Nestled in the rolling Adelaide Hills, Claret Ash Farm is more than just the birthplace of Janesce Skincare—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. Here, amid the scent of lavender and the hum of bees, the true secret to Janesce’s plant-powered skincare is cultivated, season after season: the soil.
This soil isn’t just dirt. It’s a nutrient-dense, organic powerhouse—nearly four decades in the making—carefully nourished by Jan Sarre-Smith, the founder of Janesce, and her team. It’s from this rich foundation that vibrant flowers and herbs grow, ready to be transformed into healing, plant-based skincare. At Janesce, “from the soil to the skin” isn’t a slogan—it’s a guiding philosophy.
Claret Ash Farm: A Sanctuary for Soil and Skin
Surrounded by native gum trees and kissed by the extremes of the Australian climate, Claret Ash Farm is a place of rugged beauty and botanical abundance. Bright fields of calendula, lavender, and roses flourish across the land, thriving in soil so fertile it supports exceptional plant health—and ultimately, exceptional skincare.
Jan doesn’t simply farm this land; she works with it. Her approach is deeply intuitive, rooted in biodynamic principlesthat honour the rhythms of nature. She views the soil as a living organism—one that must be nurtured, respected, and sustained.
What Makes Janesce Soil So Special?
- Certified Organic
Claret Ash Farm is proudly certified organic, meaning no synthetic pesticides or herbicides are ever used. Instead, natural methods are used to support plant health—starting with soil nutrition.
- Custom Compost Blend
One of the secrets behind the farm’s extraordinary soil is Jan’s proprietary compost recipe—a powerful mix of over 20 different ingredients. It’s a guarded formula, perfected over decades, and rich in the nutrients plants need to thrive.
- The Power of Yarrow
Among Jan’s trusted allies is yarrow, known at the farm as Nature’s Compost Accelerator. This potent herb helps compost break down faster, creating the dark, crumbly richness that fuels the garden. Yarrow is sown behind compost heaps, always ready to be added to the mix when the piles are turned.
Nurturing Microbial Life
Soil isn’t just matter—it’s alive. And Jan nurtures this life with intention.
Each spring, pea straw is laid across the beds to help retain moisture. But it does more than that. Pea straw provides essential fibre to feed soil microbes, which form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. These microbes not only help convert nutrients into usable forms—they also boost the plant’s immune system, keeping it strong and resilient.
By supporting this underground ecosystem, Jan helps plants grow with the vitality and potency needed to deliver true results for the skin.
A Natural Fertiliser, Handcrafted
When her plants need a little extra nourishment, Jan turns to a natural tonic she created herself—a blend of liquid seaweed, organic manure, and biodynamic preparations. Stored in large blue drums, it’s a simple yet powerful way to give back to the earth that gives so much.
The Heart of Slow Beauty
After forty years of loving cultivation, the soil at Claret Ash Farm is more than healthy—it’s exceptional. This rich, biodiverse foundation cannot be replicated quickly. It’s the essence of the Slow Beauty movement Janesce champions. Just like truly radiant skin, truly fertile soil takes time, care, and patience to develop.
This heritage of soil health sets Janesce apart in the world of botanical skincare. It’s what gives each product its depth, its purity, and its power.
From Ground to Glow
Every drop of Janesce Skincare carries with it the story of this land—of rich compost, resilient plants, and soil teeming with life. When you nourish your skin with Janesce, you’re not just applying a product. You’re connecting to a deeper, living source of beauty—one that begins in the earth itself.