Farm to Face

As the demand for natural skincare continues to grow, brands and consumers are paying more attention to provenance. From a farm in rural Vermont, USA, to a flourishing meadow in Chhattisgarh, India, these brands are bringing a farm-to-table philosophy to

When it comes to natural skincare, brands and consumers are paying more attention to provenance

WILDSMITH SKIN

This newcomer to natural skincare calls Heckfield Place its home. The stunning 1790 Georgian estate in Hampshire, southern England has been lovingly restored into an eco-friendly hotel. Inspired by Heckfield’s woodlands, planted in the 19th century by William Wildsmith, the eponymous brand is crafted in the UK using ingredients sourced locally, sustainably and respectfully to “restore the relationship between native plants and humans”. Originally crafted for age-defying treatments at the hotel spa, Wildsmith Skin is now available worldwide.

BAMFORD

Daylesford Organic Farm in the Cotswolds in the UK was one of the pioneers in farm-to-table dining. When its founder, Lady Carole Bamford, realised it was equally important to reduce the chemicals in our skincare as it is in our food, Bamford Skincare set the bar as one of the earliest farm-to-face brands. Bamford’s artisanal products are developed with the help of therapists at the farm’s Haybarn Spa, use natural ingredients and are certified organic by the Soil Association.

UMA OILS

Shrankhla Holecek’s lush family estate in Chhattisgarh, India supplies essential oils for brands such as Tom Ford and Estée Lauder. In 2016, Holecek founded Uma Oils, building the brand on family secrets and ancient Ayurvedic philosophy. The botanicals used in its therapeutic remedies are grown and harvested by dedicated caretakers on a dreamy 40-hectare meadow on the family estate, before being blended and bottled in small batches.

TATA HARPER

After splitting their time between New York and Miami, Tata and Henry Harper moved to a 485-hectare organic farm in the Champlain Valley of Vermont with their three children to enjoy a slower pace of life. It was here that they founded Tata Harper Skincare, which uses homegrown ingredients such as lavender, arnica, meadowsweet, linden, alfalfa, calendula, lemongrass and mint. The entire range of all-natural products is engineered, formulated and packaged on site in their signature electric green and gold glass containers.

FARMACY

Founded by Mark Veeder, a self-proclaimed “pioneer plantsman” who grew up on a Christmas tree farm in upstate New York, the seeds for Farmacy were planted when he discovered and patented Echinacea Greenenvy, a key ingredient exclusive to Farmacy which has three times the natural antioxidants in its roots than regular echinacea. The brand’s potent, gentle and effective products have been a runaway success, and its commitment to community has given the next generation of young farmers a vote of confidence.