Cold Water Soother

Calm down, relax, one mineral at a time.

We’re not trying to be dramatic here, but magnesium (Mg) is such an essential mineral that, without it, life as we know it would probably not exist. Indeed, a single magnesium atom is at the heart of each chlorophyll molecule, and chlorophyll is what allows photosynthesis - the very basis of life! 

Magnesium also helps hundreds of enzymes to function in our body. In fact, magnesium deficiency symptoms show how important it is for our health: general weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, migraines and many more severe ailments.

Applied externally, it seems that magnesium could facilitate muscle and tissue recovery and improve sleep quality - although some doubts persist about its absorption through the skin, and further studies should be conducted.

People have been bathing in magnesium-rich water for centuries, whether in the Dead Sea or the hot springs of Epsom and Bath, praising their effect on tired bodies. Over the past decades, a few studies and trials attempted to understand why that was. They suggested that magnesium chloride oil could penetrate the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream through topical (applied directly to an area of the skin) or transdermal (soaking in a magnesium-rich bath) applications.

In Lush products, you will come across several forms of magnesium. Magnesium carbonate and trisilicate, for example, are usually found in powdered products. They are anti-caking agents with absorbent qualities, ideal in deodorants, among others.

Magnesium chloride and sulphate are the ones said to have a positive effect on muscle and sleep. Magnesium sulphate (also spelt sulfate) is the scientific name for Epsom salts. These are very often used as bath salts, providing a good moment of deep relaxation. Magnesium chloride can also be used for soaks but is more commonly mixed with a little water to create an oily solution called magnesium oil. This one is great for massages and topical application and is said to have a more substantial effect than Epsom salts.

For details on every ingredient we use, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in!

You can also read more about magnesium here and discover our most restorative and relaxing products there.

Herbal and invigorating, the scent of eucalyptus essential oil is one of a kind - a Down Under breath of fresh air!

A flaky trunk? Slender, fragrant pieces of bark on the ground? That must be a eucalyptus tree. The Eucalyptus genus is native to Australia and other nearby islands. The genus counts more than 660 species, from shrubs to very tall trees. Eucalyptus globulus is one of them. Also known as the Southern blue gum, this species is one of the most planted worldwide because of its great weather adaptability and essential oil-rich leaves.

Eucalypti have been used by the Indigenous people of Australia for thousands of years, whether to repel insects, craft objects and weapons or build roofs. Some species are known for their health benefits, providing strong antiseptic and expectorant properties through the active compounds of their bark and leaves.

Eucalyptus oil’s strong scent refreshes and clears the mind.

Inhaling eucalyptus oil is said to help relieve headaches and congested chests.

Some say that it can promote restful sleep.

The antimicrobial properties of the plant’s oil also cleanse the skin and hair.

As you can probably guess, the answer is yes. Eucalyptus essential oil is very potent and must be diluted when used on the skin. But that’s fine because we don’t sell pure eucalyptus oil at Lush – it’s always diluted and used at recommended levels. That said, if you ever had an allergic reaction to the plant, talk to your doctor before using any of our products containing this ingredient.

Interested in our eucalyptus essential oil sourcing? Head over to this dedicated page. And if all this has made you want to add some fresh, herbal vibes to your morning or evening routines, look at our collection of cooling products.

The scent of patchouli is grounding and bewitching, and will transport you to dense Indonesian forests.

Patchouli is a fragrant bushy herb that belongs to the same family as mint. It can grow as high as three feet tall, with purple and white flowers growing from its long stems.

It has an earthy, warm aroma that takes you on a meditative journey. 

It is antibacterial and soothing to the skin and armpits. 

Its aroma is said to balance and ground the mind, and harmonise emotions.

On Saturday, 4th July 1846, the London Daily News advertised: “Viner’s patchouli is confidently recommended as the only remedy known to prevent moth. In foreign countries, the peculiar properties of this Indian perfume are highly appreciated.” This perfectly illustrates how patchouli arrived in England during the Victorian era: the plant's aromatic leaves were slipped into the folds of Indian textiles to avoid the ravages of insects during their journey to other lands. Impregnated with an unmistakable aroma, Indian shawls were sent to Great Britain, where they were all the rage. The ubiquitous scent soon became symbolic of luxury and the mark that distinguished a material of Indian origin.

The scent of patchouli made a comeback in the 1960s, also imported from Asia - but this time in backpacks! The Hippie Trail was a promising mystique adventure and, if lucky, a spiritual enlightenment. An overland round trip of roughly 12,000 miles, this trail took hippies through Istanbul to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and India. Herbal handbook writer Stephen Orr writes that patchouli’s association with the era is “due to the Asian travels of backpacking hippies, who brought home the scented oil and incense as a reminder of their spiritual awakenings.”

The story also goes that patchouli oil was used to mask the scent of marijuana. In terms of pure usage, it’s plausible: cannabis was a booming business in the American counterculture of the 1960s. It was also suggested that marijuana and patchouli don’t smell all that different and hippies simply wanted their bodies to smell like their bedrooms. An argument can also be made that patchouli smells of fresh soil and roots, an ‘authentic’ scent that recalls hippies’ aspirations to connect with the natural world.

Patchouli is used in our products in several forms (essential oils, root…), and each of them can be purchased in different places worldwide. For example, our dark Sumatran patchouli oil comes from a remarkable producer, the Gayo Lues Permaculture Center in Indonesia. Their practices are designed to support the health of Sumatra and Borneo islands’ ecosystems, protecting the primary rainforest and its inhabitants, like the noble orangutans. 

To learn more about our other sources, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!

Two of Lush’s most iconic fragrances contain patchouli. If you’re a fan of the earthy oil, have a look (and smell!) at our best-selling Karma and Lord of Misrule ranges.

Your order will be expertly protected against impact during transit by biodegradable Eco-Pops, compostable packaging nuggets made from potato starch! They're easily dissolvable in water or soil.

Fresh cosmetic ingredients are more effective on skin, hair, and mind than heavily preserved beauty products. 65% of our raw material spend is on natural ingredients.

All of our products are made by hand, fresh, every day, across 6 manufacturing sites all over the world. We believe in happy people making happy soap, putting our faces on our products and making our mums proud.

It's better naked. 66% of products sold each year are packaging-free.