We catch up with Self Care Co.

We are super happy to be working with the lovely brand that is Self Care Co., a vegan and eco home store where everything is ‘crafted with kindness’. We caught up with the founder, Nicole, to find out more about why she started the company and what key ingredients she uses to create inner balance.

Hello Nicole, we would love to hear about why you started the Self Care Co.

I discovered aromatherapy during a difficult time in my life; I was chronically anxious, unable to leave the house most days, I felt extremely isolated.

I was desperate to find a holistic, natural approach to calming my mind and when I discovered aromatherapy and candle-making, I fell in love…

The first essential oil I really connected to was May Chang which has many therapeutic benefits, naturally combating low mood and anxiety plus it helps you feel extremely calm and relaxed before sleeping.

I was experimenting with a diffuser but I found May Chang to be the perfect all-rounder to use both day and night.

As my anxiety softened, I wanted to take up a new daily practice to help keep my anxiety at bay and stay present. I have always loved candles, so decided to buy a small kit and see what happened...

After posting the result on my personal Instagram, a good friend of mine who runs Carrousel, an extremely successful branding agency in London, saw the potential of the eco-friendly candles and this is how Self Care Co. was born.

Through my experience of anxiety and PTSD, it really hit me how important simplicity was.

So one of our core values at SCC is simplicity, alongside honesty and kindness.

At the beginning I experimented with many essential oils, creating day time and evening blends, all hand-poured in my kitchen in Fulham.

I would play Françoise Hardy whilst creating and learning, which was therapy in itself.

Amazing. So now the question we all want to hear. What are you your favourite blends of oils and what magic can they work?

Lavender & Orange

Lavender and Orange works beautifully for those who suffer with anxiety or depression because it has a relaxing effect proven to decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate and even decrease skin temperature so it produces a sense of emotional wellbeing.

Rose & Bergamot

For improved mental well-being there’s nothing quite like rose geranium oil. It’s believed that geranium oil has the power to improve mental function and uplift spirits and is recommended for those who suffer from anxiety and depression.

In addition, geranium oil is excellent for calming down aggression and anger because the sweet, floral smell instantly soothes and relaxes. You can feel the stress disappearing and the muscles in your body releasing when this scent is inhaled. There is a scientific reason for this. The adrenal cortex is on top of the kidneys and this is what mediates stress because it releases mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, such as aldosterone and cortisol, respectively.

The scent of rose geranium balances the adrenal cortex so it harmonizes the nervous system, relieving depression and anxiety so it lifts spirits!

May Chang & Rosemary

May Chang (Litsea Cubeba), known as an “Oil of Tranquility”, is recognized for its powerful effect in terms of promoting physical relaxation and mental calm. It is recommended for those suffering from work related stress and the “can’t switch off” phenomenon.

So when you are suffering from a severe case of the blues, this is the perfect candle to burn from our collection. And because this oil is a tonic to the nervous system it makes it ideal for clearing your head when you are feeling anxious or stressed.

Take a moment to mindfully light your candle and breathe deeply into the NOW.

To learn more about our Spring Equitox package, click here.