Grow your own beauty
From soil to self-care: Ellen Mary reveals the joys of a garden-grown skincare routine
What if your glowing skin didn’t come from a bottle, but from your own back garden? For Ellen Mary, horticultural broadcaster and wellbeing advocate, that’s not just a dream, it’s a lifestyle. Her approach to skincare is simple, sustainable and connected to the earth. “A skincare garden is just a space where everything is grown with your skin in mind,” she says. “It could be a single raised bed, a corner of pots on the patio, or your entire garden. The key is growing with purpose.”
What is a skincare garden?
Ellen recommends starting a skincare garden with just one or two plants
“You can start with just one or two plants,” says Ellen. “Think about your own skin – what it needs, what calms it and go from there.” Whether you’re battling breakouts, soothing sensitivity, or simply seeking a gentle glow, there’s likely a plant that can help.
A conscious approach to beauty
Ellen starts her mornings with meditation, herbal tea and grounding herself barefoot on the grass
She’s also a firm believer in face massage – done daily – and exfoliation twice a week using a homemade scrub. Her go-to moisturiser? A plant-based product from UpCircle, made with repurposed fruit and coffee waste. “I do sometimes buy products, but only if they’re different to what I can grow myself,” she adds.
Her ethos is refreshingly straightforward: avoid harsh chemicals, keep things natural and don’t get overwhelmed by marketing jargon. “There’s so much pressure to use retinols, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid – all at once! But I think simple, consistent care works just as well.”
Why grow your own?
Growing your own beauty products is an empowering act
Ellen recommends growing camomile or lavender for red skin
It’s not just about beauty either. “Gardening is wellness,” Ellen says. “Being outside, grounding yourself, nurturing something – it’s all good for your mental health. When you harvest those petals or herbs and turn them into something healing, that’s powerful.”
Getting started
Start with something easy to grow such as herbs
No outdoor space? No problem. “Many herbs grow beautifully indoors,” Ellen assures. “Just experiment. I’ve seen people grow fuchsias on windowsills. You never know what might thrive until you try.”
