Our Ingredients
Grown. Harvested. Infused. Used with purpose.
At The Bitter Shed, our formulations begin on the farm — with the plants we grow, harvest, and slowly infuse at Lady Cone Hop Yard. These botanicals form the heart of our products.
But they do not stand alone.
We build on those infusions using traditional, skin-compatible ingredients chosen for function, barrier support, and long-term skin health. From foundational fats to natural humectants, every ingredient plays a clear and intentional role.
We work with whole plants — flowers, herbs, hops, roots, and spices — selected not only for how they support the skin, but for how they support the body as a whole. Many of the botanicals we use help calm the nervous system, encourage rest, and promote resilience, which is why you’ll find them in both our skincare and our ritual-based products.
Our approach is simple: grow the plants, infuse them slowly, and build formulas that let them do the work they’re meant to do. Essential oils are used carefully and in skin-safe amounts — only when they support function and experience, never to overpower the ingredients themselves.
Below are the ingredients we use and why we use them.
Hops
Hops are one of our foundational botanicals, supporting both skin recovery and nervous system calm.
Why we use hops:
• Helps calm irritated, stressed skin
• Rich in antioxidants that support skin resilience
• Traditionally used to encourage relaxation
• Helpful for winding down in bath and sleep rituals
Lavender
Lavender brings balance — to the skin and the nervous system.
Why we use lavender:
• Soothes sensitive or reactive skin
• Supports gentle skin repair
• Naturally calming to the nervous system
• Helps promote relaxation and restful sleep
Chamomile
Chamomile is deeply comforting, making it ideal for both sensitive skin and bedtime rituals.
Why we use chamomile:
• Calms irritated or redness-prone skin
• Supports sensitive skin types
• Traditionally used to ease tension
• Encourages relaxation and sleep support
Calendula
Calendula focuses on repair and recovery — especially for skin that’s dry, strained, or compromised.
Why we use calendula:
• Supports skin healing and recovery
• Helps soothe dryness and inflammation
• Gentle and nurturing
• Ideal for restorative skin care
Yarrow
Yarrow is a traditional first-response botanical used to strengthen and support stressed skin.
Why we use yarrow:
• Helps tone and strengthen skin
• Supports recovery after exposure or strain
• Traditionally used for skin under stress
• Ideal for protective balms and salves
Rosemary
Rosemary brings circulation and clarity, supporting both physical recovery and mental alertness.
Why we use rosemary:
• Supports circulation
• Helps revive tired muscles and scalp
• Naturally antioxidant
• Invigorating and clarifying
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus offers cooling relief and breathing comfort.
Why we use eucalyptus:
• Supports chest and breathing comfort
• Helps soothe tired muscles
• Cooling and refreshing
• Encourages a clear, open feeling
Mint
Mint brings cooling relief and gentle stimulation. It’s refreshing without being harsh, making it ideal for products that support tired muscles, mental clarity, and overall comfort.
Why we use mint:
• Provides a natural cooling sensation
• Helps soothe tired or overworked muscles
• Encourages alertness and clarity
• Refreshing in bath, body, and ritual products
Cayenne
Cayenne is used in small, intentional amounts for warmth and circulation support.
Why we use cayenne:
• Encourages circulation
• Provides gentle warming relief
• Supports muscle recovery
• Used thoughtfully and sparingly
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a gentle, uplifting botanical known for calming both the skin and the nervous system. It brings a soft, fresh quality that supports relaxation without heaviness.
Why we use lemon balm:
• Helps calm sensitive or reactive skin
• Supports relaxation and emotional balance
• Traditionally used to ease stress and tension
• Ideal for bath salts, sleep sprays, and calming rituals
Lemon balm bridges the gap between skin care and nervous system care — making it especially valuable in evening and wind-down products.
Catnip
Catnip isn’t just for cats. Traditionally used to support calm and rest, it’s a gentle, grounding botanical that helps the body slow down.
Why we use catnip:
• Encourages relaxation and nervous system calm
• Traditionally used to support sleep
• Gentle and grounding
• Well suited for bath and bedtime rituals
Wild Dandelion
Often overlooked, dandelion is a resilient, hardworking plant — much like the skin we make products for.
Why we use wild dandelion:
• Supports skin that’s been stressed or exposed
• Rich in beneficial plant compounds
• Traditionally used for restorative care
• A symbol of resilience and strength
Tallow
Tallow is a nutrient-rich, traditional skin-supporting ingredient rendered from grass-fed cattle, valued for its deep nourishment, skin-barrier support, and compatibility with human lipids. Unlike many synthetic bases, tallow’s fatty acid profile closely mirrors our own skin’s natural sebum, helping it absorb easily and communicate with the skin rather than sit on top of it.
Used as a foundational base in select formulations, tallow serves both as a supportive ingredient on its own and as a protective carrier for our farm-grown botanical infusions.
Why we use tallow:
Supports the skin’s natural barrier — Its lipid structure helps reinforce and protect the moisture barrier, especially when skin is dry or compromised.
Deeply nourishing — Rich in fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, tallow helps condition and soften rough or overworked skin.
Sebum-like structure — Because its fatty acids resemble our own skin oils, it absorbs easily and feels natural on the skin without heavy greasiness.
Helps reduce moisture loss — Excellent for dry, cracking, or exposed skin — especially in harsh weather.
Enhances botanical performance — Serves as a stable base that helps plant-derived actives penetrate and remain effective over time.
Stable and long-lasting — Naturally resistant to oxidation, tallow lends longevity and consistency to balms and salves without synthetic stabilizers.
We choose tallow intentionally — as part of a whole-harvest, regenerative approach that honours both tradition and function in skincare.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant and skin-supporting ingredient valued for its ability to draw moisture into the skin and help protect the skin barrier.
Used alongside our farm-grown botanical infusions, our raw farm honey helps calm, soften, and support hardworking skin - especially when it’s dry, stressed, or overexposed.
Why we use honey:
• Naturally attracts and retains moisture
• Helps support the skin’s protective barrier
• Gently soothes dry or compromised skin
• Works in harmony with herbal infusions and oils
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural protective wax produced by honeybees and sourced from the same local producer who processes our farm honey. It serves as a structural and functional ingredient in our balms, salves, and bars.
Unlike synthetic waxes, beeswax forms a breathable barrier on the skin — helping protect against moisture loss while allowing the skin to function naturally.
Why we use beeswax:
Helps seal in moisture
Creates structure in balms and lotion bars
Forms a breathable protective barrier
Supports dry, cracked, or weather-exposed skin
Sourced locally alongside our honey
We use beeswax intentionally as part of a whole-harvest approach that supports both skin and small-scale beekeeping.