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Header image courtesy of Bathe to Basics (via Facebook)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock—actually, you’d probably be familiar with essential oils if you lived under a rock out in nature. As such, essential oils don’t need much of an introduction, so we’ll keep it short: they are concentrated liquids extracted from plants, with almost mystic properties that range from healing and invigorating to de-stressing and more.
Frequently used in massages and aromatherapy, it is also common to incorporate the use of oils into beauty routines. We decided to narrow our focus on products made in Hong Kong and compile a list of places that make and sell their own essential oils in town. We think we may have developed an addiction for essential oils... is there an oil for that?
Using 100 percent pure essential oils, Esscentric’s aromatherapeutic perfumes are unlike any other product. Jojoba oil is used as the base of its signature product, Perfume for Rebels, ensuring the blend stays active on your skin all day. There are currently six different blends available, each composed of at least 11 different oils made by owner Jodie Chan herself, sourced from all around the world, with some using up to 35 essential oils.
All are carefully blended to ensure a long-lasting balance of scent that evolves over time in response to your own skin. If you’re enraptured by the scent, why not also try out the home scent oil collection, the signature diffuser, or the body and hand lotion? For those who won’t stand for the synthetic products we’re constantly being sold and who want something different and original, Esscentric is worth a browse.
Many of us are trying to cut out synthetic chemicals in our skincare, and are leaning towards a new range of products with natural ingredients that we can pronounce the names of. Einnoc uses all-natural, unrefined ingredients with essential oils that are either distiller-certified organic, wildcrafted, or organically grown. The brand’s oil blends are easy to navigate, with names such as Cough n’ Colds, Headaches, Stress, or Muscles.
Keeping the environment in mind, it uses glass and paper containers to produce the least amount of plastic waste. It also believes that in using quality plant-based and chemical-free materials in basic essentials, there is no need for multiple body care products for different body parts and uses. If it is good quality, it should be multi-functional—all the more reason for us to declutter our homes, as well as limit unwanted waste. Einnoc’s multipurpose balm will soothe everything, from your hair to the skin around your nails.
Purearth celebrates slow beauty, and is founded on equality, ethics, and ecology values. Its natural products are made from ingredients sourced straight from farmers and grassroots producers located in the Himalayan heights. All lines of skincare are chemical- and cruelty-free, with an extensive range covering face, body, hair, well-being, and more.
Overwhelming? You can very easily shop by skin condition, or simply go for the starter kit on your first order. The most loved products at the moment are the Kesha fortifying hair oil, Mitti raw honey face mask, and wild rosehip supercritical face oil.
Daniela Pelonara left a career in fashion to launch Native Essentials. Based in Hong Kong and Thailand, she realised how the market craved clean, high-performance, and 100 percent natural aromatic skincare solutions. Powered by advanced active ingredients derived from nature, and enriched with luxurious plant extracts and exquisite aromatics, Native Essentials’ innovative skincare line is supercharged, designed to give you a glowing complexion, fast. Native Essentials offers solutions to fight dehydration of the skin, ageing, skin balance, sensitivity. Our personal favourite is the range of plant-based face oils. Try the Azur, Shaant, or Koru essential oil blends to calm and soothe, repair and revitalise, or clarify and add a glow to your face.
The all-natural products from ZeroYet100 are formulated at a workshop in Hong Kong. Co-founders Anita Patel and Sheetal Avlani began ZeroYet100 as a line of clean, safe deodorants back in 2017, with lavender, peppermint, and lime essential oils.
Ever since, the brand has grown, now offering a charcoal detox, a body scrub, a face toner, and two face-wash powders. All of the products are gender-neutral and toxic-free, suitable for children, mums-to-be, already grandparents… and everyone in the family!
Proudly made in Hong Kong, Bathe to Basics is committed to formulating and creating handmade products that benefit your skin in countless ways, from healing and rejuvenating to moisturising, refreshing, and clearing. Its Basic line includes everything from a perfumed oil to a hand sanitiser, hand cream, body cream, body oil, cream bars, deodorant, and even an insect repellent. The formulas are organic and made with natural ingredients but don’t shy away from using modern research to offer you the very best.
If you’re looking for pure essential oil blends, as well as skincare, you can find both at Bathe to Basics. Plus, Bathe to Basics has a physical shop in PMQ where you can get advice on which product to buy, and get a whiff of the scents before you commit to one.
First published on 27 September 2019. Written by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Lily Valette.
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