Why Norway spruce resin has been trusted for generations

For generations, Norway spruce resin has been used in traditional Northern European skin remedies because of its naturally protective qualities. People historically turned to resin to help care for dry, damaged or irritated skin, valuing it for its ability to shield and support the skin while it recovered.

Collected from the Norway spruce tree (Picea abies), the resin forms a natural protective barrier. Traditionally, this was believed to help keep the skin clean, protected and less exposed to environmental stress while supporting the skin’s own repair process.

Today, modern research is helping explain why spruce resin earned this long-standing trust.

Studies have shown that Norway spruce resin contains compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests these properties may help support the skin’s natural repair process while helping reduce unwanted bacteria on the skin’s surface. One area of particular interest has been its activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria commonly associated with irritated or compromised skin.

One published study exploring spruce resin’s antimicrobial properties reported promising effects against several strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. Based on our understanding of this research, spruce resin may help create a more supportive environment for skin recovery by helping reduce bacterial growth on the skin’s surface.

You can read more here

At Conifera, this connection between traditional wisdom and modern science is at the heart of everything we create. Our journal is a space where we share the research, history and natural science behind Norway spruce resin — and why this remarkable forest ingredient continues to inspire our formulations today.

Written by Conifera