From Ohio Soil to a Hudson Valley Apothecary
I grew up among greenhouses and gardens, where plants were not just cultivated but lived alongside us like quiet companions. My father’s cultivated acres and my mother’s decades-old garden taught...
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Clarity in Cosmetics: Making Sense of Ingredients and Misinformation
Welcome to the Society Botanica blog. Here, we take time with the questions that shape personal care, offering thoughtful perspectives where the conversation is often...
Seasons of Making: On Gardens, Formulas, and Becoming
Every season leaves its mark. From early mornings in the rose garden to long days refining formulas, these years have been about more than product...
From Ohio Soil to a Hudson Valley Apothecary
I grew up among greenhouses and gardens, where plants were not just cultivated but lived alongside us like quiet companions. My father’s cultivated acres and...
“Non-Toxic” Labels and the Complexity of Perfume Safety
“Non-toxic” labels promise safety but often oversimplify a complex reality. Toxicity depends on dose and context, not a simple yes or no—and even natural ingredients...
Beyond Natural vs. Synthetic: Rethinking Safe, Sustainable Fragrance
The fragrance world loves a simple story: natural is good, synthetic is bad. But the truth is more complex. At Society Botanica, we evaluate each...
Traditional Soap and Modern Cleansers: Understanding the Differences
Traditional soap and modern cleansers are often set up as opposites—but the truth is more nuanced. Traditional soaps, born of an ancient saponification process, offer...
Sulfates Revisited: A Closer Look at a Misunderstood Ingredient
Once cast as the harsh antagonist of personal care, sulfates have long been avoided in favor of “gentler” or "cleaner" alternatives. The true story is...
Palm Oil & Cosmetics: Natural Ingredients & Their Challenges
Palm oil is one of the most ubiquitous bio-origin materials in personal care. It can used to create everything from glycerin to emulsifiers to surfactants...