Ingredients we use

We are very strict about the ingredients we work with! 

Where possible we ensure that our ingredients are natural, organic, vegan and sustainably produced from within the UK.  We do not believe in buying in ingredients that have been produced in far flung places if we can avoid it, ensuring our products have a low carbon footprint is important to us. In fact, we use low carbon cold process technologies to make our products, this is both better for your skin (not heating the botanical ingredients means they retain all their beneficial compounds), as well as being better for the environment. 

Find out more about the ingredients we work with below:    

Achillea millifolium (yarrow) water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended oily/combination/problematic skin types and those prone to spots/acne.  It is a potent floral water with a strongly aromatic aroma, known for its balancing properties as well as its antibacterial, antiseptic, soothing and healing properties.  It is made from fresh yarrow flower tops, organically grown and hand-picked from the Seilich meadow, according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once picked the flowers are distilled in a traditional copper still in our workshop.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Alcohol occurs as an ingredient in the natural chelator system we use (see Sodium phytate). Alcohol is known for its skin drying properties and is therefore not desirable in skincare products, however there is less than 0.0005g(!) of it in any of our products, so although you will see it on the label, there is such a tiny amount it won’t have any effect on the delicate balance of the skin.

Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract is excellent for all skin types but is particularly good for dry/dehydrated/sensitive skin.  It is known for its softening and soothing properties as well as its ability to deeply moisturise and treat all kinds of skin inflammation (irritation/pimples etc).  The extract is made by infusing marshmallow in organic sunflower oil and is therefore organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Aqua (water) is a base ingredient, found in small amounts in our comfrey leaf extract, oat extract, natural chelator (see Sodium phytate) and natural preservative.  This ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Avena Sativa (Oat) Seed Extract is excellent for all skin types but is particularly good for dry and sensitive skin.  It is known for its regenerative, hydrating and soothing effects.  The oats used in this extract are grown on a farm approximately 10 miles from the Seilich meadow, this ingredient is therefore low carbon, UK sourced, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Beta Glucan is known for its soothing and moisturising properties.  Made from vegetable fibres, this ingredient is vegan, non-GMO, palm oil free, natural and COSMOS approved. 

Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol (a good, non-drying kind of alcohol!) used as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener, making you skin feel smooth.  It can be derived from coconut or palm kernel oil, but the version we use is made from coconut oil only.  This ingredient is vegan, non-GMO, palm oil free and natural. 

Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended for sensitive skin and irritated skin; it is known for its calming and soothing properties as well as its comforting and moisturizing effect on the skin.  It is made from fresh chamomile flowers, organically grown and hand-picked from the Seilich meadow, according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once picked the flowers are freshly distilled in a traditional copper still in our workshop.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit water is an ingredient found in the natural emulsifier we use (see sucrose laurate), it is a lovely ingredient however is only found in very small amounts in our products.  This ingredient is organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is made from coconuts and is used in skincare as a mild cleansing agent.  This ingredient is vegan, non-GMO, palm oil free and natural. 

Daucus carota (carrot) extract is excellent for all skin types but particularly good for dry/dehydrated and mature skin.  It is rich in antioxidants (in the form of carotenoids) and has a skin regenerative effect, in addition, the carotenoids give the skin a healthy glow.  This oil is made from organic sunflower oil infused with carrot (roots), and is organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Daucus carota (wild carrot) seed water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended for sensitive skin or mature skin; it is known for its ability to soothe eczema, psoriasis, inflammation, and to promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells.  It is made from Wild carrot seeds, organically grown in the Seilich meadow according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once the carrots have flowered, the seeds are carefully collected and dried before being distilled very slowly in a traditional copper still.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Decyl glucoside is made from sugar and is used in skincare as a mild cleansing agent.  This ingredient is vegan, non-GMO, palm oil free and natural. 

Glycerine is compatible with all skin types and plays an important role in moisturisation; it is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air down into the skin.  It is found as a base ingredient in our comfrey leaf extract, oat extract, our natural emulsifier and our natural preservative system.  Glycerin can be made from animal or vegetable sources though we ensure that ours comes from organic vegetables.  This ingredient is therefore organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Glyceryl caprylate is plant derived, natural multi-functional ingredient that has moisturizing properties and has a strong antimicrobial activity.  It benefits your skin and keeps skincare products free of bacteria and yeasts. This ingredient is natural, vegan and non-GMO, however is not palm oil free.  This is in fact the only ingredient we use that comes from palm oil sources and as a result we only use it in tiny quantities (no more than 0.3% of any product will contain this ingredient).  

Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil is known for its moisturising and soothing/calming properties, being rich in omega 6 as well as vitamins E (see Tocopherol for benefits of Vitamin E).  We use sunflower seed oil as a carrier for our Marshmallow root (see Althaea officinalis extract) and Carrot root (See Daucus carota extract) extracts.

Hoppophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) fruit oil cold-pressed is excellent for all skin types.  Known for its incredible skin nourishing properties, sea buckthorn contains a high concentration of essential fatty acids (including the rare palmitoleic acid (omega 7) alongside palmitic, stearic and oleic acids), as well as Vitamin E.  Our Sea buckthorn oil is made from the pulp of the sea-buckthorn berry, as it is unrefined it has an orange-red pigment which imparts the skin with a healthy glow.  The seabuckthorn oil we use is organic, cold pressed and comes from Germany, it is therefore an organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm-oil free ingredient.

Lunaria annua (honesty) seed oil is a wonderful rich oil, full of long chain fatty acids which nourish the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and increasing firmness and elasticity.  It is cold pressed from the seeds of honesty plants which are grown in the UK, using limited intervention methods, meaning it has a very low carbon footprint.  In addition, the crop is recognised for its benefit to pollinators.  This ingredient is therefore UK sourced, low carbon wildlife friendly (though not certified as such), natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Malva sylvatica (Mallow) water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended for dry, mature, sensitive and devitalized skin; it is known for its soothing properties as well as its ability to soften, moisturise and hydrate the skin.  It is made from fresh mallow flowers, organically grown and hand-picked from the Seilich meadow, according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once picked the flowers are freshly distilled in a traditional copper still in our workshop.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Mentha x piperata (peppermint) water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended for those tending towards oily/combination skin; it is known for its uplifting and stimulating properties as well as its mild antibacterial, cooling and soothing effect on the skin.  It is made from fresh peppermint leaves, organically grown and hand-picked from the Seilich meadow, according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once picked the leaves are distilled in a traditional copper still in our workshop.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Pectin is made from plant fruits (especially apples) and used in skincare to stabilise lotions/creams and to thicken liquids.  This ingredient is vegan, non-GMO, palm oil free, natural and COSMOS approved. 

Potassium sorbate is a naturally occurring antimicrobial compound used as a mild preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.  It is derived from sorbic acid (found in Rowan berries) and is therefore natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm-oil free.

Prunus amagdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil is a lovely skin conditioning oil, rich in skin replenishing compounds.  It is found in the natural emulsifier system we use (see Sucrose laurate) and is organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.  

Rosa (canina and rugosa – Wild rose) water is excellent for all skin types, but is especially recommended for dry, mature, sensitive and devitalized skin; it is known for its stress relieving and balancing properties as well as its ability to hydrate, cool and comfort the skin.  It is made from fresh rose petals, organically grown and hand-picked from the Seilich meadow, according to Wildlife Friendly practices.  Once picked the petals are freshly distilled in a traditional copper still in our workshop.  This ingredient is certified Wildlife Friendly, UK sourced, low carbon, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Rosa canina (Rosehip) fruit oil is excellent for all skin types but is particularly good for tired, dehydrated and/or ageing skin.  It contains 80% essential fatty acids (linoleic (omega 6) and linolenic (omega 3) acids) which alongside pro-vitamin A target signs of ageing and boosts the skin’s overall health.  The rosehip oil we use is organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm-oil free.  Although the oil is cold pressed, it is not a low carbon ingredient as all rosehip oil currently available on the market comes from South America and has to travel significant distances to get here.  We hope to one day press our own rosehip oil from the roses we grow in our meadow!

Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) seed oil is excellent for all skin types, but is particularly good for dry, sensitive and mature skins.  It is rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamin E and Vitamin A and is easily absorbed by the skin.  The raspberry seed oil we use is made from UK pressed raspberry seeds (a by product of the jam making industry) and is therefore natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Sodium Anisate is a natural anti-microbial agent that keeps skincare products free of bacteria and fungi.  Made from plant derived organic acids, this ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.  

Sodium hyaluronate is more commonly known as hyaluronic acid.  It is deeply hydrating to the skin as it is able to bind with moisture and draw it deep into the skin.  This ingredient is often made from rooster combs, however the type we use is made from bacteria in a bio-fermentation process. This ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.  

Sodium lactate is made from vegetable sugars.   It is a compound naturally found in the skin and is used in skincare products as a moisturizer and to regulate the pH of the product. It is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Sodium Levulinate is a skin conditioning agent and anti-microbial agent that both benefits your skin and keeps skincare products free of bacteria and fungi.  Made from plant derived organic acids, this ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.  

Sodium phytate is a natural chelator, also known as a pH balancer, that prevents skincare products from becoming too acidic or alkaline.  The ingredient is derived from rice bran and sugarcane and is therefore natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm-oil free.

Sucrose laurate is the main ingredient in our emulsification system, it allows waters and oils to be combined to make lotions and creams.  It is a rare emulsifier in that it is both natural, and does not need the addition of heat to make it work, therefore it allows cold process cream/lotion making methods to be used.  This is both better for the environment as energy is not used in the process, as well as creating a higher quality skincare product as natural oils and floral waters can be spoiled by heating.  This ingredient is produced in the UK and is therefore UK sourced, however other ingredients found in the emulsification system (e.g. the sweet almond oil) must still be imported. We do however class it as a low carbon ingredient as it allows us to make our creams and lotions without using heat/energy.  This ingredient is therefore natural, UK sourced, low carbon, vegan, non-GMO and palm-oil free.

Symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf extract has excellent rejuvenating, soothing and moisturising properties due to the natural compound allatonin that is found within comfrey leaves.  This extract is made from organic comfrey leaves infused in organic glycerin and water, and is therefore organic, natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is an antioxidant which is known to slow the appearance of ageing, boost circulation, prevent moisture loss and prevent the damaging effects of environmental pollution.  It also slows down the oxidation process of natural oils, preventing them from going ‘off’.  Although it often comes from synthetic sources, the type we use is made from cereals e.g. wheat and soy.  This ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

Xanthan gum is used to thicken and stabilize skincare products.  It is natural ingredient made by fermenting cereals e.g. soy, wheat and/or corn.  This ingredient is natural, vegan, non-GMO and palm oil free.

 

 

Botanical name Chamaemelum nobile

Habitat A herb found in grassland, especially in places where mowing, trampling or grazing discourages plant growth.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 5

 

Botanical name Sambucus nigra

Habitat A widespread shrub of woodlands and hedgerows.

Native status Native

Origin Wild foraged from East Lothian hedgerows

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 34

Botanical name Juniperus communis

Habitat It thrives on chalk downland, moorland, in rocky areas and old native pine woodland.

Native status Native

Origin Scottish Highlands

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 52

 

Botanical name Urtica dioica

Habitat Occurs in a wide range of habitats, including woods, scrub, grasslands and river banks.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 123

 

Botanical name Mentha x piperita

Habitat Found in damp grasslands and ditches.

Native status A natural hybrid of the native mint Mentha aquatica and the garden mint Mentha spicata

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 5

 

Botanical name Pinus sylvestris

Habitat Widespread in woodlands throughout Scotland, particularly in the Caledonian Pinewoods.

Native status Native

Origin Scottish Highlands

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 203

 

Botanical name Origanum vulgare

Habitat A herb of dry, infertile soils found in grassland, hedge banks, and scrub.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 48

 

Botanical name Daucus carota

Habitat A herb with a cluster of white flowers surrounding a central pink flower, found growing in infertile soils and disturbed ground.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 32

 

Botanical name Achillea millefolium

Habitat A perennial herb with flat topped white flower heads found in all kinds of grassland habitats.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 119

 

Botanical name Rosa canina

Habitat A shrub comprising arching stems with pink to white flowers, commonly found in hedgerows.

Native status Native

Origin Wild foraged from East Lothian hedgerows

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 50

Botanical name Daucus carota

Habitat A herb with a cluster of white flowers surrounding a central pink flower, found growing in infertile soils and disturbed ground.

Native status Native

Origin The Seilich Meadow, East Lothian

Number of insects that rely on this plant for food 32