I like to think of my skin care ingredients in the same way I think about food - fresh, organic and simply prepared. Not to say that this simplicity is any less effective than the expensive, high tech face creams on the market - super natural is packed full of the "SUPERFOODS" of the natural cosmetic world and number one has to be cold pressed, organic plant oils high in essential fatty acids. Research shows that the abilty of the skin to retain moisture is directly proportional to the level of fatty acids present.

Most commercial manufacturers prefer to use mineral oils (by-products of the petro chemical industries) because they are cheap and stable. The trouble is they are not skin compatible, they inhibit the natural production of sebum and as "oily" as they are they can end up making the skin dryer than ever.

Vegetable oils high in omega 3, 6, and 9 need to be stabilised with anti-oxidants. A high level of anti-oxidants within a skin cream or oil is a double plus keeping the oils fresh and vital while doing battle within the skin matrix against ageing free radical damage.

Super natural products contain some of the most powerful new generation anti-oxidants available - organic rosemary extract, Astaxanthin - a pink marine algea and natural vitamin E & A -in generous amounts because skin loves these oil soluble vitamins.

I like to mix my oils with plant butters such as shea butter and cocoa butter. When mixed to a very fine particle size, as my creams are, these magical ingredients sink right into the skin to nourish and protect against moisture loss.

Essential oils of flowers and leaves play a big part in my formulations - they all have different regenerating and healing properties and they smell gorgeous.

Ingredients I never use are:

parabens | mineral oils | synthetic parfum | laurel sulphate | synthetic colours | animal tested |

And here are the ingredients I do use:

Chosen for its ideal ratio of essential fatty acids because the natural moisture level of the skin is proportional to the content of essential fatty acids. Hemp seed oil absorbs deeply and rapidly reducing skin discomfort by soothing dry or damaged skin and balancing oily skin.
Skin care products containing hemp seed oil can slow down the effects of ageing leaving the skin smooth, soft and moisturised.

virgin, cold pressed.

Monoi de Tahiti has some unique qualities in skin care; the key ingredient is the Gardenia Taitensis flower, the symbol of French Polynesia. Tender young buds of these beautiful blossoms are hand picked and steeped, within hours, in a specially filtered, first pressing, virgin coconut oil.

Tested by an independent research laboratory alongside Vaseline, shea butter and jojoba oil Monoi shows a superior ability to hydrate the skin without blocking its vital functions.

Organic, food grade rosemary extract one of the new generation of botanical anti-oxidants delivering a powerful defense against free radical damage to the skin while maintaining the freshness and stability of the omega rich vegetable oils within the product.

Vitamin E is a classic anti-oxidant going into battle against free radicals before they wreak havoc in your skin. Vitamin E is a dynamic weapon against premature ageing and to combat wrinkles. In addition it is a proven deep moisturizer softening and toning dry lines of the skin. 
Super natural uses higher than average levels of natural vitamins E & A in all products believing them to have a real and noticeable effects on skin health and appearance.

VITAMIN A or retinol plays an important part in RNA synthesis which produces new and healthy cells in the skin and body. A deficiency can cause skin cells to die prematurely, harden and plug oil sacs and pores.  Research shows that Vitamin A is effective in slowing down skin ageing and may prevent the formation of acne altogether if applied early enough.

One of the most powerful anti-oxidants available, 500 times more poerful than Vitamin E. Astaxanthin is gathered from the pink pink marine alga - Haematococcus Pluvialis which is reponsible for the pink hue in salmon and crustaceans.

Flower waters, hydrasols or hydrolates are the by-product of essential oil extraction containing tiny amounts of essential oil in triple distilled water. Naturally sterile - precious, organic flower waters help to keep products fresh and sweet smelling.

Distilled rom the sweet smelling flowers of the orange tree.

Shea Butter is produced from the nuts of a large tree called Bassia Parkii, abundant on the west coast of Africa. It imparts superior softness to the skin because of it’s high content of unsaponifiables and cinnamic esters which have anti-microbial and moisturising properties and provide protection against the UV rays of the sun. In addition Shea Butter contains vitamins and allantoin (the active compound found in comfrey) giving it healing properties.

Lecithin is a natural emulsifier made up of many different phospholipids, which are naturally occurring emulsifying agents. PHOSPHOLIPIDS are one of the principle components of human cell membranes and are completely harmless to your skin and body, they are a component of the very skin cells that cosmetic products are trying to protect and rejuvenate. PHOSPHOLIPIDS increase the hydration level of the skin without modifying the water loss rate of the skin. It also contains high levels of essential fatty acids or VITAMIN F, essential for fat metabolism and for the release of fat from fatty tissues .

My local beekeper Norman is very proud of the honey and beeswax produced by his bees. He can tell by the colour of the wax if the bees have foraged wild dandelions, gorse or other blossoms on the New Forest. Beeswax is a natural emulsifier and gives more protection than oils and fats because it is absorbed very slowly by the skin. Beeswax doesn’t block pores, softens the skin and soothes irritatations.

Also known as thistle oil. Safflower oil is easily absorbed by the skin because of it's high content of Linoleic Acid (80%) which is the highest content of fatty acid of all known oils. It has superior skin compatibility and a deep moisturising capability due to the high essential fatty acid content.

Full of unsaturated fatty acid compounds to give this oil superior skin compatabiity and a deep moisturising capability since the moisture content of the skin is proportional to the content of essential fatty acids.

Cocoa butter is especially good for dry skin, it nourishes, softens, soothes and protects.

Vegetal is a modern emulsifier made to ecologically friendly principles as it's production does not involve the use of chemicals or solvents. Vegetal is made up of corn fo the glucose and coconut for the fatty element. A big advantage of using Vegetal as an emulsifier ia that it is non-occlusive - it doesn't block the pores.

The Jojoba tree grows in the arid areas of california, arizona and Mexico. Jojoba oil is one of my favourite ingredients, strictly speaking it is a wax rather than an oil with very similar properties to natural sebum. Jojoba leaves the skin soft, supple and smooth.

This is the most natural preservative used by green companies worldwide. It is based on pottasium sorbate from the Rowan or mountain ash tree.

Lactic acid is one of the most regularly occurring acids in nature and in the body. Lactic acid enhances the effect of anti-oxidants. It is used to regulate the PH of products to the same PH as the skin so helping the skin to re-establish it's own natural mantle of acidity.

Precious rose oil distilled from the petals of the gorgeous scented Centifolia rose. Nt only does this essential oil smell divine it has healing properties in skin care: astringent, moisturising and promotes the formation of new skin cells. It is very helpful for sensitive dry skin and broken capillaries.

Alkanet root is a natural tint and the only colour I use. It comes as root shavings which are oil suluble to give products anything from the palest pink to a vibrant scarlett.

One of the best oils to revitalise more marure skin, soothes inflammation and generates new cell formation.

Both relaxing and stimulating, a powerful antiseptic, healer and insect repellent, it calms, refreshes, invigorates and lifts the spirits. It has been used as a bath time cleanser since ancient Roman times, the word lavender comes from the word lavar – to wash.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and supports regeneratin of new skin cells. It has a rich, sweet, herbaceous spicy wood scent.

Recent research showed grapefruit to be the most "attractive" scent between men and women. It is a clean and zingy scent, very uplifting. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.

Simply the most lovely smell, can be used alone as perfume. It has a rosy-sweet, lemon and mint smell and works both as an uplifting tonic and sedative on the nervous system. It is mildly antiseptic and soothes the skin.

A fatty, thick stable oil extracted from the castor bean. Has a high level of Ricinoliac Acid. A good choice in cleansing products as absorbed very slowly by the skin.

Anti-bacterial, anti-septic and effective against fungal infections. warm and woody yet fresh and lemony.

Organically grown here at The House on The Ford. Every part of the leaf and it's gel is used to make skin soothing aloe vera gel. Helps to build a protective layer on the skin against irritation. very soothing wherever the skin is irritated.

A wholly natural polysaccharide produced by the fermantation of glucose. Used as a thickening agent in gel products.