My Ingredients

I'm often asked what goes into my skincare, and, honestly, I love being asked that.

After thirty years as a clinical aromatherapist, I've learned that a formula is only ever as good as the ingredients that it contains — so I choose every single one for a real, skin beneficial reason, never just because it sounds pretty on a label or it's economical to use.

Here are some of the ingredients I use again and again, and why.

Rosehip Oil — Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin A, rosehip helps regenerate skin cells and soften the look of scars, fine lines and sun damage. I use it in so many of my products.

Hyaluronic Acid — An ingredient that holds many times its own weight in water, resulting in plumping and smoothing your skin. It's what gives my Yummie Moisturiser and Multivitamin cream its amazing cushion"y", feel.

Squalane — Gentle, lightweight and beautifully compatible with your skin, squalane replenishes your skins barrier and locks in moisture without a hint of greasiness.

Baobab Seed Oil — An intensely nourishing African oil, high in vitamins A and F, that cleanses without stripping. It's the reason my Nurturing Cleansing Oil leaves your skin soft rather than tight.

Seabuckthorn & Evening Primrose Oils — Deeply nourishing, omega-rich oils that feed and comfort dry, depleted skin.

Vitamins A —

Encourages the skin's natural renewal, helping it look fresher and more even
Softens the look of fine lines and helps smooth uneven texture
Supports firmness and bounce by encouraging the skin's own collagen
Helps even out tone and the look of sun-related pigmentation
A gentler, more gradual form than pure retinol, so it's kinder to sensitive or first-time skin
Acts as an antioxidant, helping defend against daily environmental stress

Vitamins C —

Brightens dull, tired skin and brings back a healthy glow
Helps fade the look of dark spots and even out skin tone
A powerful antioxidant that helps protect against free-radical and pollution damage
Supports collagen production, for firmer, plumper-looking skin
Helps skin look more radiant and "lit from within"
Works beautifully alongside vitamin E — the two boost each other

Vitamins E —

Deeply moisturising, helping skin feel soft, supple and comfortable
Strengthens and supports the skin's natural barrier
Soothes and calms dry, stressed or irritated-looking skin
A protective antioxidant that shields against environmental damage
Helps keep the oils and other actives in a product fresh and stable
Partners with vitamin C to give stronger antioxidant protection together.

Jojoba Oil —

So similar to skin's own natural oil (sebum) that it absorbs cleanly and never feels heavy or greasy
Deeply moisturising while staying light — hydration without the shine
Helps balance oily and combination skin, so it suits skin that's usually nervous of oils
Non-clogging (non-comedogenic), making it a lovely choice for blemish-prone skin
Softens, smooths and conditions, leaving skin comfortable and supple
Naturally rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, helping protect against daily environmental stress
Soothing and gentle enough for sensitive skin
Naturally long-lasting and stable, so it helps keep a blend fresh
Wonderful for hair and beards too — adds shine and softness without grease

Tea Tree — Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, my go-to for calming blemishes and problem skin.

Rosewater — Soothing, anti-inflammatory and gently astringent, it settles redness and refines the look of pores,

Frankincense Essential Oil — the treasured oil for mature and tired skin

A natural astringent, so it helps tone and firm the look of the skin
A long-time favourite for mature skin — helps soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Helps even out the look of skin tone and texture
Soothing and comforting for stressed or dull-looking skin
Helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and supports a clearer-looking complexion
Its warm, resinous, slightly woody aroma is grounding and calming — lovely in a facial or evening blend

Neroli Essential Oil — the gentle, precious oil from orange blossom

One of the gentler essential oils, so it suits sensitive and delicate skin beautifully
Helps tone and improve the look of skin elasticity, lovely for mature skin
Encourages a fresh, radiant, healthy-looking glow
Helps even the appearance of skin tone and soften the look of fine lines
Comforting and soothing for dry, stressed or dull-looking skin
A favourite for the look of scars, blemishes and uneven texture
Its exquisite sweet, floral, citrus aroma is calming and uplifting — gorgeous in a facial oil or evening blend

Lavender Essential Oil — the calming all-rounder

Wonderfully soothing and calming for stressed, irritated or red-looking skin
Helps balance the skin, so it suits oily, dry and combination skin alike
A natural support for blemish-prone skin, helping keep the complexion looking clear
Helps soothe the look of minor irritation, and is a favourite for calm, comfortable skin
Supports a fresh, healthy-looking, even complexion
One of the gentler, most versatile essential oils — a lovely first one to work with
Its soft, familiar floral-herbal aroma is deeply relaxing — beautiful in an evening or bedtime blend

Shea Butter — the rich, protective all-rounder

Deeply nourishing and softening, wonderful for dry, rough or thirsty skin
Rich in fatty acids and natural vitamins A and E, so it feeds the skin as it moisturises
Forms a gentle protective layer that helps skin hold onto moisture
Soothing and comforting for weather-chapped or stressed-looking skin
Helps skin feel supple, smooth and cushioned
Gentle enough for the whole family, from face to hard-working hands

Extra Virgin Olive Oil — the timeless nourisher

Deeply moisturising and rich, lovely for dry and mature skin
Naturally high in antioxidants (including vitamin E) and healthy fatty acids
Helps soften, smooth and condition, leaving skin comfortable
Supports the skin's natural barrier and helps lock in moisture
Soothing for dry, tight or rough-feeling skin
A time-honoured ingredient — gentle, familiar and beautifully conditioning

Mango Butter — the lighter, silkier butter

Nourishing and softening, but lighter and less heavy than shea
Absorbs beautifully, leaving a gorgeous velvety, non-greasy finish
Helps support skin's suppleness and elasticity
Rich in fatty acids that soften and smooth
Virtually odourless, so it's lovely on the face and takes fragrance well
A treat for anyone who finds richer butters a bit much

Cocoa Butter — the firm, protective treat

Rich and deeply moisturising, brilliant for very dry skin
Forms a protective barrier that shields skin from wind and cold and helps seal in moisture
Naturally high in antioxidants and fatty acids
Helps skin feel soft, smooth and comforted
Long a favourite for supporting the look of skin elasticity
That gorgeous natural chocolatey aroma is a lovely bonus

Everything ingredient I use is plant-based. My skincare is cruelty-free and handmade in small batches here in the west of Ireland.

If you'd ever like to know exactly what's in a particular product, or which would suit your skin, just drop me an email. I'm always happy to help.

Steph x