Time-Honored Botanicals
Our ingredients have been renowned 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 grows on rocky slopes near the sea. With one of the highest antioxidant activities of all plants, Rosemary has been renowned beauty elixir for more than 4,000 years.
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Lavender
Revitalizing Oil, Cyprus 2000 BC
Native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender is an evergreen shrub known for its high antioxidant content 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.
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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 over 500 years. High in antioxidants, soapbark soothes the skin and acts as a powerful free-radical scavenger.
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Sugarcane
Facial Tonic, India 400 BC
Native to Southeast Asia, sugarcane has been used to make wine since ancient times. According to a 1st century 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.
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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.
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Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean where it grows on rocky slopes near the sea. Rosemary comes from the Latin Rosmarinus or 'Dew of the Sea', most 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 a beauty elixir can be traced back to ancient Egypt where the remedy was known for its power to transform the old to the young, remove all signs of age and beautify the skin. The recipe was such a closely guarded secret it was unknown in the West until a Latin manuscript on the virtues of herbal wine emerged in the the late 13th century. By the 17th century, the ancient beauty secret became legendary as Queen of Hungary Water after being introduced at the court of Louis XIV, and its popularity endured for centuries.
With one of the highest antioxidant activities of all known plants, Rosemary has been renowned as a beauty elixir for more than 4,000 years. In addition to its powerful skincare benefits, Rosemary offers revitalizing and purifying aromatic effects.
Lavender
Native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender is an evergreen shrub known for its high antioxidant content 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. During the Middle Ages, 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 high antioxidant activity 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 more than five hundred years. 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 acts as a conditioner and as a powerful free-radical scavenger due to its high antioxidant content and the presence of tannins and over 100 saponins.
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 first century 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, Rosemary was found in wine dating back to 3150 BCE. 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 next-generation CO2 botanical facial toner is made with sugarcane alcohol to enhance the penetration of antioxidants and nutrients into the skin, while acting as a preservative. Due to its low concentration and high volatility, the alcohol quickly evaporates without drying the skin, leaving behind a glowing, radiant complexion.
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 mint's scent uplifts the spirit, which might explain its presence in Egyptian pyramids 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 its skin-reviving prowess—a tradition that continues today.
Peppermint is highly prized for its fresh, minty aroma that invigorates and uplifts. Its robust antioxidant properties have long been revered in beauty treatments. Known for its refreshing and exhilarating qualities, peppermint is a powerful active botanical ingredient suitable for all skin types.