Five ingredients are all you need.
Have you ever counted the number of ingredients listed on your skincare products? We did, and found 20, 30, 40, even up to 100 in some cases.
We created Five Dot Botanics with some simple asks of our skincare scientist:
- Five high-quality plant-based ingredients or less.
- No strange chemical synthetics.
- Nothing that doesn’t need to be there.
With never more than five ingredients, you are getting generous amounts of each one in every product. We chose them for their benefit to your skin.
We believe fewer ingredients in our products is good for your skin and skin barrier health. We hope you will too. That’s why we offer a 30-day guarantee. If your skin doesn’t feel great, then we will refund what you paid. We never want anyone to feel they wasted their money, their time or the resources that go into a product.
Do more with less.
These are our ingredients, rich botanicals from plants, seeds, nuts and flowers. Five in every product. Generous proportions of each one to give your skin what it needs.
The Ingredients
Simple name: Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Scientific name: Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) flower oil
Comes from: Flower heads
Processing: Steam distillation
Why we’re using it: even just the smell of chamomile oil makes you feel calmer. It turns out our skin feels the same way about it too. Used since ancient Roman times, it’s been well-loved by aromatherapists for years and studied in detail by scientists. A seemingly simple little flower capable of a positive impact. It’s a perfect Five Dot Botanics partner in that sense.
We use it in: Deep Feed facial serum
Simple name: Cacay Oil
Scientific name: Caryodendron orinocense (Cacay) nut oil
Comes from: Nuts from the Amazonian Cacay tree
Processing: Cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: for being nutrient-dense, with a high content of natural Vitamin A, E, and F. It has 50% more Vitamin E and twice the amount of Linoleic Acid of Argan Oil. It also contains a natural retinol, at three times the level of Rosehip Seed Oil.
All these elements help it to restore skin’s glow and vitality. When skin is well nourished, it looks smoother, and smoother skin always looks more vibrant.
We use it in: Deep Feed facial serum
Simple name: Safflower Seed Oil
Scientific name: Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil
Comes from: Safflower seeds
Processing: Cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: lightweight, but packed with Linoleic and Oleic Acid, it’s suitable for all skin types. It’s believed to be anti-inflammatory, which would help your skin to feel calmer. Linoleic acid is thought to be able to mix with sebum which helps to unclog your pores and reduce blackheads. It makes it popular with people prone to acne and breakouts. It also helps to stimulate skin cell turnover, which in turn helps to clear up blemishes.
We use it in: Deep Feed facial serum, Pure Rewind restorative face mask.
Simple name: Caffeine
Scientific name: Caffeine
Comes from: tea leaves and coffee beans
Processing: water-processed
Why we’re using it: it has really potent antioxidant properties, which help the skin to ward off the effects of pollution amongst other things. Pollution contributes to the level of free radicals on your skin. Antioxidants are one of the best ways of helping the skin fight them off. It also plays a role in slowing down the photo-ageing of your skin (the type that comes from being out and about).
We use it in: Full Bright eye serum
Simple name: Horse Chestnut extract
Scientific name: Esculin
Comes from: seed, leaves and bark
Processing: steam distillation
Why we’re using it: for its action on soothing the skin and for helping with microcirculation in your skin, which helps with things like reducing dark circle and undereye bags. It’s also been shown to have wound healing properties. You will never look at a conker in the same way again!
We use it in: Full Bright eye renewal serum
Simple name: Glycerin
Scientific name: Glycerin
Comes from: Usually from soya bean (but always vegetable derived in our products)
Why we’re using it: used in different forms for many years, glycerin helps the skin to attract water, and then to hold onto it. You might see it listed as glycerine or glycerol; just different spellings for the same thing. There are animal-derived versions, but Five Dot only ever uses vegetable-derived versions.
We use it in: Pure Rewind restorative mask, Calm Shift cleansing face balm, Full Bright renewal eye serum, Brighten Up balancing Face Mist
Simple name: Liquorice root
Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Comes from: the plant roots
Processing: steam distillation
Why we’re using it: not because we love liquorice, but because the roots contain glycyrrhizic acid which has proved to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as helping the skin’s regeneration processes. It’s a bit of a multi-tasker, helping to soothe sensitised skin as well as helping skin to look smoother. The smoother the skin, the more youthful and awake you look.
We use it in: Full Bright renewal eye serum
Simple name: Lavender oil
Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil
Comes from: leaves and flowering tops
Processing: steam distillation
Why we’re using it: because it’s a bit of a legend! There’s records of the ancient Persian, Romans and Greeks adding the flowers to their bathwater to help wash, purify, soften and soothe skin. Lavender oil has been around for centuries, with people swearing by its calming and relaxing properties. But not only does it smell amazing, but it’s also believed to have a whole host of skin benefits from anti-inflammatory to antibacterial.
We use it in: Pure Rewind restorative mask, Calm Shift cleansing face balm
Simple name: Coffee seed oil
Scientific name: Coffea arabica (Coffee) seed oil
Comes from: green coffee beans
Processing: cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: for its high levels of Chlorogenic acid, another very powerful antioxidant, not to mention high levels of phytosterols. It has three times the levels of phytosterols as you’d find in green tea. When you combine those things with its combination of fatty acids, you’ve got something that helps the skin to retain moisture. It’s been used for skin smoothing products, as well as for its skin calming properties.
We use it in: Deep Feed nourishing facial serum
Simple name: Hazelnut oil
Scientific name: Corylus Americana (Hazlenut) seed oil
Comes from: Hazelnuts
Processing: Cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: not just because hazelnuts are delicious, their oil is packed with good things including oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. They all add up to an oil that’s conditioning for your skin.
We use it in: Calm Shift cleansing face balm
Simple name: Carrot oil
Scientific name: Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract
Comes from: Carrots (the orange bit as opposed to the tops)
Processing: Cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: for being a vitamin-packed marvel. Carrot oil is extremely rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, D, and E as well as essential fatty acids. The high beta-carotene content makes it particularly useful for dry skin.
We use it in: Daily Prep protecting facial oil
Simple name: Glycolipids
Scientific name: Glycolipids
Comes from: Sugar
Why we’re using it: for being exceptionally mild and gentle when it comes to getting skin clean. This makes it suitable for every kind of skin. It’s also 100% based on natural renewable ingredients (sugar), 100% biodegradable and contributes to the reduction of waste in natural water and marine ecosystems. It’s exactly the kind of ingredient we want to be using: good for your skin, low impact on the planet.
We use it in: Pure Rewind restorative mask
Simple name: Sunflower oil
Scientific name: Helianthus annus (Sunflower) seed oil
Comes from: Sunflower seeds:
Processing: warm-pressed
Why we’re using it: quite simply because it helps your skin to stay hydrated for longer, thanks to its high vitamin E content. Studies at the University of Maryland Medical Centre have shown that Vitamin E in skincare products helps to protect the collagen and elastin in the skin. Think of them like your skin’s bed springs. The better condition they’re in, the more bouncy and smooth your skin looks.
We use it in: Daily Prep protecting facial oil
Simple name: Sunflower seed wax
Scientific name: Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
Comes from: Sunflower seeds
Processing: winterization
Why we’re using it: to give structure to our cleansing balm to help it melt onto your skin, this is one of the alternatives to using beeswax. As a vegan brand, we obviously never use beeswax, and this gives us the melting properties we need to make the balm easy to melt and spread over your skin.
We use it in: Calm Shift cleansing face balm
Simple name: Pink clay
Scientific name: Kaolin (pink clay)
Comes from: the Mediterranean coast
Why we’re using it: beautiful with its rosy-hue, this clay helps to reduce irritation thanks to the sodium and potassium content. It’s especially recommended for use in anti-stress treatments, which made it an ideal choice for our first face mask. It’s got an unusually high absorption capacity, making it ideal for oily and combination skin.
We use it in: Pure Rewind restorative mask
Simple name: Pomegranate enzyme
Scientific name: Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Comes from: fruit pulp
Processing: fermenting the fruit extract with Lactobacillus lactis (a probiotic bacteria)
Why we’re using it: as a great alternative to alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA’s), the pomegranate enzyme acts as a micro exfoliator. Gently removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, it helps your skin to look brighter and smoother. Those dead skin cells can also trap sebum and bacteria, making ideal conditions for breakouts. Regular, gentle exfoliation helps to keep everything clearer and brighter.
We use it in: Brighten Up balancing face mist
Simple name: Levulinic Acid; Sodium Levulinate (sorry, not so simple)
Scientific name: Levulinic Acid; Sodium Levulinate
Comes from: a large variety of natural materials
Why we’re using it: where our formulas need to contain water, then there has to be a way of preserving them. This combination, found in many natural materials, has strong antibacterial properties, turning the formula into a self-preserving product. In fact, bees use this natural compound to protect the pollen and nectar from microbiological spoilage. Works for us too.
We use it in: Brighten Up balancing face mist
Simple name: Evening Primrose Oil
Scientific name: Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Comes from Evening primrose seeds
Processing: cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: another of those almost legendary oils, beloved for everything from PMS to eczema. It contains Gamma linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and a crucial ingredient to healthy-looking skin. It’s not just good for those of us with dry skin, but also if you’ve got oily skin, as your skin could still be short of linoleic acid. That can lead to thicker sebum, which blocks pores and leads to breakouts.
We use it in: Daily Prep protecting facial oil
Simple name: Amla oil or Indian Gooseberry oil
Scientific name: Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) Fruit Extract
Comes from: the fruit and seeds
Why we’re using it: in Ayurvedic and traditional folk medicine throughout south-east Asia, this is arguably one of the most important plants. It’s had numerous scientific studies that have shown it to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it multi-functional in a skincare product.
We use it in: Deep Feed nourishing facial serum
Simple name: Rose flower water
Scientific name: Rosa Damascena (Rose) flower water
Comes from: Damascus rose petals
Processing: steam distillation and dilution
Why we’re using it: very gentle on your skin, it’s been claimed that rosewater purifies and detoxifies as well as removing dirt and oil. It’s also said to help stimulate blood circulation beneath the skin, which encourages new skin cell growth, and it helps to balance your skin’s pH levels. It also has that beautiful delicate fragrance, which is a real mood-lifter for us.
We use it in: Brighten Up Balancing Face Mist
Simple name: Grapeseed oil
Scientific name: Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed oil
Comes from: Grape seeds
Processing: Cold pressed
Why we’re using it: for being a useful source of antioxidants to help your skin battle free radicals, which lead to premature signs of ageing. We’re happy to age, but no one wants to do it prematurely! Helping the skin to control moisture, it’s also been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
We use it in: Daily Prep protecting facial oil
Simple name: Ubuntu seed oil
Scientific name: Ximenia Americana (Ubuntu) Seed Oil
Comes from: Ubuntu seeds
Processing: cold-pressed
Why we’re using it: nourishing and moisturising, this oil naturally softens and revitalises your skin. When skin is well moisturised and hydrated, then it just looks more alive, more vibrant. Ubuntu seed oil is also a great natural alternative to silicones, giving that silky feel as you massage the product into your skin.
We use it in: Daily Prep protecting facial oil
