Harmless Apothecary is the Scottish botanical skincare range from Project Harmless — small-batch, handmade soap and skincare made in Argyll and Bute. Formulated with Scottish botanicals including mugwort, bog myrtle, and Scottish lavender, free of palm oil, and designed without synthetic fragrance. From the UK brand named one of the UK's 100 most inspiring small businesses 2025.

Looking for handmade soap made in Scotland? Key things to check: palm-oil-free, cruelty-free, small-batch, and naturally scented rather than using synthetic fragrance. Harmless Apothecary ticks all four — handmade in Argyll and Bute on Scotland's west coast, using Scottish botanicals like bog myrtle, marigold, and Scottish lavender.

Yes, all Harmless Apothecary products are vegan. No animal-derived ingredients: no honey, no beeswax, no lanolin, no milk. We formulate with Scottish botanicals, plant-based oils, and naturally derived ingredients only.

Yes — Harmless Apothecary products are palm-oil-free. Palm oil cultivation drives deforestation and habitat loss even when certified as "sustainable," so we formulate without it entirely. Our soap is built on olive oil, coconut oil, and other plant oils sourced to UK and European standards — a rich, long-lasting bar doesn't need palm oil.

Yes. Harmless Apothecary products are cruelty-free — we don't test on animals, and nor do our ingredient suppliers.

Many of our botanicals are sustainably sourced from Scotland and England — including bog myrtle, Scottish lavender, and seasonal marigold. Other ingredients like our plant-oil soap bases are sourced to UK and European standards. Every ingredient is chosen to minimise distance travelled and support Scottish biodiversity where possible.

Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is a native Scottish shrub that grows wild across Scottish highland bogs. Traditionally used as a natural insect repellent and in Scottish folk medicine for centuries. We use it in Harmless Apothecary products for its distinct resinous scent and gentle antiseptic properties — a uniquely Scottish ingredient you won't find in mass-market soap.

Mugwort soap is a handmade bar soap infused with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a herb with a long tradition of use in both European and East Asian skincare. It's valued for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties — making it popular for sensitive, combination, and oily skin. Our mugwort soap is cold-process, made in Argyll and Bute, Scotland and suitable for both face and body. (People with a known Asteraceae allergy — ragweed, daisies — or who are pregnant should check with a healthcare professional before use.)

A Harmless Apothecary soap bar has a shelf life of 18 months from production. Stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, the bar maintains scent and texture. Once in use, keep it on a draining soap dish between washes to extend its life — wet bars dissolve faster.

Harmless Apothecary products are generally suitable for sensitive skin — we use naturally derived ingredients, no synthetic fragrance, and avoid common irritants like SLS and SLES. Everyone's skin is different, so we recommend a 24-hour patch test before full use, especially if you have known botanical allergies. For severe skin conditions, consult a dermatologist.

Most Harmless Apothecary products are suitable for children, though check each product's ingredient list — some botanicals (notably bog myrtle and concentrated essential oils) are best avoided for very young children. For babies, use products specifically formulated for infant skin. Always patch-test first.

We formulate with gentle, naturally derived ingredients, but some essential oils — including bog myrtle and concentrated lavender — are best avoided during pregnancy.  Please check individual product listings, or contact us if you have questions about a specific product and pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Our Harmless Apothecary soap bar packaging is plastic-free — bars ship in UK-made paper bags. Outer shipping packaging uses recyclable cardboard and paper tape. Where a product requires a container (oils, balms), we use tin rather than plastic.

A Harmless Apothecary soap bar typically lasts 2–4 weeks with daily use. Lifespan depends on how often it's used, water hardness, and storage between uses. A bar kept on a draining soap dish lasts considerably longer than one left sitting in water — keep it dry and it'll last.

Yes. Every Harmless Apothecary product is made in small batches in our Argyll and Bute workshop. Small-batch means better quality control, no stockpiling, and fresher products reaching you. It also means popular bars occasionally sell out — follow us on Instagram  for restock announcements.

Harmless Apothecary products are handmade in Argyll and Bute, on Scotland's west coast. Project Harmless is Edinburgh-founded, but our Apothecary production lives in Argyll. Every bar is made by hand, one batch at a time.

Harmless Poop Bags have a shelf life of 6 months once opened, when kept in the provided storage tin with the included silica gel packet. Store in a cool, dry place — the material is water-reactive, so avoid bathrooms, kitchen counters near kettles, or anywhere humid. Keep the silica gel packet inside the tin at all times.

No. Harmless Apothecary products are never tested on animals, and neither are the ingredients we source. Animal testing on cosmetics has been banned in the UK since 1998 and across the EU since 2013 — we're fully compliant.