Why Neuro-Skincare
Why Neurocosmetics?
For centuries, plants have been central to ritual — supporting physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing across cultures. At Menteath, neurocosmetics is our way of honouring that wisdom while grounding it in modern skin science.
Our formulations are deeply inspired by the Sudanese female smoke bathing ritual of Dukhan — a ceremonial practice rooted in beauty, healing and restoration. Traditionally used not only to soften and scent the skin but also to support joint health and soothe the body, Dukhan reflects the powerful relationship between botanicals, smoke and the nervous system.
We reinterpret this ritual through plant-based smoky aromatic oils. Dark resin extracts from juniper form the heart of our blends, while — reflecting Felicity’s Scottish heritage — we incorporate malts from Highland smoked whisky to create the distinctive smoke signature of our Scottish range.
These whisky malts are rich in nutrients and polyphenols that help defend against environmental free radical damage, calm visible redness and support a healthier-looking complexion. But the experience goes beyond the skin’s surface.
Because neurocosmetics recognises something essential: the skin and the nervous system are intimately connected.
The Skin–Nervous System Connection
Scent is not simply decorative. It is neurological.
When you inhale aroma, olfactory signals travel directly to the limbic system — the part of the brain associated with memory, emotion and regulation. This is why certain scents can instantly evoke calm, nostalgia or a sense of grounding.
The smoky, primal notes in Menteath products are designed to reconnect you with elemental memories — fire, wood, earth. They create a sensory bridge to ancestral rituals and the natural world, inviting the body into a more regulated, restful state.
And when the nervous system feels safe, the skin often follows.
Stress is one of the most significant contributors to inflammation, sensitivity and barrier disruption. By integrating scent intentionally into skincare, neurocosmetics supports both physiological skin function and emotional wellbeing.
Ritual as Regulation
Ritual is more than routine. It is a conscious pause.
The act of applying Menteath products becomes a daily grounding practice — an opportunity to access emotions, release tension and restore balance. Through repetition and sensory immersion, ritual can help regulate the nervous system, creating space for both skin resilience and psychological wellbeing.
This is our inside-out approach to skincare.
True skin health is not isolated to the epidermis. It is connected to the mind, the breath, the memories we carry and the environments we inhabit. When we nurture the nervous system alongside the skin barrier, we cultivate deeper, longer-term balance.
The Science of Scent
Ancient traditions have long understood the power of aroma. Today, science is catching up.
Environmental psychology explores how our surroundings affect our behaviour and wellbeing. Aromachology — the scientific study of scent’s effects on mood, physiology and behaviour — investigates how olfactory signals influence neurological pathways.
Within the emerging field of neuro-skincare, researchers are uncovering how sensory inputs, particularly scent, impact inflammation, stress response and skin function.
At Menteath, we sit at the intersection of this convergence — where indigenous ritual meets contemporary neuroscience.
A Conscious Experience
Every Menteath formulation is created using high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients from around the world. Ethical production and intentional formulation allow you to use our products as often as your skin and mind desire — consciously and without compromise.
Neurocosmetics, to us, is not a trend.
It is a return.
A return to ritual.
A return to plant wisdom.
A return to the elemental relationship between scent, skin and self.
