When it comes to skincare ingredients, the words “natural” and “organic” get thrown around a lot. But when you start looking closely, you’ll notice there’s a huge difference between a cold-pressed organic oil and a cheap, refined one — both in terms of skin results and environmental impact.

At Neighbourhood Botanicals, we formulate with cold-pressed, raw, organic plant oils. Not because it sounds nice on the label — but because we believe it’s the only way to make skincare that works in harmony with both your skin and the planet.

Here’s why it matters.

What Does “Cold-Pressed” Actually Mean?

Cold-pressing is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a mechanical extraction process where oil is pressed from the seed, nut, or fruit without using heat or harsh solvents. This gentle method keeps the natural nutrients intact — antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins, and plant sterols that are easily destroyed by high temperatures.

Most commercial oils are refined — heat-processed, bleached, deodorised, and stripped of their natural properties. They might look the same in the bottle, but they’re missing the compounds that make oils so beneficial for skin health.

Cold-pressed oils, on the other hand, retain their full spectrum of actives. They’re more vibrant in colour, richer in texture, and carry their natural scent — a sign that they’re still alive with beneficial plant compounds.

Why Raw, Unrefined Oils Are Better for Skin

We like to think of oils as food for the skin. And just like with actual food, the less processed it is, the better.

Raw, unrefined oils are packed with:

• Antioxidants to combat free radical damage
  

• Essential fatty acids that nourish and strengthen the skin barrier
  

• Phytosterols that help reduce inflammation
  

• Vitamins like A, E, and K that promote repair and elasticity
  
  

These are the nutrients your skin can actually recognise and use — working in harmony with its natural processes, rather than masking issues temporarily.

Why Organic Farming Matters (Beyond the Buzzword)

Organic farming goes beyond just being “chemical-free.” It’s a method of growing plants that protects biodiversity, regenerates soil, and keeps harmful pesticides out of the water supply.

When we choose organic oils, we’re choosing:

• Soil health: Organic farming improves soil structure and nutrient content, leading to more potent, nutrient-rich plants.
  

• Pollinator protection: No synthetic pesticides means bees and other pollinators thrive.
  

• Cleaner water: No chemical runoff into rivers and streams.
  

• Carbon reduction: Many organic farms use regenerative techniques that actually sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
  
  

The oils we use aren’t just organic on paper — they come from small-scale farms where the land is tended with long-term care in mind. It’s a slower, more intentional process — but that’s exactly why it works.

The Planet-Friendly Case for Cold-Pressed Organic Oils

It’s not just about what’s inside the bottle. When you choose skincare made with cold-pressed organic oils, you’re:

• Supporting sustainable agriculture
  

• Reducing demand for chemically intensive farming
  

• Avoiding energy-intensive refining processes
  

• Encouraging biodiversity and natural pollination
  

• Keeping petrochemical byproducts out of your skincare
  
  

Plus, cold-pressing itself is a low-waste, low-energy method — meaning fewer emissions and minimal environmental impact.

How to Tell If Your Oils Are Truly Organic and Cold-Pressed

Here’s what to look for:

• Ingredient list clarity: The brand should name the oil clearly in the latin name, and will indicate whether it’s organic or cold-pressed.
  

• Colour and scent: Cold-pressed oils tend to have more colour and more smell... they could be floral, grassy, nutty, earthy, rich...
  

• Transparency: Brands using organic cold-pressed oils usually talk about it openly — because it costs more to source, and it’s something to be proud of.
  
  

If a product’s oil ingredients sound vague, or the product feels suspiciously cheap, chances are they’re using refined commodity oils with little nutrients or skin benefit beyond the purely physical barrier that oils provide.

Why We Use Cold-Pressed Organic Oils in Every Formula

Every facial oil we make is formulated largely from carefully selected, organic, cold-pressed plant oils — chosen for their purity, skin benefits, and lower environmental footprint.

It means our oils:

• Absorb beautifully, without clogging or heaviness
  

• Actively support skin repair and resilience with their intense nutrient profiles
  

• Offer a rich, sensory experience — in scent, texture, and results
  

• Align with our values of slow, low-impact, responsible beauty
  
  

For us, it’s about creating skincare that’s as good for the earth as it is for your face.

Explore the Collection

If you’re curious to experience the difference, our facial oils are a great place to start:

• The Daily Glow — lightweight, balancing, perfect for daily use and gua sha
  

• Dream Dream Dream — rich, calming, designed for overnight repair
  

• Another Year Wiser — deeply nourishing, ideal for mature or dry skin
  

• Simmer Down Serum — soothing for inflammation, irritation, acne or rosacea
  
  
• Big Strong Man Moisture — lightweight and refreshing for a simple men's routine

Each one is a celebration of slow beauty, mindful farming, and skin health.

Cold-pressed organic oils aren’t a marketing trend. They’re the foundation of truly effective, responsible skincare — for your skin, and for the planet it lives on.