Herbal Facial Toner - The Selkie - with Bergamot - for Oily & Acne Prone Skin

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: Aqua (Spring Wayer), Salvia Sclarea Flower, Leaf, Stem Water (Clay Sage Hydrosol)*, Juniperus Communis Fruit/Leaf Water ( Juniper Berry Hydrosol)*, Aloe Barbadensis, (Aloe Vera) Glycerine, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, (Cucumber), Glycerine, Taraxacum officinal Extract (Dandelion), Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate**, Potassium Sorbate**, Citrus aurantium subsp. Bergamia (Bergamot), Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E) Citric acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene***

*Organic

**Soil Association-approved preservatives

*** Naturally occurring in Essential Oils

Clary Sage Hydrosol -Properties: Calming scent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and reputed to tighten and tone pores/skin.

Juniper Berry Hydrosol - Properties: Fresh scent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and reputed to minimise excessive oil in the skin

Dandelion Extract - Properties: Clarifies and decongests the skin, is suitable for skin prone to blemishes and acne

Cucumber Extract - Properties: Refreshes and hydrates skin and is a natural cleanser

Aloe Vera Extract - Properties: anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating effect, antiseptic and anti-bacterial

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 Selkie

Nana Kat’s Apothecary is based on the East Coast of Scotland where we find inspiration for our Skincare 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 Skincare after these tales and characters.

The Selkie is a Scottish mythological shape-shifting seal that can change into a beguiling woman (or man) by simply shedding her seal fur. Her stories are found all over the north of Scotland and throughout the Isles. In some communities, it was historically frowned upon to kill a seal as it may have been a Selkie and its death would bring forth bad luck and disaster. 

Sometimes in her legends, she falls in love with a human and settles into family life on land. However, she always longs for the sea and will slip back into her furs and swim away when the call of the waves becomes unbearable.