Jo formulates and hand-makes plant-based bath and body products, including face and body balms, oils and scrubs, and botanical bath salts

6th December 2019

Designer Spotlight: The Plant Lab Bath & Body

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Apothecary of botanical skincare, Jo: ‘I believe daily rituals hold the key to injecting a little self-care into our lives, and these rituals can make all the difference to our wellbeing.’

My name is Jo and I'm the sole creator and maker of The Plant Lab Bath & Body. I formulate and hand make plant-based bath and body products, including face balms, oils and scrubs, body scrubs, balms and oils, and botanical bath salts.

Bottles, sachets and test tubes of The Plant Lab Bath & Body botanical formulations for healthier skin

I love working with fair trade Shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter and plant oils. I like to think of them as Mother nature's skin elixir.

Jo formulates and hand-makes plant-based bath and body products, including face and body balms, oils and scrubs, and botanical bath salts

In our busy world self care is very important, and I wanted to create a range that inspires wellness. I believe daily rituals hold the key to injecting a little self care into our lives, and these rituals can make all the difference to our wellbeing.

A sheet of The Plant Lab Bath & Body label stickers and a few jars of their Fresh Natural Beard & Face Oil; ‘Ever since I can remember I’ve had an interest in natural skincare products’

Ever since I can remember I've had an interest in natural skincare products. When I was younger, I suffered from bouts of eczema and dermatitis. I quickly worked out by applying natural soothing balms and oils to my skin my flare ups healed quicker, decreased in frequency and my skin was no longer dry and vulnerable to the external elements.

Weighing out ingredients to formulate the perfect natural skincare solutions

Maintaining good skin integrity is really important, as dry skin can really be problematic. So when my youngest daughter had her first outbreak of eczema, I started formulating my recipes and experimenting with different natural ingredients to make the skin balms, soaps and body oils that form part of my range today.

An eye-dropper bottle of natural skincare oils on a timber bench surrounded by sprigs of Eucalypt, fresh mint, and rosemary; ‘I’m constantly inspired by my surroundings. I love the fragrance of the lemons, limes, lavender, rosemary, and sage growing in my garden’

I live in a leafy riverside suburb of Sydney, with my husband, our 2 daughters and 9-year-old bunny, Molly. I work from my home and I'm constantly inspired by my surroundings. I love the fragrance of the lemons, limes, lavender, rosemary, and sage growing in my garden... the smell of the surrounding eucalyptus trees and native flowers... and the fresh salty breeze.

Coloured bath salts and floral elements in a small mixing bowl with ‘Revive Botanical Bath Salts’ label stickers in the background

These are the familiar aromas which are my surroundings and remind me of 'home'. All of these elements influence my work and how I feel when I'm working with essential oils in my products.

A selection of beakers, bottles and eyedroppers with different essential oils ready to mix; ‘When my youngest daughter had her first outbreak of Eczma, I started formulating my recipes and experimenting with different natural ingredients’

Pure essential oils are used to scent my products, I like to describe them as 'subtly scented'.

A pot of Vanilla & Grapefruit whipped body butter by The Plant Lab Bath & Body on a timber bench with some vanilla beans and half a grapefruit

I believe scent should compliment and not dominate the other ingredients. Just like in nature there needs to be a balance.

Jo’s view through a blooming Jacaranda tree, across the river towards the leafy suburbs of Sydney; ‘I love living in an area surrounded by bush and nature.’

I love living in an area surrounded by bush and nature. We are perched up high and have views of the bush, glimpses of the river, and beyond in the distance is the city.

A foam dummy wearing a red and white polka dot laminated cotton shower cap handmade by The Plant Lab Bath & Body

I also sew eco-friendly shower caps which I hand-make using laminated cotton. These can be found in my Madeit store. I started making shower caps about 8 years ago as I was in search of a pretty water-resistant shower cap which was also eco friendly for my daughters. I love that they are still part of my bath range.

Two pots of golden handmade Face & Neck Balm with a sprig of lavender

I also enjoy making macramé wall hangings and plant hangers. I use 100% unbleached cotton, and I love the texture of the knots. These can be found hanging up on my walls in my home, but soon I hope to start selling my creations on Madeit!

A pair of ‘Dreamy Lavender’ Bath Truffles – handmade bath melts by The Plan Lab Bath & Body

I love selling on Madeit, it's gives me the opportunity to be apart of and connected with the Madeit community and support networks; to be able to reach out to fellow sellers and ask questions is so important when you work alone. For me, Madeit is a valuable Australian selling platform, essential for small handmade businesses like myself. Madeit enables me to reach local customers and grow my business in a domestic market.