What we use and why – a guide to the powerful natural botanicals behind Merindah Botanicals.
When it comes to skincare, we believe that knowledge is just as powerful as nature. At Merindah Botanicals, we’re passionate about using 100% natural ingredients — but we also want you to understand what’s going on your skin and why it matters.
This glossary is here to help you decode common natural ingredients used in our products, from native Australian botanicals to globally loved plant oils and extracts.
Whether you're starting your skincare journey or just curious about what makes our formulas so effective (and gentle), you'll find simple, clear explanations here — no complicated science speak.
Because healthy skin should feel as good as it looks.
A
Aloe Vera
A soothing botanical known for calming inflammation, hydrating dry skin, and supporting healing — ideal for sensitive or stressed skin. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser.
Anisic Acid (P-Anisic Acid)
A gentle, naturally derived antimicrobial agent that helps preserve formulations without synthetic preservatives.
B
Bergamot Oil
A refreshing essential oil with antibacterial and uplifting properties. Adds a subtle citrus scent while helping purify the skin. Found in our Invigorating Body Scrub.
C
Candelilla Wax
A plant-based alternative to beeswax. Adds protective, moisturising benefits and gives structure to balms and scrubs. Found in our Invigorating Body Scrub.
Chamomile Oil
A gentle, anti-inflammatory oil that soothes delicate or irritated skin and supports skin barrier repair.
Charcoal Powder (Activated Charcoal)
Draws out toxins, dirt, and excess oil from the skin’s surface — a natural detoxifier perfect for dull or congested skin. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser.
Citric Acid
Used to balance pH and gently exfoliate. Helps smooth skin texture and maintain skin health.
Finger Lime Extract
A native Australian fruit rich in AHAs and antioxidants. Gently exfoliates while boosting radiance and skin renewal.
E
Green Tea Extract
Packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, green tea helps protect skin from environmental damage, calm redness, and improve overall skin texture.
G
Geranium Oil
Balances sebum, tones the skin, and offers a gentle floral scent. A favourite for skin harmony and glow. Found in our Luxurious Face Cream and Soothing Lip Balm.
Ginger Oil
A warming, circulation-boosting oil that invigorates the skin and provides natural anti-inflammatory benefits. Found in our Invigorating Body Scrub.
Guar Gum
A natural thickener derived from the guar plant. Helps stabilise formulas and gives products a smooth texture.
Glyceryl Caprylate / Glyceryl Undecylenate
These are natural preservatives and skin conditioners derived from coconut and castor oils. They help keep products safe from microbes without the need for synthetic preservatives. Gentle and non-irritating — a great choice for sensitive skin.
Used in: Uplifting Cleanser, Luxurious Face Cream, Nourishing Hand Cream
J
Jojoba Oil
A non-greasy oil that mimics the skin’s own sebum. Moisturises, nourishes, and balances all skin types without clogging pores.
K
Kakadu Plum Extract
An Australian superfruit packed with vitamin C — supports collagen production, brightens skin, and protects against environmental stress.
L
Lavender Oil
A calming essential oil that soothes skin and mind. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Lemon Myrtle Oil
This fresh, zesty essential oil has strong antibacterial properties and provides a natural refreshing scent.
Lemongrass Oil
Tones and purifies the skin while offering an invigorating citrusy aroma.
Lilly Pilly Extract
Rich in vitamin C and fruit acids. Helps firm the skin, improve elasticity, and brighten the complexion.
Lavender Hydrosol (Lavender Flower Distillate)
A floral water that calms, hydrates, and tones the skin, ideal for sensitive or delicate complexions.
M
Meadowfoam Seed Oil
A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that seals in moisture and helps other ingredients penetrate more effectively. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser.
O
Olive Oil
Deeply moisturising and rich in antioxidants. Helps nourish dry skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Found in our Invigorating Body Scrub.
P
Patchouli Oil
Grounding and calming, patchouli supports skin regeneration and soothes dry or irritated areas. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser.
Q
Quandong Extract
Also known as Desert Peach, this native Australian fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that support skin cell turnover and hydration. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser, Luxurious Face Cream and Nourishing Hand Cream.
R
Rice Bran Oil
Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. Absorbs easily to hydrate and protect without greasiness. Found it our Nourishing Hand Cream.
Rose Flower Hydrosol (Rose Distillate)
A delicate floral water that hydrates, balances, and soothes the skin, leaving it soft and refreshed.
Rosehip Oil
High in essential fatty acids and vitamin A. Helps fade dark spots, smooth texture, and improve skin elasticity. Found in our Nurturing Rosehip Oil.
S
Shea Butter
A rich, nourishing butter that softens dry or rough skin and supports healing. Perfect for hands, body, and face in winter.
Spearmint Oil
Cooling and refreshing. Helps brighten the skin and uplift the senses.
Sugar (Raw Sugar)
Used in scrubs for gentle physical exfoliation, revealing smoother, softer skin without irritation.
Sandalwood Seed Oil
A luxurious oil native to Australia. Rich in ximenynic acid, which supports skin firmness and hydration. Found in our Luxurious Face Cream.
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
A mild, sulphate-free cleanser derived from coconut. It creates a soft lather without stripping the skin’s natural oils, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or reactive skin.
Used in: Uplifting Cleanser
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Another gentle surfactant, also derived from coconut or palm sources. It helps remove dirt and oil effectively while being far milder than traditional foaming agents like SLS or SLES. Used in: Uplifting Cleanser
T
Tasmanian Pepperberry
A native botanical known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Calms redness and helps protect the skin. Found in our Invigorating Body Scrub and Luxurious Face Cream.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
A potent antioxidant that helps repair and protect the skin, as well as extend the shelf life of natural formulations. Found in most of our products.
Y
Ylang-Ylang Oil
A floral essential oil that helps balance oil production and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
Yucca Root Extract
A natural foaming agent and skin conditioner that helps cleanse without stripping moisture. Found in our Uplifting Cleanser.
We hope this glossary helps you feel more confident and informed about the ingredients we choose — and the ones we leave out.
Every plant extract, essential oil, and botanical we use is selected with care, backed by research, and included with a purpose: to support your skin’s natural balance, gently and effectively.
Curious about the ingredients we don’t use (and why)? Here are 5 we’ve chosen to leave out — for good reason.
Want to see these ingredients in action?
Explore our natural skincare range →
Or, if you're not sure where to start, our Go to Glow Set is the perfect introduction — a 3-step, 5-minute ritual made for busy women who want real results, naturally.