The Honey Mud

enzyme & acid facial pudding

$95 USD / 100ml
or 4 installments of $23.75 using Afterpay_Badge_BlackonWhite

An exquisitely distinctive union of raw organic honey, silver, white halloysite clay, and aromatic plant oils marry with our unique, natural exfoliating acid to envelop you in an intoxicating and highly-addictive cleansing and masking ritual.

Our cushy, luscious pudding frees you of the day’s pollutants, infusing skin with enzymes as it plumps, softens, and revives circulatory rhythm to restore optimal hydration and luminance.

$95

Pair with:

the blue cocoon: beauty balm concentrate
The Blue Cocoon $220 USD
Solid oil facial concentrate
The Jasmine Garden: Cooling and Hydrating Face Mist Front View
botanical facial mist


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LUSH. VELVETEEN. COZY.

Our very special form of salicylic acid, extracted from wintergreen leaves, enhances the skin’s natural shedding process. This frees dead cells, both on the surface and in the pore lining, and releases the accumulation of environmental debris, makeup, and sunscreen that mixes with your natural oils and built up tissue.

True skin food, beautiful for even sensitive and redness-prone complexions, this silky formula is designed to be non-stripping, respecting and preserving your delicate acid mantle, microbiome, and pH levels. 

Indulge morning and evening to:

  • gently & effectively remove environmental debris.

  • reduce acne and breakouts.

  • balance oil production in both dry & oily skin.

  • provide gentle exfoliation, perfect for daily use.

  • deliver unparalleled glow and softness.

*It is normal with acid exfoliation to experience tingling and a temporary pinking of the skin, particularly in initial sessions.

Kaolin

Our gorgeous white halloysite clay is the mildest of all clays and my absolute favorite for addressing the needs of clients with sensitive skin. It stimulates circulation while gently exfoliating and providing cleansing action. Unlike other clays, white halloysite does not draw oils from the skin, so it can be used even on deeply dehydrated complexions to restore balance.

Featured in: The Honey Mud and The Clean Dirt

Raw Honey

The air is dancing with rich sweetness and a tangible vibration of life. With the hum of fat and happy bees all around and golden light gleaming through shimmering nectar as it drips stickily from the comb, we know we’ve found magic. This magic has been harvested, bottled, and memorialized for centuries, depicted in Stone Age paintings dating as far back as 8,000 years. Revered for its candy-like sweetness and energy-giving nectar, it is equally celebrated for its long medicinal history.

Honey has been used since ancient times to ease a wide range of diseases, ailments, burns, cuts, and skin conditions. Long-ago Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, and Romans all knew and prized this highly nutritious treat. Honey’s benefits have been widely referenced in poetry and scripture throughout the ages, earning a role in Ayurveda, Buddhism, the writings of Torah, the Bible, and the Qur'an.

Naturally antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (incredible for sensitive and acne-prone complexions!); rich in vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids, this remarkably sweet liquid of love promotes and speeds up the healing and regeneration of soft tissues. Since honey is a natural humectant, it also attracts and retains moisture, making it a must for treating psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and dry skin conditions.

Sourcing
The unparalleled attention and obsessive dedication to the thoughtful sourcing of our fresh ingredients is our very foundation and one of our greatest points of pride. Never is this more important than when retrieving gifts from another living being.

We looked into many, many, many honey makers prior to finding our perfect fit to ensure that this was the best of the best on every level. Our gorgeously golden healer comes from a local, family-owned apiary who follows sustainable practices, honoring the health of their bees - including removing only what is needed and leaving plenty to nourish the hive, rather than fully stripping these friends of their fuel. The bees are never relocated or trucked across the country as often happens in commercial beekeeping. The apiary is well respected, carries Kosher and Organic certificates, and is 100% solar powered - known for their commitment to the environment as well as the treatment of the bees. Additionally, they use a process called "gravity straining", rather than filtering, which allows our honey to retain its natural, perfect components.

These free-range bees spend their days exploring California’s Ventura County flower blossoms, mountains, and farms. They are flourishing - vibrant, healthy, and thriving from the fulfillment of their work - which contributes to the life and sustainability of the fields and flowers and surrounding wildlife and our ecosystem as a whole.


“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today," said Pooh."There there," said Piglet. "I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Water

Pure, distilled water serves in our formulas as a clean and neutral base for the skin-loving magic of our colloidal silver. Colloidal silver stars in both The Jasmine Garden and The Honey Mud..

In The Honey Mud, you will also see “Water” come into play in combination with "Sodium Chloride", which is simply, salt. While listed separately from "Water" due to labeling requirements, this salt is in combination with the water, ultimately as a saline solution (saltwater).

In both cases, water offers further benefit by facilitating the assimilation of vital, skin-friendly water-soluble vitamins and nutrients.

We do not utilize water as a filler and believe every ingredient contained in our formulas must actively contribute to the health of the skin.

Featured in: The Honey Mud and The Jasmine Garden, as a component of colloidal silver, and again in The Honey Mud, as saltwater.

Cacao

If I have a signature as a formulator, the glory of this bean is certainly a part of it. I believe in cacao as more than just a special sweet treat or even as an ingredient to lend a hunger-inducing aroma to all but one formula in our core facial collection.

Exceptionally high in antioxidants, raw cacao blocks free radicals, protecting skin against damage to collagen and elastin while promoting and renewing skin cell tissue. Cacao contains omega 6 fatty acids and raw enzymes, both of which help in cellular repair and rejuvenation. Topical use increases blood flow to the skin, reducing inflammation and redness, slowing the visible aging process, and supporting healthy moisture content.

Sourcing
Nearly all of the cacao on the planet is produced for consumption in the massive food and fragrance industries, where the priority is strictly to maximize aromas and flavors with aggressive toasting processes. Unfortunately, the excessive heat used to achieve the characteristic chocolate scent you are accustomed to greatly diminishes the nutritional value of this precious food ingredient. It was an uphill battle to find producers who are instead dedicated to the gentle extraction and distillation of aromatic raw materials that preserve and honor the bean’s high antioxidant content.

I am committed to ever-increasing my quality standard, taking every challenge as an opportunity to dig deeper into our core values. After years searching the world, testing cacao samples from a zillion vendors, navigating ingredient adulteration and dilution and the underbelly of labeling loopholes that plague our industry, I can say without hesitation we have earned access to the best of the best with each form of cacao we incorporate into our treats. From our rich and succulent cacao butter to our exclusive, freshly-made raw oleoresin, to our nutrient-dense powdered bean, our cacao is a point of pride and total joy.

Fair Trade
Historically, cacao has been and still is a significant source of tropical deforestation. At the same time, it is a crop on which many conservationists and natural resource managers base their hopes for an agriculture industry that not only provides a livelihood for tropical farmers but also helps to conserve biodiversity in the tropical landscape. Growing cacao under a canopy enhances the soil, protects it from erosion, provides non-cacao products to the farmer and a refuge for an array of animal groups like birds, insects, small mammals, and reptiles. The leaf litter provided by a shade canopy is particularly important for the life cycle of the insects that pollinate the cacao blossoms.

Farmers that choose to grow cacao using sustainable methods rely on organic or premium markets for the higher prices they must charge for making a commitment to increasing biodiversity and embracing environmentally-friendly agriculture. Although chocolate is a huge ($70+ billion annually) global business, only about 6-8 percent of this revenue makes its way back to the cocoa farmers, many of whom run small family operations. Labor abuse is rife in many cocoa regions, and reports of farmers enslaving thousands of child workers have sparked widespread criticism of the industry.

Labor and environmental issues have inspired the formation of several organizations and associations of wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to growing cacao sustainably, providing fair wages and opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. We are committed to supporting this vital effort by choosing makers that produce organically and ethically under Fair Trade guidelines.

“Chocolate is the answer. Who cares what the question is.”
—Everyone, Everywhere

Macadamia

One of my favorite Australian exports and nuts in general, macadamia nuts are also referred to as “Queensland nut” and “bush nut,” although I personally prefer the Aboriginal name “boombera”! The evergreen trees take up to 10 years to produce commercial quantities of nuts, but once they start, they can continue sharing their delicious gifts for over 100 years. Today, South Africa is the world’s leading producer of these popular, highly nutritious, and satisfying nuts, while its motherland Australia comes in second.

My favorite way to enjoy this fatty, succulent nut is through its golden, aromatic oil. Not only is it a great choice to nourish your body from within, but its complex nutrient profile also fully satisfies your skin’s hydration cravings when applied topically.

Macadamia has an exceptionally high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, which deeply hydrate and heal the skin. It’s known to be one of the highest sources of palmitoleic fatty acids, which are powerful antioxidants proven to delay skin from premature aging by protecting it from oxidative damage. With its perfect ratio of anti-inflammatory, regenerating omega-3’s and 6’s, it offers relief for dry and sensitive skin, especially inflammatory conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Another significant antioxidant found in macadamia nut oil is squalane. Naturally occurring in our own body, squalane is one of the most common fats produced by our skin cells and makes up part of our skin sebum that creates an amazing protective barrier - essentially like a second layer of skin. It not only offers protection from environmental aggressors but locks in the moisture to ensure skin stays hydrated. Unfortunately, our own production of this skin-wonder slows down as we age. Squalane-rich sources such as macadamia help us to replenish this incredibly supportive antioxidant, protecting the skin from oxidative stress, decreasing and preventing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

Featured in: The Honey Mud, The Pendulum Potion and The Good Stuff

Colloidal Silver

Our not-so-secret favorite ingredient is colloidal silver, which has been used as a healing agent by civilizations throughout the world. Its medical and restorative powers can be traced as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman Empires.

Silver promotes the acceleration of soft tissue recovery and assists with cooling excessive heat from conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and all forms of dermatitis.

Silver is one of the most studied, most effective, and most trusted ingredients on the market - natural or otherwise. Used topically as we do in The Honey Mud and The Jasmine Garden, silver translates to serious protection against acne, inflammation, irritation, rashes, and a plethora of skin challenges.

Featured in: The Jasmine Garden & The Honey Mud

Titanium Dioxide

Our kaolin clay (also called white halloysite), and all kaolin, naturally contain a certain content of the mineral titanium dioxide. The titanium dioxide is not an added ingredient to the kaolin, but a component of this raw ingredient that is required to be called out separately in our INCI to adhere to European labeling requirements. The naturally-occurring titanium dioxide content is less than 1% of The Honey Mud’s formula.

In The Good Stuff, our non-nano mica includes a fractional ratio of the minerals Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxide as a coating to enhance its soft, sparkling effect on the skin.

Found in: The Honey Mud and The Clean Dirt, as a component of kaolin (white halloysite) clay and The Good Stuff

Ylang Ylang

Hailing from tropical Asia, today these beautiful yellow flowers are mostly cultivated in Madagascar due to its moist climate and fertile, volcanic soil. The elegant blossoms reach their maturity and their famously intoxicating aroma two to three weeks after opening, when they change color from green to yellow and begin to droop. In fashion with precious jasmine and rose, ylang-ylang flowers are collected in the evening or very early morning when their scent is the strongest. The steam distillation process begins within hours of harvest, making this an incredibly labor intensive and time-sensitive oil to produce. This rich, addictively-sweet flower and its oil have been used as a traditional folk remedy and natural beauty treatment by islanders for many hundreds of years. Ylang-ylang is a studied aphrodisiac, known to increase libido and activate feelings of desire. Its widely appreciated for its potent anti-depressant and uplifting effect on the mood.

Beyond the remarkable beauty and seductive fragrance, this gift of nature also offers a variety of powerful medicinal and therapeutic benefits for the skin. Recent studies have shown ylang-ylang contains a wide variety of beneficial compounds which exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities. These properties help to effectively reduce skin irritations and redness by regulating sebum production and treating the infection itself. Ylang-ylang is said to be especially nourishing for rough and dry skin, while its antioxidant-rich compounds help reduce environmental cell damage.

Sourcing note:
Our ylang-ylang essential oil comes to our kitchen directly from the manufacturer, a family-run company and respected producer of this glorious extract. Their 445-acre ylang-ylang farm, located on a volcanic island on the northwestern coast of Madagascar, produces Certified Organic essential oil. The biodynamic, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly distillery is powered with wood from the fast-growing trees planted throughout the property.  Upon completion, the essential oil is analyzed through their laboratory, guaranteeing its analytical integrity and its compliance with applicable regulations.

Featured in: The Jasmine Garden, The Honey MudThe Pendulum Potion, The Happy Galaxy &  The Good Stuff

Vanilla

There are not many aromas that evoke the instant sensation of desire and comfort, like that of vanilla. Whether the star of the hunger-inducing scent of freshly baked cookies or the seductive fragrance of your favorite perfume, vanilla is treasured by many. The sweet smell of vanilla has been shown to be a highly effective antidepressant, mood enhancer, and health booster due to a component called vanillin hydroxybenzaldehydem. Soothing and harmonizing, vanilla has been shown in studies to help comfort, stabilize, and induce feelings of relaxation.  

This sacred spice has been used in ritual offerings and as medicine and perfume by the Aztecs. This is where the irresistible and hopelessly addicting blend of vanilla and chocolate was born, as the Aztecs flavored their cacao-based drink with this prized, tropical bean.

Cuttings of this ancient orchid were eventually taken to Africa by the French, where now 80% of the world’s natural vanilla is produced. It generally takes three to five years for the vanilla plant to produce any blossoms. Not only does each flower require hand pollination, but it takes many additional months following harvest for curing to occur. Vanilla is one of the most labor-intensive of our ingredients to produce and is now the second most expensive spice in the world (following saffron).

Highly sedative, vanilla helps to reduce skin inflammation and its powerful antibacterial components aid in clearing skin infections. Rich in skin-nourishing vitamins and minerals, vanilla naturally reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its high content of antioxidants helps protect the skin from environmental damage, ensuring an even skin tone.

Sourcing note:
Unfortunately, today less than one percent of “vanilla” you find in food or fragrance comes from the vanilla flower itself (yes you read correctly – not even one percent), rather from synthetic reproductions. Our organic vanilla CO2 extract boasts an impressive 26% vanillin content, the component which gives it its rich, natural aroma. The manufacturing process of a CO2 extract involves none of the heat or moisture associated with steam distillation. The result is a deep and gentle extract, free from any chemical residue. Ours is a genuinely spectacular product made strictly from Madagascar beans. We are incredibly selective with each of our ingredients, but especially so when it comes to the standard of our difficult-to-obtain vanilla. With extremely limited stock available, we invest at a premium cost to ensure we can always maintain our obsessive quality commitment. Our same maker provides us with our fresh ground vanilla bean powder, equally expensive, and exceedingly delicious. It’s my favorite bin in the kitchen to lean into for a big breath of heaven mid-day!

Featured in: The Clean Dirt, The Honey Mud, The Jasmine Garden, The Problem Solver, and The Blue Cocoon

Frankincense

Boswellia Serrate is a tree native to India that produces special compounds found to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. Among the valuable Boswellia tree extracts that researchers have identified, several stand out as being most beneficial, including terpenes and ​Boswellic acids, which protect healthy cells.

Frankincense has the ability to strengthen skin and improve its tone, elasticity, and defense mechanisms against bacteria or blemishes, as well as to protect the skin's appearance as it matures. It may help tone and lift skin, reduce the severity of scars and acne, and heal wounds. It is also considered beneficial for fading stretch marks, surgery scars, marks associated with pregnancy, and healing dry and cracked skin. Studies suggest that it’s the pentacyclic triterpene (natural, steroid-like) structure of frankincense oil that contributes to its soothing effect on irritated skin and its ability to reduce redness and skin irritation.

It’s also believed that the beautifully​ aromatic oil transmits messages to the limbic system of the brain, which is known to influence the nervous system. When inhaled, frankincense has been shown to reduce heart rate and high blood pressure, and lessen the symptoms of anxiety and chronic stress with its calming, grounding scent. This natural sleep aid helps open breathing passages, allowing you to ease into a gentle sleep.

Featured in: The Problem Solver, The Blue Cocoon, The Honey Mud & 
The Pendulum Potion

Myrrh

Although there are many species of Myrrh, ours (Commiphora myrrha) is native to the Arabian Peninsula, Somalia, Yemen, and parts of Ethiopia. Highly prized by many ancient civilizations including the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese, this precious resin was primarily used as an ingredient in incense, perfumes, for embalming, and religious ceremonies. Its rich, warm, balsamic scent and medicinal properties have been cherished by many for centuries.

To harvest the sap, myrrh trees are tapped several times a year and left to secrete its resin for about a week to ten days. Once dried and hardened, it is collected and aged even further before being sorted, graded, and sold. The resin is then either ground into a fine powder or distilled into an essential oil.

To this day, it is still one of the most widely used essential oils in aromatherapy thanks to its superior antiseptic, antimicrobial, vulnerary, and anti-fungal properties, which make myrrh the perfect natural remedy for preventing and treating wounds from infections, as well as fighting off harmful bacteria. When applied topically, its potent antioxidants help to reduce puffy or swollen skin while alleviating discomfort. A powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, myrrh tones the skin, helps reduce the appearance of scars, and offers relief for skin inflammations such as acne and eczema.    

Featured in: The Blue Cocoon, The Pendulum Potion, and The Honey Mud

Cedarwood

Also known as “red cedar” or “aromatic cedar”, this essential oil is produced from a species of juniper native to eastern North America. Juniperus virginiana is a slow-growing evergreen tree that produces small blue-green berries. Known for its distinctly sweet, lemony, woodsy scent, Native American tribes have been burning cedar for important rituals and purifying ceremonies for centuries. The branches were also used to create medicinal tonics.

Cedarwood’s potent anti-seborrheic, antiseptic, and astringent properties are proven to offer great relief in cases of eczema and other inflammatory conditions as it effectively regulates sebum production, reduces inflammation and itching, and heals the skin. Its powerful sedative properties work to relieve tension and anxiety, which are often associated with these same skin concerns.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

Sweet Orange

Whenever I cut into the flesh of a ripe orange, it feels like I am opening up the sun. Cultivated for over 4,500 years, orange is one of the most popular, cultivated, and nutritious fruits in the world. This juicy, tangy globe is a cross between pomelo and mandarin and a single orange delivers a whopping 95% of your daily requirement of vitamin C!

Sweet orange’s essential oil, which is derived from the rind of the fruit, is highly prized for its calming, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a favorite treatment for acne-prone and oil-imbalanced skin. Known for its high antioxidant content, it effectively slows down the process of aging and increases collagen production. Additionally, sweet orange essential oil is said to have powerful detoxifying properties that help to naturally tone the skin, giving a natural, healthy glow.  

Featured in: The Youth Dew, The Honey Mud, and The Pendulum Potion

Wintergreen (salicylic acid)

Our Gaultheria Procumbens (wintergreen) leaf extract is the first 100% naturally-derived salicylic acid obtained from wintergreen leaves; an incredible alternative to traditional synthetic salicylic acid. 

Despite its minty-sounding name, our extract is odorless and does not impede the magnificence of The Honey Mud's lush aromatics. With a long history of use in traditional medicine, wintergreen is an evergreen shrub from Canada which grows in the pine forests and underbrush of North America. It was known by the native populations who used it in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including within compresses to ease skin inflammation.

To extract this natural acid, our supplier first distills the leaves of the wintergreen plant, then uses a process called hydrolysis - which sounds like a fancy word, but can be explained simply as using water to break down the oil, which in turn produces salicylic acid.

What results is an anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory compound ideal for gently purifying oily and breakout-prone skin, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, easing redness and discomfort, decongesting clogged pores, and bringing a glow and radiance that surpasses even the beauty of our much-loved original formula.

Our wintergreen extract works similarly to beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to target certain protein bonds in the skin. The goal here is to enhance the skin's natural shedding process that can become inhibited due to damage from the sun, environmental factors, the natural aging process, genetics, and inflammatory conditions such as acne. 

Natural salicylic acid helps to release dead skin not just on the surface, but also in the pore lining, where accumulation of pollution, makeup, and sunscreen mix with your natural oils and dead cells. Without effective exfoliation on both levels, skin may present as congested, dull, bumpy, rough, irritated, and simply lacking the glow of health. This buildup also impedes the effectiveness of all other products you use, blocking their delivery to your skin.

The gentle exfoliation delivered by our unique extract leaves skin incredibly soft, smooth, and even-toned, particularly over time and with consistency.

Bonus: Beyond its immediate benefits to the skin's appearance, in the plant world, salicylic acid plays a key role in the resistance of plants to pathogens. This special quality allows this unique extract to offer itself as one more player in our skin-supportive, natural preservation system.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

Sodium Chloride

Simply, this is salt. "Sodium Chloride", while listed separately from "Water" on our INCI due to labeling requirements, is included in The Honey Mud in combination with water, ultimately as a saline solution (saltwater).

As saline has the same properties as human tears, it is incredibly gentle on the skin, yet effective in creating an environment that's resistant and inhospitable to pathogens and other organisms. Water alone assists in the growth of unwanted factors (and renders preservation necessary), but when water + sodium chloride are combined in a formula together as saline, it works by reducing the water activity in our product. Given that The Honey Mud is primarily clay-based, the addition of salinated water forms a kind of gel, consisting of a nano-network of clay particles that is inhospitable to the growth of unwanted organisms.

We have utilized multifunctional, skin-beneficial natural ingredients in order to safeguard The Honey Mud and optimize the results your complexion receives - versus opting for a standard synthetic that only adds value as a preservation system.

By utilizing "hurdle technology", which is basically intelligent formulation using several different natural preservation factors, we can control microbial growth in the absence of traditional preservatives. The Honey Mud (along with all of our products) has been through extensive stability and preservative-effectiveness challenge testing and easily received its "pass" mark

Further, our skin loves salt. When applied topically, salt acts as a natural detoxifier, helping to gently shed dead skin cells. When you swim in the ocean, enjoy a salt bath, or indulge in salt as an ingredient in skin treatments, this vital mineral reduces fluid retention, relaxes tissue, and helps to keep skin clear and bright. It's particularly wonderful for acne-prone and easily-irritated complexions.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a naturally-occurring organic salt of sorbic acid. It is non-toxic, food-grade safe, GRAS (official classification of Generally Recognized As Safe), and widely considered one of the safest and most natural preservatives. Potassium sorbate can be found in seemingly everything from cheeses and baked goods to wine and pickled vegetables. It is used prolifically in natural skincare formulation for its preservative abilities and its support in regulating pH levels. This is included in The Honey Mud's updated formula at far less than 1% (just 0.2% in total), ideal for even the most sensitive skin.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

Benzyl Benzoate

*Benzyl Benzoate is not an isolated ingredient we add to our formulas, rather it is a naturally occurring, non-synthetic component within our pure essential oils.

Benzyl benzoate exists in both a synthetic form, typically used in perfumery, or as a natural component of essential oils. Ours is produced naturally within plants’ floral tissue and is typically found in extracts of ylang ylang, jasmine, rosewood, Balsam of Peru, and cinnamon.  

Found in: The Pendulum Potion, The Jasmine Garden, The Honey Mud, The Happy Galaxy & The Good Stuff

Limonene

* Limonene is not an isolated ingredient we add to our formulas, rather it is a naturally occurring, non-synthetic component within our pure essential oils.

Limonene is a compound found in the essential oils of many plants such as lemon, lime, lemongrass, neroli, grapefruit, tangerine, peppermint, rose, sage, fennel, and geranium. Limonene is responsible for the sweet, lemon-like, pungent aroma we associate with citrus fruit.

Besides being a powerful antioxidant, limonene works as a penetration enhancer. When used in association with other natural, skin-friendly ingredients, we are able to enjoy the maximum benefits of each.

Found in: The Youth Dew, The Pendulum Potion, The Honey Mud, The Blue Cocoon, The Happy Galaxy &  The Good Stuff

Benzyl Salicylate

*Benzyl Salicylate is not an isolated ingredient we add to our formulas, rather it is a naturally occurring, non-synthetic component within our pure essential oils.

Benzyl Salicylate exists in both a synthetic form, typically used in perfumery, or as a natural component of essential oils. Ours is produced naturally within plants’ floral tissue and is inherent in the botanical extracts of our precious rose, ylang-ylang, and jasmine. 

Featured in: The Honey MudThe Pendulum Potion, The Happy Galaxy & The Good Stuff

Salicylic Acid

Our Gaultheria Procumbens (wintergreen) leaf extract is the first 100% naturally-derived salicylic acid obtained from wintergreen leaves; an incredible alternative to traditional synthetic salicylic acid. 

Despite its minty-sounding name, our extract is odorless and does not impede the magnificence of The Honey Mud's lush aromatics. With a long history of use in traditional medicine, wintergreen is an evergreen shrub from Canada which grows in the pine forests and underbrush of North America. It was known by the native populations who used it in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including within compresses to ease skin inflammation.

To extract this natural acid, our supplier first distills the leaves of the wintergreen plant, then uses a process called hydrolysis - which sounds like a fancy word, but can be explained simply as using water to break down the oil, which in turn produces salicylic acid.

What results is an anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory compound ideal for gently purifying oily and breakout-prone skin, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, easing redness and discomfort, decongesting clogged pores, and bringing a glow and radiance that surpasses even the beauty of our much-loved original formula.

Our wintergreen extract works similarly to beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to target certain protein bonds in the skin. The goal here is to enhance the skin's natural shedding process that can become inhibited due to damage from the sun, environmental factors, the natural aging process, genetics, and inflammatory conditions such as acne. 

Natural salicylic acid helps to release dead skin not just on the surface, but also in the pore lining, where accumulation of pollution, makeup, and sunscreen mix with your natural oils and dead cells. Without effective exfoliation on both levels, skin may present as congested, dull, bumpy, rough, irritated, and simply lacking the glow of health. This buildup also impedes the effectiveness of all other products you use, blocking their delivery to your skin.

The gentle exfoliation delivered by our unique extract leaves skin incredibly soft, smooth, and even-toned, particularly over time and with consistency.

Bonus: Beyond its immediate benefits to the skin's appearance, in the plant world, salicylic acid plays a key role in the resistance of plants to pathogens. This special quality allows this unique extract to offer itself as one more player in our skin-supportive, natural preservation system.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

Raw Honey

The air is dancing with rich sweetness and a tangible vibration of life. With the hum of fat and happy bees all around and golden light gleaming through shimmering nectar as it drips stickily from the comb, we know we’ve found magic. This magic has been harvested, bottled, and memorialized for centuries, depicted in Stone Age paintings dating as far back as 8,000 years. Revered for its candy-like sweetness and energy-giving nectar, it is equally celebrated for its long medicinal history.

Honey has been used since ancient times to ease a wide range of diseases, ailments, burns, cuts, and skin conditions. Long-ago Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, and Romans all knew and prized this highly nutritious treat. Honey’s benefits have been widely referenced in poetry and scripture throughout the ages, earning a role in Ayurveda, Buddhism, the writings of Torah, the Bible, and the Qur'an.

Naturally antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (incredible for sensitive and acne-prone complexions!); rich in vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids, this remarkably sweet liquid of love promotes and speeds up the healing and regeneration of soft tissues. Since honey is a natural humectant, it also attracts and retains moisture, making it a must for treating psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and dry skin conditions.

Sourcing
The unparalleled attention and obsessive dedication to the thoughtful sourcing of our fresh ingredients is our very foundation and one of our greatest points of pride. Never is this more important than when retrieving gifts from another living being.

We looked into many, many, many honey makers prior to finding our perfect fit to ensure that this was the best of the best on every level. Our gorgeously golden healer comes from a local, family-owned apiary who follows sustainable practices, honoring the health of their bees - including removing only what is needed and leaving plenty to nourish the hive, rather than fully stripping these friends of their fuel. The bees are never relocated or trucked across the country as often happens in commercial beekeeping. The apiary is well respected, carries Kosher and Organic certificates, and is 100% solar powered - known for their commitment to the environment as well as the treatment of the bees. Additionally, they use a process called "gravity straining", rather than filtering, which allows our honey to retain its natural, perfect components.

These free-range bees spend their days exploring California’s Ventura County flower blossoms, mountains, and farms. They are flourishing - vibrant, healthy, and thriving from the fulfillment of their work - which contributes to the life and sustainability of the fields and flowers and surrounding wildlife and our ecosystem as a whole.


“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today," said Pooh."There there," said Piglet. "I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver

Our not-so-secret favorite ingredient is colloidal silver, which has been used as a healing agent by civilizations throughout the world. Its medical and restorative powers can be traced as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman Empires.

Silver promotes the acceleration of soft tissue recovery and assists with cooling excessive heat from conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and all forms of dermatitis.

Silver is one of the most studied, most effective, and most trusted ingredients on the market - natural or otherwise. Used topically as we do in The Honey Mud and The Jasmine Garden, silver translates to serious protection against acne, inflammation, irritation, rashes, and a plethora of skin challenges.

Featured in: The Jasmine Garden & The Honey Mud

Cacao

**Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder

Cacao

If I have a signature as a formulator, the glory of this bean is certainly a part of it. I believe in cacao as more than just a special sweet treat or even as an ingredient to lend a hunger-inducing aroma to all but one formula in our core facial collection.

Exceptionally high in antioxidants, raw cacao blocks free radicals, protecting skin against damage to collagen and elastin while promoting and renewing skin cell tissue. Cacao contains omega 6 fatty acids and raw enzymes, both of which help in cellular repair and rejuvenation. Topical use increases blood flow to the skin, reducing inflammation and redness, slowing the visible aging process, and supporting healthy moisture content.

Sourcing
Nearly all of the cacao on the planet is produced for consumption in the massive food and fragrance industries, where the priority is strictly to maximize aromas and flavors with aggressive toasting processes. Unfortunately, the excessive heat used to achieve the characteristic chocolate scent you are accustomed to greatly diminishes the nutritional value of this precious food ingredient. It was an uphill battle to find producers who are instead dedicated to the gentle extraction and distillation of aromatic raw materials that preserve and honor the bean’s high antioxidant content.

I am committed to ever-increasing my quality standard, taking every challenge as an opportunity to dig deeper into our core values. After years searching the world, testing cacao samples from a zillion vendors, navigating ingredient adulteration and dilution and the underbelly of labeling loopholes that plague our industry, I can say without hesitation we have earned access to the best of the best with each form of cacao we incorporate into our treats. From our rich and succulent cacao butter to our exclusive, freshly-made raw oleoresin, to our nutrient-dense powdered bean, our cacao is a point of pride and total joy.

Fair Trade
Historically, cacao has been and still is a significant source of tropical deforestation. At the same time, it is a crop on which many conservationists and natural resource managers base their hopes for an agriculture industry that not only provides a livelihood for tropical farmers but also helps to conserve biodiversity in the tropical landscape. Growing cacao under a canopy enhances the soil, protects it from erosion, provides non-cacao products to the farmer and a refuge for an array of animal groups like birds, insects, small mammals, and reptiles. The leaf litter provided by a shade canopy is particularly important for the life cycle of the insects that pollinate the cacao blossoms.

Farmers that choose to grow cacao using sustainable methods rely on organic or premium markets for the higher prices they must charge for making a commitment to increasing biodiversity and embracing environmentally-friendly agriculture. Although chocolate is a huge ($70+ billion annually) global business, only about 6-8 percent of this revenue makes its way back to the cocoa farmers, many of whom run small family operations. Labor abuse is rife in many cocoa regions, and reports of farmers enslaving thousands of child workers have sparked widespread criticism of the industry.

Labor and environmental issues have inspired the formation of several organizations and associations of wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to growing cacao sustainably, providing fair wages and opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. We are committed to supporting this vital effort by choosing makers that produce organically and ethically under Fair Trade guidelines.

“Chocolate is the answer. Who cares what the question is.”
—Everyone, Everywhere

Featured in: The Blue CocoonThe Clean DirtThe Honey MudThe Jasmine GardenThe Pendulum PotionThe Problem Solver & The Good Stuff

*Sweet Orange

*Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Peel Oil Expressed

Sweet Orange

Whenever I cut into the flesh of a ripe orange, it feels like I am opening up the sun. Cultivated for over 4,500 years, orange is one of the most popular, cultivated, and nutritious fruits in the world. This juicy, tangy globe is a cross between pomelo and mandarin and a single orange delivers a whopping 95% of your daily requirement of vitamin C!

Sweet orange’s essential oil, which is derived from the rind of the fruit, is highly prized for its calming, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a favorite treatment for acne-prone and oil-imbalanced skin. Known for its high antioxidant content, it effectively slows down the process of aging and increases collagen production. Additionally, sweet orange essential oil is said to have powerful detoxifying properties that help to naturally tone the skin, giving a natural, healthy glow.  

Featured in: The Youth Dew, The Honey Mud, and The Pendulum Potion

*Wintergreen (salicylic acid)

Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract

Wintergreen (salicylic acid)

Our Gaultheria Procumbens (wintergreen) leaf extract is the first 100% naturally-derived salicylic acid obtained from wintergreen leaves; an incredible alternative to traditional synthetic salicylic acid. 

Despite its minty-sounding name, our extract is odorless and does not impede the magnificence of The Honey Mud's lush aromatics. With a long history of use in traditional medicine, wintergreen is an evergreen shrub from Canada which grows in the pine forests and underbrush of North America. It was known by the native populations who used it in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including within compresses to ease skin inflammation.

To extract this natural acid, our supplier first distills the leaves of the wintergreen plant, then uses a process called hydrolysis - which sounds like a fancy word, but can be explained simply as using water to break down the oil, which in turn produces salicylic acid.

What results is an anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory compound ideal for gently purifying oily and breakout-prone skin, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, easing redness and discomfort, decongesting clogged pores, and bringing a glow and radiance that surpasses even the beauty of our much-loved original formula.

Our wintergreen extract works similarly to beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to target certain protein bonds in the skin. The goal here is to enhance the skin's natural shedding process that can become inhibited due to damage from the sun, environmental factors, the natural aging process, genetics, and inflammatory conditions such as acne. 

Natural salicylic acid helps to release dead skin not just on the surface, but also in the pore lining, where accumulation of pollution, makeup, and sunscreen mix with your natural oils and dead cells. Without effective exfoliation on both levels, skin may present as congested, dull, bumpy, rough, irritated, and simply lacking the glow of health. This buildup also impedes the effectiveness of all other products you use, blocking their delivery to your skin.

The gentle exfoliation delivered by our unique extract leaves skin incredibly soft, smooth, and even-toned, particularly over time and with consistency.

Bonus: Beyond its immediate benefits to the skin's appearance, in the plant world, salicylic acid plays a key role in the resistance of plants to pathogens. This special quality allows this unique extract to offer itself as one more player in our skin-supportive, natural preservation system.

Featured in: The Honey Mud

*Cedarwood

*Juniperus Virginiana (Cedarwood) Oil

Cedarwood

Also known as “red cedar” or “aromatic cedar”, this essential oil is produced from a species of juniper native to eastern North America. Juniperus virginiana is a slow-growing evergreen tree that produces small blue-green berries. Known for its distinctly sweet, lemony, woodsy scent, Native American tribes have been burning cedar for important rituals and purifying ceremonies for centuries. The branches were also used to create medicinal tonics.

Cedarwood’s potent anti-seborrheic, antiseptic, and astringent properties are proven to offer great relief in cases of eczema and other inflammatory conditions as it effectively regulates sebum production, reduces inflammation and itching, and heals the skin. Its powerful sedative properties work to relieve tension and anxiety, which are often associated with these same skin concerns.

Featured in: The Honey Mud


Learn more about each ingredient and why we love it on our ingredients page.

The unparalleled attention and obsessive dedication to the thoughtful sourcing of our fresh ingredients is our very foundation and one of our greatest points of pride. Never is this more important than when retrieving gifts from another living being.

We looked into many, many, many honey makers prior to finding our perfect fit. Our gorgeously golden healer comes from a local, family-owned apiary that follows sustainable practices, honoring the health of their bees. This includes:

•Removing only what is needed and leaving plenty to nourish the hive, rather than fully stripping these friends of their fuel. 
•Never relocated or trucking them across the country as often happens in commercial beekeeping. 
•Using "gravity straining", rather than filtering, to allow our honey to retain its natural, perfect, skin-food components.

The apiary carries Kosher and Organic certificates and is 100% solar powered.

Our free-range bees spend their days exploring California’s Ventura County flower blossoms, mountains, and farms. They are flourishing - vibrant, healthy, and thriving from the fulfillment of their work - which contributes to the life and sustainability of the fields and flowers and surrounding wildlife and our ecosystem as a whole.



It is normal with acid exfoliation to experience tingling and a temporary pinking of the skin, particularly in initial sessions. 

Learn more about what to expect here or connect with us at care@maylindstrom.com if you would like personalized guidance into a ritual tailored to your unique goals and concerns. 

Learn more about the story and effects behind every single ingredient in our kitchen lab pantry here.



Healthy, freshly-cleansed skin should feel plump, fed, and supported - never tight. 

The Honey Mud is formulated to be non-stripping. Our goal is to build up the resilience of your glorious complexion for ultimate health, glow, and radiance both in the short and long term.

A "squeaky clean" feeling can actually be a sign that we have damaged our acid mantle, which can cause sensitization in our delicate skin.

As you rinse away The Honey Mud, be thorough, massaging lovingly with the pads of your fingertips. This is all you need. If desired, you can accompany this massage with a very soft warm cloth or sponge for a deeper, but still gentle cleanse.



The Honey Mud will remove light makeup, along with sweat, dead skin cells, pollution, and debris from daily exposure. 

If you are wearing heavier makeup and sunscreen, a soft, damp cloth alongside The Honey Mud will help to lift away the residues of the day as you cleanse. The Honey Mud is not formulated to remove eye makeup. 

In the evenings, we encourage a first cleanse with The Pendulum Potion to clear the slate. Your second cleanse with The Honey Mud feeds all the goodness back in, leaving skin fresh and happy.



Yes! The Honey Mud, and the rest of the collection, is generally regarded as safe for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and beyond. 

Explore our step-by-step ritual for pregnancy & postpartum and connect with us at care@maylindstrom.com if you would like further guidance into a personalized ritual in support of this powerful time. 



Yes! Ribbons of caramel coloring lacing over the top of the jar are absolutely normal and expected in The Honey Mud. What you are seeing is the natural separation of our fresh plant oils, along with our raw cacao oleoresin. The liquid itself is a combination of saltwater and colloidal silver - both incredible gifts to the skin you can learn more about on our ingredients page.

This natural separation is avoidable using synthetic emulsifiers. We have opted out of this option in favor of our overall core philosophy of utilizing only ingredients that feed and nurture the skin without blocking its own function and health. We love being able to show you the rich, true beauty of our nutrient-dense formula in all its raw glory!

Enjoy The Honey Mud exactly as it is, or if you wish, give it a quick stir with a clean spoon or our gold dandelion wand to quickly restore its pudding-like goodness.



"Reformulated and tweaked, the essence of this beloved mask/cleanser remains the same. May describes The Honey Mud as “lush, velveteen, cozy,” and honestly, that checks out. Indeed, I think that “lush” is the most apt description for this deliciously decadent treat. The main difference between the reformulated version and the original is the addition of natural salicylic acid from wintergreen extract (for the fans of The Honey Mud’s chocolate pudding scent, the extract isn’t scented and does not change the scent profile). Although my skin is not crazy-sensitive, I tend to be fairly sensitive to acids, but I experienced zero flushing or irritation when using it as either a cleanser or a mask. Instead, my skin was left soft, comforted, and bright. And smelling of chocolate pudding."

—Lola

"This marshmallowy pillowy mud is not like anything I've tried before. This product is truly different, and the experience is completely unique. I slather this on before my morning meditation, and when I rinse it off after 20 minutes my skin is refined, glowing. Once applied the mask's scent wafts, and is somewhere between a creme brulee and a campfire. I love all of May Lindstrom's products, and The Honey Mud might be my favorite."

—Cary

"Not only does the new formula have improved glide (which I really appreciate) but the exfoliating powers from those delicious raw honey enzymes have been boosted by salicylic-rich wintergreen which means baby soft skin awaits. And don’t fear, all the other stuff you loved about the original formula - the satisfying non-drying gloop, the heavenly cacao scent, the smart versatility from mask to cleanser - it’s all still there! Thank you, May, I knew we were in safe hands."

—Rich

"The Honey Mud is so gorgeous and has actually allowed me to improve the texture and health of my skin during this crazy and stressful time. I loved the Honey Mud as a cleanser before, but I now use it as a weekly mask, and I’ve become addicted to the flush and tingle and the way my skin feels like velvet when I wash it off - I’ve never had a product make my skin feel this way (not even the original Honey Mud)! Thank you again for all you do to continue to make products and safely send them out - I look forward to being able to continue using them for months and years to come. "

—Roshnara

"As someone who has had acne since age 8, the Honey Mud has been transforming. It’s the only cleanse that I have ever used that truly helped to clear and calm my skin. I love all of your skincare products but this by far has made the most difference. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. "

—Rebecca

"I just wanted to tell you that the Honey Mud has CHANGED my life. I am not just saying this to say it either. I had cystic adult acne after giving birth to my son 8 years ago and decided to go on retinol. It cleared it beautifully and I had no other real breakouts until about 6 months ago when I moved to Florida.  I tried a few new things but nothing worked. I finally got the email that it was my turn for The Honey Mud and within a week of my jar arriving, YES A WEEK, my cystic acne had cleared. I have never had anything work like this on my skin EVER!!! So THANK YOU!!!! A HUGE THANK YOU for making me feel like me again!"

—Sheena

"I can't have any spoons around to measure it out or I swear I would eat it! It's even more wondrous than I remembered. It's soooo smooth when I use it as a cleanse, and silky in water on my skin. The clay feels like it's sticking to every piece of impurity and grime from the day and rinsing it away. Then, I added it as a Masque Day to my week. I honestly didn't want to rinse it off, just for the smell. I used my beautiful golden wand to spoon some into my hand (can't have a spoon, remember?) and applied it to skin freshly cleaned with The Pendulum Potion (so I was already in olfactory heaven.) I'm so happy to have The Honey Mud back!"

—Gaye

"I don’t know what to tell you about The Honey Mud! I almost cried when I first used it. I had drawn a bath and put it on and, between the water and the aromas from the mask, I felt a year's worth of distress melt away and my skin didn’t feel dry, stretched, or irritated. You’re a maverick!  And then when I put The Blue  Cocoon on afterward and massaged my neck and chest I felt even more calm and rejuvenated. Your products are an experience."

—Koki

"I'm just sinking into the couch with a cup of tea and the mask on my face for the first time in way too long and I'm... giddy. I want to eat it. I want to roll in it. I think in the age-old childhood question of whether you'd rather drown in a bowl of milk or something else, I'd choose this. I am just so happy it's back."

—Jeanethe

"I was a bit worried about the change only because of how much I loved the aroma but I’m happy to report, the scent is still that chocolaty, malty, earthy goodness. I’ve been using it as my evening face wash just so that I can open the jar on the daily. Thank you May Lindstrom Skin for all you do!"

—Hilary

"The Honey Mud is hands down the best skincare product I’ve ever tried, and I’m a clean beauty junkie. It is my desert island, holy grail, can’t-live-without product & I want to thank you all for working so tirelessly to bring it back to us. I can’t tell you how much having this treat back in my life means to me - it gives me something to look forward to at the end of stressful 12-hour workdays. Even just opening the jar & inhaling the delicious aroma calms & re-centers me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

—Michelle

"I received my jar of the new formula a couple of weeks ago and I literally get out of bed in the morning because I get to use The Honey Mud, I kid you not. I just want to say thank you for your diligence and for giving your customers a product that actually makes them excited about cleansing their face! I already can't wait to use it tomorrow!!"

—Samantha

"I think my skin sighed after I washed it off the first time!"

—Roshnara

"Tonight as I applied Honey Mud silk to my face, I realized that as much as I enjoy the brand discovery process, yours is the only brand I won't live without in my future years."

—Sheila

"…I'm smitten with Honey Mud - my skin has been glowing since I started using your products! Love it! :)"

—Marissa

"As someone who has dry, but blemish-prone skin, it's nearly impossible to find a face mask that works. It needs to be hydrating and nourishing to my skin, but strong enough to get rid of blemishes. This is the first and only mask I've EVER found that accomplishes both (and I've tried dozens and dozens, as a beauty blogger).

It smells like a little piece of heaven, and applies easier than any other honey-based product I've come across. The creamy consistency spreads easily, and I usually leave it on for about 45 minutes before washing it off, only to reveal simply glowing skin."

—Morgan