Our Ingredients
We have spent years looking for the best home grown, wild and organic ingredients for your skin and wellbeing. We were determined to make 100% natural skincare without toxins and harsh chemicals, and haven’t used sulfates, petroleum, artificial fragrances or colours or alcohol (ethanol).
We want each jar to be bursting with powerful, active botanical ingredients full of the fresh ocean air and vibrant country greenness of Ireland.
Making our products by hand is a pleasure because of all these beautiful ingredients. The fragrance of the essential oils, the texture of the seaweed and all the herbs and flowers from the garden means our workshop is a very happy place to be. We really hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
FLOWERS & HERBS
Rose is one of the most loved and well known fragrances but it is also one of the most effective ingredients for your skin, helping to tone and deeply nourish dry skin. It is known to be an effective antidepressant too so it even lifts the heart.
We appreciate its benefits so much we included 4 different ways of utilising the power of the rose: organic Sweet Apricot Oil is infused with rose petals picked and dried from our hedge at home; organic rose hip oil, one of the best oils at helping to reduce fine lines; organically grown rose water which helps to tone and brighten the skin; and best of all, pure organic rose essential oil, the most luxurious essential oil in the world.
Comfrey is another star of our moisturisers, a staple for all herbalists and gardeners. We organically grow comfrey at home and infuse organic Sweet Apricot Oil with its leaves to produce a powerful herbal oil which calms and soothes the skin.
Plantain is one of the most powerful native herbs in Ireland, commonly referred to as the ‘health herb’ because it is used to help so many ailments. It is particularly effective at supporting the skin recover from the ups and downs of everyday life.
Daffodil and Crab Apple Blossom is where my background as a therapist makes one of its main appearances. I love making flower remedies which takes the energy of a living flower and turns it into a remedy, used to help balance our emotions. Most skincare products use organic glycerin to help soften the skin and reduce fine lines and we decided to supercharge our glycerine by adding the flower remedies of daffodil and crab apple. It is believed that daffodil flower remedy fills us with light and optimism just as the flower does after a long winter. Crab apple flower remedy is believed to help us feel more comfortable in our own skin, removing feelings of self judgement.
The combination of the brightness of the daffodil, the relief of the crab apple and the happiness of the rose means this moisturiser doesn’t just help us to look good but feel good too.
WILD SEAWEED
We couldn’t make a moisturiser in Ireland without including wild seaweed. We have so many different types of wonderful seaweed here but one of our favourites is Irish Moss.
Irish Moss (Carrageenan Moss) is what gives our moisturiser the silky texture and makes it so easily absorbed into your skin, deeply nourishing it. We get ours from the beautiful coastline of Donegal.
Artic Winged Kelp from the Atlantic Ocean is also in our moisturisers. Research shows that at the active levels we use it reduces a protein called Progerin which plays a big role in the ageing process. A study revealed that 90% of volunteers using this seaweed serum reported an increase in firmness in their skin after 28 days, 65% less wrinkles and 70% more radiance.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Organic Frankincense essential oil is one of the best essential oils for mature skin. It can lift and tighten the skin, and helps scars to heal.
Organic Geranium essential oil is a popular essential oil to use in skincare because it is so good at creating brighter skin, getting rid of clogged pores.
Organic Juniper essential oil is traditionally used to cleanse, detox and purify the skin and so is a true gift to oily and combination skin. It is also used by Aromatherapist to reduce tiredness.
Organic Patchouli essential oil has been used for centuries for its ability to speed up healing which means it is great for helping the skin to recover fast if you have had a breakout. It’s astringent quality means it’s also one of the greatest natural anti-aging remedies, stimulating the skin and encouraging it to produce new cells more quickly. It even helps us to relax, and is widely regarded as an anti-depressant.
Organic Rose essential oil has been mentioned above but it is worth talking about it again because we were so happy to find such a high quality organic Rose essential oil. The fragrance is extraordinary, so gentle and yet strong. It deserves its title as the Queen of all Essential Oils.
Organic Sandalwood essential oil is often used in skincare because of its ability to sooth irritated and sensitive skin. We only use organic essential oil made form the highly prized wild Sandalwood found in South India. Sandalwood is also valued in India for bringing clarity and relaxation to the mind, sot this miracle worker not only calms your skin, it also gives you a zen-like mind.
Organic Sweet Orange essential oil is known as an excellent anti-aging remedy, smoothing fine lines and maintaining healthy skin. It’s also one of my favourite fragrances, bringing a little bright Mediterranean sunshine into our lives.
BASE OILS
Organic Rosehip Oil is well known for its deep nourishing qualities. It’s also full of anti-inflammatory fatty acids which means that it very helpful in the treatment of aging and pigmentation. It has astringent properties which brighten the skin and evens out skin tone. Even better, its known to fade scars.
Organic Apricot Kernel Oil is a rich, nourishing oil, which contains gamma linoleic acid that helps firm and tone the skin.
Organic Sweet Almond Oil is full of vitamins and minerals which means that using this oil is a wonderful, natural way to keep skin soft, healthy and free of fine lines.
PRESERVATIVES & EMULSIFIERS
Honeysuckle Flower Extract has an amazing ability to naturally preserve skincare products. Finding a natural preservative is not easy but Honeysuckle has come to our rescue as an alternative to parabens. If you are interested in the chemistry of this flower extract Dr Barbara Olioso has written an article explaining everything you would know (read the article here).
Magnolia Bark Extract is a preservative booster and it helps the Honeysuckle preserve our products. It is also amazing at preventing spots and acne.
Organic Glycerine, Vitamin E and Organic Rosemary Extract all help to keep our products free from unwanted bacteria, and keep the healing fragrance of the Aromatherapy Oils strong and effective.
Emulsifiers - we only use 100% plant based emulsifiers approved by the Vegan Society. We use two different emulsifiers to make sure our skincare products have the softest, most reliable consistency possible. One is mass balanced and made from a mixture of vegetable oils, and the other is made from castor oil.