Botanical and Natural Ingredients Glossary
Willow Way Produce use only pure and high-quality ingredients such as luxurious organic butters, botanicals and oils.
We offer a range of products formulated for all skin types including delicate and sensitive skin, free from harsh synthetic chemicals.
Goats Milk
Full of skin loving beneficial nutrients our star ingredient Goats Milk has high amounts of vitamins and minerals including:
– Vitamin A, which can boost collagen production in the skin, helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
– Vitamin K can help fight free radicals and inflammation, also improving elasticity with its antioxidant properties to brighten the skin.
– Other beneficial vitamins in Goats Milk are B1, B6, B12, C, D, E.
Goats Milk has AHA’s that can help to remove dead skin cells, smoothing and brightening the skin. Fatty acids can help to hydrate and soften the skin making it an excellent choice for dry or sensitive skin.
We don’t weaken our Goats Milk by adding water. By using Goats Milk in our signature recipe, we have created a gentle, creamy and nourishing bar with a lotion like lather to cleanse and soothe all skin types. 100% Natural and chemical free.
Olive Oil, Organic, Extra Virgin
One of nature’s best kept beauty secrets. Cold pressed from organic olives at low temperatures, without the use of solvents. The organic extra virgin olive oil used in our Goats Milk Soap is unrefined and of the highest quality.
Creating a silky feel to our soap bars which is conditioning, mild and nourishing. Organic olive oil is one of the key ingredients in our signature recipe. Suitable for cleansing all skin types including sensitive, elder, and baby skin.
Coconut Oil, Organic
Pressed from the flesh of organic coconuts, we use organic coconut oil in our signature recipe as it adds hardness to the soap bar as well as a cleansing lather and bubbling qualities. Another Key ingredient with natural skincare benefits.
Shea Butter African, Organic, Unrefined, Raw
Another key ingredient in our signature soap recipe as it makes a super moisturising and luxuriously creamy bar of soap. Good for all skin types including dry skin, this butter is extracted from the Sheanut which only grows in Western Africa.
Using unrefined, organic, and raw shea butter means that it hasn’t undergone any chemical refining process or extraction. When pure shea butter is refined the vitamins and minerals present are degraded by the heat and chemicals used in the process.
The Organic shea butter we use is extracted in the traditional way by a Woman’s Cooperative in Ghana that is committed to empowering local women in the community. This is just one of the many reasons why we love this ingredient in our soap bars.
Mango Butter, Organic
Extracted from the seeds of organic mango fruit that have been grown without the use of pesticides. The Organic Mango butter we use is produced in a sustainable way and helps support tribal people across thousands of villages in rural India. A wonderful 100% pure ingredient both for those that produce it and for those that use it, which is one of the reasons why it is a staple ingredient in our Soap bars. Organic Mango butter Adds to the creaminess, nourishing and moisturising qualities in our soap.
Avocado Oil, Organic, Virgin
Originating from Kenya the 100% pure Avocado oil we use in our signature recipe is cold pressed from the flesh of organic avocado fruit. Rich in fatty acids and vitamins this ingredient adds to the moisturising, conditioning and creamy lather qualities in our soap.
Cocoa Butter, Organic, Raw, Unrefined
Organic cocoa butter is pressed from cocoa beans. We use unrefined and organic cocoa butter as it hasn’t been deodorised and subjected to any harsh chemical processes. Used in our signature soap recipe for its contribution to the lotion like lather and hardness of our soap, making it long lasting.
Jasmine Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Oil
One of the most luxurious essential oils, this exquisite oil has an enchanting floral scent creating a soothing allure that elevates your senses. Typically, the essential oil is extracted from handpicked jasmine blossoms harvested at night when the flowers are most fragrant. Jasmine is reported to help balance skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Known for its aphrodisiac properties it can potentially enhance romantic atmospheres. Can promote emotional wellbeing, as well as relieving feelings of depression, menstrual discomfort and hormonal imbalances. A beautiful oil that can support a restful sleep with its sweet, peaceful scent of Jasmine blossoms.
Bergamot Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Citrus Bergamia Fruit Oil
Energising, fresh and uplifting, Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the offspring of a lemon and a sour orange. It has roots in both Southeast Asia and Italian folk wellness practices. A wonderful addition to skincare routines, it is often used to help cleanse and refresh the skin, supporting a balanced and healthy-looking complexion, making it a beneficial ingredient in our Jasmine, Bergamot and Ylang Ylang Goats Milk Soap.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Cananga Ododrata Flower Oil
Extracted from the delicate yellow petals of the Cananga odorata tree, this essential oil is known as the ‘Flower of Flowers’. Celebrated not only for its rich floral aroma but also for its potential wellness applications.
Lavender Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular and recognisable essential oils said to have many natural, beneficial and healing properties. Thought to have been discovered around 2500 years ago, Lavender essential oil has a unique, enchanting floral yet herbaceous aroma, creating a gentle calming effect to elevate wellness and skincare routines.
Key Properties: Can help to induce and improve a restful sleep with its relaxing aroma creating a peaceful atmosphere. Commonly linked with calming skin properties like reducing redness, can help to soothe minor discomforts and skin irritations. Reported to be an insect repellent.
May Chang (Litsea) Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
A fresh, sweet and lemony oil often used for its hygienic, cleansing and calming properties. Native to Southern Asia the oil is extracted via steam distillation from the root and stem of the plant. May Chang essential oil has been found to contain antibacterial and antifungal properties making an excellent skin cleanser and deodoriser. Reported by some to relieve oily skin, acne and common skin conditions thanks to its gentle soothing nature and pore clearing abilities. Traditionally used to help ease muscular aches and lower back pain. Many people have found its natural properties can help to control anxiety and stress as well as improve sleep patterns.
Lemon Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Renowned for its refreshing and energising qualities, this 100% pure essential oil is commonly used to support clearer and healthier-looking skin. A classic staple of the citrus world, a powerfully positive, fresh top note makes it a beneficial ingredient in our Lavender and Lemon Goats Milk Soap.
Patchouli Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Patchouli has long played a part in traditional Japanese, Malay, and Chinese medicine. A timeless appeal, it gained popularity in the 1960s for its extensive use in personal care and fragrance blends. The essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots of a herbaceous shrub native to Malaysia and is called Cablin. The deep, woodsy aroma of patchouli has a great part to play in perfumery being a base note oil it is often used as a natural fixative as its earthy smell can be quite sensual in combination with the body chemistry and is a great natural deodoriser. It has also been mentioned in the Kama Sutra. In skincare it is recommended for many skin conditions as it can be a good skin tissue regenerator speeding up healing. It is said to be effective for helping to soothe skin irritations such as eczema, sores, insect bites and acne, for any fungal and bacterial infections and can also be an insect repellent. An exotic fragrance that can also help with stress.
Lime Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil
Used for many years to support overall wellbeing this uplifting and bright citrus oil may help stimulate and refresh the skin as well as a tired mind improving emotional balance. It can help to clear oily skin and acne due to its astringent and toning action and is reported to soothe insect bites.
Clary Sage Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Salvia Sclarea Oil
Clary Sage is said to be a powerful relaxant with a sweet, aromatic, sensuous aroma. It is known as ‘women’s best friend’ as it can be good for all hormonal imbalances, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopausal symptoms. Uplifting and relaxing, it can be helpful in relieving depression, anxiety, tension and mental fatigue. Also known to have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties that can make it beneficial for treating acne, dermatitis, oily skin and inflammation. A valued natural addition to self-care practices, and wellness.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Pelargonium Roseum Oil
The gentle floral scent of Rose Geranium has been utilised as far back as ancient Egypt for its sweet and rosy aroma. Evoking feelings of calm and relaxation, it can be useful for lifting feelings of low mood, anxiety and depression and has a regulatory effect on the hormonal system. With its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it may assist with healing damaged and irritated skin and can create a balance between oily and dry skin, keeping the skin supple and youthful. It is known to soothe and tighten the skin, helping to improve elasticity largely due to the antioxidant properties present in the oil. The same antioxidants can also help prevent the skin from harm caused by toxins and other forms of exposure.
Rosemary Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Rosemary Oil is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin against harmful free radicals and environmental pollutants.
Rosemary also has antibacterial properties which could prove useful in preventing bacteria from getting into the pores and minimizing breakouts, potentially enhancing the complexion and shrinking the pores for a more even skin tone.
With the anti-inflammatory properties found in Rosemary, some people have reported it has helped with managing skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema, minimising the redness caused by these skin conditions.
When combining these properties, it provides all round protection for the skin.
Peppermint Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Mentha Piperita Oil
Menthol is an active ingredient of Peppermint Oil and can make the skin feel refreshed and energised with its cooling effect and uplifting fresh scent. Also well known for its anti-inflammatory properties it can help soothe and reduce inflammation to achieve radiant and healthy skin.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Roman Chamomile one of the oldest recorded medicinal herbs has been used since the ancient times for medicine, tea, incense, and much more. It was also found in hieroglyphics that Chamomile was used by women of nobility as a skincare treatment. Seen as a sacred plant used for ceremonies, as well as healing by the Anglo Saxons.
Here are a few of the benefits Roman Chamomile is known for today with its multiple healing properties it may have the ability to help:
- Soothe and heal skin irritations such as acne, eczema, redness and dryness with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Even skin tone and keep the skin looking radiant.
- Calm a busy mind and help with insomnia, anxiety, stress, irritability and depression giving a peaceful sense of wellness.
- Help painful, heavy or irregular menstruation, relieve premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms due to its antispasmodic properties.
Pine Needle (Scots Pine) Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Pinus Sylvestris:
Significant in many early systems of medicine, Pine Needle essential oil has been used for hundreds of years to help protect against illness and infection. Used by the Romans and Ancient Greeks to treat muscular aches and pains.
Its soothing and cleansing effects are said to help clear up imperfections and calm skin irritations with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and discomfort in sensitive skin.
It has also been known to help lower stress and anxiety levels with its refreshing and relaxing scent, also helping people to manage moments of low mood and PMS related symptoms.
Black Spruce Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Picea Mariana:
Black Spruce’s balsamic, sweet and woody scent profile may help with feelings of anxiety, stress and low mood as it is composed almost entirely of monoterpenes (a common chemical compound found naturally in many relaxing essential oils), leaving many people feeling more positive, more grounded and less stressed.
Naturally anti-inflammatory it has been known to reduce pain caused by swollen joints and sore muscles, reducing redness and inflammation in affected areas, which can also be useful for common skin conditions like acne and eczema.
Geranium Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Pelargonium Graveolens:
Derived from the geranium plant, its delightful floral, sweet and herbaceous scent promotes relaxation and natural freshness, and is effective in cleansing the body and uplifting the mind.
Native to Africa, the Geranium plant was brought to Europe in the late seventeenth century. Essential oil of Geranium is a good all-rounder. Said to be anti-infectious, antibacterial, antifungal and antispasmodic.
It can help maintain and restore the appearance of balanced, healthy-looking skin, whilst rebalancing emotions and hormones supporting overall wellness.
Chai Spice Essential Oil Blend – INCI: Parfum
Essential oils creating this blend: Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Ginger, Nutmeg and Star Anise.
A deeply comforting concoction of spicy essential oils creates a warm inviting aroma. The peppery heat of ginger harmonises beautifully with energising Cinnamon, cleansing clove bud, sweet nutmeg and relaxing star anise, complementing our creamy Goats Milk Soap.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil – Botanical Name: Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil
Extracted from the fresh rinds of ripe citrus fruits this cheerful, zesty essential oil can help support the appearance of healthy and radiant skin. A naturally refreshing, sweet and vibrant aroma that can encourage relaxation and positivity, uplifting the senses.
Nettle Leaf – Botanical Name: Urtica dioica:
Nettle leaf is full of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C and K, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium which contribute to overall skin health and can help nourish and soothe the skin. Nettles have natural astringent and anti-inflammatory properties to provide relief to common skin issues. A natural deep cleanser especially useful for oily skin. A powerhouse of natural goodness!
Raw Honey – INCI Name: Mel:
Honey is rich in antioxidants promoting skin healing and anti-aging benefits. With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties honey can help with acne and minor skin irritations. Honey is said to be a natural antiseptic and attracts the dirt from skin pores, and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, therefore it is said to be a natural skin cleanser and softener. We use honey as a natural emollient helping to retain moisture in the skin. Another powerhouse ingredient for our skin.
Oatmeal – Botanical Name: Avena Sativa Kernel:
Oatmeal is often used for its moisturising and alleviating properties helpful for itchy or dry skin. The oatmeal in our soap can provide a very mild exfoliation, leaving your skin smooth and soft. Also recommended by eczema and psoriasis sufferers to help calm symptoms and gently cleanse away dirt and impurities without stripping the skin.
The potential benefits of essential oils are based on traditional uses and may vary between individuals. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Avoid use of essential oils for infants and toddlers. Consult a health practitioner if pregnant or breastfeeding.