SKIN
I believe we should nourish ourselves through our skin as well as our tummies! Skin is our biggest organ, and we absorb some things better through our skin than our gut - so why not cover it with natural goodness? Our range is made from home-reared, pasture-fed tallow, lanolin and essential oils/flower absolutes.
Achpopuli 100% pasture-fed tallow is full of nutrients, and the healthy fats are very comparable to our skins sebum, so is absorbed well, with Vitamins A, D & K, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
All the resources that my sheep provide are precious, so when I’m butchering I save all the fat that is trimmed off the meat and from around the organs, I render it and use it at home for cooking with - but also as my skincare too! Since using tallow soap and moisturiser, my skin has never been happier - and now I want to share it with you!
TALLOW
Lanolin's role on the sheep is to protect the wool fibres and the skin from the environment including rain and direct sun. It contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties to protect the sheep's skin.
Lanolin is 'occlusive' meaning it can reduce skin's water loss by as much as 20-30%. It does not increase the moisture content of the skin, it only hold existing moisture. Lanolin contains cholesterol similar to the cholesterol our skin naturally produces which is why lanolin is so good for human skin.
LANOLIN
Combining these fantastic skin conditioners with essential oils and absolutes inspired by the landscape brings even more benefits to the products - both for the skin and for our general wellness. A summary of these is included in the product descriptions.
The Juniper, Scots Pine and Broom that grow on the rocky craggs; the Rose and Honeysuckle that scramble through the hedgerows; the Mint that grows in the ditches and wetlands; the Lavender, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Jasmine and Lemon Balm that grow in my herb garden!
PLANTS
WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Dry skin Rose, Jasmine, Rose Geranium, Rosemary
Oily skin Juniper, Bog Myrtle, Rose Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Mint, Bergamot, Clary Sage
Mature skin Rose, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Lavender
Brightening Rosemary, Fennel
Hair/beard care Rosemary, Jasmine, Scots Pine, Mint, Lavender
Eczema Juniper, Rose, Rosehip, Bergamot, Chamomile, Soothing
Dermatitis Juniper, Mint, Lavender, Chamomile
Acne Bog Myrtle, Rose geranium, Rosemary, Fennel, Lavender, Mint, Melissa, Bergamot, Chamomile
Scars Jasmine, Linden Blossom, Lavender, Rosehip
Babies Pure
Inflammation/rashes/itches Honeysuckle, Mint, Rose Geranium, Lavender, Chamomile
Muscle relaxant/antispasmodic Broom, Fennel, Clary Sage
Antiseptic Rose, Rose Geranium, Scots Pine, Bog Myrtle, Fennel, Lavender
Antiviral Bog Myrtle, Melissa, Bergamot, Eucalyptus
Antifungal Lavender, Mint, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Eucalyptus
Cellulite Juniper, Rosemary, Fennel
Arthritis/rheumatism/gout Juniper, Scots Pine, Eucalyptus, Lavender
ESSENTIAL OIL PROPERTIES
Juniper:
This crisp essential oil is used for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout, as well as cellulite, acne, dermatitis, blocked pores, psoriasis, weeping eczemas, dandruff and oily skin.
Juniper oil can help calm the nerves, relieves anxiety, nervous tension and mental exhaustion.
Rosemary:
This energising essential oil is great for stimulating the brain, improving memory and mental clarity, while helping with a variety of congested respiratory tract problems and stiff muscles. It also helps with headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion.
For the body it can help with cellulite, dull skin, hair and scalp health. It increases the circulation to the scalp and is therefore also effective for promoting hair growth.
Rose geranium:
This balancing oil helps with extreme oily/dry skin, inflammation, keeping the skin supple and clearing congested skin. Its antiseptic properties also make this oil effective in treating burns, wounds, ulcers and other skin problems.
Uplifts, eases depression and nervous tension, lifting depression & anxiety and has a regulatory effect on the hormonal system.
Scots Pine:
Pine is very useful to relieve nervous exhaustion, neuralgia and mental and physical fatigue.
It is antiseptic, antibacterial and analgesic and can also be used for cuts and sores, scabies and lice and for excessive perspiration, while its warming properties help with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches and pains and it can stimulate circulation. Furthermore it can help in cases of bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, colds and flu. It eases breathlessness and sinusitis.
Bog myrtle:
Bog Myrtle is useful for sensitive skin, oily skin, open pores and acne, and helping to delay skin-ageing. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and an insect repellent.
It is also known as a traditional remedy for stomach aches, fever, bronchial ailments and liver problems. It is anti-tumoral and helps thin and reduce mucus. It appears to show some effect on certain types of cancer.
Linden Blossom:
Good for nervous related ailments which includes stress, anxiety, depression, migraine, headache, insomnia and various other mental difficulties. Can help with scar tissue and a good moisturiser and tonic for the skin.
Jasmine:
Jasmine has been found to nourish skin, help fade the appearance of scars, and protect skin from damage that can lead to premature aging. Jasmine tones all types of skin; greasy, dry, sensitive and skin that is irritated. It also increases skin's elasticity. Because of its antioxidants, jasmine can help protect your skin from damaging free radicals from the sun and environmental pollution.
Jasmine is well known for its aphrodisiac properties. It is a sensual, soothing, calming oil that gives relief from anxiety, stress, annoyance, anger and depression as well as from inflammation of all sort, which can affect mood and pain throughout the body.
Lavender:
Lavender is a calming, relaxing oil, which combats stress and helps with sleep, while the antiseptic properties help with cold, flu and other ailments. It is excellent for asthma and migraine, and relieves pain when used for rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago and muscular aches and pains, especially those associated with sport.
On the skin, Lavender oil is antibacterial, antifungal and eases inflammation. It tones and revitalises and is useful for all types of skin problems such as abscesses, acne, oily skin, boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, lice, insect bites, stings and also acts as an insect repellent.
Bergamot:
This uplifting essential oil is a favourite in Aromatherapy and can help lift the spirits.
It has superb antiseptic qualities that are useful for skin complaints such as acne, oily skin conditions, eczema and psoriasis and can also be used on cold sores, chicken pox and wounds.
Broom:
Broom absolute provides relief from the mental exhaustion, emotional imbalance, depression, stress and sleep problems.
anti-arrhythmic, cardiotonic, diuretic, hypertensive, and narcotic.
It helps loosen tight muscles and gives complete relaxation, peace of mind and a general feeling of well being.
Honeysuckle:
Honeysuckle absolute is used to improve circulation, promote positive moods, ease pain, soothe irritated skin, encourage open breathing, and reduce inflammation throughout the body. It has potent anti-oxidant properties that help fight against free radicals, effective in delaying the process of ageing.
Peppermint:
This cooling and refreshing essential oil is used to stimulate the mind, increase mental agility and to increase focus. It also helps to ease migraine, headaches, sinus and chest congestion, asthma, bronchitis, nausea and boosts the digestive system.
On the skin, peppermint oil is used to relieve skin irritation and itchiness and also helps to reduce skin redness, where inflammation is present. It is used for dermatitis, acne, ringworm, scabies and also relieves itching, sunburn and inflammation of the skin, while at the same time having a cooling action. It can also relieve pain in cases of aching feet, rheumatism, neuralgia, muscular pains and painful periods.
Fennel:
Fennel Sweet is a cooling and cleansing essential oil, benefits include aiding respiratory congestion, soothing digestion and stimulating circulation. Its aroma has an affinity for soothing mind and body and can aid detox.
Often used in massage oils due to its antispasmodic properties. It is also recommended to be used for acne prone skin, for boils, swellings and other skin infections. Acts as a diuretic, breaks down cellulite and enlivens a dull complexion.
Melissa:
Lemon balm (Melissa) calms, uplifts, helps shock, panic, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, migraines and dementia. It regulates the menstrual cycle and eases period pain.
On the skin it is useful for insect bites, cold sores, acne prone skin and is an effective choice in foot creams.
Rose:
Often described as the ultimate feminine oil, Rose is invaluable for all types of gynaecological, menstrual cycle and menopausal problems. It also tones the digestive and vascular system with a stimulating effect that increases the circulation, and a cleansing action that promotes the elimination of toxins.
On the skin it balances combination skin and nourishes dry or ageing skin. It gently tones, soothes, softens and hydrates the skin whilst helping to strengthen the collagen-elastin network, which keeps your skin soft, supple, radiant and youthful. It is antibacterial and helps circulation, and can help with eczema.
Rosehip:
A rich, moisturising, oil containing vitamin A, essential fatty acids and vitamin E, helping with tissue repair, scars, wounds, eczema, ageing, sunburn. Rosehip oil has been clinically tested and shown to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles, smooth skin and dramatically improve skins moisture levels.
Chamomile:
Chamomile has the strongest anti-inflammatory compounds of any therapeutic essential oil yet is extremely gentle in use. It’s excellent for pain and stress relief, healing wounds and soothing arthritic / rheumatic inflammations. It's also good for children and is non-irritating.
It can be a miracle worker in calming red, dry and irritated skin, as well as calming allergies, eczema, psoriasis and all other flaky skin problems. It also has a calming effect on the mind and body so can be used in aiding sleep.
Clary sage:
Clary Sage has uplifting and relaxing properties. It encourages sleep and is said to promote dreaming. It is relaxing, warming and antispasmodic so it is helpful in treating digestive problems, cramps, PMS, back pain or colicky pains.
Used in a cream or lotion, clary sage oil can be beneficial for skin problems. It is particularly good for balancing the production of sebum of the skin and to clear greasy complexions.
Eucalyptus:
Eucalyptus is very valuable in fighting respiratory problems, sore muscles, rheumatism, headaches and nervous exhaustion, while boosting wound and ulcer healing and soothing skin eruptions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever.
In skincare it can be used for burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites. It can furthermore boost the immune system and is helpful in cases of chicken pox, colds, flu and measles.
why tallow and lanolin?
Nose to tail nourishment is really important to me, being good to our bodies but also to fully honour the lives that nourish us, and the landscape that nourishes them.
I first started experimenting with tallow soaps and creams about a decade ago, wanting to use the ‘waste’ fat from butchery but realising there was much more than I needed for cooking with. Lanolin (or wool wax) soon followed, realising it was a much more effective (and delicious smelling!) version of the petroleum jelly I’d grown up using - made with just sunshine and grass by little sheep!
I've never looked back, my skin has never been happier - and now I want to share it with you!