Ingredients 101
Skin benefits of our most common ingredients
Organic Olive Oil
Olive oil is an excellent moisturizer because it attracts external moisture, holds it close to the skin and protects the the body from internal moisture loss. Unlike Synthetic and petroleum products, Olive oil does not block the natural functions of the skin. Olive oil will not cause acne and other skin problems. Extra Virgin Olive Oil creates smooth, gentle bars in soapmaking with a creamy lather and excellent conditioning qualities.
Organic Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is ideal for skin care. When coconut oil is absorbed into the skin, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping to keep connective tissues strong and supple. Coconut oil is an important ingredient in soap making, creating a hard, white bar with abundant lather and cleansing properties.
Organic Sustainable Palm Oil
In soapmaking, Palm Oil is prized for producing firm, long-lasting bars with a stable, creamy lather and excellent conditioning qualities. Palm oil is gentle and will not strip natural oils from the skin. We only use organic, sustainable palm oil. This palm oil is QAI-certified organic, sourced from Colombia, and holds USDA, NOP, RSPO, and the well respected Rainforest Alliance certifications. The palm oil industry faces major objections due to its production impact on wildlife, specifically orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. We are intentional about the country of origin of our palm oil and source product from countries where the orangutan is not native.
Organic Sunflower Oil (high oleic)
Known for its smooth, satin-like texture, this light golden oil boasts a naturally high oleic acid content, giving it excellent stability and a velvety skin feel.
In soapmaking, it helps create bars with a creamy, balanced lather, while in body products, its quick-absorbing nature makes it perfect for lightweight lotions, scrubs, and butters. Rich in natural vitamin E, this oil supports softer, healthier-looking skin without leaving behind any heaviness. Ours is sourced and produced in the USA
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil contains more than four times the waxy esters found in human skin sebum. It helps us maintain normal skin function while allowing the skin to repair and rebalance.
Shea Butter
Also known as African karite butter. This has been used in Africa for centuries for its ability to soothe dry, chapped skin. This butter can be used for the most sensitive skin including newborn babies.
Essential oils
Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from aromatic plants to capture that plant's scent, flavor and natural benefits.The benefits of essential oils are endless. These plant oils restore balance to the mind and body and give our products their
intoxicating aroma!
What is aromatherapy?
Thousands of years old, the practice of aromatherapy is based on the
use of essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from the aromatic
essences of certain plants, trees, fruits, flowers, herbs and spices.
Each one has its own scent and unique healing properties. When the
extracted oils are inhaled or applied to the skin(in a carrier oil),
they begin to work immediately on body tissues and then are absorbed
through the pores and into the bloodstream to treat specific ailments
and restore your natural balance both physically and mentally.
Herbal infused Olive oils
This ingredient is made by steeping organic herbs/flowers in Olive oil to release the beneficial properties of the herb/flower. We pick the herbs/flowers close to the full moon and place the infusions in the sun until ready. Chamomile infused oil is an excellent oil to use for the relief of the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis. It helps to soothe rashes and irritated skin. Calendula infused oil has powerful skin healing properties. This makes it useful as the main oil in creams and ointment for cracked skin, burns, eczema, inflammations, rashes, work-rough hands, nappy rash, grazes and wounds. It also helps to fade old scars.
Castor Oil
Castor Oil is a rich, highly moisturizing oil prized for its role in soapmaking and hair care formulations. This thick, glossy oil is naturally high in ricinoleic acid, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, making it a powerful ingredient for nourishing and conditioning. In hair care, Castor Oil helps strengthen strands, improve softness, and promote healthy-looking shine while supporting scalp hydration. In soapmaking, Castor Oil is known for boosting lather, adding creaminess, and improving the conditioning properties of finished bars.
Hemp Oil
Hemp Seed Oil is a lightweight, versatile oil known for its powerful hydrating and restorative properties. It is an essential ingredient in skin and hair care formulations. This nutrient-rich oil is naturally packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that nourish, soften, and protect. For hair care, Hemp Seed Oil helps strengthen strands, smooth frizz, and enhance shine while supporting a healthy, hydrated scalp. It’s an excellent addition to masks, conditioners, serums, and leave-in treatments. In skincare, Hemp Seed Oil absorbs quickly to replenish moisture, soothe dryness, and improve texture, leaving skin feeling soft and refreshed.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a natural preservative high in antioxidants. It also offers skin healing properties.
Oatmeal
Finely ground oatmeal is used as an exfoliant to release debris which collects on the skins surface. Soaps with oatmeal remove dirt and dead skin while stimulating the healthier cells below.
Clays & Charcoal
Clay & Charcoal detoxify the skin. It acts like a magnet, pulling toxins, impurities, and chemicals from the skin. Certain clays produce electrical charges when mixed with water. These create negative charges that bind to toxins and wash them away. Charcoal is well known as a water filter for good reason.
The Dirty Dozen
Remember, your skin is your largest organ. What you slather on, gets absorbed into your blood and it’s a faster route to your blood than actually eating these chemicals. Make sure your products are clean and avoid the top 12 dirtiest ingredients in 80% of personal care products. Here they are:
1. BHA and BHT. Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may cause cancer (BHA). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number. Look for p-phenylenediamine hair dyes and in other products colours listed as “CI” followed by five digits.1 The U.S. colour name may also be listed (e.g. “FD&C Blue No. 1″ or “Blue 1″). Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain.
3. DEA-related ingredients. Used in creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos. Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer. Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Look also for related chemicals MEA and TEA.
4. Dibutyl phthalate. Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.
6. Parabens. Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions.
7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics — even in some products marketed as “unscented.” Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Some harmful to fish and other wildlife.
8. PEG compounds. Used in many cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Also for related chemical propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters “eth” (e.g., polyethylene glycol).
9. Petrolatum. Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers. A petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.
10. Siloxanes. Look for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
11. Sodium laureth sulfate. Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Look also for related chemical sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients with the letters “eth” (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
12. Triclosan. Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.