Our Ingredients

Explore the oils, butters, botanicals, minerals and functional ingredients used across Alpine Apothecary products. Select a linked ingredient on any product page to come directly to its entry here.

We choose each ingredient for a practical purpose, from cleansing and conditioning to texture, preservation, colour, flavour or aroma. The information below describes cosmetic, formulation or traditional-use roles and is not medical advice.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   R   S   T   U   V   W   Y   Z

A

Activated Charcoal

A finely milled carbon powder used to give soaps and bath products their deep natural colour and cleansing character.

Almond Oil

A light emollient oil that gives products smooth glide and helps soften dry-feeling skin.

Aloe Vera Powder

Concentrated aloe leaf powder used in small amounts to support a soft, conditioned skin feel.

Annatto

A botanical seed infusion used to give oils and soaps a warm golden-orange colour.

Apricot Kernel Oil

A light, silky plant oil used to soften skin and improve glide without a heavy finish.

Australian Black Tea

Australian-grown black tea selected for its full-bodied flavour and depth in tea blends.

Australian Green Tea

Australian-grown Camellia sinensis leaf with a fresh, clean flavour; also used as a botanical powder or extract in body care.

B

Bamboo Powder

A fine plant-based exfoliant used to add gentle physical polishing to rinse-off products.

Bentonite Clay

A mineral-rich natural clay used for colour, absorbency and a gently cleansing feel.

Benzyl Alcohol

A preservative component used to help protect water-based products from microbial spoilage.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Cold-pressed citrus rind oil with a bright, fresh and softly floral aroma.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Also called baking soda. Used as the main effervescent base in bath bombs and shower steamers.

Black Peppercorns

Whole dried peppercorns used to add gentle warmth and spice to herbal tea blends.

Black Spruce Essential Oil

A fresh conifer oil with a crisp forest aroma that adds depth to alpine essential-oil blends.

Blue Gum Eucalyptus Essential Oil

A clean, penetrating eucalyptus oil used for its unmistakably fresh Australian aroma.

BTMS-25

A conditioning emulsifier used in solid conditioner bars to soften hair, improve slip and reduce tangling.

BTMS-50

A plant-derived conditioning emulsifier used to give shower lotion bars slip, creaminess and an easy-rinsing skin feel.

Butterfly Pea Flower

A vivid blue botanical used in teas and as a natural colour accent in bath products.

C

Calendula

Calendula officinalis flower grown or carefully sourced for herbal infusions, extracts and teas. In skin products it contributes to a soft, conditioned feel.

Camellia Seed Oil

A light, elegant plant oil used in hair products for softness and shine.

Candelilla Wax

A firm plant wax that gives balms and solid products structure while leaving a light protective feel.

Caprylyl Glycol

A skin-conditioning humectant that also helps support the effectiveness of a preservative system.

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

A mild, plant-derived solubiliser and cleanser that helps disperse essential oils in water-based products.

Cardamom

A fragrant spice with bright, warm and slightly citrus notes, used to round out chai blends.

Castor Oil

A rich, glossy plant oil that adds cushion and shine to balms and helps create creamy lather in soap.

Cayenne Pepper

A warming botanical infused into massage oil for a gently warming sensory feel.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

A dry, woody essential oil used to ground citrus, herbal and alpine blends.

Ceteareth-20

An emulsifier used with fatty alcohols to hold oils and water together and create a stable cream.

Cetearyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol, not a drying alcohol, used to thicken creams and conditioner bars and improve slip.

Cetyl Alcohol

A waxy fatty alcohol used to add body, glide and a smooth after-feel to creams.

Chamomile

A softly floral herb used in teas and botanical infusions; in skin and hair products it supports a gentle, conditioned feel.

Chickweed

A traditional skin-care herb infused into oils for balms intended for dry and weather-exposed skin.

Chocolate Mediterranean Clay

A naturally coloured mineral clay used to give soap an earthy tone and gently cleansing feel.

Chromium Oxide Green

A stable cosmetic mineral pigment used in very small amounts to create green colour.

CI 14700

A permitted cosmetic colour used in very small amounts to create red tones.

CI 45410

A permitted cosmetic colour used in very small amounts to create pink-red tones.

Cinnamon

A warm, sweet spice used in chai and aromatic blends.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

A powerful warm spice oil used at carefully controlled levels in aromatic blends.

Citric Acid

A plant-derived organic acid used with bicarbonate of soda to create fizz and also to help adjust pH.

Clove

A strongly aromatic spice bud that brings deep warmth to tea blends.

Clove Essential Oil

A rich, warm spice oil distilled from clove buds and used sparingly in aromatic blends.

Coco Glucoside

A mild plant-derived cleanser made from coconut and sugar, used to create gentle cleansing and lather.

Cocoa Butter

A rich plant butter that adds firmness, creaminess and lasting softness to soaps, balms and solid hair products.

Coconut Milk Powder

Dried coconut milk used to add a creamy feel to bath products.

Coconut Oil

A versatile plant oil that creates firm soap with abundant lather and adds richness to balms and bath products.

Coconut Wax

A plant-based container wax selected for a smooth finish and excellent essential-oil scent throw.

Comfrey Leaf

A traditional botanical infused into oil for creams and balms designed to condition dry-feeling skin.

Cream of Tartar

A fine food-grade powder used to help harden and stabilise bath bombs.

Cypress Essential Oil

A fresh, dry and woody oil that adds a clean forest note to essential-oil blends.

D

Dandelion Root

An earthy root used roasted in caffeine-free tea blends and as a botanical powder in soap.

Decyl Glucoside

A mild plant-derived cleanser made from coconut and sugar, used for gentle cleansing and foam.

Deer Tallow

Locally rendered animal fat used to create firm, long-lasting soap with dense creamy lather.

Diatomaceous Earth

A fine mineral powder used in deodorant cream for absorbency and a dry, smooth feel.

Distilled Water

Purified water used as the clean base of creams, mists and liquid products.

E

Echinacea Root

Dried Echinacea root offered as a traditional apothecary herb for customer-prepared infusions.

Elderflower

A fragrant flower used in herbal infusions and extracts, selected for its delicate botanical character.

Elecampane Root

A strongly aromatic dried root offered as a traditional apothecary herb.

Emulsifying Wax

A waxy emulsifier used to bind oil and water into a smooth, stable cream.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

A fresh, clean aromatic oil used in shower, bath, soap and essential-oil blends.

Evening Primrose Oil

A rich plant oil used in balms and creams to help soften and condition dry-feeling skin.

F

Fractionated Coconut Oil

A lightweight liquid form of coconut oil used for silky glide and a non-heavy finish.

Frankincense Essential Oil

A warm resinous oil with balsamic and softly woody notes, used to give aromatic blends depth.

French Green Clay

A naturally green mineral clay used for colour, absorbency and a clean skin or scalp feel.

G

Geranium Essential Oil

A fresh green-floral essential oil used to bridge citrus, wood and floral notes.

Ginger

A warming, zesty root used in teas and botanical oil infusions.

Ginger Essential Oil

A warm, spicy essential oil that adds lively heat to aromatic blends.

Glycerine

A plant-derived humectant that attracts water and helps products leave skin and hair feeling soft.

Grapefruit Essential Oil

A bright, fresh citrus peel oil used to lift floral, mint and spice blends.

H

Hawthorn Berry

Dried Crataegus monogyna berries grown and harvested on the alpine property and offered as a traditional herbal ingredient.

Hemp Seed Oil

A lightweight green plant oil used to condition skin and hair without an overly heavy feel.

Hibiscus

Deep red Hibiscus sabdariffa flower with a tart, fruity flavour and vivid natural colour in tea.

Hydrolysed Oat Protein

A water-soluble oat protein used in hair products to support softness, manageability and a conditioned feel.

I

Illite Clay

A natural mineral clay used for colour and absorbency in cleansing products.

Indigo Powder

A botanical colourant used to create blue-grey depth in handmade soap.

Iron Oxides

Stable cosmetic mineral pigments used to create earthy reds, yellows, browns and blacks.

J

Jojoba Oil

A lightweight liquid wax that closely resembles skin's natural oils, valued for silky glide and stability.

Juniper Berry

A crisp, resinous botanical used in infused oils and aromatic blends.

Juniper Essential Oil

A fresh, dry and woody essential oil used to give alpine blends a clean outdoor character.

K

Kaolin Clay

A gentle fine mineral clay used for slip, natural colour and light absorbency.

L

Lavender

Dried Lavandula angustifolia flower used for its familiar floral aroma in teas and apothecary products.

Lavender Essential Oil

A soft floral-herbal essential oil used to bring a calm, balanced aroma to body and home products.

Lemon Balm

A light lemon-scented herb with a soft, fresh flavour in herbal tea blends.

Lemon Essential Oil

A bright citrus peel oil used to give blends a clean, sparkling top note.

Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil

An Australian essential oil with an intense, clean lemon aroma.

Licorice Root

A naturally sweet-tasting dried root used in carefully balanced herbal blends.

M

Macadamia Oil

A rich Australian plant oil used as the base for slow herbal infusions and nourishing creams.

Magnesium Chloride

A mineral salt used in body creams, bath products and deodorant mist for its distinctive mineral skin feel.

Mandarin Essential Oil

A soft, sweet citrus oil that brings gentle brightness to aromatic blends.

Manganese Violet

A stable cosmetic mineral pigment used in small amounts to create violet tones.

Mango Butter

A smooth plant butter used to add richness, body and a soft after-feel to creams and solid products.

Manuka Essential Oil

A distinctly herbaceous New Zealand essential oil used in selected botanical blends.

Marshmallow Root

Althaea officinalis root used in herbal tea and as a finely milled botanical in bath and skin products.

Menthol Crystals

Naturally derived crystalline menthol used in shower steamers for a strong cooling aromatic sensation.

Mica

A cosmetic mineral colourant used to give bath and body products colour or pearlescent shimmer.

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus leaf or flower grown, harvested and dried on the alpine property for traditional herbal use.

N

Natrasorb

A modified tapioca starch that carries oils and helps disperse aroma through dry bath and shower products.

Neem Oil

A distinctive rich botanical oil used in small amounts in protective balms for very dry skin.

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

A mineral powder used for opacity and a smooth, protective feel. Non-nano describes the selected particle size.

O

Olive Oil

We use virgin olive oil for its rich emollient feel. It helps soften and nourish skin and produces gentle, creamy soap.

Olive Squalane

A lightweight plant-derived emollient that improves silkiness and helps reduce a greasy after-feel.

Orange Essential Oil

A sweet, bright citrus peel oil used to add warmth and freshness to aromatic blends.

Orange Peel

Dried citrus peel used to add bright, gently bitter orange notes to tea blends.

P

Panthenol

Pro-vitamin B5 used as a humectant and conditioning ingredient in hair and skin products.

Passionflower

A mild, grassy-floral herb used in evening herbal tea blends.

Patchouli Essential Oil

A deep earthy essential oil used to anchor citrus, floral and woody blends.

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita leaf grown or sourced for its brisk aroma and naturally cooling flavour in tea.

Peppermint Essential Oil

A crisp mint essential oil used for a strong fresh aroma and cooling sensory effect.

Peppermint Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus dives leaf oil with a fresh mint-like eucalyptus aroma, used in Snow Gums blends.

Petitgrain Essential Oil

A fresh green-citrus oil distilled from citrus leaves and twigs, used to add crispness and depth.

Phenoxyethanol

A widely used preservative that helps keep water-based products safe from microbial spoilage.

Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

A naturally derived oil-soluble dispersing ingredient that helps bath oils and colours rinse and disperse more evenly.

Polysorbate 80

A dispersing ingredient used in rinse-off products to help oils mix more evenly with bath or shower water.

Potassium Citrate

A pH-buffering salt formed in liquid soap and used to support formula stability.

Potassium Cocoate

The soap produced when coconut oil is saponified with potassium hydroxide; it provides cleansing and lather.

Potassium Oleate

The soap produced when olive oil is saponified with potassium hydroxide; it contributes a milder, creamier cleanse.

Propanediol

A plant-derived humectant and solvent used to improve skin feel and support botanical extracts.

Pumice

A finely milled volcanic mineral used to provide strong physical exfoliation in workshop soap.

R

Rainwater

Collected Snowy Mountains rainwater used in selected traditional soap batches.

Rhassoul Clay

A naturally occurring mineral clay used for earthy colour, slip and gentle cleansing.

Rice Bran Oil

A conditioning plant oil that contributes a balanced, creamy lather to handmade soap.

Rose Essential Oil

A precious floral essential oil used sparingly for its true, soft rose aroma.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil

A fresh rosy-green essential oil used to give floral blends lift and balance.

Rose Petals

Dried rose petals selected for their delicate floral appearance and aroma.

Rosehip

Dried rose fruit with a pleasantly tart, fruity character for herbal infusions.

Rosemary

A strongly aromatic leaf grown or sourced for tea and traditional apothecary use.

Rosemary Essential Oil

A clean herbal essential oil used to bring clarity and lift to alpine blends.

Rosewood Essential Oil

A soft woody-floral oil used to smooth and round citrus, mint and floral blends.

S

Salicylic Acid

A component of the preservative system used to help protect water-containing products from spoilage.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

A warm, creamy woody oil used as a long-lasting base note in aromatic blends.

Sandalwood Powder

Finely milled aromatic wood powder used for natural colour, texture and a soft woody character.

Shea Butter

A rich plant butter used to add creaminess, cushion and lasting softness to soaps, balms and conditioners.

Sodium Chloride

Common salt used to adjust the texture and viscosity of liquid soap.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

A mild coconut-derived cleanser that creates dense, creamy lather in shampoo and rinse-off bars.

Sodium Hydroxide

Also called lye. It reacts with fats and oils during saponification to create solid soap; properly made finished soap contains no free lye.

Sodium Lactate

A humectant salt used to improve hardness, glide and moisture feel in solid products.

Sorbic Acid

A preservative component used to help inhibit yeast and mould in water-based products.

Star Anise

A whole spice with a sweet liquorice-like aroma used in chai and aromatic blends.

Star Anise Essential Oil

A strong sweet-spice oil used sparingly in aromatic blends.

Stearic Acid

A plant-derived fatty acid used to thicken products, improve structure and create a creamy feel.

Sunflower Oil

A light plant oil used for herbal infusions and to soften and condition skin.

T

Tamanu Oil

A rich, deeply coloured botanical oil used in small amounts to add nourishment and character to balms.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

An Australian essential oil with a crisp, herbaceous aroma used in cleansing products and fresh blends.

Thyme Leaf

A strongly aromatic culinary and traditional apothecary herb offered dried for customer-prepared infusions.

Tin Oxide

A cosmetic mineral used in small amounts to improve the brightness and finish of pearlescent colour.

Titanium Dioxide

A white mineral pigment used to create opacity and brighten cosmetic colours.

Triethyl Citrate

A citric-acid-derived deodorant ingredient used to help control odour while maintaining a light skin feel.

Tulsi

Also called holy basil, an aromatic herb with warm green and gently spicy notes in tea.

Turmeric

A golden botanical powder used to give handmade soap a warm natural colour.

U

Ultramarine Blue

A stable cosmetic mineral pigment used to create clear blue tones.

V

Vanilla Oleoresin

A concentrated vanilla extract used to add a soft, warm and creamy base note.

Vetiver Essential Oil

A deep earthy root oil used as a grounding, long-lasting base note.

Vitamin E

An antioxidant used to help protect oils from oxidation and support a conditioned skin feel.

W

Walnut Shell Powder

Finely milled walnut shell used as a strong physical exfoliant in workshop soap.

White Fir Essential Oil

A clean conifer oil with a fresh forest aroma.

Witch Hazel

A botanical distillate used in mists and as a practical liquid binder in bath products.

Y

Yarrow

A traditional herb grown or sourced for botanical oil infusions and skin-care extracts.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

A rich floral essential oil used to soften citrus and spice notes and add a warm exotic heart.

Z

Zinc Ricinoleate

A deodorising ingredient derived from castor oil that helps trap odour molecules without blocking perspiration.