Why Botanical Oils Have Been Used for Centuries to Care for Our Skin

Long before skincare came in glass bottles with carefully considered ingredient lists, people turned to the plants around them.

Seeds were pressed for their oils. Flowers were steeped and distilled. Herbs, roots and resins were combined with precious botanical oils to create preparations for the skin, hair and body.

The tradition of using oils in skincare isn’t new. In fact, it is one of the oldest forms of beauty and body care we know.

From ancient ritual to modern skincare

Of course, we now understand far more about skin biology than our ancestors did. We can analyse the individual fatty acids within an oil, understand its antioxidant compounds and select particular botanicals according to the needs of different skin types.

But the fundamental principle remains remarkably similar:

Choose plants with purpose. Extract their beneficial constituents carefully. And let the skin experience them in their most beautiful form.

Oils provide the purest form of skincare

Seeds, fruits, flowers and nuts contain an extraordinary array of naturally occurring compounds that can be beneficial to the skin. When their oils are carefully extracted, they retain a unique combination of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols and phytosterols — each plant bringing its own distinctive botanical profile.

Essential fatty acids are particularly valuable because they form an important part of the skin’s natural lipid barrier. They help to condition the skin, support barrier function and reduce moisture loss, leaving the complexion feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable.

Antioxidants help defend the skin against oxidative stress caused by environmental influences, while naturally occurring vitamins and carotenoids provide further protective, skin-supportive and repairing benefits.

Polyphenols — a diverse group of plant compounds — are valued for their antioxidant and protective properties, while phytosterols can help to condition and support the skin barrier, making them particularly useful for dry, stressed or barrier compromised skin.

Plant active, botanical oils nourish, soften, condition and protect, while supporting the skin’s natural barrier and helping it to maintain a healthy balance of moisture.

And because every plant has its own unique composition, no two botanical oils are quite the same. Each oils molecules are different, those with smaller molecules are easily absorbed into the skin, we refer to them as dry oils because the penetrate deeply, deliverying improved hydration from within, without clogging pores, meaning that even those with oily or blemish prone skin can safely use facial oils, in fact some oils also have natural cleaning properties that help keep pores clear, other oils have larger molecules that sit on the surface of the skin or absorb more slowly. These oils leave the skin feeling and looking silky soft, nourished and shining.

No two oils are the same, the secret is to understanding which oils work well with your skin type or concern.

The modern botanical oil ritual

A facial oil can become much more than the final step in a skincare routine.

Warm a few drops between your fingertips and take a moment before applying. Press it gently into the skin, then use slow facial massage movements to encourage circulation and release tension. Allow the ritual to become a few quiet minutes at the beginning or end of your day.

And choose your oil according to what your skin is asking for. Our facial oils also ranges are more than simply oils, they are compounds which include selective facial oil blends, powered by advanced plant actives and CO2 extracts and gently scented with aromatic flower and herb extracts. Offering treatments within themselves.

Fruit & Flower Facial Oil is a beautiful choice for dry, dull or lacklustre skin, bringing nourishing botanical oils together with powerful antioxidants and hydration boosters to to help soften, plump and restore a healthy-looking luminosity. Gently scented with vitamin C rich citrus blend of essential oils to boost our moods and improve feelings of wellbeing and happiness.

BioRetinyl A Overnight Facial Oil is designed for mature and changing skin, making it particularly suited to an evening ritual when the skin is given time to rest and replenish. Infused with Retinyl A a gentle form of Vitamin A, that offers the same benefits as its more harsh cousin synthetic retinol, by helping support healthy cell function and cell renewal to reveal more youthful radiant skin. Supported by the inclusion of frankincense and precious rose oils.

Zen Skin Facial Oil Compound  is made with lightweight, easily absorbed oils that are readily accepted by all skin types, including oily and blemish prone. Powered by bisabol - the anti-inflammatory compound found in chamomile flowers and a specialist eco conscious algae extract to help support redness prone, barrier compromised and sensitive skin, without clogging pores.

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Thousands of years after the first oils were pressed from seeds and fruits, we are still reaching for the same extraordinary gifts from nature. Perhaps there is something to be said for that. Some rituals endure because they simply work beautifully.