An Ayrshire skincare company is looking for farmers who wear prosthetic limbs to trial a new massage balm it has developed, offering free samples in exchange for honest feedback.
Founded by former therapist Jim Steele, Ayrshire Skincare manufactures a range of plant-based skincare products from its base in Dundonald, South Ayrshire. The family-run business specialises in formulations using essential oils and botanical ingredients, with products aimed at supporting skin health and comfort.
The latest addition to its range was inspired by an episode of BBC’s This Farming Life, which featured Moffat farmer Adam Johnston, who farms with a prosthetic leg following a rugby injury.
Steele said watching the programme highlighted the physical demands placed on prosthetic limb wearers working in agriculture.
“I saw Adam working long days on the farm and it was clear that by the end of the day he was desperate to get the prosthetic leg off,” he said.
“It got me thinking about the number of people in farming who have suffered serious injuries and now rely on prosthetic limbs. We felt there was potentially something we could do to help.”
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The company has developed what it describes as a Prosthetic Limb Massage Balm, formulated with plant-based essential oils. As a cosmetic product rather than a medicine, no medicinal claims are made about its effects.
Steele said the balm has been designed to soothe skin that is subjected to daily pressure and friction from wearing a prosthetic limb.
“When people remove their prosthetic limb at the end of the day, we believe they’ll find the balm soothing and comforting to use,” he said.
“However, what we need now is feedback from people who actually wear prosthetic limbs. That’s why we’re offering free samples to farmers and others who would be willing to try it and tell us honestly what they think.”
The company is particularly keen to hear from members of the farming community, given the number of serious accidents that occur within the agricultural industry each year.
Steele, 77, originally worked in the construction sector before retraining as a therapist and establishing a clinic in Glasgow. It was there that he began developing skincare products after forming a partnership with Dr Katerina Svoboda, an essential oils specialist based at the former Scottish Agricultural College research centre in Ayr.
Over the years, Ayrshire Skincare has built a loyal customer base around products such as Joint Ease, Muscle Ease and Skin Repair, which are used by farmers, tradespeople and athletes.
The business relaunched earlier this year under the Ayrshire Skincare name after previously trading under a different brand identity.
Steele said transparency remains central to the company’s ethos.
“We manufacture everything ourselves and use plant-based ingredients throughout our products,” he said.
“We’re a small family business and we believe in being honest with our customers. If people trial this balm and tell us it needs improved, then we’ll go back and improve it. That’s the whole point of asking for feedback.”
Farmers or prosthetic limb wearers interested in trialling the balm can contact Ayrshire Skincare directly through the company’s website, by email via reach@ayrshireskincare.co.uk or on 0800 099 6065. Free samples are being offered in return for feedback on the product’s performance and suitability for day-to-day use.
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