Making Natural Skin Care

A Journey in Nature
Working with herbs and essential oils is more than a craft—it’s a way to focus your inner chi and radiate positivity. Since 2004, I’ve been distilling herbs for their essential oils—the spirit of the plant—for both fragrance and bioavailable medicinal properties. This began during a time when synthetic ingredients dominated the skincare industry. I chose a different path.
   

By 2019, the tide had turned. Commercial brands began embracing botanicals, reducing nano particles and petroleum-derived ingredients. Scientific research caught up, validating the nutraceutical benefits of many herbs I’ve used for years. My approach—formulating with green chemistry—ensures no hazardous substances are used or created. It’s how I pass on botanical energy to my customers while keeping our plants pesticide-free for our bees.

This is the story of my urban herbal adventure, cultivated over 25 years in Kensington Park, Adelaide. Behind every product lies a world of research, plant cultivation, and hands-on development. Perhaps it’s something you’d like to explore too?

Inspiration to start making my own products came from my mother Phyllis, who passed at 97 years on August 3, 2023. Her qualifications in teaching: English, Science & Latin, combined beautifully with her love of botany. At "Phyll's Pharm" in Strathalbyn, until into her 80s, she used to enjoy making medicinal brews for the family and local community.

We all enjoy being inspired ( thanks Mum) and fortunately we can pass on these skills.

Nature's Botanical Pantry: Where It Begins

Grow what you use.

Start with herbs that suit your climate, soil, and sunlight. Your energy and time will shape their growth. While your compost matures and your plants stretch toward the sun, your mind will absorb knowledge—research, reflect, and record everything.

Ask the right questions.

• Who will use your product?
• How will it be applied?
• What container does it need?
• What’s its shelf life?
• Which herbs offer the benefits you seek?
• Have they been researched? (Try PubMed for biomedical insights.)

🧪 Tools & Techniques

Gather your essentials:

• Jewellery scales
• Pyrex jugs
• Measuring spoons
• Sterilising jars

Avoid plastic—essential oils can dissolve it and contaminate your batch. Stick to glass or stainless steel.

📚 Formulate with Intention

Research widely—books, libraries, online resources. Then test, refine, and test again. With patience and ingenuity, you might create the next best thing.

Skyezone products continue to evolve thanks to the enthusiasm of our customers. This is me, distilling 10L of clary sage from my herb verges in Kensington Park. Every drop tells a story.

🐝 Safety & Integrity

Skyezone holds Indemnity for Public & Product Liability and has been successfully assessed by the Australian Food Safety Authority (Eastern Health Board), Notification #30709.

So you have a product in mind. Who will use it and how will it be applied? What container, if any, does it need? What's it shelf life? Which herbs provide the medicinal qualities you seek? Have they been researched? 
You can you find out at PubMed, an online repository of biomedical research.

Equipment: Gather your tools for measuring, weighing, storage. i.e.:
jewellery scales, Pyrex glass jugs, sterilising jar, measuring spoons. Avoid any utensils made of plastic which could come in contact with essential oils. Use only glass or stainless steel as some essential oils will literally dissolve plastic and contaminate your batch. 

Formula: Research with books, library and online to decide which methods and ingredients you wish to use. Practise, Test and test again! There is a wealth of knowledge and with your own ingenuity, you might create the next best thing!

Skyezone Natural Skin Care products continue to develop thanks to the enthusiasm of our customers. 
This is me, about to distil 10Ltr of clary sage, harvested from my herb verges in Kensington Park South Australia