My favourite essential oil, and why...

So back when we were first starting the business, I jumped on a train headed for deepest Yorkshire, and went to Soap School. There I learned how to put both our goats milk and our kefir into soaps and lotions (not a straightforward process, as you can imagine! Involves a lot of freezing stuff…) But worth it – because the the goats milk is anti-inflammatory and soaks through the barrier of the human skin, taking all those lovely vitamins and minerals with it, and of course the kefir is probiotic. That’s a good thing.

BECAUSE – and here’s the weird thing – your skin is a microbiome just like your gut! Weird, right? But true. Your skin, right this minute, has loads of living bacteria on there, thriving away. Unless, of course, you’ve blasted your skin with an antibacterial soap. (Note – PLEASE DON’T do this. If you’re still using an antibacterial soap, drop it in the bin! And read this: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/five-reasons-why-you-should-probably-stop-using-antibacterial-soap-180948078/)

So then I had a base recipe – milk and kefir – for both soaps and lotions. Whipped it up on the stove in my farmhouse kitchen. Great. Then I wanted to create some different flavours – a range – and jazz them up with natural things that would make them smell nice, as well as adding health benefits. This is what the range ended up looking like:

When it was time for me to pick an essential oil to go into my work-horse Soothing Soaps and Lotions, rosemary was a no-brainer. What’s not to love? Rosemary – crisp, clean, sharp – smells like a spa. Fragrant, but not too prissy. Men like it, as well as women – a male friend once told me that he uses our Soothing Soap as a shampoo and shaving aid, and the Soothing Lotion afterwards to keep away those little shaving bumps. Smells nice, but not too girly, he said.

Full disclosure – I’m a rosemary junkie. In an antique French galvanized tub outside the farmhouse kitchen, I grow a green ginger rosemary to cook with, which is divine. It looks like this, and YES it makes a difference! Honestly. (I can’t be ar$%^ messing with things that don’t move the dial.) Try it.

I also consume rosemary all day long in our Get Me Through the Day Tea. Because whyyyyyy not? Truth be told, I love the stuff so much I literally bathe in it. (which is easy to do and very luxurious, by the way – just tie some tea into a clean sock and drop it in your bath. It’s the beauty of herbs – they’re good for your insides and your outsides!)

I chose to put the rosemary into the Soothing Range all on its own, because I find – and I don’t mean to cause offense here – but when you start combining essential oils, it just all ends up smelling like hippie-tent-patchouli! Know what I mean? I prefer the fresh, clean blast of a single essential oil.

Then I needed to put something into the soap to make it a nice colour, and I chose pink facial clay, makes it look like this, (plus is great for the skin!)…

Rosemary is great for – ahem – those of us who are fortunate enough to have reached a certain age. The science around it is crazy, which is fun if you’re a research junkie like me. Research shows that rosemary has:

Antioxidant Properties: Rosemary is rich in antioxidants, such as rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, which help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can accelerate the aging process by breaking down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.¹
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary help reduce puffiness and swelling in the skin. This can be particularly beneficial for aging skin, which may be prone to inflammation and sensitivity.²
Improved Circulation: Rosemary stimulates blood circulation, which can enhance the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells. Improved circulation helps to maintain a healthy, youthful complexion and supports skin repair and rejuvenation.³
Astringent Properties: As an astringent, rosemary can help tighten and tone the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This can give the skin a firmer, more youthful appearance.⁴
Antimicrobial Benefits: Rosemary has natural antimicrobial properties, which can help keep the skin clear of bacteria and other pathogens that can cause infections or exacerbate conditions like acne.⁵
Moisturization and Hydration: Rosemary extract can help maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance. Well-hydrated skin is more resilient and less prone to showing signs of aging.⁶
Collagen Boost: Some studies suggest that rosemary can stimulate collagen production, which is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and preventing the formation of wrinkles and sagging.⁷
Skin Repair and Regeneration: Rosemary can aid in skin repair and regeneration by promoting the production of new, healthy skin cells. This can help reduce the appearance of scars, age spots, and other signs of aging.⁸
Protection Against UV Damage: The antioxidants in rosemary also provide some protection against damage caused by UV radiation, which is a major factor in premature skin aging.⁹

So the next time you’re in a herb garden – or near a herb windowsill – (hopefully, your own! ) snap off a spring of rosemary, rub it between your fingers, breathe it in and think of me! ; )

Hugs,

Shann.x

My favourite essential oil, and why…

References

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