 mg/kg (quality-control metals analysis).
Microbiological research results from the University of Latvia
UL results
Key finding: The University of Latvia Microbial Strain Collection (7 May 2013) found the analysed “Saprogel” sample free of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in 0.1 g (per Cabinet Regulation No. 354, Annex 9).
100% natural product
"SAPRO gel" is processed lake mud rich in valuable organic substances – fulvic acids, vitamins, humic acids, amino acids, microelements, and inorganic substances.
For therapy
Helps with psoriasis, fungal and other skin conditions; bruises, fractures, fresh wounds, scars, and burns.
For beauty
Helps reduce cellulite, break down fat, and support toxin elimination; helps with acne and freckles; nourishes hair, reduces hair loss, and strengthens nails.
Quality
The product’s high quality is confirmed by internationally recognized certificates.
Certificate of conformity
Clinical studies
According to the opinion of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre at Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (2016), results of the randomized, open, controlled clinical study “Evaluation of the effectiveness of Lake Ubagova mud therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis” (2013–2014) indicate lasting clinical effectiveness of SAPRO Gel applications in treating and rehabilitating knee osteoarthritis.
- 224 of 289 outpatients completed the study (mean age 60.5 years); patients were randomized into three groups, including a control group.
- Recommended protocol: mud temperature 38–40 °C, application thickness 2–3 mm, session length 30 minutes; a course of 10 procedures (one per day, with weekends off).
- On the VAS pain scale, group 1 mean scores fell from 43.36 to 20.60 at 6 months (p < 0.001); mobility and functional capacity gains lasted at least 6 months.
- The opinion was signed by centre head Dr. med. Inese Kokare (Riga, 11 November 2016); the study was conducted under Ethics Committee approval No. 031013_2L.
Our partners
Frequently asked questions
Sapropel is an organogenic lake sediment that forms on lake beds under anaerobic conditions from plankton and aquatic plant remains over many hundreds of years. Per the International Society of Medical Hydrology definition (as cited in the Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital opinion), therapeutic mud is a natural product containing biologically active organic substances and inorganic macro- and microelements, used locally for therapy. The Latvian Association of Balneology opinion on Lake Ubagova mud reports average moisture of about 93.9%, organic matter of roughly 80–85% (dry weight), and pH 6.3–6.6. "SAPRO gel" uses Lake Ubagova sapropel (Rāzna National Park) with about 90% organic matter (dry weight). Sapropel mud has been found in more than 200 lakes in Latvia, but only a few are suitable for therapeutic use.
No additives - "SAPRO gel" is pure, mechanically processed sapropel with no chemical additives, parabens, or other harmful additives. Microbiological testing by the University of Latvia Microbial Strain Collection (7 May 2013) found the analysed sample free of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in 0.1 g (per Cabinet Regulation No. 354, Annex 9). Analyses by the University of Latvia Institute of Biology (5 March 2014) and LEGMC laboratory testing further document quality. Consult a doctor or dermatologist before use on broken skin or with chronic conditions.
Facial mask: apply a 2–3 mm layer for 10–15 minutes, ideally twice a week (at room temperature). Anti-cellulite treatment: 2–3 mm for 30–60 minutes; for better effect, warm to about 37 °C and wrap with film. Body / therapeutic applications: 2–3 mm for 20–60 minutes; start with 10–15 minutes the first time, then gradually increase up to about 1 hour, roughly twice a week. In the Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital knee osteoarthritis study, the course protocol was 38–40 °C, 2–3 mm, 30 minutes, and 10 procedures (one per day, weekends off).
Yes. A randomized, open, controlled study - “Evaluation of the effectiveness of Lake Ubagova mud therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis” - was run in 2013–2014 at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre of Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (Ethics Committee approval No. 031013_2L). 224 of 289 patients completed the study (mean age 60.5 years). In group 1, mean VAS pain fell from 43.36 to 20.60 at 6 months (p < 0.001); mobility and functional-capacity gains lasted at least 6 months. The opinion (11 November 2016) was signed by Dr. med. Inese Kokare. The full report is linked in the Clinical studies section.
You can currently buy "SAPRO gel" at our office: Zemgaļu 8, Riga, by contacting sales at +371 28887585.
Delivery in Riga is free; elsewhere in Latvia and Europe we work with Omniva, DPD, Pasta stacija, and other carriers.
You can also buy it at the medical goods store at Viskaļu iela 11, Riga.
Delivery in Riga is free; elsewhere in Latvia and Europe we work with Omniva, DPD, Pasta stacija, and other carriers.
You can also buy it at the medical goods store at Viskaļu iela 11, Riga.
"SAPRO gel" treatments are available at our partner locations (see above). We supply products to institutions such as "Joker klubs", "Hotel Jūrmala SPA", "Veselības centrs 4", Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and others.
Questions?
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