This cream is something I dreamed up bit by bit, formulating it over a span of months, tweaking here and there, swapping out ingredients, before I landed on this combination of oils, extracts and herbs. I wanted something incredibly rich and hydrating, packed with plants and oils that would help with these three things:
Repair damage from free radicals
Renew the skin and promote a healthy complexion
Protect the skin from further damage (think weather, pollution, too much time in the sun)
It had to look and feel like a luxury, too.
And so Circe* was born. The star of this cream is a rich oil extracted from the berries of sea buckthorn, a beautiful plant with bright orange berries that grows by the ocean. Renown for the magic it can work on the skin, sea buckthorn is said to protect from free radicals, promote collagen production, smooth fine lines, and balance oil production to encourage a clear, vibrant complexion.
Calendula flowers and raspberry seed, apricot and rosehip oils add to this effect, while tulsi hydrosol and rich organic beeswax give it a sweet, calming, subtle herbal scent.
Contains: Calendula flowers, apricot oil, tulsi hydrosol, coconut oil, aloe, rosehip oil, beeswax, sea buckthorn CO2 extract (oil), leucidal SF (natural preservative made from fermented radish roots), raspberry CO2 extract (oil), vitamin E
1 or 2 oz. glass jar.
*It took me a while to think of a name for this sunny yellow cream. All of the beautiful plants that it contains, and its relation to the ocean through the gorgeous sea buckthorn berries, made me think of Circe. She was a woman who is sometimes thought of as a goddess, at others a witch, and always as an herbalist and lover of the natural world.
She may have been all or some of these things. Circe lived alone on an island in the sea, and her vast gardens were full of medicine. Though she has at times been painted in an unflattering light, as many powerful women often are, the old, original stories of Circe show her to be wise, kind, generous, and fully in control of her own life. I and many herbalists today still hold her in high esteem as an archetype of a powerful woman who knew her own mind and heart, and who had a deep love and understanding of the plants.
Note: This cream is made in very small batches to ensure it's as fresh as possible when you receive it - it contains only natural preservatives, and will not last quite as long as those containing chemicals and synthetic ingredients. Try to use within 3-4 months and store your cream in a cool dark place. Using clean, dry fingers to scoop it out will help to prolong the shelf life. If you notice any change in appearance or scent, or if skin becomes irritated, discontinue use. Always do a patch test when trying out a new product.
None of the statements above have been confirmed by the FDA and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Consult a doctor before beginning an herbal regimen, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding.
