Herbs in products

Aloe vera is in many of our products as its mucilage gives it rich emollient and anti-irritant properties. It is cooling, soothing and restorative to the skin, especially if affected by wind and sun.

Obtained from the resin of styrax (or benzoin) trees, benzoin has a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance. We use it for its antiseptic properties and because it is beneficial for dry, chapped skin. It is a good natural preservative for home-made cosmetics.

Bladderwrack is rich in minerals and trace elements that boost the health of our skin and hair. It also contains mucilage, which is soothing and softening. It is very restorative and helps to relax muscles and joints.

Calendula is one of the most popular herbs in skincare due to its ability to repair skin tissue. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions, making it soothing on irritated skin. It is an important base in many of our products.

Obtained from Irish Moss, a type of edible seaweed, carrageenan is used in cosmetics as a natural thickener. It has skin-softening properties and is mineral-rich. It is in our Calendula Cleanser and Clay Mask for its emollient and thickening actions.

A highly nutritive herb, carrot is very beneficial for encouraging healthy skin due to its beta-carotene content. Its anti-inflammatory and emollient properties are very soothing, which is why we use it in products for very dry or sun-parched skin.

Chickweed, also known as stellaria, is a choice herb for dry, irritated or itchy skin. It is vitamin- and mineral-rich and it has a soothing action. As a vulnerary herb, it helps improve the health of skin tissue.

An astringent herb that cleans and tones, cleavers is beneficial for improving the skinís appearance. It stimulates lymphatic circulation, which supports toxin removal, and its tannins help refine pores. These actions promote brighter skin.

Rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, comfrey is a key herb to nourish and repair skin. It contains allantoin, which stimulates tissue growth, while its tannins and mucilage soothe, soften and strengthen tissue.

Elderflower is astringent, making it an important herb for cleansing greasy skin. Its vitamin A and C content also help stimulate tissue repair. It is popular with people who like a fresh scent that is not too floral.

Eyebright, as its name suggest, benefits the eyes. It contains tannins and volatile oils, which gives it astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. In our White Tea Eye Gel, it tightens the delicate skin around our eyes and helps reduce puffiness.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which reduce cellular damage and slow the effects of ageing. It is also mildly astringent, so will tone and soothe the skin. We use it in our Lemongrass Sun Spray to support sun-exposed skin.

Rice is composed primarily of starch. When ground, it makes a gentle but effective exfoliant due to its mildly abrasive texture. It forms the base of our Honey & Orange Scrub.

Hawthorn contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as flavonoids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It helps to stabilise collagen and is therefore important in maintaining the health of skin tissue. We use it in our hand creams.

Traditionally used to improve the tone and function of skin, veins and capillaries, horse chestnut is an astringent and circulatory tonic. It also contains a phytochemical called esculin, which has some UV-absorbing capacity. This adds to its skin-protective quality. See esculin

Horsetail is rich in many minerals, including silica, iodine and calcium. These are key minerals in growth and maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails. In our Coconut & Jojoba Shampoo, horsetail strengthens the hair and helps repair split ends.

Lavender is a soothing, calming herb for delicate and sensitive skin. It is antiseptic, due to its volatile oils, and regenerative, due to its flavonoids. Both herb and essential oil are in many of our products, including our Baby Range.

See calendula

Myrrh has a reputation in oral care due to its antiseptic and astringent properties. This makes it an important ingredient in our mouthwash, mouth freshener and lip balm. The oil is also regenerating on the skin.

Neem is a plant from India that has been used for thousands of years for its useful actions on the skin. It is antiseptic and antiviral, as well as having insecticidal properties. In Neem Soap it is cleansing and refreshing.

Nettle is a nutrient-rich herb that is beneficial for maintaining healthy skin and hair. It stimulates circulation and is a traditional remedy for dandruff. It also is very soothing on the skin.

Oak is a traditional herb for darkening the hair due to its high quantity of tannins, which make a natural brown dye. It is in our Rosemary & Thyme Shampoo and Rosemary & Jojoba Conditioner.

Oats are rich in vitamins and minerals that are very nourishing to the skin. They also have an emollient action, making them soothing. Oats add to the softening action of our Red Clay Shaving Cream and Calendula & Oat Lotion.

Olive leaf extract has antimicrobial properties and helps restore damaged skin. It is an important ingredient in our Olive Leaf Moisturiser, which targets skin affected by shaving. We also use it in Rose & Almond Night Cream for dry skin.

A sweet-smelling extract, orange flower is beneficial for dry or mature skin and for fair or grey hair. It is very rejuvenating and helps to reduce the effects of ageing on the skin. It also adds highlights to fading hair.

The peach kernel can be ground into a powder that is mildly abrasive. We include it in our Pumice Foot Scrub where, in combination with pumice, it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and invigorate the feet.

Raspberry leaves are cooling and astringing, which makes them useful for cleansing and toning oily skin. The extract is used in our Clay Mask, which can be used for deep-cleansing or spot treatment.

Sweet-smelling rose exhibits mildly astringing and cooling actions. It is rejuvenating and soothing for skin that is dry, inflamed, sensitive or itchy. It also improves the appearance of mature skin, especially where capillaries may have broken.

Rosemary is a versatile plant with a refreshing, woody fragrance. It reputedly improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, as well as being antiseptic, warming and detoxifying.

As an ingredient, the essential oil and extract enhance the health of skin and hair.

Sage is essential for healing skin abrasions. It stimulates circulation and is an antimicrobial. In hair care, it promotes a healthy scalp and helps to reduce dryness and dandruff, as well as improving the quality of hair colour and texture.

Cooling and drying due to its astringent action, St Johnís wort combines with calendula to form the base of our Cologne. It tones and tightens, and with its anti-inflammatory action, it is beneficial for the skin if applied after shaving.

Sodium usnate is a compound isolated from lichen for its effective antibacterial properties. We use it in our deodorants because it helps to reduce bacterial growth and its associated odour.  

White tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the skin from ageing and improve its tone and quality. In our White Tea Eye Gel it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines by renewing cellular structure in the skin.

Witch hazel has an important application in skin care due to its effective ability to astringe and tone. It is very beneficial for oily skin, helping to reduce secretions and refine pores. It is cooling and refreshing.

Yarrow is known for its tannin content, which makes it astringent and therefore valuable for treating oily or broken skin. Rich in vitamins A and C, and with circulatory-stimulant properties, it helps to improve the skinís health and overall complexion.