infused beard care from the scottish highlands - organic beard oil rooted in nature
Wild Botanicals | Skin-First Beard Care | Small-Batch Craftsmanship
Unlock the power of wild Highland ingredients with Hairy Highlander’s signature Caledonia range — a collection of organic beard oils and luxury beard balms made with slow-infused botanicals and wild Chaga from the Scottish Highlands.
We’ve chosen each ingredient not only for its traditional use in Highland remedies, but also for the growing scientific interest in its potential to support healthy skin and hair.
why we infuse
We don’t just add ingredients - we infuse them.
This slow extraction draws out the most beneficial, oil-soluble compounds from our botanicals:
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Chaga – Packed with antioxidants and rare compounds, wild Chaga is thought to help activate the cells linked to hair growth, supporting a fuller, healthier-looking beard. Early lab research shows these compounds can outperform minoxidil (a common hair regrowth drug) in cell activity, while also helping calm inflammation, boost collagen, and hydrate the skin — making it a powerful addition to skin-first beard care. - Source Hair / Source Skin
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Bog Myrtle - Traditionally revered in Highland culture, this potent botanical was a go-to remedy for calming weather-beaten skin. Its rare blend of soothing and protective compounds makes it a natural ally for irritated, sensitive skin—even in the harshest conditions.
These ingredients are chosen not for trend, but for function — to nourish, calm, and condition.
Crafted in the Highlands. Powered by Nature. Backed by Ritual.
Explore our infused collection and experience why Hairy Highlander is trusted by modern beardsmen across the UK - and beyond.
[Explore Infused Beard Oils] or [Learn More About Our Ingredients]
chaga for beard health: an ancient ally for skin and hair
Infused Highland Chaga | Rich in Fat-Soluble Antioxidants | Crafted for Skin & Beard Care.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), sometimes referred to as “a gift from God” for its valued place in folk remedies, grows on birch trees in cold northern climates — including parts of the Scottish Highlands. For hundreds of years, it has been used in traditional practices across Siberia, Mongolia, and Eastern Europe, most often brewed as a tea to support general wellbeing.
But Chaga wasn’t only taken as a tonic. In some regions, it was also used in rinses for the skin and scalp, believed to help with balance, resilience, and irritation. Today, science is beginning to explore those traditional uses. Packed with powerful antioxidants and rare compounds, wild Chaga is thought to help stimulate the very cells responsible for hair growth, supporting a healthier-looking, fuller beard from the root up. Early lab research shows that inotodiol — a triterpenoid found in Chaga — can boost the activity of key hair follicle cells, even outperforming minoxidil (a synthetic hair regrowth drug used in products like Rogaine) in cell proliferation. Additional studies suggest that Chaga’s compounds may help defend against collagen breakdown, support skin’s natural hydration, and visibly calm stressed or reactive skin — all vital for creating the ideal environment for strong, healthy hair to thrive. These early findings make Chaga a powerful ally in skin-first beard care, especially when slow-infused into nourishing botanical oils.
While these results come from early in vitro research, they offer promising insight into how Chaga’s unique compounds may support the foundations of healthy hair — especially when used in skin-first beard and scalp care. That’s why we carefully infuse wild Chaga into our oils: to deliver these rare compounds directly to the skin, where real hair health begins.
why the infusion process matters
The key compounds in Chaga believed to support healthy skin and beard care are fat-soluble, meaning they’re only released under precise conditions. If the infusion process is rushed or improperly handled, many of these beneficial compounds remain locked inside—or worse, can be destroyed by excessive heat or poor technique.
At Hairy Highlander, we’ve spent years learning how to work with wild Scottish Chaga. We focus on drawing out the compounds that actually matter for skin and beard care — and we forage with care, taking only what we need and leaving the land intact.
check out our Responsible Foraging page here
what’s inside chaga — and how it may benefit the skin and beard:
triterpenes
These natural compounds — like inotodiol, betulin, and lanosterol — are known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest they may even help support the cells inside hair follicles.
betulin & betulinic acid
Found in birch bark (and absorbed by Chaga), these are being studied for how they help protect and restore the skin’s natural barrier — especially against irritation and dryness.
melanin
This natural pigment gives Chaga its dark crust. It’s also found in human skin and hair, and Chaga-derived melanin has shown strong antioxidant effects — which may help protect skin from environmental stress.
how we use chaga infused oils in our beard care products
We use Chaga-infused oil as a base in several Hairy Highlander products:
Each one is crafted in small batches and bottled in dark biophotonic glass — which naturally protects the ingredients inside, without needing artificial preservatives.
Note: This page is for general educational use only and isn’t intended to treat or diagnose any condition. We’ve included references to traditional use and modern studies to show why Chaga is an ingredient of interest in skin and beard care. For personal advice, always speak to a healthcare professional.
bog myrtle for beard health: the naturally soothing herb from the scottish highlands
bog myrtle: the highland herb of ancient skin wisdom
Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale), also known as Sweet Gale, is a native shrub that thrives in the wetland lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands. It has been used for centuries in Celtic, Norse, and early Gaelic traditions — not only as a midge-repelling plant, but also as a wild herbal infusion for skin and hair.
Historic texts and folk medicine practices across Northern Europe describe Bog Myrtle being used in bathing rituals and topical salves, particularly in Scandinavian and Scottish communities, where its aromatic leaves were prized for their skin-toning and soothing qualities.
what’s in bog myrtle?
At Hairy Highlander, we infuse hand-foraged Highland Bog Myrtle into organic oil using a slow, controlled process to extract its fat-soluble bioactive compounds. These include:
myricetin and flavonoids
Myricetin is a flavonoid widely studied for its antioxidant properties. Peer-reviewed scientific research indicates that myricetin may also possess anti-inflammatory effects and the potential to support collagen synthesis, an essential protein for maintaining healthy skin appearance. These properties suggest possible benefits for soothing and protecting skin from environmental stressors.
However, research is ongoing, and further studies are required to fully confirm these benefits in cosmetic formulations.
essential oils
Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) contains volatile oils, including α-pinene and 1,8-cineole, which have been studied for their antimicrobial properties. Traditionally, Bog Myrtle has been used as a natural method to deter midges and insects, although scientific studies specifically quantifying its efficacy remain limited."
how we use it
Bog Myrtle is a signature botanical in several Hairy Highlander formulations, including:
These products are crafted in small batches and encased in premium biophotonic glass, which naturally extends the life of botanical infusions by protecting them from harmful light.
Please note:
This ingredient information is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or cosmetic claims. While scientific studies and traditional practices support the historical use of Bog Myrtle, our products are not intended to treat or cure any health conditions. Always consult a qualified professional for individual skincare needs