PARABEN FREE
NATURAL INGREDIENTS
PETA REGISTERED
FAQ
What is Menteath Smoke Infused Skincare?
Menteath is a modern skincare brand designed to calm stressed, reactive skin. Our formulas are inspired by ancient smoke and plant rituals, reinterpreted for modern skin exposed to stress, pollution, and environmental damage.
Who is Menteath skincare for?
Menteath is for anyone experiencing stressed, sensitive, inflamed, or overwhelmed skin. Our products are suitable for all genders and skin types, particularly skin affected by modern lifestyle stress.
How does stress affect the skin?
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can weaken the skin barrier, increase inflammation, worsen sensitivity, and lead to breakouts, redness, and dullness. Over time, chronic stress can accelerate visible signs of skin ageing.
Can skincare really help stressed skin?
Yes. While skincare cannot eliminate psychological stress, appropriately formulated products can help mitigate its effects on the skin.
Psychological stress activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing the release of cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels are associated with impaired skin barrier function, increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), heightened inflammatory signalling, and a greater susceptibility to conditions such as redness, sensitivity, and stress-related breakouts.
The field of neurocosmetics explores how topical formulations interact with the skin’s neuroreceptors and cutaneous nervous system. The skin expresses receptors involved in stress perception and inflammation, meaning certain calming and barrier-supportive ingredients may help reduce stress-induced skin reactivity and support homeostasis.
In addition, the olfactory system is uniquely connected to the limbic system, which regulates emotion, memory, and autonomic nervous system responses. Exposure to specific aromatic compounds associated with wood, smoke, and resinous botanicals has been shown to influence perceived stress and promote parasympathetic (rest-and-repair) activity.
By combining barrier-supportive formulation, anti-inflammatory activity, and a sensory profile designed to promote relaxation, skincare can help shift the skin from a state of defence toward one of recovery and repair.
What does “smoke infused” mean?
Our smoke-infused process draws on traditional botanical preservation and extraction methods, where plants were historically exposed to smoke and heat to enhance stability, protection, and aromatic complexity.
In Menteath formulations, this concept is interpreted through carefully selected resinous and distilled ingredients associated with smoke, wood, and fire — elements long linked to protection and restoration.
We use cade, a resinous extract derived from the bark of the juniper tree. Traditionally produced through the slow pyrolysis of juniper wood, cade has been used for centuries in skin preparations. It is known for its purifying, antimicrobial, and soothing properties, making it particularly beneficial for stressed, reactive, or congestion-prone skin. Its distinctive smoky aroma also contributes to a grounding sensory experience that supports mental calm and focus.
In our Loch Blossom Facial Cleanser, we incorporate a heavily peated whisky from the West Highlands of Scotland. Peating is an ancient process in which barley is dried over smouldering peat fires, imparting phenolic compounds that define whisky’s characteristic smoky profile. These compounds contribute antioxidant properties, while the distillation process itself reflects centuries of Scottish craftsmanship and ritualised production.
Historically, distillation was as much about preservation and purification as it was about refinement. By integrating peated whisky into our formulation, we honour this lineage of craftsmanship while harnessing its astringent, antioxidant, and skin-refining qualities, supporting clarity and balance without stripping the skin.
Together, these smoke-associated ingredients combine functional skin benefits with a sensory experience rooted in fire, wood, and ritual — reinforcing skin resilience while promoting a sense of calm and safety through scent and touch.
Is Menteath suitable for sensitive, breakout-prone skin?
Yes. Menteath is formulated specifically with sensitive, reactive, and stressed skin in mind.
Stress can compromise the skin barrier, leading to inflammation, redness, congestion, and breakouts. Menteath products focus on calming inflammation, supporting barrier repair, and restoring balance, without the use of harsh actives that commonly trigger irritation.
Our formulations are non-comedogenic, making them suitable for congestion-prone skin, including stress-related breakouts. With consistent use, many people notice their skin feels calmer and more comfortable within days, with visible improvements in redness, texture, and overall balance over several weeks.
How do I use Menteath, and who is it for?
Menteath skincare is gender-neutral and designed for modern skin, regardless of gender or lifestyle. It is particularly beneficial for skin affected by daily stress, environmental exposure, and shaving.
Products are suitable for daily use, morning and evening, and are designed to support long-term skin health rather than short-term fixes. Menteath works best as a calming foundation within your routine and can be used alongside other skincare products. If your skin is stressed or sensitive, we recommend limiting harsh exfoliants or strong actives.
Menteath supports a simplified, intentional approach to skincare — fewer products, used consistently, to reduce skin overwhelm and support natural repair over time. All products are cruelty-free and developed with care, combining traditional inspiration with modern skincare science.