Botanicals

Every ingredient in a BumbleBalm product is here because it does something specific. This page explains what that is.

We forage several of our key botanicals by hand in Ontario, Canada - dandelion, yarrow, horsetail, red clover - and slow-infuse them into carrier oils before they go into a formula. The infusion process extracts the plant's active compounds and binds them to the oil, which is how they reach the skin. It takes longer than using a standardised extract. It's worth it.

The rest of our ingredients - carrier oils, butters, waxes - are selected on the same basis. If it's in a product, it has a job.

Harvested by hand

  • DANDELION

    Taraxacum officinale (flower)


    The first plant we ever formulated with. Still the one we reach for first when the problem is inflammation, barrier damage, or chronically dry skin.

    Dandelion flower is high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and flavonoids. Beta-carotene supports skin cell renewal. Vitamin C is a cofactor in collagen synthesis. The flavonoids have documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity — which is the mechanism behind the barrier repair effect we see in practice.

  • YARROW

    Achillea millefolium (leaf and flower)


    Yarrow has a long history in wound care. The Latin name references Achilles, who reportedly used it on battlefield injuries. We're not making battlefield claims, but the underlying chemistry is legitimate.

    The key active is azulene, which is a potent anti-inflammatory. Yarrow also contains tannins, which have an astringent effect useful for reducing redness and calming reactive skin. It's particularly effective on skin that's both inflamed and sensitised. The combination of anti-inflammatory and astringent action addresses both problems at once.

  • HORSETAIL

    Equisetum arvense (stem)


    One of the oldest plants still in existence. Useful to us for one reason: silica content.

    Horsetail contains more bioavailable silica than almost any other plant source. Silica is a structural component of connective tissue and plays a role in collagen cross-linking, which is why it appears in formulations aimed at skin firmness and hair strength. The effect is slow and cumulative rather than immediate, which is why we're honest about it: this isn't a quick-fix ingredient. It's a long-game one.

    Also contains flavonoids, tannins, and minerals including potassium and calcium.

  • PEONY

    Paeonia lactiflora (flower)

    Peony root has been used in East Asian herbal medicine for centuries, primarily as an anti-inflammatory. We use the flower, which contains paeoniflorin — the compound responsible for most of the documented activity.

    Paeoniflorin inhibits certain inflammatory pathways in the skin, making it useful for reactive, sensitised, or chronically red skin. The flavonoids and polysaccharides support moisture retention. It's a supporting ingredient that earns its place in formulations where inflammation and sensitivity are both present.

  • LAVENDER

    Lavandula angustifolia (flower)


    Lavender is in more products than it deserves to be, largely because it smells good. We use it selectively because the active compounds — primarily linalool and linalyl acetate — do have genuine anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity when present in meaningful concentrations.

    Honest caveat: lavender is also a common sensitiser for people with reactive skin. If you've reacted to lavender before, check the ingredient list before buying. We list it clearly.

  • RED CLOVER

    Trifolium pratense (flower)


    Red clover contains isoflavones — plant-based compounds that interact with oestrogen receptors in the skin. This is relevant for perimenopausal and post-menopausal skin, where declining oestrogen affects skin thickness, moisture retention, and elasticity. The isoflavone activity in red clover doesn't replace oestrogen, but the receptor interaction supports some of the same skin-level effects.

    Also contains flavonoids and coumarins with anti-inflammatory properties, useful independently of the isoflavone action.
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Carrier oils and butters

Mango Butter

Mangifera indica (seed)

Dense, slow-absorbing butter high in oleic and stearic acids. Excellent for very dry or cracked skin because the slow absorption means it stays on the surface long enough to do structural repair work. Non-comedogenic. No scent.

Avocado Oil

Persea gratissima (fruit)

High in oleic acid, vitamins A, D, and E, and lecithin. One of the heavier carrier oils that penetrates deeply and is particularly effective for strengthening hair and hydrating dry or mature skin. We use it as the base for our horsetail infusion in the beard and hair oil.

Castor Oil

Ricinus communis (seed)

High in ricinoleic acid, which has a humectant effect, castor oil draws moisture toward the skin surface. Also gives lather density in the shaving soap and conditions the hair shaft in the beard oil. One of the few oils that does genuinely different jobs in different formulations.

Jojoba Oil

Simmondsia chinensis (seed)

Technically a liquid wax rather than an oil, which is why it's stable and doesn't go rancid. Closely mirrors the composition of human sebum which means it absorbs well without disrupting the skin's natural oil balance. Particularly useful for skin that oscillates between dry and reactive.

Grapeseed Oil

Vitis vinifera (seed)

High in linoleic acid and polyphenols. Lightweight, fast-absorbing, low comedogenic rating. Useful as a base oil in formulations where you want absorption without weight.

Fractionated Coconut Oil

Cocos nucifera (fruit)

Lauric acid-rich, which gives it antimicrobial properties. Useful in hair formulations for its ability to penetrate the hair shaft rather than just coating it. Comedogenic for some people — we note where it appears in facial formulations.

Rosehip Oil

Rosa canina (seed)

Lightweight but loaded with vitamin A and C, linoleic acid, and antioxidants, this oil supports skin regeneration and tackles signs of wear.
Useful for skin texture, uneven tone, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lighter than avocado oil making it better suited to facial formulations.

Apricot Oil

Prunus armeniaca (kernel)

Lightweight, softening, good slip. Often used in formulations for sensitive or mature skin because it's well-tolerated and non-reactive.

Beeswax

Cera alba (wax)

Canadian-sourced. Forms a breathable, occlusive barrier on the skin surface which locks in moisture without blocking pores. Also gives our balms their structure and staying power. The natural wax in our products is made by Canadian honey bees.

Rose Water

Rosa damascena (hydrosol)

A hydrosol rather than an oil, the water-based byproduct of rose steam distillation, which retains trace amounts of the essential oil and various plant compounds. Mild toner. Soothing for reactive skin. We use it in formulations where we want light hydration without adding an oil base.

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana (bark & leaf extract)

Astringent. Tannin-rich. Tightens and tones without stripping. Useful in formulations for oily, reactive, or pore-prominent skin. Ours is alcohol-free meaning the astringent action comes from the tannins, not the solvent.

Argan Oil

Argania spinosa (kernel)

High in vitamin E, oleic acid, and squalene. Fast-absorbing. Useful in facial formulations and hair products for its combination of antioxidant protection and light moisture. The squalene content is particularly relevant for skin barrier support.

Vitamin E Oil

Tocopherol (natural)

Antioxidant that protects the formula and the skin simultaneously. Slows oxidation of other oils in the blend, extending shelf life. On the skin, supports barrier function and reduces free radical damage from environmental exposure.

Vegetable Glycerin

Glycerin (plant-derived)

A humectant: draws water from the environment and from the deeper layers of skin toward the surface. Works best in conditions with reasonable ambient humidity, although in very dry winter conditions it can have the opposite effect without an occlusive alongside it. We always pair it with a wax or butter for this reason.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Citrus paradisi (seed)

Preservative. Extends product shelf life by inhibiting microbial growth. We use it in formulations as a natural preservative. We source ours with full documentation confirming no synthetic additives.