We sustainably harvest Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) from the forests of Northeast Michigan and distill it into a fragrant hydrosol to help tone and soothe your skin. Sweet Fern ( Comptonia Peregrina) is a deciduous shrub, belonging to the Myricaceae family. It grows throughout the eastern parts of North America, from Nova Scotia down to Georgia, and west to Minnesota. Sweet Fern thrives in dry sandy soils and pine forests, creating large shrub clusters often a few meters in diameter when in full sun. In shadier locations plants often appear lankier, often growing  near lowbush blueberries. Sweet Fern also functions as a pioneer species ecologically, colonizing and fixing nitrogen into depleted soils in clear cut areas, improving the soil for future migrations of plants. 

Indigenous cultures across this continent have used this herb for centuries for its soothing anti-inflammatory properties and for skin conditions such as acne, rashes, eczema and even poison ivy.  The plant is often used as a tea or spice in cooking as well as an incense in ceremony. 

The hydrosol is rich in 1,8-Cineole, a-terpineol and linalool, beta-caraphyllene, with lesser amounts of alpha-humulene, beta-myrcene, 1,8-cineole and y-terpinene, beta-caraphyllene, with lesser amounts of alpha-humulene, beta-myrcene and y-terpinene. Beta-caryophyllene possesses anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant, anesthetic and anti-carcinogenic properties, while alpha-humulene possesses strong anti-inflammatory capabilities. 

What are hydrosols?

Hydrosols are plant distillate waters distilled from fresh plant material. These aren’t simply essential oil added to water, these are the extraction of the cellular waters and volatile compounds of a plant through the botanical alchemy of distillation- where plant material is gently heated in an apparatus called a still. Steam gently carries the aromatic compounds up through the still into a condenser where the steam is cooled and transformed back into a liquid- this is the hydrosol. Hydrosols extract the water soluble and volatile compounds from a plant. Unlike essential oils, hydrosols do not need to be diluted to safely use, making them an ideal addition to a plant based skincare routine. We don’t source hydrosols- we produce them. All of our hydrosols are artisanally distilled in an alembic copper still from plants we sustainably harvest from the forests of Michigan’s Sunrise side, or grow organically in our apothecary garden. Plant material is distilled within a couple hours of harvest to preserve to vitality and aroma of the herbs. Learn more here.

Ritual:

To use a hydrosol in your skincare routine, simply mist it directly onto clean skin as a refreshing toner or facial mist. The gentle botanical waters help balance your skin’s pH, tighten pores, and deliver plant-based hydration. You can also use a hydrosol to mix powdered masks or clay treatments instead of water for added benefits, or apply it before your moisturizer or facial oil to help lock in moisture. Spritz throughout the day to soothe, calm, and revive your skin naturally.

Storage:

We use a gentle probiotic preservative derived from Lactobacillus to create a shelf stable product, thus, you do not need to refrigerate your hydrosol-although you can if you prefer the sensory experience of a cool facial mist which can be very refreshing in the summer. Store out of direct sunlight in a cool environment. Protect from excessive heat and temperature swings.

Shelf Life: 12-18 months

Available in a 2 oz mister bottle or 8 oz refill bottle.

Ingredients: Artisanally distilled comptonia peregrina (Sweet Fern) hydrosol, Lactobacillus ferment (Leucidal natural preservative), citric acid (to balance pH to ideal level for skin).