Macadamia Ternifolia Nut/Seed Oil
The oil obtained from Macadamia nuts is colourless and almost odourless. It contains very high levels of natural fatty acids (especially in palmitoleic acid), which give the oil an extremely emollient and good after-skin feel.
It softens and smoothes the skin without leaving a greasy feeling.

Mallow (Malva Sylvestris) Extract
This small pink-flowered plant has been used in country medicine,
where its soothing and emollient properties have been well known for generations. It has a tradition of softening the skin and there are numerous references to its use in treating sprains, boils and other painful inflammations. The properties of mallow are probably due to the high levels of mucilage (a polysaccharide or type of sugary gum) that the
plant contains.

Mandarin Orange (Citrus Nobilis) Extract
Mandarin orange is also called the King orange and similar in many respects to the tangerine. The extract has similar properties to lemon
(see above).

Mango (Mangifera Indica) Seed Butter
Mythologically the mango tree derives its existence from the ashes of
the Daughter of the Sun God. For Indian poets the tree has a peculiar significance. Its flowers are of great beauty and the fruit is much esteemed. Mango butter is a natural butter that is full of plant sterols
and other luxurious components that protect and soften the skin.

Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract
German Chamomile is an exceptionally useful and versatile member of the Compositae (daisy) family. Both the oil and the aqueous extract, which are prepared from the flowers, have beneficial properties. The water-soluble flavonoids (particularly apigenin and apigenin-7-glucoside) present in the extract give it anti-inflammatory, sedative, wound healing and soothing properties.

Meadowsweet (Spirea Ulmaria) Extract
Meadowsweet or Queen of the Meadow has been shown to have bacteriostatic activity against a number of unpleasant microbiological organisms. In addition it has been shown to have gentle astringent, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It was the discovery of a salicylic acid derivative in 1839, which led to the explanation as to why the plant had anodyne (easing of pain) and anti-rheumatic properties.

Menthyl Lactate and Menthol
Menthyl lactate and Menthol are refreshing, cooling materials that help to leave the skin feeling refreshed and tingling.

Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
This species of mimosa is known as the skin tree or Tepezcohuite. The Tepezcohuite powder is obtained by fine grinding of the bark of the tree and is a popular medicine in Mexico. Two dramatic events brought to light the therapeutic properties. The explosion in Mexico (November 1984) of the national gas plant, and the earthquake which destroyed the old Aztec chief town in the south of the country (Spring 1985). In both cases, because they had run out of conventional medicines, the Mexican Red Cross ordered the use of Tepezcohuite powder to treat the badly burned. The results were statistically significant. This material is used to care and protect fragile or damaged skin.

Montmorillonite
Montmorillonite is a type of refined clay, composed of hydrated aluminium silicate. It often has a natural colour that is caused by the presence of trace amounts of minerals like iron in the structure of the clay. It has similar properties to kaolin.


Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) Oil
The myrrh is produced from the "tears" that are exuded by the bark when it is scarified. These gummy exudates are collected by hand, which helps to explain why the material is so precious. The material is described as anti-inflammatory, mildly astringent and antibacterial. In aromatherapy, it is used for its sedative effect, where its woody balsamic note adds an exotic oriental fragrance to the blend.