What is Chios Mastic and why is it so special?

Chios Mastic is a resin that literally weeps from the bark of the Pistacia lentiscus tree — but only in 24 villages in the south of the Greek island of Chios. Nowhere else on earth produces it. Scientists have studied why for decades and cannot fully explain it. The harvest, called kentima (meaning embroidery), is performed entirely by hand, exactly as it has been for over 2,000 years. The resin crystallises in the Aegean air into small teardrops — which is why it is also known as the Tears of Chios.

It holds PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin) under EU law — the same certification as Champagne and Parmigiano-Reggiano — meaning only mastic from these 24 villages can legally be called Chios Mastic. Rich in polyphenols, terpenes and triterpenic acids, it is one of the most antioxidant-rich natural resins in the world. Ancient physicians documented it as far back as the 1st century AD for its skin-perfecting, radiance-boosting properties. Egyptian royalty used it. Ottoman sultans protected it. Now it is the heart of every Santorini Sun Beauty product.

Are your products really 100% natural?

Our face and body oils — Golden Ora Face Serum Oil and Body Glow Oil — are 100% natural origin. Every single ingredient is derived from nature, with no synthetic additives, no artificial fragrance, no parabens and no fillers. The Body Glow Oil's signature Almond Vanilla scent is a 100% natural fragrance blend.

For our other products — including the Aegean Clay Mask and Almond Body Wash Oil — we use natural origin ingredients wherever possible and are transparent about everything in our formulations. All products are formulated by a certified product formulator and every ingredient earns its place. Nothing is included for appearance — everything has a purpose.

What does PDO-certified mean?

PDO stands for Protected Designation of Origin — a legally protected European Union certification that guarantees a product comes from a specific geographic region and is produced using traditional methods. It is the highest standard of provenance in the world, applying to products like Champagne (France), Parmigiano-Reggiano (Italy) and Chios Mastic (Greece).

When we say our Chios Mastic is PDO-certified, it means you are receiving the authentic, traceable, geographically verified resin from the 24 mastic villages of Chios — not a generic mastic extract from elsewhere. This matters because the unique terroir of southern Chios is what gives the resin its extraordinary properties. There is no substitute.

Why do you use Prickly Pear Seed Oil? Isn’t argan oil the gold standard?

Argan oil is wonderful — but the data tells a compelling story about Prickly Pear. Prickly Pear Seed Oil contains 150% more Vitamin E than argan oil and approximately 60% linoleic acid — one of the highest concentrations of any seed oil. It has a comedogenic rating of 0/5, meaning it will never clog pores, and it absorbs almost immediately with zero greasy residue.

Producing it is extraordinarily labour-intensive: it takes approximately one tonne of prickly pear fruit to press just one litre of oil. The seeds are tiny, the yield is minimal, and the process cannot be industrialised. It is hand-pressed, largely by Moroccan women using generations-old methods. The result is one of the most nutrient-dense, skin-compatible seed oils in all of skincare — and an important reason why Golden Ora feels the way it does on your skin.

What is Immortelle (Helichrysum) and why is it in Golden Ora?

Immortelle — from the French word for everlasting — is a golden Mediterranean flower (Helichrysum italicum) that grows wild across the rocky hillsides of Greece, Corsica and Dalmatia. Its name comes from the fact that even after being cut, it never wilts and never fades. It is one of the most studied and coveted botanicals in natural skincare, with premium quality oils reaching up to €2,000 per litre.

Immortelle is deeply restorative, visibly brightening and cell-renewing. It can only grow in dry, rocky, sun-drenched Mediterranean terrain — making it geographically rare and climate-sensitive. A 2020 clinical study following 117 participants showed significant improvements in skin parameters including reduced wrinkle depth, improved elasticity and decreased signs of photodamage. We include it in Golden Ora because it is one of the most extraordinary ingredients the Mediterranean world has ever produced.

Why is Frankincense called “the amplifier”?

Frankincense (Boswellia Serrata) has been used in beauty rituals for over 5,000 years — more precious than gold to the ancient world, burned in temples across Greece and Rome, used by Egyptian queens in their daily beauty ritual. Its skin-refining and anti-inflammatory properties are extraordinary on their own.

But what makes Frankincense truly unique in a formula is its synergistic effect: it amplifies the performance of every other botanical it works alongside. In Golden Ora, it makes the Chios Mastic more potent, the Prickly Pear more effective, the Immortelle more restorative. It is the ingredient that makes the whole formula greater than the sum of its parts — and a key reason why Golden Ora works as well as it does.

Why is Pomegranate Seed Oil special?

The pomegranate was the fruit of Aphrodite — the Greek goddess of beauty — and has been revered in Greece for over 3,000 years. But beyond the mythology, the science is equally compelling. Pomegranate Seed Oil contains punicic acid — an omega-5 fatty acid found in almost no other natural oil — making it uniquely nourishing and deeply penetrating. It is exceptionally rich in polyphenols, Vitamin C and ellagic acid, making it one of the most antioxidant-dense oils in skincare.

We include it in both Golden Ora and Body Glow Oil because it visibly brightens and evens skin tone, deeply nourishes, and delivers a luminous, from-within radiance that very few ingredients can match.

Can I use Golden Ora if I have oily or acne-prone skin?

Yes — and this surprises many people. Golden Ora is formulated around oils with a 0/5 comedogenic rating (meaning they will not clog pores), including Prickly Pear Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil, which mirrors skin's own natural sebum. The formula absorbs in seconds and leaves a silk-dry finish with zero grease or residue.

Oily skin is often caused by dehydration — the skin overproduces oil to compensate for lack of moisture. The right face oil can actually help balance sebum production over time. We recommend starting with 2 drops at night and building from there.

What makes the Body Glow Oil scent so different?

The signature Almond Vanilla scent is a 100% natural fragrance blend — no synthetic fragrance, no artificial ingredients. It is warm, gourmand and deeply skin-compatible, designed to bloom on contact with body heat and linger softly throughout the day.

Most body oils either have no scent or use synthetic fragrance that fades quickly or smells clinical. The Body Glow Oil was formulated specifically so that the scent experience is part of the ritual — a warm, sensory moment that makes your body routine feel luxurious rather than perfunctory. It is consistently the first thing people comment on.

What order should I use the products in?

The full Santorini Sun ritual, from first step to last:

1. Almond Body Wash Oil — in the shower. Apply to wet skin, massage, rinse. The oil transforms to a milky lather.
2. Body Glow Oil — on damp skin immediately after shower, while your skin is still warm. Massage in. It absorbs in seconds.
3. Aegean Clay Mask — 1-2 times per week on cleansed face. Leave 10-15 minutes, rinse.
4. Golden Ora Face Serum Oil — on clean, dry face, morning and evening. 3-4 drops, pressed gently into skin. Wear alone or under moisturiser.

The Glow Duo and Goddess Reset Ritual bundles are designed around this ritual sequence.

Are your products suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes. Every Santorini Sun product is formulated without synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils or harsh preservatives. The face and body oils use only 100% natural origin ingredients, all of which are gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types including sensitive skin.

As with any skincare product, we always recommend a patch test before first use, particularly if you have known sensitivities to any of the listed ingredients. If you have a nut allergy, please check the full INCI ingredient list before use as some products contain almond or jojoba-derived oils.

Who is behind Santorini Sun Beauty?

Santorini Sun Beauty was founded by Paulina Theodore — a certified product formulator with deep Greek heritage. Paulina formulates every product herself, which means there is no outsourcing, no generic contract manufacturing, and no compromise. Every ingredient is chosen for a specific reason, every formula is built for efficacy, and every product carries the full weight of her formulation knowledge and love of Greek botanical tradition.

Santorini Sun Beauty is a genuinely independent, founder-led brand. When you buy from us, you are buying directly from the person who made it.

Are the Chios Mastic villages really under threat?

Yes — and this is something we take seriously. In June 2025, five simultaneous wildfires broke out on the island of Chios, burning over 11,000 acres and forcing the evacuation of 17 communities. Authorities declared a state of emergency. The mastic fields narrowly escaped major damage — but it was extremely close.

In 2012, a wildfire burned more than half of all mastic trees on Chios, causing a global shortage that lasted years. The same threat exists today, compounded by climate change, drought and the devastating impact of arson.

We believe every bottle of Santorini Sun Beauty sold is an argument for protecting these 24 villages. As we grow, we are committed to directing a portion of our revenue toward the preservation of the Chios Mastic harvest and the communities that have sustained it for over 2,000 years. This is not just an ingredient story. It is a conservation story.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. We offer free shipping on all Australian orders over $60 AUD. The Glow Duo ($60) and Goddess Reset Ritual ($75) both qualify automatically.

Can I buy Santorini Sun Beauty in a physical store?

Yes — we are currently stocked at:

Sunnybrook Health Store — 553A North Road, Ormond VIC
Bakaliko — Oakleigh VIC
Sweet Greek — Prahran Market, Prahran VIC

More stockists are being added regularly. See our full stockist list here.

Still have a question?

We love hearing from our community. Reach out to us directly — Paulina personally reads every message.