After Shower Body Oil - The Nicnevin - Patchouli, Frankincense & Ylang Ylang

It began around a kitchen table, where a family of artists, plant lovers and a medical herbalist shared a cuppa tea and a simple question: could skincare return to nature? 

When our teen daughters first wandered into the world of expensive skincare bottles and glossy promises, we looked closer at the ingredients and felt a quiet shock. So much of it felt distant from the earth. With the wisdom of Nana Kat, our herbalist grandmother, and the memory of growing up close to the land, we chose a different path — one rooted in folk herbalism, love of the land and old knowledge. 

Today, we craft natural, ethical and mindful skincare by hand in small batches, inspired by folklore and the healing language of plants. 

Each bottle is made with gratitude, as we channel the plant lovers who came before us, the herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, the Celtic mythological healer, Airmid, and yes, perhaps a hint of Luna Lovegood.

Find out more about our story here...

NATURAL INGREDIENTS - We work in partnership with nature. Every ingredient in our skincare is natural or carefully derived from plants and botanicals, chosen for both quality and purpose. Many of our ingredients are organic, and each oil, herb and extract is thoughtfully sourced to bring gentle, effective plant magick to your daily ritual.

NO 'NASTIES' - We keep our formulas clean and simple. You will never find parabens, sulphates, silicones, phthalates, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances in our skincare. We let Mother Nature do the talking, using only naturally derived or nature-identical preservatives that are approved by trusted bodies such as Soil Association and ECOCERT.

NO ANIMAL TESTING - None of our ingredients or products have been tested on animals. However, all of our Skincare products have undergone all required cosmetic safety assessments (CPSR) and are registered with the UK Government Cosmetics Notification Service.

PLANT-BASED -Our skincare is vegan and contains no animal products. We rely on the quiet strength of plants, botanicals and natural minerals — the gifts nature offers in abundance — to nourish and care for your skin.

ECO PACKAGING - We tread as lightly as we can on the earth. Our packaging is recyclable, biodegradable, compostable or reusable, and we avoid single-use plastics wherever possible. Caring for your skin should never come at the cost of caring for the planet.

HAND MADE IN SCOTLAND - We are a small family apothecary based on Scotland’s East Coast, beside the River Tay. Every product is made by hand in small batches, with care, gratitude and intention — a slow, thoughtful process that connects our hands, the land and your daily skincare ritual.

Find out more about our ethos and why we don't use certain ingredients…

INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) are systematic names internationally recognised to identify cosmetic ingredients.

INGREDIENTS: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcic Oil ( Sweet Almond Oil) , Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil (Thistle Oil)**,Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil (Apricot Oil)**,Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba Oil) **, Calendula officinalis flower (Calendula) extract Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil**, Boswellia Carterii Oil (Frankincense), Pogostemon cablin Oil (Patchouli),  Cananga Odorata Oil (Ylang Ylang),  Tocopherols  (Natural Vitamin E), Farnesol* Geraniol* Linalool* Limonene* Benzyl salicylate* Benzyl benzoate* , (* Naturally occurring in Essential Oils)  (** Organic)

Sweet Almond Oil - Properties; anti inflammatory; smooths skin; reduces the appearance of scars

Organic Thistle Oil - Properties; anti inflammatory; smooths skin

Organic Apricot Oil - Properties;  anti inflammatory; helps retain moisture in the skin; protect skin’s integrity and promotes softness

Organic Calendula infused Oil - Properties; anti inflammatory; improve skin texture and appearance of scars

Organic Jojoba Oil - Properties; balances out oily skin; improves acne; antimicrobial; reduces the appearance of scars 

The information we provide on these natural ingredients is for information purposes only. We make no claim to cure or prevent any medical problem and this information is not intended to substitute medical advice. Some natural ingredients are not advised to take when pregnant or breastfeeding. Please contact your doctor, midwife or medical herbalist for advice.

The Nicnevin

Nana Kat’s Apothecary is based on the East Coast of Scotland where we find inspiration for our Skincare Kits and Potions in the surrounding landscape and the plants that are gifted to us by nature. We also find inspiration in our Scottish folklore, local myths and legends and therefore name some of our Potions after these tales and characters.

Nicnevin, she is known as the Queen of the Fairy Folk or the Witches and is even perhaps the ‘Daughter of the Saint’ (possibly St Brigid). She plays different fleeting roles in the tales she is found in. At times she has different names, but in almost all of her lore, she possesses the power of transformation and change. There is also the suggestion that Nicnevin may have been one of the many women who were caught up in the infamous witch trials of Scotland. A Nic Neville, is recorded as having been burnt in St Andrews in May 1569. In another witch trial almost 100 years later, there was rumour of a woman, NcNeven, who practised and also taught charms. Whomever she was, we see her as the memory of long-lost women folk who tried to change their environments and places in society.

We hope the scents of Patchouli, Frankincense and Ylang Ylang bring transformation and change to your life, or at the very least smooth, soft and beautifully scented skin.