Ingredient Information
INGREDIENT INFORMATIONUse our glossary to find ingredient information about our products.
TECHNICAL INGREDIENTS IN PRODUCTS
The basic functions of skin care products are to cleanse, protect or condition the skin. To make this happen, manufacturers need to add various ingredients:
DETERGENTS are used in products like shampoos, shower gels and soaps. They emulsify oils, enabling them to be washed away with water. Strong detergents can strip away too much of the skin's natural protective oils, leaving it dry or irritated.
We use detergents made from plant-based ingredients that are effective, yet gentle on your skin.
MINERAL OIL (liquid paraffin) and petrolatum are derived from petroleum. They block pores and diminish the skin's ability to function.
We choose plant oils which are similar in content to the skin's own sebum. Rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids, they are easily and safely absorbed, assisting the skin's natural functions and helping improve its condition.
PRESERVATIVES are needed to keep products fresh and free from bacterial contamination during use. Parabens are a commonly used preservative ingredient, but can cause allergic reactions, and have been reported to have an estrogenic effect.
We never use parabens. Instead we use natural ingredients with preservative properties, such as rose or propolis extract. In some cases, to offer you a practical shelf-life, we add small amounts of preservatives selected to be safe for use.
SILICONES are used to create a silky feel to the skin or hair, but they create a plastic-like wrap, disrupting the skin's ability to release toxins by blocking the pores and trapping irritants onto the skin. They are also non-biodegradable. They may be listed as cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, etc.
We simply don't use them.
COLORANTS added by the manufacturers of mass market skin care can have harmful side effects and may irritate the skin.
If we want color, we use natural ingredients, choosing nutrient-rich avocado or pumpkin seed oil to lend a vibrant green hue, or rosehip or calendula oils to give an orange color.
FRAGRANCE is usually listed among ingredients as 'parfum', but this can mask a hidden multitude of synthetic chemicals which are the major cause of allergic responses.
With the boundless array of wonderful scents available from nature, we fragrance our products with plant essences not only chosen for their delightful aromas, but also for their therapeutic properties.
