Fiona Tutte – the brains behind Pure Lochside organic skin care – reveals behind-the-scenes at the brand.
What was the inspiration for Pure Lochside?
The inspiration behind Pure Lochside comes from three things: my experience as an aromatherapist creating therapeutic blends; using active plant extracts and avoiding certain chemicals (i.e. parabens, SLS) and Scotland’s dramatic landscape and natural larder (the natural provisions and ingredients that thrive in this environment).
I have 18 years experience as an aromatherapist and have worked in a variety of roles within the industry. After treating clients in my private practice I received great feedback on an anti-inflammatory blend created to help with arthritic pain. The soothing blend (which formed the basis of the first Pure Lochside product – Calm and Soothe Body Oil) became more and more requested for home use and was the initial inspiration for me to create my own range.
At the time I was passionate about avoiding harsh chemicals and ingredients like parabens and petroleum and saw there was a lack of completely natural, yet active skin care and treatments free of parabens and mineral oils.
My inspiration was to create a range of therapeutic, results-driven products made with 100% pure plant oils and utilising the essence of Scotland – the result of which is Pure Lochside
Why are organic ingredients important for you?
We work with the raw plant extracts and you cannot only visibly see the difference between many organic and non-organic ingredients but you can also smell and feel the difference.
For example our organic macadamia oil (used in some of our Daily Face Oils and our Organic Sugar Body Scrub) is a rich, sweet smelling oil that actually has some of the nutritious pulp left from the nut. It is silky and nourishing for the skin is noticeably different from the non-organic version.
Why don’t you use water in the products?
We use high quality plant oils rather than creams. To make a cream you need to mix oil and water with an emulsifier. Water dilutes the effects of the product. Think about lime cordial – you are diluting to make it go further.
Pure Lochside products are all oil-based – with active plant oils and vitamins. The skin understands plant oils and they have the ability to penetrate into the skin, rather than sitting on the surface like petroleum or paraffin based products.
We select luxurious oils such as organic rosehip, argan, borage and safflower. These are rich in essential fatty acids such as omega 3, 6 & 9.
As Pure Lochside products contain only active plant oils and vitamins they are very concentrated so only a small amount is required and they are extremely active.
What was the concept behind the packaging?
We had our own tartan designed (sometimes referred to as the McTutte tartan!) to highlight our Scottish heritage. This is used as a feature on the boxes.
The elegant glass bottles are used for two reasons: to highlight the luxurious ingredients inside, and because glass is said to be the most commonly recycled material in the UK. Even if it is discarded it eventually breaks down – whereas plastic doesn’t. This was something that I observed when living near the coastal lochs.
What’s you favourite product from the range?
This is hard to say! Most probably the Organic Orange Cleansing Oil as it is great for balancing my skin (which has always been prone to blemishes), plus it is so easy to use.
My favourite scented product is the Organic Sugar Body Scrub. It has a truly delicious, feel-good scent. Some customers have been known to eat it too!
Pure Lochside’s Try-Me Kits, product-filled tartan pouches designed as a takeaway taste of Pure Lochside, launch in February 2013. See www.purelochside.com.
