We select each of our ingredients to produce premium products while supporting industries and initiatives that are grounded in social and environmental responsibility. We avoid conflict ingredients including palm oil and tallow (animal fat) because of the massive deforestation and destruction of human and ecological communities involved in producing these materials at scale, and the inhumane treatment of the humans and animals involved. We strive to stay current on scientific and ecological knowledge about raw materials and will continue to refine our formulas according to sound science and customer experience.
This page describes the ingredients in each of our product categories.
SHAMPOO BAR INGREDIENTS:
Not all ingredients are in each shampoo bar - see individual product pages for details.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate: Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) is a mild anionic surfactant based on fatty acids from coconut oil and isoethionic acid, a type of sulfonic acid. SCI creates a rich, foamy lather and gentle cleansing.
Sodium coco sulfate: Sodium coco sulfate (SCS) is an anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil. SCS is high-foaming; it creates flash-foam and luxurious cleansing. We balance SCS with other surfactants (cleansers) to ensure our shampoo bars are gentle.
Decyl glucoside: Decyl glucoside is a non-ionic secondary surfactant derived from coconut oil and glucose. It's a gentle cleanser that creates rich foam, and its mildness makes it ideal in products for sensitive skin, baby care and daily use.
Organic stearic acid (palm-free): Stearic acid is a long-chain fatty acid found in most oils and butters. Our stearic acid is derived from organic flax seeds and organic mahua seeds. Stearic acid gives the shampoo bar structure, hardness and adds non-greasy conditioning properties.
Organic cocoa butter: Our organic cocoa butter is sourced from Peru and is Fair-Trade certified when available. Cocoa butter is a rich, moisturizing, emollient ingredient that softens and protects curls and helps tame frizz.
Mango seed butter: Mango seed butter is extracted from the dried, de-shelled seeds (pits) of the mango fruit. It is very moisturizing and soothing to skin and scalp. Organic tapioca starch: Organic tapioca starch helps to solidify the bar and absorb excess oil from the scalp. Sodium lactate: Sodium lactate is a humectant and hardens the shampoo bar. Our sodium lactate is derived from beets.
Behentrimonium methosulfate: Behentrimonium methosulfate (BTMS) is an emulsifying conditioner derived from non-GMO rapeseed oil. It’s a great detangler and it helps give hair body and bounce without weighing it down.
Cetyl alcohol: Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol and a waxy solid at room temperature. It’s an “occlusive” substance, which reduces evaporation from the hair shaft and helps keep the hair from drying out. The OH on the end of the cetyl alcohol molecule is why it’s called an alcohol. But unlike drying, distilled liquid alcohols such as ethanol, cetyl alcohol is a moisturizing, conditioning fatty compound. It acts as an emulsifier, holding oily and water-based substances together. Read more about different kinds of alcohols here.
Citric acid: We use citric acid to adjust the pH of our shampoo bars, ensuring they're in the healthy pH range for hair, skin and scalp (pH 5 to 5.5).
Essential oils: Natural essential oils add amazing aromas and beneficial qualities to our products. We avoid all synthetic fragrances.
Colorants: We use micas and mineral pigments to color the bars so you (and we!) can tell them apart.
CONDITIONER BAR INGREDIENTS
Not all ingredients are in each conditioner bar - see individual product pages for details.
Cetyl alcohol: Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol and a waxy solid at room temperature. It’s an “occlusive” substance, which reduces evaporation from the hair shaft and helps keep the hair from drying out. The OH on the end of the cetyl alcohol molecule is why it’s called an alcohol. But unlike drying, distilled liquid alcohols such as ethanol, cetyl alcohol is a moisturizing, conditioning fatty compound. It acts as an emulsifier, holding oily and water-based substances together. Read more about different kinds of alcohols here.
Behentrimonium methosulfate: Behentrimonium methosulfate (BTMS) is an emulsifying conditioner derived from non-GMO rapeseed oil. It’s a great detangler and it helps give hair body and bounce without weighing it down.
Organic cocoa butter: Our organic cocoa butter is sourced from Peru and is Fair-Trade certified [link] when available. Cocoa butter is a rich, moisturizing, emollient ingredient that softens and protects curls and helps tame frizz.
Mango seed butter: Mango seed butter is extracted from the dried, de-shelled seeds (pits) of the mango fruit. It is very moisturizing and soothing to skin and scalp.
Organic Fair-Trade coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a light, silky feel to hair and gives it physical protection. Its small molecular size lets coconut oil penetrate the hair shaft, which conditions and protects it from damage. Our coconut oil is sourced from small-scale farmers in the Philippines who farm an average of 20 acres each. The farmers cultivate up to 60 coconut trees per acre. Many grow legumes, bananas, mangoes or other small fruit trees beneath the coconuts.
Panthenol: Panthenol (Vitamin B5) is naturally found in the hair. It helps to build a moisture film on the hair, creating shine, and it can penetrate the hair cuticle and epidermis, helping to increase body and moisturize skin.
Essential oils: Natural essential oils add amazing aromas and beneficial qualities to our products. We avoid all synthetic fragrances.
Colorants: We use micas and mineral pigments to color the bars so you (and we!) can tell them apart.
HERBAL BALM INGREDIENTS
Not all ingredients are in each balm - see individual product pages for details.
Organic sunflower oil: Organic high-oleic sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus) is high in Vitamin E and soothing linoleic acid. It softens and protects skin and is noncomedogenic (does not clog pores).
Beeswax: Beeswax thickens the balm and creates a protective layer on the skin. It locks in moisture, is soothing and anti-inflammatory, softens skin and minimizes water loss.
Mango seed butter: Mango seed butter is extracted from the dried, de-shelled seeds (pits) of the mango fruit. It is very moisturizing and soothing to skin and scalp.
Organic jojoba oil: Organic jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) mimics the oils we naturally produce, so it absorbs easily into the skin and balances out our natural oil production. Jojoba oil consists of liquid wax esters like those found in human skin.
Organic extra-virgin olive oil:Organic extra-virgin olive oil is good enough to eat and great for the skin too. It contains soothing polyphenols that help dry, rough and damaged skin.
Organic Fair-Trade coconut oil: Organic Fair-Trade coconut oil absorbs quickly, is soothing and has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Our coconut oil is sourced from small-scale farmers in the Philippines who farm an average of 20 acres each. The farmers cultivate up to 60 coconut trees per acre. Many grow legumes, bananas, mangoes or other small fruit trees beneath the coconuts.