Distilled in Orange Mound, Memphis
Same hands, every bottle, since 2019.
How Aqua Essence is made
Aqua Essence is built through two old techniques and one newer one.
The hydrosol base — what makes the spray water-thin instead of oily — comes from hydrosol distillation. We take fresh botanicals (tea tree, lavender, rosemary, magnolia champaca, whichever variant we're producing), distill them with steam, and collect the floral water that condenses on the way back down. The plant gives up its actives without ever touching alcohol or strong solvents.
The second technique is what makes our oil variants different from anything else. Sonochemistry. A Hielscher sonoreactor operating at 24 kHz drives oil into the hydrosol base at nanoparticle scale — the oil is so finely emulsified you won't feel it as oil on your hair. That's why the Coconut Oil and Olive Oil variants don't leave any residue.
The third is just discipline. Small batches, no preservatives in the base, no fillers, no synthetic fragrance. What's on the label is what's in the bottle.
Who's behind it
Mound Mud is the consumer brand of Club Mound LLC. The lab is run by Denny — chemist, founder, and the person who actually distills and bottles every batch. Davida runs wholesale and partnership outreach. The two of us, working out of 8859 Reflections Cove in Memphis.
What we don't do
- We don't make drug claims on cosmetic products. If you see "reduces inflammation" or "stimulates hair growth" on a beauty product, that company is breaking the law. We use cosmetic-safe language because we mean it.
- We don't use preservatives in the hydrosol base. Sonochemistry handles the stability work.
- We don't fragrance-load. The scent you smell is the actual plant material, not synthetic fragrance compounds.
- We don't manufacture overseas. Every bottle leaves the Memphis lab.
What's next
Facial skincare line launches next — built on the same distillation and sonochemistry process. Cleanser, toner, serum. If you want first access, sign up for the email list at the footer of any page.
For wholesale or partnership inquiries: Wholesale & Partnership
