A few weeks ago, someone from a public relations firm emailed me, asking if I’d like a one-on-one meeting to discuss a newly launched range of luxurious bath oils. In all honesty, it’s not something I’d normally cover for Basenotes, a platform dedicated to perfume enthusiasts. Unless it’s a perfume or perhaps a candle, it falls slightly outside our remit.
However, I was heading into London anyway, and it had been a few years since I’d caught up with this contact (Covid had put a stop to perfume launches for a while), so I somewhat reluctantly agreed to the meeting.
I headed to the meeting point, unsure of what to expect. When I arrived, I was struck by the enthusiasm and commitment of Rebecca Jaquest, the founder of Nyita. Her passion for her products and the quality of her raw materials was both impressive and engaging.
Nyita’s journey began when Rebecca, while pregnant, wanted to find products that met her expectations of ‘clean.’ “When I was expecting my first child, I became hyper-aware of ingredients used in perfumery that I hadn’t been before—ingredients lists that were loaded with preservatives and synthetic fragrances. Even the ones that were all-natural—these natural ingredients had actually been extracted by hexane, which is a petrochemical.”
So, Rebecca set out to create perfumery products containing nothing but organic natural ingredients—initially for herself, then for friends and family.
Using natural and organic ingredients may be all well and good, but the environmental impact of using them doesn’t always compare favorably to synthetic counterparts.
“The damage that some essential oils cause to the environment is huge. Vetiver involves taking out the whole plant, including the root, and this damages the topsoil,” explains Rebecca. “Sandalwood involves cutting down thirty-year-old trees.”
We want our impact not only to be positive for the environment but also for the local communities who produce the ingredients, all of which are organic
Rebecca Jaquest, founder of Nyita
As a result, Rebecca decided to minimize her environmental impact by using oils that don’t require killing the entire plant or tree during extraction. “Instead, we use the fruit, the leaves, and the flowers.”
Due to her decision to pursue perfumery the hard way, sourcing materials became more difficult. So, Rebecca dove deeply into the world of ingredient sourcing. “I literally began by contacting friends who lived in places that might prove a rich source of unusual, special ingredients.”
She went on to forge relationships with suppliers of patchouli in Rwanda, yuzu from a remote Japanese island, and jasmine from Colombia.
“We want our impact not only to be positive for the environment but also for the local communities who produce the ingredients, all of which are organic. Giving back is hugely important to NYITA, and simply supporting organic farming and traditional methods has a significant impact; there is 50% more biodiversity of species on organic farms.” Trading direct, explains Rebecca, “is also a vital way to guarantee the quality of our ingredients.”
As an example, the organic patchouli offers a livelihood for impoverished communities stricken by loss, providing an income for 200 local farmers. “It means widows can find hope again, orphaned young adults can imagine a brighter future, and the poor can live more dignified lives.”
Nyita’s latest product is Jasmia, which uses jasmine extracted via enfleurage. Enfleurage is a traditional method where petals are placed on a layer of fat, which absorbs their fragrance to extract essential oils. This technique was once popular for delicate flowers but is now rarely used in mainstream commercial perfumery due to its labor-intensive and costly nature.
Rebecca says, “Delicate, fresh jasmine flowers are one of my all-time favorite scents. Comforting and calming, they emit an intoxicating aroma that seductively draws you into a floral embrace. Their divine scent evokes joy, love, and beauty, which instantly transports me to tranquility. Using enfleurage oil is the only way to capture the full range and complexity of the original scent I love so much.”
Rebecca continues, “We only ever use the finest natural ingredients extracted with sustainable methods, so I scoured the world in search of an alternative source for our jasmine. It was a moment of pure elation when I found the ECOCERT certified community farm in the Andes Mountains. Passionately committed, as I am, to growing ingredients organically, the aromatic artisans, recognized for their environmental and socially conscious practices, have mastered the art of growing ethical, sense-seducing jasmine. Cultivated at an altitude of over 1600 meters above sea level and surrounded by a unique microclimate, it is the most authentic jasmine I have ever encountered. It is this divine ingredient that features in Jasmia.”
As well as the latest addition, Jasmia, the full Nyita Body Oil range is as follows:
Velvet Nuit: “Heady rose damask with sweet vanilla and musky ambrette seed creates an evocative, intoxicating, and moreish scent that is irresistible.”
First Light: “Citronella is expertly blended with spearmint and calming true lavender to create a powerful, reviving essence that will leave you feeling calm, refreshed, and ready for the day ahead.”
Celestia: “Heady, intense, sweet, and sensual, featuring ylang ylang blended with divine neroli and ‘green gold’ bergamot. Celestia is a heavenly scent.”
Du Jardin: “Indulge and pamper tired, post-workout muscles, or unwind after a long day, with ‘camphor-rich’ rosemary, and deeply relaxing rose geranium. Du Jardin has an intensely aromatic fragrance and powerful botanical ingredients.”
Sunlit: “Briny samphire, uplifting lemon, and fresh Greenland moss will transport you to the sunlit ocean.”
Yuzu Noir: “A spectacular citrus showcase featuring Japanese yuzu blended with ‘green gold’ bergamot, sun-soaked mandarin, and sublime neroli. An exquisite fragrance that will elevate your mood, bring you calm, and relaxation.”
The Nyita Discovery Set allows you to sample the Bath & Shower Oils or the Body Oils.
Rebecca still hand-blends and fills each Italian glass bottle, which can be recycled. The black and gold boxes showcasing the oils are made from 100% recycled and recyclable card.
Rebecca’s commitment to sourcing ingredients in line with her ethics and values is inspiring. I look forward to seeing what Rebecca and Nyita do next.
You can find out more about Nyita at their website here.
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Looks like I have a reason to go to London again :)