Question 1

What are cold-pressed oils and why do you use them?

Accepted Answer

Cold-pressing is the gold standard for extracting oils from plants and seeds. The process works exactly as the name suggests: the plant material is pressed without the addition of heat, meaning that the resulting oils retain more of their nutrients and natural properties. The Noble Apothecary exclusively uses cold-pressed oils because they are the most pure, nutrient-dense option.

The alternative to cold-pressing is expeller-pressing, which results in inferior, lifeless oils. Once bright and vital plants are stripped of their life and vibrancy as they are heated to temperatures in excess of 200C and often further refined and deodorised to make them acceptable for use. Expeller-pressing has gained popularity because it's faster and cheaper, but that's not a standard that's accepted at The Noble Apothecary. When cold-pressed and expeller-pressed oils are viewed side by side, the difference is stark.

You will never, ever see a refined or expeller-pressed oils in The Noble Apothecary formulas because your skin deserves the very best.

Question 2

I've never used oil on my skin before. Will it give me spots?

Accepted Answer

One of the most amazing things about using plant oils is the incredible balancing effect they have on your skin. Far from giving you spots, most people who use oils find that their skin learns to balance itself, meaning that your face is neither oily nor dry. A very small number of people experience what's known as a 'purge' when they first use an oil cleanser like Purity - where the skin seems to really clear itself out - but this subsides within 7 days, leaving you with glowing skin.

Question 3

Are your products suitable for sensitive skin?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have many customers with rosacea, psoriasis and skin sensitivity who find great relief in The Noble Apothecary and find our skincare reduces their flare-ups. Both Purity and Serenity are formulated with calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients like black seed and camellia which reduce redness and inflammation.

Question 4

I have acne. Can I use plant oils on my skin?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Plant oils are incredibly gentle on the skin and are therefore perfect for acne-prone skin. They contain none of the harsh chemicals that can strip skin of its natural oils and therefore cause it to compensate and over-produce oil. We have combined three of our favourite oils - abyssinian, black seed and Jojoba - in our Purity Gentle Cleansing Oil which is suitable for all skin types.

Question 5

Do your products contain preservatives?

Accepted Answer

No. Plant oils have a natural shelf life of 2-3 years and therefore do not need to be preserved. Creating small batches means that you can enjoy all of the plant oils' potent benefits while the blend is still young! 
 
When it comes to water-based products, however, preservatives are essential to keep the formula fresh and to avoid the risk of bacterial growth.

Question 6

Can I use the oils to remove my makeup?

Accepted Answer

Yes! This is one of our favourite things about plant oils: absolutely nothing stands in their way - not even waterproof mascara! Simply massage 2-4 pumps of oil onto your face and eyes and remove with a warm, wet face cloth. You should cleanse twice to remove any traces of makeup, and nourish the skin.

Question 7

Can I use plant oils on my eyes if I have eyelash extensions?

Accepted Answer

No. You should not apply oils directly to your eye area if you have eyelash extensions as you will weaken the glue that fixes the extensions to your lashes. You may still use the oils on your face: just make sure to avoid the eye area and use an oil-free makeup remover instead.

Question 8

Are you planning to create any other products?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We continuously develop new products to enhance your skincare and personal care routines. Please sign up to our mailing list to stay updated on our latest releases.

Question 9

The website says your products are fragrance free but they have an aroma: why?

Accepted Answer

'Fragrance free' means that we don't add any additional fragrance to our products, but the ingredients have their own natural scent which creates a lovely, spa-like skincare experience. The black seed oil in Purity has a spicy, grassy scent, and the helichrysum in Serenity has a sweet, herbaceous and earthy scent.

Frequently asked questions