Natural Skincare & Aromatic Extracts
May 2026
Portugal
Spend a week learning with two plant-based natural skincare specialists
Lise Andersen
Natural Cosmetic Formulator & Educator
lisalise.com
and
Vivienne Campbell
Medical Herbalist & Pro Skincare Educator
theherbalhub.com
Spending time together making skincare using aromatic flowers & herbs…
…in the beautiful Portuguese countryside.
Vivienne Campbell
theherbalhub.com
Lise Andersen
lisalise.com
And with special guest teacher Natural Perfumery Specialist Marju Kivi.
Marju Kivi
AURANTIUM beyourself.club
SUMMARY
Arrive: Wednesday 6th May 2026 (join us for dinner together this evening)
Enjoy Learning with Us: Participate in 6 days of classes Thurs 7th – Tues 12th May
Leave: After breakfast on Wednesday 13th May 2026
Level: Open to everyone (from beginners – professional)
Learn How To….
~~ Gels ~~ Cleansers ~~ Shampoo Bars ~~ Balms ~~ Enfleurage & More ~~
Make wonderful natural products (without needing synthetic preservatives) with herbal extracts that we make ourselves from plants that we collect from the organic garden together.
Enjoy
~~ Be part of a small, specialist group ~~
Spending time with people from various countries who share your love, passion and interest in this absorbing topic (while we’re immersed in beautiful, peaceful, nature-rich surroundings).
Leave With…
~~ The Resources, Inspiration & Skills to do this Yourself~~
Go home all fired up with ideas and the practical skills to swing into action right away.
During our week together we will….
* Have herb walks focussing on plants that can be used to make excellent natural skincare, hair-care and deodorants. These will be a mixture of cultivated and harvest wild herbs.
* Collect our own herbs here and use them to make skincare and hair-care products and treatments.
* Make our own hydrosols: Learn basic distillation and the benefits of genuine hydrosols in natural cosmetics and skincare treatments.
* Neroli: Citrus trees are usually in bloom at this time of year*. Meet and savour the scent of this beautiful, famous aromatic flower up close!
[*Note: When plants flower or fruit is is weather & climate dependent so we cannot guarantee this but we expect them to be flowering as usual].
* Enfleurage: Discover aromatic extracts with our guest teacher natural perfumer Marju Kivi, who will guide us through the process of making enfleurage with fresh flowers.
And we will also….
* Make our own: Plant-infused oils, vinegars, honey, glycerites etc.
* Dry: Learn to dry herbs properly.
* Cold-press our own oil: Experience pressing out our own oil e.g. almond, olive.
* How & when to use herbal extracts: Learn great ways to include extracts in proper natural skincare (from making suitable cosmetics for various skin types to making something more therapeutic e.g. psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, what’s suitable during/after cancer treatment etc.)
* Advance & develop: Learn and experience more advanced formulation techniques for making cleansers, balms, masks etc.
* Preservative-free: Make various genuinely natural and active skincare products without the need for adding preservatives.
* Hair-care treatments: How to make a shampoo bar including our herbal extracts.
* Make Natural Gels (without adding preservatives): Plant-based, self-preserving gels as lip tints, masks, hand sanitiser and more.
* Making Balms with Herbal Extracts: Using floral waxes (vegan), beeswax etc.
* Working with and learning about the finest natural ingredients: Oils, honey, glycerine, beeswax, plant butters, fresh and dried herbs.
* Try out & bring home: Samples of what we make together.
Most techniques and product types can be easily made at home using dried herbs that you buy:
No need to have your own garden to recreate all our recipes and formulae.
Open to all levels: From beginners/newbies – advanced/experienced makers.
We will help you to make these skincare products and treatments whatever your level of experience or interest (home-use or pro).
Ask Us….
* Ask Vivienne about choosing herbs for your formulations: Vivienne is a qualified herbalist and has over 2 decades’ experience treating skin disorders, diseases and conditions in herbal medicine clinics. She produced her own retail pro cosmetics range for several years. She consults for and teaches brands around the world on how to properly formulate with herbs.
* Ask Lise about the formulation techniques: Lise formulates professional cosmetics. She creates bespoke, personalised products for clients, consults for brands developing professional natural cosmetics and teaches several courses on natural plant-based formulation for The Tisserand Institute. She has written specialist e-book guides on how to make stunning products with botanicals and handcrafted ingredients e.g. emulsions, tooth powders, preservative-free cleansers, balms etc.
Lise and Vivienne both love working with plants and natural ingredients to create beautiful, active, effective, gorgeous natural skincare.
COURSE DETAILS
This course takes place in the garden and indoors.
Make Together….
The group will help with the following processes and extract-making techniques…
~ Collecting herbs from the garden
~ Drying herbs (air drying, dehydrating etc.)
~ Herbal Infused vinegars
~ Infused glycerites
~ Alcohol tinctures
~ Herbal footbaths
~ Hydrosol (distilling herbs)
~ Fresh herbal hair cleanser
~ Fresh herbal hair conditioning treatment
~ Cold-press a small batch of our own fixed oil (nut or seed oil)
Watch the Process…
Our specialist teachers will show you how to make…
~ Herbal infused oils
~ Beautiful balms, salves & ointments (including processes for medicinal skincare, beeswax, plant waxes & solid perfumes)
~ Herbal facial oil serum
~ Enfleurage (a special aromatic extract)
And show you the process of how to transform a skincare recipe into a professional formula.
Get Hands-On & Make Your Own….
Some of the products you will get the chance to formulate and make include …
~ Honey & Glycerite Cleanser (self-preserving)
~ Shampoo bar (including our herbal extracts we’ve made together)
~ Masks (Choose from fresh or dried herbs for your skin type)
~ A Mosquito Repellent Spray (also herbal extract-based)
~ Natural Gels (Self-preserving): Personalise your own, selecting from our range of plant extracts.
Using our templates you can personalise these natural skincare formulations to include ingredients that you would love to use.
Incorporate extracts that our group has made together during our classes e.g. herbal infused vinegar, infused glycerites, herbs we have collected and dried from the garden etc.
Choose herbs, oils, clays, milks and other natural extracts suitable for your skin type and the therapeutic action that you’d like to create. Ingredients are ALWAYS certified organic and fair-trade whenever possible.
ASK US!: Lise & Vivienne will be available to guide you as you create your own formula and make these products and treatments. We’ve been making natural skincare for decades and will be delighted to help you as you try out making your own here.
And Bring it Home with You….
Bring home your folder of recipes, formulae and notes as well as samples of extracts and the products that we make.
~ At the end of our course we will carefully wrap these up so that you can pack them in your case.
~ Continue to enjoy them when you get back home (smell and feel these memories!).
~ Use what you learned by continuing to make your own extracts and products at home.
What we do NOT teach in this course…
Synthetic Preservatives
Nothing that we make in this course requires the addition of a synthetic preservative.
Everything we make that has a shelf-life is self-preserving using the techniques that we will teach you.
So if you find the idea of preservatives intimidating or don’t want to use them because they are not natural enough, then this course is for you because we won’t be using them.
How to make Emulsions (Creams)
Why don’t we teach this?
Because they are so complex and specialist that we have a whole seperate residential course dedicated to teaching this. It is called: Making Successful (plant-based) Emulsions.
During that course we guide people through the whole process of producing safe, effective, beautiful and stable plant-based emulsions from the beautiful organic fresh herbs in the garden, right through to sample jars for you to bring home.
This course DOES include using synthetic preservatives and emulsifers but we use the most ecologically sound ones available, favouring those approved for use in certified organic products.
Please note that ‘Making Successful Plant-Based Emulsions’ is not suitable for beginners and there are some prerequisites for attending that course.
Herbs in Season ….
At this time of year there are plenty of wild and cultivated aromatic, medicinal, edible, skincare, haircare & deodorising herbs in season. While they are weather & climate-dependent (and so cannot be guaranteed) it is very likely that we will be able to find and use…
~ Aromatic classics Neroli (and other citrus flowers), jasmine, roses, lavender, camomile etc.
~ Skincare herbs Chickweed, plantain, calendula, comfrey, red clover, elderflower etc.
~ Deodorising herbs Cleavers, sage, thyme etc.
~ Haircare herbs Rosemary, ivy, horsetail, nettle, comfrey, olive etc.
~ Fresh oranges Pick the fruit from the tree and press out your own glass of fresh juice!
About Our Venue
About our venue…
* Our course will take place at this beautiful venue full of wild herbs, olive trees, citrus trees and with an organic cultivated herb & vegetable garden.
* It is nestled in a picturesque river valley in the Beiras region of Portugal. It is within easy reach of the beautiful cities of Aveiro and Porto. The nearest airports are Porto or Lisbon.
* Our hosts will make beautiful vegetarian meals* for us, from their garden and locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. (*other diets can be catered for too: please ask).
* Will can also make therapeutic seasonal herbal drinks to enhance skin & hair health.
* Food for our body, heart and soul!
* Enjoy walks and spending time in this stunning area.
Accommodation Options
There are various types of rooms available:
~ Stay in a beautiful en-suite room in this traditional Portuguese villa that is being lovingly renovated.
~ Rooms for individuals (enjoy single occupancy of a twin, double or kingsize room).
~ Sharing a room (twin rooms or double/king).
~ Or stay in the poolside accommodation at our venue.
Glamping Options
Beautiful, comfortable bell tents available on-site:
~ Prefer to stay outdoors? Stay in the beautiful, comfortable glamping tents, nestled in amongst the citrus trees.
~ Pick oranges straight from the trees and press out your own fresh glass of orange juice.
Do I need to bring someone?
NO!
~ Individuals are very, very welcome (and are encouraged!) to attend our course. You do not need to come with a friend or in a couple. We will be a group of people this shared common interest. It is very nourishing and heartening to spend time immersed in a subject that intrigues you, with other people who love it too.
~ Want to bring someone? If you have a partner or spouse who would like to join you (but not attend the course), then they will not have to pay the full course fee. Instead options are available to book a double/kingsize room and with them joining us for meals. Please ask Vivienne if you would like this info.
Enjoy Delicious Food
Lovingly prepared by our hosts with much of the fruit, vegetables and edible flowers grown onsite in their beautiful organic garden.
BOOKING
~ This is a specialist course for a small, focussed group (usually the maximum number of students that Lise & Vivienne accept for it is 12).
~ This helps to ensure an excellent teacher to student ratio.
♥♥Genuine Learning♥♥
Groups sizes are always limited to help participants have time, attention, support and a high quality learning experience.
PRICE
Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation that you select.
The price includes:
Accommodation for 7 nights in our beautiful venue (In our villa, poolside rooms or glamping. Sharing or single occupancy).
All meals (vegetarian*) breakfast, lunch & dinner from evening on Wednesday 6th May 2026 – breakfast on Wednesday 13th May 2026. *Vegan, GF or DF diets can be catered for, please ask.
All teaching fees 5 days of classes with Lise & Vivienne, as well as 1/2 day class with Marju Kivi our guest teacher and natural botanical perfumery specialist (Vivienne & Lise will also be present for Marju’s class).
All teaching materials printed course booklet with notes, recipes, formulae templates etc.
All the ingredients, packaging, equipment etc that we will use to make our extracts and you will use to make your own products during the hands-on classes.
Samples of what we make to bring home with you (if you are flying make sure that you book a check-in bag so that any liquids are not confiscated during security checks [creams & ointments are classified as liquids too]: or arrange to ship the liquids back to your address).
The price does not include:
Travel (flights/trains etc) to Portugal
Travel to the venue (by taxi, hire car, bus or train) **We can help to arrange airport transfers from Porto airport bringing you directly to our venue.** We have a recommended local taxi service that we can book for you as an individual or to share with other members of the group who are arriving too. Please ask.
Travel insurance
Additional nights of accommodation
Additional meals and accommodation for spouse/partners
Alcoholic drinks: There is a bar in the villa and drinks can be purchased from here.
Specialist dietary requirements (please check at time of booking: a small supplement may apply so that we can ensure that you have what you require).
2026 Ticket Prices
PRICE OPTIONS: Sharing a Room
For the full residential course opting to share a room (twin, double or king):
Prices start from €2967 per participant.
Please ask Vivienne for accommodation prices if your partner would like to join you staying at the venue but not attend the course.
PRICE OPTIONS: Single occupancy of a room
For the full residential course opting not to share a room:
Prices start from €3212 per participant.
PRICE OPTIONS: Course & Glamping
For the full residential course and sharing a bell tent (double or twin): €2900 per participant.
For the full residential course and single occupancy of a bell tent: €3040 per participant.
HOW TO BOOK
Please contact Vivienne (email: info@theherbalhub.com) and she will send you the booking form and Terms & Conditions for this course.
If you have any questions or anything you’d like to discuss then please contact Vivienne: she will be happy to help.
HOW TO PAY
RESERVE YOUR PLACE WITH A DEPOSIT: The course is bookable with a deposit of €500 per person.
PAY IN FULL OR PAY WITH INSTALLMENTS: Vivienne will send an invoice for the full remaining balance or invoice for installments (with a maximum of 3 installments). The full balance due by 2nd April 2026 (an extention may be possible: please ask Vivienne if you need longer).
PAYMENT METHODS: Payment can be arranged via bank transfer. It can also be taken via credit card, debit card or Pay Pal. Please note for payment by card, card processing or Pay Pal transaction fees will also apply.
GIFT VOUCHERS: If you have a gift voucher for theherbalhub.com then this can be used towards the payment for this course.
OTHER INFO
TRAVEL: We can help with recommendations for how best to get to our venue e.g. flights, trains, booking or sharing a taxi transfer from the airport etc. Porto is ideal: it is the nearest airport. Lisbon is further away but we can still help you plan to travel from Lisbon to our venue.
CPD/CPE CREDITS: A certificate of attendance can be issued for all the teaching hours that you attend during this course. Please ask Vivienne if you require one.
ABOUT THE AREA: If you are planning to explore the area please ask: we will be happy to share suggestions and recommendations.
Thanks!
FAQs: Is this course for you?
Not sure if this is the right thing for you? We answer FAQs here.
Q. I already make my own shampoo bars/balms/cleansers/deodorants etc. How could attending this course benefit me?
A. These types of skin and haircare products take on a whole new level when you know how to add effective herbal extracts to them. In the classes we will learn about herbs and the benefits they bring to the health of the skin & hair. We will see many of the fresh herbs growing, and will learn how to harvest and extract them so that we can include them in our products and treatments.
This is also an excellent opportunity for you to get advice about ingredients and techniques from two very experienced teachers who live what we do: Lise and I have been doing this for decades! Our formula and recipe templates can be adapted and tailored for different levels of experience and to create different actions & effects.
Q. I am a newbie. I haven’t done anything like this before but love the look of this course and would like to try. Can I come?
A. Yes, you can. If you are keen to learn then you are welcome to join us. We all had to start somewhere, and you would be most welcome to start learning with us and the plants!
Q. I am a hobbyist and don’t have any plans to develop my skincare into brand. I am simply interested. Can I attend?
A. Yes! This course is for ANYONE who likes working with plants and natural ingredients for the health of their skin and hair. You don’t need to sell what you make: you can simply enjoy making and using your own treatments. They are such a joy to make and use!
Q. I am a brand. Can I come?
A. Yes! You’d be most welcome to join us. This is a great opportunity for people with brands to learn more about working with therapeutic herbs. This can really help to develop and improve your formulations. And it’s also a lovely introduction to making aromatic extracts (often included in natural perfumery) such as enfleurage and hydrosols. Vivienne had her own professional retail brand of natural cosmetics for several years so she has plenty of practical tips for including herbs in these products as well as navigating the legislation that applies to retail cosmetics.
Q. Will we learn about emulsions?
A. We won’t make them during the course because they are so complex that we have a whole seperate residential course dedicated to teaching these processes [click here to see that]. Also both Lise and Vivienne teach emulsion-making (from beginners level onwards) in online courses. We will bring samples of some we make (that include our own herbal extracts to create different actions and effects) so that you can see and feel the different textures these create. If you already make emulsions yourself and have questions then you are welcome to bring a sample of yours with you so that we can try to help you.
Q. I don’t have access to fresh plants where I live/work? Will I be able to use any of these techniques we learn on this course when I get back home?
A. Most techniques and product types that we make can be easily recreated at home using dried herbs that you buy. The main exceptions are enfleurage and hydrosols: these aromatic extracts work best with fresh plants. We will share our list of recommended reliable suppliers of dried herbs so that you can stock up when you get home. There is no need to have your own garden to recreate all our recipes and formulae.
Q. I suffer from a skin condition and would love to be able to help myself by making treatments and products to ease it. Could this course be useful for me?
A. Yes, depending on what it is. Non-serious, common skin conditions that we can usually help a great deal with home treatments and properly-formulated natural skincare include eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, sensitive skin, skin damaged for treatments (e.g. radiotherapy), scarred skin etc. With her expertise from treating skin conditions in her herbal medicine clinic, Vivienne is a mine of useful information on this topic, including what it’s safe to do yourself and when it’s better to consult a medical professional.
Q. I attended this course before and loved it. Would it be ok if I did it again?
A. Yes, of course! We would LOVE to see you again. We revise and update our course each year so the content will be slightly different from the one that you attended originally. You can do the whole course again and get a different experience by varying the ingredients you use so that you try out making different products. You’ll have a whole new range of samples to bring home with you!