Aloe vera is one of my favourite skincare ingredients, and plays a major role in my Hydrating Facial Mist, Replenishing Moisturiser, Calming Blemish Gel and Revitalising Eye Serum.  The ancient Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality”.  In Ayurvedic medicine, aloe vera is used to effectively heal chronic skin problems, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.

Aloe vera is a cactus plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family.  Aloe leaves secrete a clear gel that when broken off from the rest of the plant can be applied topically to heal wounds and soothe skin.  It is an excellent emollient, making it soothing and calming to the skin.

Aloe is packed full of over 75 different nutrients, including beta carotene, vitamins C and E, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and naturally occurring salicylic acid. It has wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, and stimulates the growth of new skin cells.  It fights ageing by helping to improve the skin’s natural firmness and hydration, and is excellent in treating acne and other skin conditions.

Argan oil is produced by the kernels of the argan tree, which is unique to Morocco.  The oil I source is ethically produced by co-operatives involving Berber women.  It is extremely pure and rich in nutrients, including vitamin E, carotene, and omega 6 fatty acids, and is cold pressed to retain these nutrients.

Argan oil is very beneficial for smoothing lines and minimising wrinkles on the face and neck.  It helps to tone and firm skin, and works well around the eye area, and on sensitive and mature skin.  It is a key ingredient in my Nourishing Facial Oil, Replenishing Moisturiser and Revitalising Eye Serum.

Beta carotene is an antioxidant that is converted by the body into vitamin A.  It is important for tissue growth and repair, and helps to combat dry and tired skin.  It is bright orange in colour (think carrots!), which is what gives my Replenishing Moisturiser its peachy hue.

Piper Nigrum (black pepper) oil is the volatile oil distilled from the dried ripe fruit.  It has a fresh scent with a dry, woody note and warming, spicy fragrance.

Black pepper oil has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and stimulates the skin with the warmth of its piperine compounds.  This is beneficial to the skin’s circulation as well as being psychologically uplifting.

Blood orange essential oil is gentle, but more intensely sweet and fragrant than orange essential oil.  It is uplifting for the mind and revitalising for the senses.  I use it in all of my skincare blends.

This oil helps to brighten dull and oily complexions so is ideal for problem skin types.

Castor oil is an excellent oil for cleansing, as it has the ability to draw dirt to itself.  For this reason, it is considered to be a detoxifying oil. It is very viscous with a high fat content, which means it absorbs into the skin very slowly.  This also makes it ideal for cleansing.

A unique oil, with a silky-soft, dry-on-the-skin feel and a pleasant smell.   Being high in omega 3 and 6, it is perfect for smoothing fine lines and improving skin’s elasticity.  It is also great for treating acne-prone, oily and large-pored skin, due to it’s rebalancing properties.  It is very gentle and kind on sensitive skin too.

I use D-panthenol in Replenishing Moisturiser due to its ability to bind water to the outer skin layer.  Once it makes contact with living cells in the skin, it converts to Vitamin B5, which holds in moisture and boosts skin metabolism.  This moisture absorption has the effect of “filling out” the area to which it is applied, naturally stretching the skin, erasing fine lines around the eyes and mouth and reducing severity of wrinkles. When used as part of a daily skin care maintenance system, D-panthenol can make a big difference in the overall look of your skin.

D-panthenol is an important anti-ageing ingredient as it soothes, softens and moisturizes the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its exfoliating properties fight free radicals and promote new skin cells to consistently regenerate, offering a more youthful, fresh appearance.

Evening primrose oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the evening primrose flower.  It is a dry, light oil that is easily absorbed by the skin, retaining moisture and making skin softer and less prone to problems.

It is considered the best remedy for eczema and other skin issues, and is suitable for a variety of different skin types, including oily, sensitive, acne-prone and mature.

This oil is a great source of omega 6 fatty acids and contains a high quantity of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which are both essential for the proper functioning of the skin. It is also used in foods as a dietary source of fatty acids.

You will find this luxurious ingredient in my Nourishing Facial Oil and Replenishing Moisturiser.

Frankincense has long been used as an aid to meditation with its spiritually uplifting scent.  It is also wonderfully nourishing for dry and mature skin.  It aids cellular turnover to revitalise skin and minimize the appearance of scars and wrinkles.

A gentle broad spectrum preservation system approved by Ecocert for use in natural and organic skincare products.

Its four components (benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycerine and sorbic acid) are very well tolerated by even the most sensitive skin types.

Any product that contains water requires preservation, otherwise bacteria, yeasts and moulds will grow after a few days.  This is a non-paraben, non-formaldehyde, non-isothiazolone based preservative system, that is aligned with the Free Spirited ethos.

A tangy, fresh, citrus-smelling oil with a green note – amazingly fresh and great for detoxing.  It is gentle, uplifting, cheering and soothing.

Glycerine is a natural humectant, which means it attracts moisture and holds it into the skin.  When used in skincare products it softens the skin, improving its condition and appearance.  I use it in my Hydrating Facial Mist, as it helps to lock the nutrients from the floral waters into the skin, resulting in a plumper, smoother complexion.

Known as ‘The fountain of youth”, hyaluronic acid is very popular in anti-ageing skincare.  It is a humectant that has the ability to absorb up to 1,000 times its own weight of water, which makes it super moisturising.  It is the perfect hero ingredient in my Revitalising Eye Serum and Replenishing Moisturiser.

Jojoba Oil is actually a liquid wax, that forms a transparent, protective film on the skin, retaining skin’s moisture.  It is extremely similar in composition to the skin’s natural sebum.  It is an excellent oil for protecting the skin from water, wind, dirt, cold and all kinds of weather conditions. It also acts as an emulsifier to help unclog the pores, and is suitable for all skin types.  I use this oil in my Nourishing Facial Oil and Replenishing Moisturiser.

Konjac Glucomannan is a natural dietary fibre made from the root of the konjac plant.  It is used as a natural thickener in my products, but is also edible, and is often used as a bulking agent in foods.  You may have come across konjac noodles, which fill you up with little to no calories!

Konjac creates a soothing, clear gel that helps to carry some of my water based ingredients, such as those found in my Calming Blemish Gel and Revitalising Eye Serum.

The lavender oil used in my products is the highest quality French lavender, which has a beautiful calming scent and is ideal for mature and problematic skin types.

The list of properties for lavender is one of the longest of all the aromatherapy oils.  It is also known as a synergist, which means it helps the other oils in the blend to work even better!

The organic lavender water that I use in Hydrating Facial Mist is a genuine hydrolate produced naturally as a by-product of essential oil distillation.  It is used to regenerate the skin, and its distinct scent is well-known for calming both the mind & body.

Lemon scented tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Leptospermum Petersonii plant.  It is a different species to usual tea tree oil, but has all the highly effective antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties associated with tea tree oil.  This oil, however, is actually related to Manuka and has a bright, uplifting lemon fragrance.  It is a valuable addition to my Calming Blemish Gel and is ideal for acne-prone complexions.

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) are natural exfoliating agents that help with skin cell renewal.  The AHAs that I use in my Calming Blemish Gel are made from a blend of five botanical extracts: bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange, and lemon, making it a very natural source of several AHAs.

AHAs work by reducing the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells onto the surface of the skin, revealing a smoother, softer layer of skin as the dead cells fall off.

Neroli is an oil extracted from orange blossom.  It is a luxurious oil with a light, sweet and floral fragrance and is one of the ultimate oils for skin care!

Neroli works well for mature skin as it helps to reduce wrinkles and is also well tolerated by sensitive skins.  It can help to reduce the appearance of scars and thread veins.  Neroli also balanced sebum production so is a great choice for oily as well as dry skin.

The olive oil I use is extra virgin, organic and cold-pressed to retain its nutrients.  It is a classic oil for dry, chapped skin, and is particularly good for mature skin. Olive oil’s nourishing, softening and protecting properties are well known but it is also anti-inflammatory, therefore is ideal for soothing irritated, damaged or itchy skin. It provides excellent lubrication and a soft, smooth feeling on the skin.

Orange blossom water is produced by the distillation of fresh orange blossom petals.  It has a beautiful aroma which is both uplifting and soothing.   Its mild astringent action is beneficial for combination, oily and acne-prone skin.  It is also excellent for mature or prematurely aged skin as it helps to promote the regeneration of healthy new skin cells.  Orange blossom water makes a superb toner and is a key ingredient in my Hydrating Facial Mist.

A deeply rich, sweet floral fragrance that is nourishing to both the mind and the body.  It takes an incredible amount of rose petals to product the oil, which is highly prized.

Rose oil is suitable for all skin types but is especially beneficial to dry or mature skin, and improves the appearance of wrinkles and broken capillaries.

Rosehip oil is considered to be one of the best anti-wrinkle oils available today.  It soothes fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth, and softens scars.  It gives elasticity to the skin and helps against skin ageing.  The oil is rapidly absorbed by the skin and does not leave any fatty residue, making it an excellent face oil.  You’ll find it in my Nourishing Facial Oil and Replenishing Moisturiser.

Rosehip is also an excellent source of trans-retinoic acid (a natural precursor of vitamin A), which is very good for treating all kinds of skin problems. Rosehip is amongst the best vegetable oil source of omega 3 and is also a good source of omega 6.

Rose water is produced by the distillation of fresh rose petals.  With its familiar, comforting aroma, is makes a perfect skin toner and is a key ingredient in my Hydrating Facial Mist.  This hydrolate is beneficial for all skin types.  It is mildly astringent which helps to cool and sooth sensitive and irritated skin.   Its high levels of anti-oxidants and vitamins help to nourish and rejuvenate ageing skin.  It also has natural antiseptic, ant-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Sandalwood essential oil is obtained from the wood of the Australian Sandalwood.  It has long been used for meditation and ritual, due to its calming and harmonising nature.

It is a superb oil for rehydrating the skin and gives a radiant glow to the skin.  Even though it rehydrates dry skin, it also has an astringent effect so tones the skin and makes it firmer.

Extracted from the kernels of sweet almonds, this oil has been used since antiquity for its therapeutic and moisturising properties. It has a lovely skin feel and makes the skin soft, smooth and supple.

In addition to being a fantastic moisturising oil, sweet almond oil is also a great cleansing oil.  I combine it with olive oil in my Purifying Cleansing Balm for a superb cleansing combination.

Tea tree oil is native to Australia and is distilled from the leaves of the Melaleaca Alternifolia plant.  It is an amazing oil that has incredibly effective anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.  It works well for acne-prone skin and is often used as a natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide.  It is a key ingredient in my Calming Blemish Gel.

Cosmetic grade vitamin C is an antioxidant, which is an invaluable anti-ageing ingredient. It is essential to the production of collagen, a protein that helps cell renewal and repair, and gives skin its firmness and strength.

Vitamin E oil is a classic antioxidant, which protects the skin against the destruction of the connective tissue caused by free radicals.  It is also believed to help reduce the appearance of scar tissue.   This oil is not only beneficial for the skin but also helps to prevent the oxidation of other oils that it is mixed with, preserving the nutrient content of those oils.  For this reason you’ll find it in all of my oil-containing products.