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The Apothecary Os

Formulation Intelligence

Herbal Extract Library

64 advanced botanical extracts — including ancient Ayurvedic skin herbs, maritime extracts, and targeted hair-care roots — sorted by absorption weight so your blends stay balanced across Top, Heart, and Base layers.

Skin · Hair · Face · Body 30 / 50 / 20 note framework Botanical names included

Note weight key

Top notes
30%

Fast absorbing — surface refiners, clarifiers, and refreshers

Heart notes
50%

Balancing — the main benefit layer of the blend

Base notes
20%

Deep conditioning — anchors moisture and structure

Where extracts go in a formula

The form you buy — not the plant — decides the phase.

  • Liquid / glycerite (2–5%) — water phase. Forces a broad-spectrum preservative, and an emulsifier if the rest of the product is oil and butter.
  • Oil infusion (5–40%) — oil phase. Safe in anhydrous balms and butters, no preservative needed.
  • Powder (0.5–2%) — cool down. Pre-disperse in oil or glycerin so it isn't gritty.
  • CO2 active (0.1–1%) — cool down below 104°F. Never exceed 1%.

Keep to 3–4 extracts (2 on the face). Tannin-rich extracts drop out with proteins and conditioners; fruit acids are neutralised by soap and surfactant bases.

Add extracts in the formula builder

Filter herbal extracts

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Herbal extract results

Skin formulations

Top notes · 30%
Fast absorbing — surface refiners, clarifiers, and refreshers

Apple Fruit Extract

Pyrus malus

Delivers rich alpha-hydroxy acids to instantly smooth rough textures.

Banana Fruit Extract

Musa sapientum

Floods the surface skin barrier with potassium for immediate softening.

Cucumber Extract

Cucumis sativus

Provides fast hydration, cools hot-feeling skin, and reduces the look of puffiness.

Pineapple Extract

Ananas sativus

Contains bromelain to gently dissolve dead surface skin cells.

Strawberry Extract

Fragaria ananassa

Naturally brightens surface dullness using high vitamin C and ellagic acid profiles.

Watermelon Extract

Citrullus lanatus

Instantly rehydrates sun-exposed or heat-stressed skin.

Heart notes · 50%
Balancing — the main benefit layer of the blend

Alfalfa Extract

Medicago sativa

Acts as a natural, non-irritating retinol alternative to balance uneven textures.

Calendula Extract

Calendula officinalis

Soothes dry, irritated skin.

Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica)

Centella asiatica / Gotu Kola

Firmer-looking skin; supports a dry, stressed skin barrier.

Grapeseed Extract

Vitis vinifera

Delivers intense antioxidant defense to balance environment-stressed skin.

Licorice Root Extract

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Brightens the look of uneven tone and dark marks.

Neem Leaf Extract

Azadirachta indica

Clarifying; improves the look of blemish-prone skin.

Plantain Leaf Extract

Plantago major

Soothes dry, itchy-feeling skin.

Base notes · 20%
Deep conditioning — anchors moisture and structure

Astragalus Root Extract

Astragalus membranaceus

Helps skin look toned and supple.

Comfrey Root Extract (Allantoin)

Symphytum officinale

Softens and smooths dry, rough, cracked-feeling skin.

Honey Extract

Mel

Acts as a heavy, moisture-binding humectant for plumper-looking skin.

Marshmallow Root Extract

Althaea officinalis

Creates a thick, soothing emollient gel shield to anchor compromised skin.

Reishi Mushroom Extract

Ganoderma lucidum

Anchors moisture long-term and soothes stressed-looking skin.

Shavegrass Extract

Equisetum arvense

Mineral-rich; helps skin look firm and smooth.

Hair & Scalp formulations

Top notes · 30%
Fast absorbing — surface refiners, clarifiers, and refreshers

Apple Cider Vinegar Extract

Malus domestica

Clarifies the scalp cuticle, cuts product buildup, and restores pH balance.

Lemon Peel Extract

Citrus limon

Cuts through excessive scalp sebum and brings immediate shine.

Peppermint Leaf Extract

Mentha piperita

Delivers an immediate cooling, invigorating scalp feel.

Tangerine Peel Extract

Citrus reticulata

Refreshes the scalp while lifting away visible flakes.

Watercress Extract

Nasturtium officinale

Clarifies the hair roots with zinc and sulfur to balance hyper-sebum scalps.

Heart notes · 50%
Balancing — the main benefit layer of the blend

Bhringraj Extract

Eclipta alba

Long used in Ayurvedic hair care for strong, glossy-looking hair.

Horsetail Extract

Equisetum arvense

Packed with natural silica to actively reinforce and strengthen weak hair shafts.

Nettle Leaf Extract

Urtica dioica

Balances the look of an oily scalp; promotes a thicker, fuller look.

Rosemary Leaf Extract

Rosmarinus officinalis

Invigorating scalp herb that balances oily-looking scalps for a fuller look.

Sage Leaf Extract

Salvia officinalis

Astringent herb that deepens hair tone and clarifies the scalp.

Willow Bark Extract

Salix alba

Contains natural salicylic acid to lift dead skin and visible flakes.

Base notes · 20%
Deep conditioning — anchors moisture and structure

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Extract

Emblica officinalis

Coats the hair shaft in vitamins for a thicker, denser look.

Burdock Root Extract

Arctium lappa

Rich in phytosterols; strengthens strands against breakage.

Fenugreek Seed Extract

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Rich in lecithin to deeply condition dry hair shafts and reduce breakage.

Oat Straw Extract

Avena sativa

Soothes an itchy-feeling scalp and leaves a protective lipid film on brittle hair.

Shikakai Extract

Acacia concinna

Acts as a mild, conditioning, nutrient-dense base cleanser for fragile roots.

Yucca Root Extract

Yucca schidigera

Contains natural saponins that construct a dense, moisture-retaining protective barrier.

Face formulations

Top notes · 30%
Fast absorbing — surface refiners, clarifiers, and refreshers

Green Tea Extract

Camellia sinensis

Instantly mattifies facial shine and minimizes the look of pores.

Lime Fruit Extract

Citrus aurantifolia

Brightens surface dullness and tightens oil-heavy T-zones.

Witch Hazel Extract

Hamamelis virginiana

Potent, rapid-acting astringent that soothes and reduces the look of facial redness.

Heart notes · 50%
Balancing — the main benefit layer of the blend

Chamomile Flower Extract

Matricaria recutita

Soothes sensitive skin and the look of flushing.

Hibiscus Flower Extract

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Helps facial skin look firm and elastic.

Rosehip Extract

Rosa canina

Concentrated in natural vitamins A and C to improve the look of sun-dulled skin and post-breakout marks.

Schisandra Berry Extract

Schisandra chinensis

Adaptogenic berry that clarifies skin tone and minimizes environmental stress.

Turmeric Root Extract

Curcuma longa

Improves the look of skin clarity and reduces the look of facial redness.

Base notes · 20%
Deep conditioning — anchors moisture and structure

Aloe Vera Leaf Extract

Aloe barbadensis

Creates a breathable, gelatinous protective film over delicate facial skin.

Bamboo Extract

Bambusa vulgaris

Provides a silken, moisture-locking shield that anchors facial skin structure.

Bladderwrack Kelp Extract

Fucus vesiculosus

Rich in marine minerals to anchor deep hydration in parched skin.

Rice Bran Extract

Oryza sativa

Rich in squalene and ferulic acid to anchor lipid barriers in aging complexions.

Sea Buckthorn Extract

Hippophae rhamnoides

Richly nourishing extract that soothes dry, irritated skin and severe facial dryness.

Body formulations

Top notes · 30%
Fast absorbing — surface refiners, clarifiers, and refreshers

Cayenne Pepper Extract

Capsicum annuum

Creates an intense warming sensation for body-massage blends.

Coffee Bean Extract

Coffea arabica

Gives skin a tighter, invigorated feel.

Guarana Seed Extract

Paullinia cupana

Rich in caffeine to give skin an instantly tighter, smoother look.

Kola Nut Extract

Cola nitida

Delivers an invigorating feel to tired-feeling legs.

Heart notes · 50%
Balancing — the main benefit layer of the blend

Arnica Montana Extract

Arnica montana

Traditional massage-blend herb; comforting after exercise. Never on broken skin.

Ginger Root Extract

Zingiber officinale

Gives a deep, radiating warming sensation in massage blends.

Horse Chestnut Extract

Aesculus hippocastanum

Cooling, refreshing feel for tired-feeling legs.

Meadowsweet Extract

Filipendula ulmaria

Contains natural salicylic compounds; comforting in massage blends.

St. John's Wort Extract

Hypericum perforatum

Soothing and cooling for hot-feeling skin.

White Willow Bark Extract

Salix alba

Comforting in warming back- and body-massage blends.

Base notes · 20%
Deep conditioning — anchors moisture and structure

Ashwagandha Root Extract

Withania somnifera

Relaxing, grounding addition to massage blends.

Black Cohosh Root Extract

Actaea racemosa

Grounding, relaxing addition to massage blends.

Devil's Claw Root Extract

Harpagophytum procumbens

Traditional addition to warming body-massage blends.

Ginseng Root Extract

Panax ginseng

Invigorating, revitalizing feel in body-care blends.

Kava Kava Root Extract

Piper methysticum

Deeply relaxing feel in massage blends.