Soil to Skin

Harnessing the potent powers of native plants, Modern Botany in Schull is creating personal care products that are kind to our bodies, and our planet. Co-founders, botanical science expert Simon Jackson and Tracey Woodward discuss the importance of natural ingredients and why what you put on your skin matters. 

Science in Nature – Simon Jackson

Here at Modern Botany, we are passionate about our ingredients. As co-founder, chief scientific officer and pharmacognosist, it is my responsibility to manage the quality of everything that goes into our products. Our ingredients are all natural, and grown in a manner that does no harm to the environment. Only the best will do, which is why we will soon begin to incorporate our own, home-grown ingredients, too. This hasn’t happened overnight; we have been testing herbs for almost five years, to ensure our extracts are as pure as possible.

We call this process ‘Soil to Skin’. Firstly, because we are nourishing and growing our ingredients with the best soil possible. Secondly, because ‘soil’ stands for Science, Origin, Integrity and Longevity – the four cornerstones of everything we do. Adding home-grown ingredients to our products will be a huge milestone in our journey.

My partner John Murray, co-founder and director of sustainability, oversees the herb farm at our headquarters in Schull, West Cork. One of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting crops is to stay true to the soil. Rather than introducing alien species which would require a lot of effort and herbicides to grow, we have chosen five native Irish species which grow well in the weather conditions here: flax, chamomile (both Roman and German varieties), calendula, borage and seaweed. 

I use the term ‘Cinderella species’ to describe these plants – they may not be the most glamorous, but they are incredibly powerful. With the experience I’ve acquired over my 20 years working as a pharmocognosist, we hope to use them to allow our customers to return to the simplicity of nature. 

Flax is about as Irish as it comes. Though it is used in many nutritional products, it’s rarely seen in cosmetics, but it’s rich in linoleic and oleic acid which are great natural acids. It also nourishes and moisturises the skin really well. Recent studies have shown that our Modern Botany Oil has been proven to increase skin hydration by as much as 16%.

Borage, sometimes known as ‘starflower’ for its five pointed petals, grows wild here in West Cork. It has traditionally been used to soothe dryness and sensitivity, and is extremely effective for people who suffer with skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Seaweed needs no introduction. Its healing properties have been known for centuries; the Alginic acid found in it is soothing and curative for the skin. The seaweed we will use in our new products, launching this summer, is wild Irish organic seaweed.

Calendula is an ancient medicinal plant. It is used a lot in Ayurvedic medicine, as its petals contain strong anti-inflammatory compounds, which translates to anti-inflammatory effects for the skin, making it a perfect natural solution for rosacea sufferers.

Chamomile is a favourite of mine, and I don’t believe many people understand its importance. There are two types, Roman and German, which both contain compounds for soothing and relaxing. We use it as a lenitive, something that calms and soothes the skin; it reduces swelling, but when taken in a tea is fantastic for calming a busy mind. 

As well as the big five, we also include many other natural ingredients which are known for their therapeutic effect – and they work in the home, as well as on the skin. We recently launched a waterless nebuliser, and have created three scent blends. 

The first, our Signature Aroma, is full of potent cleansing, antibacterial and anti-microbial compounds that are found in nature. It cleanses the environment, and of course smells beautiful. 

The second, Forest Bathing, has antibacterial phytoncides which are immune-boosting. This aroma is my personal favourite; I love the woody smell, and it really does feel like a walk in the forest. 

The final Aroma we have called Úr, Irish meaning ‘fresh’. It’s a citrussy blend which includes chamomile, and is filled with potent anti-bacterial ingredients, and is also very calming for the mind.

Natural Self Care – Tracey Woodward

Combining soil and self-care is not only about being kind to the planet. It is also about being kind to our skin, the piece of us that is exposed to the light each day. 

Self-care isn’t about running a bath – although that, of course, is a lovely thing to do. It is more holistic than that. It is about looking after your whole self, from what you put into your stomach and onto your skin to what goes into your mind. Twenty-first century living is not always easy; it’s fast and frantic at times, with people juggling many elements of life. We all need the space and time to slow things down. 

The past year has allowed us to look at ourselves more closely, to make ourselves a priority, and to be responsible for our own health and wellbeing. This is why we at Modern Botany talk about not just our ingredients and products, but the factors to focus on when it becomes your decision to live a well life. We want to inspire you to prioritise your wellbeing. 

I also speak from my own experiences. In my mid-forties I had high blood pressure, thyroid issues, and type two diabetes, heading to type one. It was at this time that I started to explore how I could better manage my stress levels. Sleep, exercise and diet played a big part in the transformation that took place to get my health back on track. 

Nature has always played an enormous part in our wellbeing, and self-care is the first form of healthcare. We at Modern Botany are on a mission to help our users focus on that message. Wellbeing is an inside job! We believe in easy-to-use products, backed by science, which take the mystery out of skin health. This is why our products are multipurpose and unisex, and leave you and your skin looking and feeling better. 

Simplicity and authenticity are what it’s all about at Modern Botany. I hope you’ll join us in our movement to change how we see nature, beauty and self-care. 

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