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| Arnica � the classic herb for bruises, swellings, strains or other minor injuries. Available as a botanical extract, oil or herb to add to recipes (the oil is usually supplied diluted in sunflower or other carrier oil, as arnica can be very strong).
INCI name: Arnica montana Avocado � available as a cold pressed vegetable butter which melts on contact with the skin and is mild and nourishing, or as an oil. Vitamin rich, great for tired or dry skin. Superb in creams and massage oils. INCI name: Persea gratissima Beeswax - indispensable in ointments, balms and lip products. Creates a barrier, protecting the skin and helping moisturise. INCI name: Cera flava Borage Oil � borage is a herb with a long and distinguished history. The oil is dry and thin, but has extremely high concentrations of Gamma Linoleic Acid, an essential fatty acid which help cell renewal and skin repair. Also a great source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils. Usually available with small percentages of vitamin E added. Works extremely well in skin creams and lotions. INCI name: Borago officinalis Calendula � one of my favourite herbs. Calendula (Marigold) is a superb healing and soothing herb for everything from bruises to thread veins. Available as a botanical extract or infused oil or � if you like things easy � fresh from the garden! INCI name: Calendula officinalis Camelina Oil � a less common oil, also known as Gold of Pleasure or Wild Flax. Enormously high Omega 3 content means it is very beneficial used as a salad dressing or added to anti-wrinkle creams, massage oils, skin lotions etc. INCI name: Camelina sativa Carrageen Powder � a thickening agent derived from seaweed. Used in gels and liquid soaps and shampoos. INCI name: Carrageenan Carnauba Wax - derived from the Brazilian Wax palm tree and used in lip products. Like beeswax, helps protect and soften, and helps keep your lipsticks and balms from melting in high temperatures. INCI name: Copernicia cerifera Carrot Oil / Extract � available as a botanical extract or oil, carrot is suitable for most skin types and can be added in small quantities to promote nourishment and good texture when used in body butters, creams and lotions. INCI name: Daucus carota |
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| Castor Oil � a refined version of the old home remedy. A fatty, viscous oil that is absorbed slowly by the skin and is therefore great for lip balms, exfoliating scrubs and massage oils.
INCI name: ricinus communis Cellulose Gum � derived from plant fibres and used in gels or creams to stabilise and improve texture. Also used in shampoos. INCI name: Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Sodium acetate, Aqua Cetyl Alcohol � Derived from Palm Kernel Fatty Acid (Palmitic acid) and used to give a firmer consistency to creams and lotions. INCI name: Cetyl alcohol Citric Acid and Cellulose � used with Sodium Bicarbonate to make fizzy bath bombs or bath salts INCI name: Citric acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose Citrozine - This is the brand name of an organic preservative still new to the market. It is basically bitter orange extract, but apparently functions effectively as a broad-spectrum anti-mould, -fungal and -bacterial preservative, and may prove a viable alternative to parabens in producing skincare products with a decent shelflife. Check back soon for details or, if you have used citrozine(TM), please email me and let me know what you thought! INCI name: Bitter Orange Extract Clay � many different types of clay are available as powders. They each have slightly different properties and will suit different skins as facial or body masks and treatments. Green clay (INCI: Green clay) is good for oily skin, Pink clay (INCI: Pink clay) for dry or sensitive skin, Yellow clay (INCI: Yellow clay) for oily, White clay (INCI: White clay) for sensitive and Red clay (INCI: Red clay) will do for most skin types. Clay is sometimes obtainable pre-mixed with hydrosols in tubes but, for best results, I always buy as a powder and mix my own masques fresh. Cocoa Butter - the most commonly used vegetable butter. Derived from cocoa beans. Mild and nourishing, giving a good consistency to most products. INCI name: Theobroma cacao Coconut Butter / Oil � Available as a cold pressed oil (liquid fractionated coconut oil) or a sweet smelling vegetable butter, the same as is used in cooking. Can be added to massage oils, hair products, soap and body butters as well as creams, lotion and suncare. Low melting point (around 25 degrees C) INCI name: Cocos nucifera |
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