Time-Honored Botanicals
Our ingredients have been valued for their rejuvenating benefits since antiquity.
Rosemary
Elixir of Youth — Egypt 2000 BC
From the Latin Rosmarinus or "Dew of the Sea," Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean where it thrives on dry, rocky slopes near the sea. Revered as an elixir of youth for over 4,000 years, Rosemary has one of the highest antioxidant activities of all known plants.
Lavender
Revitalizing Oil — Cyprus 2000 BC
Native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender is an evergreen shrub known for its soothing properties and relaxing sweet scent. Used in skincare since antiquity, lavender was found at the earliest-known cosmetic factory on Cyprus, 50 miles from the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.
Soapbark
Skin + Hair Tonic — Chile 500 BC
Soapbark is an evergreen tree native to South America. Rich in lather-producing saponins, soapbark has been used by the indigenous Mapuche as a gentle cleanser and hair tonic for centuries. Its natural saponins smooth and condition, enhancing the skin's suppleness.
Sugarcane
Facial Tonic — India 400 BC
Native to Southeast Asia, sugarcane has been used to make wine since ancient times. According to an early Ayurvedic text, sugarcane wine was used as a facial tonic to improve the complexion's vitality and radiance. In ancient Egypt, rosemary wine was renowned as a beauty elixir.
Mint
Revitalizing Bath — Greece 350 BC
Native to Europe and the Middle East, mint is a widely cultivated herbaceous perennial plant prized by ancient civilizations for its medicinal properties and refreshing scent. The Greeks infused mint into revitalizing baths to promote vitality, invigorate the senses and purify the mind.
Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, where it thrives on dry, rocky slopes near the sea. The name "Rosemary" comes from the Latin Rosmarinus, or "Dew of the Sea," likely derived from the ancient Egyptian word for green (wʒḏ). Signified by a papyrus stem hieroglyph, wʒḏ is associated with the sea, youth, and beauty, as well as the Mediterranean, known as the "Great Green."
The origin of Rosemary’s use as an elixir of youth traces back to ancient Egypt, where it was celebrated for its power to transform the old to the young, remove all signs of age, and beautify the skin. This recipe was a closely guarded secret that remained unknown in the West until a Latin manuscript on the virtues of herbal wine emerged in the late 13th century. By the 17th century, this ancient beauty secret became legendary after its introduction at the court of Louis XIV as Queen of Hungary Water, and its popularity endured for centuries.
Revered as an elixir of youth for over 4,000 years, Rosemary exhibits one of the highest antioxidant activities of all known plants. With its rejuvenating benefits and revitalizing aromatic effects, it remains one of nature’s most valued botanical ingredients for the skin.
Lavender
Native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender is an evergreen shrub known for its soothing properties and relaxing sweet scent. In antiquity, lavender was valued for its ability to purify the body and mind and was often used by the Romans to scent their baths. Thus, 'lavender' comes from the Latin lavare meaning to wash.
Used in cosmetics for thousands of years, lavender was found with rosemary at the earliest-known cosmetic factory (2000 BC) on the island of Cyprus, just 50 miles from the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. The ancient Egyptians used lavender in perfumed ointments, skin revitalizing preparations and as incense in sacred ceremonies. In the 17th century, lavender was often blended with Rosemary in Queen of Hungary Water, the renowned beauty elixir.
Lavender’s long tradition of use in beauty preparations can be attributed to its skin-calming properties and sweet, herbaceous scent, as well as its relaxing and uplifting aromatic effects.
Soapbark
Quillaja saponaria, known as soapbark, is a large evergreen tree with shiny, green leaves and thick bark, native to the mountainous regions of South America. The Latin botanical name is derived from the Mapuche word quillean which means to wash and sapo from the Latin word for soap.
Rich in lather-producing saponins, soapbark has been used as a gentle cleanser for centuries. Known for their herbal tradition going back thousands of years, the Mapuche use soapbark in baths and as a hair tonic to promote lustrous, beautiful hair.
In skincare preparations, soapbark's natural saponins act as a gentle conditioner — smoothing the skin and enhancing its natural suppleness.
Sugarcane
Saccharum, known as sugarcane, is native to Southeast Asia and has been cultivated for its sweet juice for thousands of years. The Charaka Saṃhitā, a classical Sanskrit text on Ayurvedic medicine, refers to the earliest known use of sugarcane wine as a facial tonic used to improve the complexion's vitality and radiance.
Wine has been used in beauty preparations for more than five thousand years. In ancient Egypt, herbal wines were prepared as early as 3150 BCE — and Rosemary wine became renowned as an elixir of youth and beauty. In the 13th century, Vinum de Rore Marino or Rosemary Wine was introduced to the West as a powerful beauty elixir.
Like Rosemary Wine, our Rosemary Elixir is made with organic sugarcane alcohol, which helps carry Rosemary's antioxidants and nutrients into the skin. In our milky essence, the alcohol evaporates quickly without drying the skin — leaving behind a soft, dewy glow.
Mint
Mint, a herbaceous perennial plant native to Europe and the Middle East, thrives in cool, moist habitats with partial shade, often near water. Widely cultivated, mint was prized by ancient civilizations for its medicinal and aromatic qualities. The Greeks incorporated mint into perfumes, revitalizing baths, and bridal wreaths dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Pliny the Elder noted that the scent of mint uplifts the spirit. Mint has also been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to the first millennium BC.
Throughout history, mint has played a vital role in beauty rituals, valued for its refreshing aroma, potent astringent properties, and cooling effects. In the 17th century, mint was frequently included in Queen of Hungary Water, enhancing the rejuvenating benefits of rosemary. By the eighteenth century, eau de menthe became popular in France as a toilet water renowned for refreshing and reviving the skin — a tradition that continues today.
Peppermint is highly prized for its fresh, minty aroma that invigorates and uplifts. Known for its refreshing and exhilarating qualities, peppermint lends a vibrant, renewing note to our No. 3 Rosemary Mint — suitable for all skin types.