Refreshing Facial Toner - The Kelpie -Grapefruit & Peppermint

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: Mentha piperita water (Peppermint Hydrosol)*, Aqua (Spring Wayer), Aloe Barbadensis, (Aloe Vera) Glycerine, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, (Cucumber), Glycerine, Taraxacum officinal Extract (Dandelion), Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate**, Potassium Sorbate**,  Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil (Grapefruit), Tocopherols (Natural Vitamin E), Citric acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol***, Linalool***, Citronellol***, Limonene ***

* Organic

**Soil Association approved preservative

***Naturally occurring in Essential Oils

Organic Peppermint Hydrosol - Properties: Refreshing scent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and reputed to soothe and calm irritations. 

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 Kelpie

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 Kelpie is a mythological creature which is portrayed as a shape-shifting water spirit. It takes the form of a magnificent black, white or grey horse or sometimes a handsome young man. The Kelpie is found near lochs and streams and is particularly fond of enticing and luring passers-by into a watery grave.

But the Kelpie can also be a benevolent spirit warning locals of floods and storms with it’s thunderous wailing. Capturing a Kelpie in Horse form was a highly sought prize, with the strength of 100 horses, some highland clans were rumoured to actively seek them out. With the many hundreds of Lochs and streams found in Scotland, we are not short of Kelpie legends.