Ingredients Glossary

SourceMarine microalgae, sustainably cultivated

Rich in plant-derived omega fatty acids (DHA). Replenishes the skin's lipid barrier — the hero active in our Algae Omega Recovery Gel Serum.

SourceAloe plant, cold-pressed leaves

A natural humectant with anti-inflammatory polysaccharides. Calms reactive skin and provides a gentle hydrating base.

SourcePeru — ancient Incan grain

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂

Captures the seed's complete lipid profile — including its rare natural squalene content (over 5%) — without the heat that conventional pressing inflicts. Mirrors the skin's own sebum.

SourceHaiti / Caribbean — torchwood tree

ExtractionSteam-distilled

A natural alternative to sandalwood. Warm, woody, calming aromatic.

SourceMorocco — hand-cracked argan tree kernels

ExtractionCold-pressed

Liquid gold of the Sahara. Vitamin E, fatty acid, and antioxidant rich. Deeply nourishing without occlusion.

SourceWestern Australia — sustainably harvested sandalwood heartwood. A native Australian species, harvested under one of the most rigorously regulated sandalwood programmes in the world.

ExtractionSteam-distilled

Warm, woody, lightly resinous aromatic with a fresh, bright character. Calming for skin and senses.

SourceIndia — babchi plant seeds

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂

The plant-derived alternative to retinol. Delivers renewal and tone correction without retinol's irritation or sun sensitivity.

SourceOat and yeast fermentation

A long-chain polysaccharide. Soothes reactivity and supports the skin's natural barrier function.

SourceSugar beet root

A natural humectant. Holds water in the skin's cells, reducing irritation during AHA exfoliation.

SourceGerman chamomile flower (primary natural constituent)

A naturally occurring sesquiterpene. One of the most calming, anti-inflammatory actives in botanical skincare.

SourceNorthern Europe — false flax plant

ExtractionCold-pressed

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Lightweight, rapidly absorbed, supports the skin's lipid barrier.

SourceEast Asia — tea camellia plant

ExtractionCold-pressed

Lightweight, oleic-acid-rich. Mirrors the skin's own sebum profile; absorbs without residue.

SourceJapan — camellia flower seeds

ExtractionCold-pressed

Traditional Japanese geisha skincare oil. Deeply nourishing for skin and hair.

SourceCitrus fruits (lemon, lime)

A natural pH adjuster used in trace amounts to keep formula chemistry stable.

SourcePlant-based fermentation

An endogenous antioxidant essential to mitochondrial function. Encapsulated in our formulas for stability.

SourceIsrael / Jordan — Dead Sea mineral silt

Mineral-rich silt from one of the most concentrated mineral bodies on earth. Detoxifies deeply while replenishing magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

SourceNorth America — evening primrose seeds

ExtractionCold-pressed

Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Supports hormonal skin balance and barrier resilience.

SourceDhofar, eastern Oman — wildcrafted from ancient Boswellia sacra trees. Royal Houjari Grade 1 resin, traditionally reserved for Omani royalty. Triple-sorted to retain only the greenest tears from the newest branches.

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂ — preserves the complete molecular profile, including delicate compounds that steam distillation degrades

Rich in alpha-pinene (~47%) — antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative. Fresh, bright pine and citrus aromatic. Used in TERRA GLOW Protect Day Oil, Recovery Night Oil, and Lumé Deep Hydration Face Cream.

SourceChina — the world's oldest living tree species

Contains flavone glycosides — among the most studied botanical antioxidants. Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution.

SourcePlant-derived (sustainable vegetable sources)

The most well-tolerated humectant in skincare. Draws moisture to the skin's surface and prevents dehydration.

SourceNatural fermentation

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that gently exfoliates while functioning as a natural preservative component.

SourceFrance / Italy — by-product of the wine industry

ExtractionCold-pressed

Linoleic acid-rich (~70%). Lightweight and antioxidant-dense.

SourceVegan bio-fermentation (no animal sources)

The gold-standard humectant. Holds up to 1,000× its weight in water; restores deep hydration.

SourcePlant cellulose (cotton or wood pulp)

A natural plant-derived thickener. Gives gel-serums their silky texture without synthetic carbomers.

SourceNorth American desert shrub

ExtractionCold-pressed — no heat, no solvents

Technically a liquid wax ester, not an oil — the closest botanical match to human sebum. Recognised by the skin as its own.

SourceNaturally occurring aluminium silicate

The gentlest cosmetic clay. Lifts excess sebum and surface impurities without disturbing the skin's lipid barrier or natural pH.

SourcePlant-sugar fermentation

A gentle alpha-hydroxy acid. Exfoliates the surface while supporting hydration — gentler than glycolic.

SourceCoconut fermented by Lactobacillus

A natural antimicrobial. Used as a preservative alternative to parabens and synthetic preservatives. Trade name: AMTicide® Coconut.

SourceFrance / Bulgaria — true lavender flowering tops

ExtractionSteam-distilled

Calming essential oil used at low concentration for aromatherapy and skin-soothing. Used in our Rustic Face & Beard Bar.

SourceFrance / Bulgaria — true lavender

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂ — captures a broader spectrum of compounds than steam distillation, including terpenes that heat degrades

Used in TERRA GLOW Recovery Night Face Oil for botanical balance and deep skin-soothing.

SourceRadish root fermented by Leuconostoc bacteria

A natural antimicrobial preservative. ECOCERT and COSMOS approved. Trade name: Leucidal®.

SourceMediterranean — licorice plant root

Glycyrrhizin inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme behind hyperpigmentation. A botanical brightener with decades of dermatological research behind it.

SourceBitter almonds (Prunus Amygdalus Amara)

A natural alpha-hydroxy acid. Its larger molecular size makes it the gentlest AHA — resurfaces without the redness of glycolic or lactic.

SourceCombination of menthol (mint) and lactic acid (fermentation)

Delivers an immediate cooling sensation without the harshness of pure menthol.

SourceBrazilian Amazon — murumuru palm

ExtractionCold-pressed

Saturated medium-chain triglycerides. Locks in moisture without occlusion.

SourceSpain / Italy — olive fruit

ExtractionOlive oil is fractionated to isolate squalene, then hydrogenated for stability — preserving identical skin-bioavailability with zero oxidation risk

Mirrors the squalene the skin naturally produces. Reinforces the lipid matrix without weight or occlusion.

SourceJapan — orchid species

Rare botanical with mucilage polysaccharides. Hydrating and luminosity-enhancing.

SourcePlant-derived pantothenic acid

Converts to vitamin B5 in the skin. Accelerates barrier repair and reduces irritation from active ingredients.

SourceIndonesia — patchouli leaves

ExtractionSteam-distilled from cured, dried leaves

Grounding, earthy aromatic with skin-balancing properties.

SourceTurkey / Middle East — pomegranate seeds

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂ — preserves the full content of punicic acid, a rare omega-5 fatty acid that conventional pressing partially oxidises

Powerful antioxidant lipid with documented collagen-supportive and barrier-strengthening action.

SourcePlant glycerin combined with coconut fatty acids

A natural emulsifier that allows oil and water to bind in the formula without synthetic surfactants.

SourcePlant glycerin combined with olive-derived oleic acid

A natural non-ionic emulsifier — the key to our oil-to-milk cleansing technology.

SourceCorn sugar fermentation

A plant-derived humectant and solvent. Improves the penetration of water-soluble actives.

SourceAureobasidium fermentation

A natural polysaccharide film-former. Adds a soft, second-skin finish to gel-serums.

SourceAsia — outer layer of rice grains

ExtractionCold-pressed

Rich in oryzanol antioxidants and vitamin E. Lightweight and well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

SourceItaly / UK — chamomile flowers

ExtractionSteam-distilled from the flowers

The gentlest anti-inflammatory in nature. Safe enough for infant skin in many traditions.

SourceBulgaria — Bulgarian rose valley, the world's most prized rose-growing region

ExtractionSteam-distilled from the flower petals directly — the aromatic water that emerges from distillation, never artificially fragranced

Naturally fragrant, calming, hydrating. The pure essence of Damask rose, undiluted.

SourceEgypt — rose geranium plant

ExtractionSteam-distilled from the plant material itself

Aromatic, balancing, and skin-soothing. The botanical companion to rose hydrosol.

SourceGermany / Chile — wild rose hips

ExtractionCold-pressed

Rich in natural retinoid precursors and vitamin C. Refines texture without retinol's irritation.

SourceMediterranean — rosemary leaves

ExtractionSupercritical CO₂ — preserves rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, the antioxidant compounds that heat extraction degrades

Used in trace amounts as a natural antioxidant preservative across our oil-based formulas — extending the freshness of every botanical it sits beside.

SourceNaturally occurring in willow bark, wintergreen, meadowsweet

A beta-hydroxy acid used in preservation systems and at low active levels for surface clarity.

SourceFungal fermentation

A natural mushroom-derived thickener. Creates luxurious gel textures without synthetic carbomers.

SourceTibetan Himalayas — wild sea buckthorn berries grown at altitude

ExtractionCold-pressed

One of the highest concentrations of vitamin E and omega-7 found in any plant on earth. Powerful antioxidant.

SourceSalt of benzoic acid (naturally occurring in berries, plums)

A natural antimicrobial. Used at low concentrations to preserve water-based formulations.

SourceRice bran

A plant-derived chelator that binds trace metals — keeping the formula stable and effective.

SourceOriginally identified in rowan berries (Sorbus)

A naturally derived preservative. Used in trace amounts as part of broad-spectrum natural preservation.

SourceOlive oil derivatives

Plant-derived emulsifiers. Create stable cream textures without synthetic emulsifiers.

SourceEuropean sunflower fields

ExtractionCold-pressed

High-oleic, stable, lightweight. A carrier oil for our active botanicals.

SourceMediterranean — sweet almond kernels

ExtractionCold-pressed

Rich in oleic acid and vitamin E. A traditional skincare oil with centuries of documented use.

SourceFrench Polynesia — Tahitian black pearls

ExtractionHydrolysis — the pearl powder is broken down into its bioavailable components (conchiolin amino acids, calcium, trace minerals)

Marine extract that supports keratinocyte renewal and helps regulate melanin distribution in the upper epidermis.

SourceSunflower or other plant oils (natural d-alpha tocopherol)

The skin's primary lipid-soluble antioxidant. Protects oils from oxidation and supports barrier function.

SourceChina — snow mushroom

ExtractionWater-extracted to isolate the soluble polysaccharide fraction without solvents

Nature's hyaluronic acid. Holds 500× its weight in water and penetrates more deeply than synthetic HA.

SourceMadagascar — hand-pollinated vanilla orchids

ExtractionSolvent-free oleoresin extraction from cured vanilla pods, preserving the aromatic compounds and natural antioxidants intact

A natural antioxidant and warm, gourmand aromatic.

SourcePharmaceutical-grade distilled water

The base for hydration formulas. Always distilled and tested for purity.