Pharmacognosy may sound like a particularly inquisitive pharmacist, but it is actually a lot more scientific. The study of nature-derived pharmaceuticals, this branch of medicine can be thought of as a contemporary incarnation of traditional healing practices - the quest to understand the 'science bit' behind centuries-old remedies, and utilise this knowledge in a thoroughly modern way.
Dr. Simon Jackson is a pioneering pharmacognosist with over 20 years' experience. Having studied this unique discipline - eventually specialising in dermatological conditions - he sought to develop a concise skin care range, designed to harness the skin-reparative properties of plants and botanical extracts with potent, scientifically-proven products.
The result is {Dr. Jackson's} - a stunning, 7-product offering which stars the finest, nature-derived oils, essences and elixirs to protect, regenerate and anti-age your skin.
Beautifully styled and sophisticated in its simplicity, the product names are self-explanatory. There's a gorgeous, featherweight {Day Skin Cream} with SPF 20; a rich and indulgent {Night Skin Cream} which works to 'undo' the day's damage - and a multi-purpose {Face Oil} starring arnica for puffiness, calendula for inflammation, baobab to strengthen and elasticise, and antioxidant marula oil to ward against free radical-attack.
My particular favourite is {05 Face and Eye Essence} - a jelly-textured daily hydrator that's perfect for my oily/combination complexion. Featherweight and non-irritating, this makes it really quick and easy to wage war on crows feet (perfect for my fellow lazy laydeez).
"It's proving to be very popular," says Dr. Jackson. "I formulated it with an Asian market in mind, as in South Korea they are familiar with 'essence' - taking all the 'best bits' of toner/serum etc. and distilling them into one product. My 'essence' contains pharmacy-grade chamomile to alleviate redness or swelling (perfect for puffy eyes), alongside baobab oil to maintain moisture levels and an ultra-high concentration of kigelia - which exhibits a firming, skin-tightening effect while stimulating fibroplast formation (to promote collagen production). Aloe then creates a cooling effect - perfect after sun or when your skin is stressed."
SHOP 05 FACE AND EYE ESSENCE >>
We're also besotted with {04 Coconut Melt} because of its seemingly endless skin (and wellbeing) benefits. "Coconut oil is a beauty essential - an amazing all-over 'everything balm' for our lips, skin, cuticles and hair..." says Simon. "It's rich in cocoin - composed of glycerides and fatty acids which combine to soothe, repair and even delay the development of wrinkles - alongside antioxidant vitamin E, linoleic and lauric acid - which is brilliant for battling bacteria."
Dr. Jackson's {04 Coconut Melt} uses only pharmacy-grade, 100% organic coconut oil. "You can of course buy culinary-grade coconut oil from any health food shop," says Simon, "but it is important not to confuse the two."
"You don't really want to be putting culinary-grade oil on your skin and hair because it's full of long-chain fatty acids, which - a bit like butter - can go rancid if exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. Our pharmacy-grade coconut oil contains less fat, and a higher concentration of the properties that make it a far more effective cosmeceutical."
At CB HQ, we use coconut oil for everything. Our designer Dimi slathers it on eyelashes to keep them soft and supple. I use it to hydrate brittle lengths and ends of hair. It's a fabulous lip balm - glossy and replenishing - and can even be used as a mouth wash (of sorts); Gwyneth Paltrow is an advocate of 'oil pulling' - swilling a spoonful of oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes in the morning, to attract and eliminate toxins.
We probably won't begin brushing our teeth with coconut oil, but we will be filling our bathroom cabinets with Dr. Jackson's incredible skin care. What will you be buying first?
