The Apothecary Backbar
in Practice

• Category 1 — Cleansers Primrose Cleansing Oil (most skin types incl. oily/acneic) · Atone Milky Cleansing Balm (dry, mature, compromised barrier) · Melina Enzymatic Powder (dull, congested, resurfacing)
• Category 2 — Hydrosols Herb Garden (all skin types) · Frankincense (aging, congested) · Cucumber (sensitive, reactive) · Strawberry (brightening, hyperpigmented) · Juniper (oily, acneic)
• Category 3 — Serums Nine whole-plant formulas — detailed in the section below
• Category 4 — Balms & Finishing Nectar Manuka Honey Balm (healing, post-treatment) · Astera Balm (reactive, eczema-prone) · Resin Concentrate (very dry, barrier-compromised)

• Astera — Harmonize Blue Tansy, German Blue Chamomile, Blue Yarrow at 0.63% dilution. Primary for sensitive, eczema, rosacea, reactive skin. Blue color indicates high azulene content — visible redness reduction is often immediate during treatment.
• Perennia — Radiance In-house floral extraction in argan and peony seed oil — jasmine, hibiscus, rose, calendula, honeysuckle. Addresses acne, aging, sensitivity, and moisture imbalance simultaneously. Best versatile choice for first-time clients.
• Peony — Illuminate Strawberry and papaya fruit oils for enzymatic brightening; cacay oil with 3× the natural retinol of rosehip. Primary for hyperpigmentation, dark spots, dull skin. Can layer under Honest Elixir for intensive brightening.
• Thorn — Protect Hawthorn berry, scullcap, rosehips, marshmallow root in raspberry seed oil (reported SPF 28-50). Day serum for mature, photoaged, UV-exposed skin. Dry-oil finish works well under mineral sun protection.
• Thaea — Repair Seven-plant overnight complex — helichrysum, hibiscus, rooibos, marshmallow, elderflower, elderberry, gotu kola. For mature, damaged barrier, very dry skin, and any post-treatment application. Gotu kola supports collagen synthesis and wound healing.
• Rivae — Clarify Two medicinal frankincense resins preserving Boswellic acid; hemp seed oil for linoleic acid sebum regulation. Most powerful acne-focused formula. Boswellic acid does not survive conventional extraction — a genuine differentiator. Clients often notice visible inflammation reduction within 24-48 hours.
• Liv — Support Argan, marula, prickly pear seed oils with squalane and brightening white peony root. 100% fragrance-free. Appropriate for any skin type. Best retail recommendation for clients wanting to simplify their routine.
• Sativa — Nourish 100% fragrance-free in-house extraction of organic chamomile and calendula from New England farms. For extremely sensitive, reactive, eczema, compromised barrier, or essential oil-free requirement. Scent is barely perceptible — just the faintest whisper of chamomile.
• Honest Elixir — Pro-Age 1% Bakuchiol — clinically proven plant-based retinol alternative — with supercritical extracts of rosehip, sea buckthorn, and carrot root. Booster — blend with or layer under any serum. Best retail recommendation for clients transitioning from conventional retinol.

Oil-based whole-plant serums are compatible with one another because they share the same carrier base. There is no risk of destabilization or adverse interaction between two Wilder North serums applied in sequence.

General principle: apply the lighter, more targeted serum first — Rivae for acne or Peony for brightening — allow it to partially absorb for thirty seconds, then apply the richer repair or nourishing serum second. Honest Elixir should always go last or be blended into a richer serum before application.

• Raw Manuka Honey (UMF-certified, New Zealand Honey Co.) Methylglyoxal provides unique antimicrobial properties not present in other honeys. Exceptional for post-extraction skin, active breakouts, and compromised barrier. Applied as a treatment mask or mixed into a balm.
• Bee Propolis Antimicrobial resin rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and natural antibiotics. Exceptional for post-extraction protocols and acneic skin.
• Royal Jelly Rich in amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins. Genuine cellular regeneration ingredient for anti-aging and repair protocols.
• Beeswax (New Hampshire-sourced, Granite State Apiaries) Forms a breathable protective layer, allowing gas exchange while sealing in the botanical treatment beneath.
• Vermont Meadow Honey Slow-infused for six to eight weeks with healing botanicals. Carries both hive intelligence and plant intelligence simultaneously.