Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is native to North Africa, but it is now grown all over the world for its numerous health and skin benefits. Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, and it is one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products today.

Aloe vera contains a gel-like substance that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that make it a popular ingredient in skin care products. Here are some of the skin care benefits of aloe vera:

1. Moisturizing: Aloe vera is an excellent natural moisturizer that helps to hydrate the skin without leaving it greasy or oily. It contains mucopolysaccharides, which help to bind moisture to the skin, making it look plump and supple.

2. Soothing: Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an effective ingredient for soothing irritated and inflamed skin. It can help to calm down redness, itching, and burning caused by skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

3. Anti-aging: Aloe vera is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from free radical damage that can lead to premature aging. It also contains compounds that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining the skin's elasticity and firmness.

4. Acne-fighting: Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties that make it an effective ingredient for treating acne. It can help to kill the bacteria that cause acne and reduce inflammation and redness.

5. Healing: Aloe vera has healing properties that make it an excellent ingredient for treating wounds, burns, and other skin injuries. It can help to speed up the healing process and reduce scarring.

Overall, aloe vera is a versatile ingredient that can benefit all skin types. It is gentle and safe to use, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

BOTANICAL NAME: Aloe barbadensis

EXTRACTION: Ground, filtered, concentrated, dried

DESCRIPTION: Aloe Vera has been used for centuries in various parts of the world as a medicinal product.  The plant is a succulent found typically in tropical and hot climates. It is native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean.  This plant's leaves are thick and serrated, containing a gel-like substance and produces a beautiful yellow, tubular flower in the summer.  The powder extracted from the leaves of the aloe vera plant contains soothing polysaccharides that bind moisture to skin, giving it its soothing, protective hydration.

KEY COMPONENTS: Polysaccharides (glucomannan and acemannan), carboxypeptidase, magnesium, zinc, calcium, glucose, cholesterol, salicylic acid, prostaglandin precursors (gamma-linolenic acid [GLA]), vitamins A, C, E, lignins, saponins, plant sterols and amino acids.

FOUND IN: CLEANSE - Tea Tree & Aloe, MOISTURIZE - Juniper & Hemp, SHAVE - Fir Balsam & Clove, Sweet Orange Gel Cleanser, Sweet Orange Exfoliating Cleanser, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin, Nordic Boost Hydrating Serum, Reflector SPF 30 Facial Sun Protection, Skin Care Starter Kit for Oily Skin, Skin Care Starter Kit for Men

Witch Hazel Hydrosol

Witch hazel hydrosol is a byproduct of the steam distillation process used to extract essential oil from the witch hazel plant. It is a gentle and soothing liquid that is often used in skin care products due to its numerous benefits for the skin.

One of the key benefits of witch hazel hydrosol for the skin is its ability to act as a natural astringent. This means it can help to tighten and tone the skin, making it particularly useful for people with oily or acne-prone skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of pores and prevent the buildup of bacteria that can lead to breakouts.

Witch hazel hydrosol is also anti-inflammatory, making it useful for people with sensitive or irritated skin. It can help to reduce redness, soothe itchiness, and calm inflamed skin. It is gentle enough to be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin.

In addition to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel hydrosol is also moisturizing and can help to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. It contains natural antioxidants that can help to protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging.

Witch hazel hydrosol can be used in a variety of ways in skin care. It can be used as a toner after cleansing, as a refreshing mist throughout the day, or as a soothing compress for irritated or inflamed skin. It can also be added to DIY skin care recipes, such as face masks or serums.

Overall, witch hazel hydrosol is a versatile and beneficial ingredient for skin care. Whether you have oily or dry skin, sensitive or acne-prone skin, or just want to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, witch hazel hydrosol can be a great addition to your skin care routine.

BOTANICAL NAME: Hamamelis (Greek - name for another plant) virginiana (Virginia) 

EXTRACTION: Steam Distillation

DESCRIPTION: Witch Hazel hydrosol is a water distillate extracted from the witch-hazel shrub, or the Hamamelis virginiana.  The witch hazel plant is found in North America and has been used in traditional indigenous medicine for centuries. Witch hazel is an astringent with multiple skincare benefits.  Indigenous cultures in North America use this astringent to treat swellings, inflammations and tumors.  Their healing methods using this ingredient were adopted by early Puritan settlers once they arrived from Europe.  It was Dr. Charles Hawes who discovered that steam distillation of witch hazel stems and bark produced stronger healing capabilities and was the first to market witch hazel as “Hawes Extract” in Essex, Connecticut at the end of the 19^th century.  Witch hazel hydrosol is clear and colourless and has an innate ability to sooth, calm and cool skin. It contains astringent tannins gallic acid, hamamelitannin  and proanthocyanidins that have a drying effect on the skin. 

KEY COMPONENTS: gallic acid, hamamelitannin, proanthocyanidin

FOUND IN: AFTERSHAVE – Bay Rum, AFTERSHAVE – Muskoka, CLEANSE – Tea Tree & Aloe Vera, Sweet Orange Gel Cleanser, Sweet Orange Exfoliating Cleanser, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin, Skin Care Starter Kit for Oil Skin, Skin Care Starter Kit for Men

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is a powerful natural remedy that has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of Australia for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. It is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree plant (Melaleuca alternifolia) through a process of steam distillation.

Tea tree essential oil has numerous skin care benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. It is a popular ingredient in many skin care products, including cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, and can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Here are some of the skin care benefits of tea tree essential oil:

1. Acne treatment: Tea tree essential oil has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of acne by killing the bacteria that cause it. It also helps to reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne.

2. Eczema and psoriasis relief: Tea tree oil can help soothe and heal dry, itchy skin caused by eczema and psoriasis. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and redness, while its antiseptic properties help to prevent infection.

3. Anti-aging benefits: Tea tree oil is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. This can help to reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Soothes sunburn: Tea tree oil can help to soothe and heal sunburned skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and redness, while its antiseptic properties help to prevent infection.

5. Fights fungal infections: Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that can help to treat fungal infections, such as athlete's foot and toenail fungus.

6. Reduces dandruff: Tea tree oil can help to reduce dandruff by killing the fungus that causes it. It also helps to soothe and moisturize the scalp.

BOTANICAL NAME: Melaleuca (from Greek melas - black and leukos - white, of many species the trunk is black and the shoots are white) alternifolia 

EXTRACTION: Steam Distilled 

DESCRIPTION: The tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, is a tree native to Southeast Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. The leaves and twigs of this tree are steam distilled to create an essential oil with a fresh camphorous odor. Tea tree oil contains powerful monoterpenes terpinen-4-ol, pinene and terpineol that have a purifying effects on the skin.

KEY COMPONENTS: Terpinen-4-ol, a-Pinene a-Terpineol

FOUND IN: CLEANSE - Tea Tree + Aloe, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile and widely used essential oils in the world, renowned for its calming and soothing properties. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine and aromatherapy, and is popularly used in a variety of personal care products, including skincare.

When it comes to skincare, lavender essential oil is known for its many benefits. Here are some of the ways it can benefit your skin:

1. Soothes skin irritations: Lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help soothe and heal skin irritations like rashes, bug bites, and minor burns. Applying lavender essential oil topically can help reduce redness, swelling, and pain associated with these types of skin irritations.

2. Calms acne-prone skin: Lavender essential oil has been shown to have antibacterial properties that can help prevent and treat acne. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.

3. Moisturizes dry skin: Lavender essential oil is a natural moisturizer that can help hydrate dry and flaky skin. It can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Promotes wound healing: Lavender essential oil has been shown to promote wound healing by increasing collagen production and promoting the growth of new skin cells. This makes it useful in treating minor cuts and bruises, as well as more serious wounds.

5. Reduces the appearance of scars: Lavender essential oil can help reduce the appearance of scars by promoting the growth of new skin cells and reducing inflammation. This makes it useful in treating both old and new scars.

Overall, lavender essential oil is a natural and effective way to improve the health and appearance of your skin.

BOTANICAL NAME: Lavandula (from the Latin word lavo meaning to wash-because of its use in soaps) angustifolia (narrow-leaved)

EXTRACTION: Steam distillation

DESCRIPTION: The lavender plant is a shrub that produces small, purple, fragrant flowers.  It is a hardy perennial that is grown in several different climates and countries with the largest producer being France. This herb is steeped in human history, from ancient bathing rituals to traditional wedding bouquets symbolizing devotion and purity. Always used to perfume, to cleanse, and to heal, lavender was also added to smelling salts in Victorian times, and clutched by women in labour for strength and courage. The birth of modern day aromatherapy can be attributed to lavender. Chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950), who coined the term "aromatherapy", was in a terrible lab accident that left him with a severely burned arm. He successfully treated it with lavender oil and began a lifelong study of essential oils. Lavender oil contains linalool and linalyl acetate  that combine to create soothing properties to calm redness and irritation. The aroma is a clean, herbal, floral.

KEY COMPONENTS: Linalool and linalyl acetate

FOUND IN: CLEANSE - Tea Tree & Aloe, MOISTURIZE - Juniper & Hemp, Petal Purity Facial Cleanser, Petal Purity Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, Touchy Feely Body Lotion, Touchy Feely Hand Soap, Touchy Feely Bubble Bath, Bath Cube - Spruce Flora, Bath Salt - Lavender, Bath Salt - Spruce Flora, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin