Essential Oils: Why We Love Them and Why We Use Them in Our Products
There is something quite special about essential oils. They're naturally derived from plants, flowers, herbs, fruits and trees, and have been used for centuries for their fragrance and their place in everyday wellbeing.
But for us, it's about more than just how lovely they smell. It's about the ingredients we choose, how we want our products to feel and, importantly, what we want to put into our homes and onto our skin.
I'm not an aromatherapist or a skincare expert, and I'm certainly not going to pretend to be one. But I am someone who takes a real interest in ingredients, loves a beautiful fragrance and has spent a lot of time thinking about what goes into the products we create.
So I thought it would be nice to share a little more about essential oils, some of their recognised properties and why they play such an important part in our ranges.
Why essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from different parts of plants, including their flowers, leaves, peel, bark and roots.
They capture the natural aromatic compounds of the plant, which is what gives each oil its own distinctive fragrance.
You'll probably recognise some of the more familiar ones, such as lavender, sweet orange, geranium and lemongrass. Each has its own scent profile, and some have also been the subject of scientific research into their potential properties.
One of the things I find particularly interesting is how much research is being carried out into aromatherapy and the relationship between scent, mood and relaxation.
For example, a scientific study published in 2012 looked at the effects of sweet orange essential oil on 40 healthy volunteers. The researchers found some positive short-term effects on anxiety-related feelings following inhalation of the aroma. It's a relatively small study, so it doesn't prove that orange oil treats anxiety, but it does give us an interesting insight into how fragrance can influence how we feel.
There is also research into lavender and its potential role in relaxation and sleep. A review of 16 studies involving 1,346 people suggested that aromatherapy may help improve sleep quality, although the researchers were clear that more robust studies are needed.
I think that's the important thing to remember. Essential oils have some interesting properties and there is encouraging research, but they aren't miracle ingredients or a replacement for medical treatments.
For us, they're a wonderful way of bringing naturally derived fragrances into everyday skincare and home fragrance.
It's personal for me
When we started developing our ranges, there were a couple of things that were particularly important to me.
Firstly, my own skin.
I've always been a little sensitive when it comes to skincare, but I've definitely noticed that my skin has become more sensitive as I've got older. What worked for me years ago doesn't necessarily work for me now.
I tend to steer clear of products that don't sit comfortably with my skin, and I prefer to choose plant-based formulations with ingredients I feel happy using.
That doesn't mean that everything natural is automatically suitable for sensitive skin. Essential oils can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people, particularly if their skin is already sensitive. But it does mean that ingredient choice and getting the formulation right are really important to us.
The second consideration was something very close to home.
I've been a dog owner for around 20 years, and anyone who has shared their home with a dog will understand that they're part of the family. I want my home to smell lovely, but I'm also very conscious of the products and fragrances I bring into it.
That has influenced how I've approached our home fragrance collections, although it's important to say that plant-based and essential oil-based doesn't automatically mean pet-safe. Essential oils are concentrated substances and can be harmful to animals if they're ingested, applied directly or exposed to excessive amounts.
We always recommend keeping home fragrance products and pure oils out of pets' reach, using diffusers cautiously, keeping rooms ventilated and making sure pets can move away from the fragrance. Never apply essential oils directly to your dog.
These considerations were all in mind when developing our ranges. I wanted products that reflected my own preferences for plant-based ingredients, beautiful fragrances and a more considered approach to what we use every day.
Our hand and body range: Blush Orange, Geranium & Basil
Our hand and body collection is completely plant-based and scented with our signature essential oil blend of Blush Orange, Geranium & Basil.
The blend is actually made up of four essential oils:
- Sweet orange
- Geranium
- Basil
- Lemongrass
It's a lovely combination. Fresh, uplifting and slightly herbal, with a beautiful balance between the sweetness of the orange and the green, aromatic notes of the herbs.
Sweet Orange
Sweet orange is probably one of the most instantly recognisable essential oils. Its fragrance is fresh, fruity and cheerful, and it's often associated with uplifting aromatherapy blends.
As mentioned earlier, there has been some interesting research into the effects of inhaling sweet orange aroma and its potential to influence feelings of anxiety and tension.
For us, it's a lovely starting point for a fragrance that feels fresh and welcoming.
Geranium
Geranium has a beautifully floral, slightly rosy fragrance with a subtle green quality.
It's widely used in perfumery and skincare formulations, and research has explored its potential antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
A systematic review of clinical research into geranium essential oil was published in 2025, looking at the available evidence for its use in human health. It's an interesting area of research, although more clinical studies are still needed before we can make firm claims about its benefits.
Basil
Basil brings a fresh, green and slightly peppery note to the blend.
It's a wonderfully aromatic oil and helps balance the sweetness of the orange and the floral character of the geranium.
Research into basil essential oil has explored its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, although much of this work has been carried out in laboratory settings rather than in human skincare trials.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a fresh, citrusy fragrance that adds a little zing to the blend.
It's often used in aromatherapy and fragrance formulations, and laboratory research has explored its antimicrobial properties.
It's also an oil that needs to be used carefully in skincare, as it can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people. That's why the formulation and concentration of essential oils in finished products matter so much.
Together, these four oils create a fragrance that is fresh, balanced and distinctive. It's one of those blends that works beautifully in both our hand and body products and our home fragrance collection.
Bringing the same fragrance into your home
One of the things I love is being able to enjoy the same signature fragrance in different ways around the home.
Our Blush Orange, Geranium & Basil blend is also available across our home fragrance collection.
We've created a plant-based candle, an alcohol-free reed diffuser and pure essential oils for use in suitable diffusers, including water-based diffusers where the manufacturer's instructions allow.
Each offers a slightly different way to enjoy the fragrance.
Candles create that lovely atmosphere when you're relaxing at home, whilst reed diffusers provide a more consistent background fragrance without needing to light anything.
Our alcohol-free reed diffuser is another option for those who prefer that type of home fragrance.
And for those who enjoy essential oils in their own right, our pure oil blend can be used in a suitable diffuser, following the manufacturer's instructions.
It's worth remembering that pure essential oils are highly concentrated. More isn't necessarily better, particularly when you have pets or anyone in the household who may be sensitive to fragrance.
Lavender & Chamomile: A little time to unwind
Another favourite within our home fragrance collection is our Lavender & Chamomile plant-based candle.
This is a slightly different fragrance direction, designed around a softer, warmer and more relaxing scent profile.
The essential oil blend includes:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Patchouli
- Bergamot
- Mandarin
- Bitter orange
Lavender is probably one of the most widely recognised essential oils when it comes to relaxation. Its familiar floral fragrance has been used in aromatherapy for many years, and it has been studied for its potential relationship with sleep quality and feelings of calm.
As mentioned earlier, some research has shown promising results, although the evidence isn't conclusive.
Chamomile is another lovely ingredient. It's traditionally associated with calming and soothing properties, and research has explored its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Patchouli brings warmth and depth to the fragrance, with its distinctive earthy, woody character.
Bergamot adds a fresh citrus note with a slightly floral edge, whilst mandarin and bitter orange bring a softer, sweeter citrus finish.
The result is a beautifully rounded fragrance that feels warm, comforting and perfect for those moments when you want to slow down a little.
I think we all need a bit more of that sometimes!
Coming January 2027: Our revamped male grooming range
We're also really excited about what's coming next.
In January 2027, we'll be launching our re-formulated and revamped male grooming collection.
As with the rest of our hand and body range, the new collection will be plant-based and will feature a beautiful essential oil blend of Sandalwood and Amyris.
It's a warmer, deeper and more traditionally woody fragrance, which we think works beautifully for a male grooming collection.
Sandalwood is well known for its rich, creamy and woody aroma. It has a long history in perfumery and traditional skincare preparations.
Amyris is another interesting oil. Sometimes referred to as West Indian sandalwood, it comes from a different botanical family to true sandalwood, but has a similarly warm, soft and woody fragrance. It makes a lovely addition to the blend.
The new range will include:
- Face Moisturiser: Available in 50ml and 100ml
- Shaving Cream: 125ml
- Charcoal Soap: 100g
- Vegan Shaving Brush: To accompany the shaving cream
We've spent time looking at the formulations and the overall experience we want these products to deliver. It's not simply about giving the existing range a new look. We want to bring the products up to the standard we expect from everything we create.
We're really looking forward to sharing more about this collection as we get closer to launch.
Quality matters to us
Something I haven't mentioned yet is the quality of the essential oils we use.
There are differences in essential oils, their origins, how they're produced and their overall quality. We only use what we consider to be the best essential oils for our ranges.
For us, choosing an essential oil isn't simply about finding one that smells nice. It's about how it works within a fragrance blend, how it complements the other ingredients and how it fits into the finished product.
We also have to consider how the oils behave within different formulations, whether that's a hand wash, body lotion, candle or reed diffuser.
An essential oil that works beautifully in one application isn't necessarily going to behave in exactly the same way in another.
It's all part of the thought and care that goes into developing our products.
A final thought
I'm a firm believer that the products we use every day should be things we actually enjoy using.
A lovely hand wash, a body lotion that feels good on your skin or a beautiful fragrance filling your home can make those everyday moments feel just that little bit more special.
That's what we set out to achieve with our ranges.
Plant-based formulations, carefully chosen essential oils, beautiful fragrance blends and products that we've genuinely thought about before bringing them to market.
We're not here to make grand claims or tell you that our products will change your life. We're simply passionate about creating lovely products, using ingredients that reflect our values and bringing a little more enjoyment into everyday routines.
And if, like me, you love a beautiful fragrance and take an interest in what goes into the products you buy, I hope you'll enjoy discovering a little more about why we do what we do.
Because sometimes, it's the little things that make all the difference.
Scientific references
1. Sweet Orange and Anxiety Research – PubMed
A human study exploring the effects of sweet orange aroma on anxiety-related feelings.
2. Aromatherapy and Sleep – National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health
Reviews research involving 1,346 participants and the potential relationship between aromatherapy and sleep quality.
3. Geranium Essential Oil: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence
A 2025 review looking at the available clinical evidence around geranium essential oil.
4. Essential Oils and Inflammatory Skin Conditions – Scientific Review
Explores the potential of essential oils in skincare but also highlights the limitations of current human clinical research.
5. Essential Oils and Skin Allergies – DermNet
A useful dermatology resource explaining why natural essential oils can still cause skin reactions.
6. Essential Oils Around Pets – ASPCA
Particularly important given your own experience as a dog owner. It explains the risks and precautions around essential oils and pets.
