Here I have compiled a list of my main ingredients and their benefits to your skin and your soul (they smell wonderful as well)!

Shea Butter ( Butyrospermum parkii)

Shea butter surely is a miraculous gift of nature to her children! Also known as The Tree Of Life, the shea nut tree is a very important part of life for the African communities who grow and harvest the nuts, which are fairly traded to buyers around the world. The Shea butter that we use at Rose Cottage is organic and lightly refined.The whole process is done by hand with no chemicals used in any stage of the production,and this is a source of income for many african families, and as they recieve a fair price for their work, Rose Cottage is delighted to be part of making life better for many African families, and we know that you recieve only the finest and purest of Shea butter in your products from us.moisturising,healing and soothing to unhappy skin.

Dry ,dehydrated,damaged and mature skin.

Eczema,chapped skin,and psoriasis

Stretch marks,burns and sun damage.

UV protection from the sun,however also use sunscreen.

Shea butter is deeply Moisturising and soothing to the skin and is a miracle of nature.

Mango Butter (Mangifera Indica)

The Mango is known as the apple of the tropics,The rich,exotic butter is cold pressed from the seed of the mango fruit.

It has a high content of stearic acid ,making it similar to cocoa butter.

Mango butter is rich in beta carotine and vitamins A and E. It is highly moisturising and can help to reduce the degeneration of skin cells and help to restore skin elasticity ,making it very valuable for mature skin.

Cocoa Butter(Theobroma Cacoa)

Cocoa Butter comes from the nut of the Cocoa Tree, which grows in central and north America.The fat extracted from the seeds is what gives us Cocoa butter (Chocolate is made from Cocoa butter).

The butter is a pale white solid edible fat,smelling and tasting of chocolate, and you can eat it if the smell is to tempting for you!.

Cocoa butter has been used for hundreds of years as a rich moisturiser. It is excellent for dry, dehydrated skin,as it moisturises,soothes and protects.It is also a natural source of Vit E. Cocoa butter is often recommended for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitus, and it has anti inflamatory qualities.

Almond Oil Sweet (Prunus Dulcis)

Almond oil is cold pressed from the kernals of sweet almond fruit. The oil is rich in beta-sitosterols, Vit E,oleic and linoleic acid(omega 6) as well as being rich in vit A,B1,B2 abd B6 which makes a highly beneficial oil for the skin. It is particularly good for itchy dry skin, eczema,and psoriasis (works well with Cocoa butter)

Almond oil is also valuable for sensative skin and helps reduce inflammation

Coconut Oil (Cocus Nucifera)

Coconut oil comes from the dried coconut meat of the kernals of the coconut. It is widely used for baby soaps,shampoos,lotions and creams. It lathers readily and is a major ingredient in our handmade soaps, it truely is a gift!

Coconut is very rich in fibre,vitamins and minerals and has health benefits  ,when both consumed or applied to skin. The oil can be used to treat a variety of skin problems,from eczema to acne, nappy rash to wrinkles.

Hemp Oil(Cannabis Sativa)

The Hemp seed oil is cold pressed from the seeds of Cannabis Sativa. Hemp is possibly natures richest, most complete oil,and is also ingestible. Hemp has a remarkable fatty acid profile, which matches the requirements of the human body.

Hemp also contains gamma linoleic which is not in the fats we normally eat.These compounds are beneficial to health.(omega fatty acids) Hemp is perfect for dry ,inflamed,chapped and mature skin, and we use in our very popular Hemp & Calendula Soother, and also in our cold process hand made soaps.

Palm Oil Organic (round table for sustainable Palm Oil)

There is much debate over the loss of tropical rain forrest due to palm oil crops,and the big drug companies.Palm oil has become an evil word,almost as bad as animal fats in soap(YUCK)...and the chopping down of palm trees is endangering native species such as the big apes. Palm oil is used widely in food as well as toiletry products.

Palm oil is a valuable and wonderful ingredient in our handmade soaps, therefore we have managed to find a sustainable and Organic supply of Palm Oil.! We feel very good about this,as we can give you the benefits of the oil and still keep to our ethos of no harm or exploitation of animal or human, and its organic!Palm oil has a high vitamin e content making it very good for skincare and skin repair

Olive Butter(Olea Europea)

Olive butter is a natural antioxidant and  contains allthe wonderful qualities of the oil,(Olive Oil) Olive Oil has been renowned since the 13 th century for its moisturising and protective qualities,and is particularly good for dry,chapped,itchy mature skin.It is considered excellent for cellular regeneration and therefore a useful addition to formulas for mature skin with wrinkles.

used alone,Olive butter leaves the skin looking soft and supple, and is also a valuable hair conditioner for dry,frizzy,damaged hair.Here at Rose Cottage we use Olive Oil in our cold process handmade soaps,along with Coconut and Palm Oil, they form the basis of many of our soap recipes,and no wonder with all those superb qualities!

Essential Oils

Please note that Essential Oils should NEVER be swallowed or ingested in any way, nor should they EVER be used undiluted on skin ,or any area of the body. Please consult your GP or a qualified Aromatherepist before considering any personal use of pure ,undilute Essential Oils, especially if you are pregnant and want to know if a particular oil is safe to use.    

    Ylang  Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang ylang has a sensual and heady fragrance,intensely floral ,and is an aphrodisiac.It has soothing and sedative qualities and can relieve anxiety and depression. Ylang Ylang balances most skin types.

Patchouli Essentail Oil

This is a lovely earthy, muskey fragrance.It was a favourite of hippies in the 1960 s! It blends very well with floral oils. In aromatherepy it is used for its inflamed skin, irritated skin,eczema, and as an antiseptic. Patchouli is very good for dry , mature unhappy skin.

Lavender Essential Oil

I think this must be the most comforting and well loved oil of all time! It has been used  for insomnia for centuries, and is a very good help for burns, inflamed skin,eczema, headaches,

migraine, nausea, nervous tension, rheumatism, arthritus and for grumpy toddlers who wont sleep!! and of course perfumery! and its perfect for dry, chapped skin.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil 

This oil sedates and uplifts mood and helps nervous tension, and also balances hormones, making it the first choice for PMT problems. Geranium and rose geranium are the best all round tonic oils, for mind and body. Also can help with hormonal depression. Rose geranium will brighten a dull complexion, and is a good tonic after viral infection.