Latin name.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

What is it?

Aloe vera is a plant that has thick leaves with a gel-like substance inside of them.

Why's it good?

Aloe vera is packed with vitamin A, C and E to condition hair and soothe the scalp. It cleanses the hair shaft by effectively stripping off oil and residue, while preserving the integrity of your hair so it's healthier, shinier and softer.

How do we use it?

We love aloe vera for its trusted history and healing properties, with many hair and skin benefits. So we packed in as much as possible without making our formulas sticky. Let those strands soak it up.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Sodium Cocoyl Isothionate

What is it?

A gentle coconut-derived cleanser commonly known as 'baby foam'. A highly-effective surfactant comprised of Isethionic Acid and a fatty acid from coconut oil.

Why's it good?

Gently cleanses the hair follicles and the scalp without stripping the natural sebum oil barrier. Creates a rich, velvety lather that lifts and removes dirt, while leaving hair and skin hydrated, soft and silky smooth.

How do we use it?

Our bodies want to stay in balance, so why do we strip our hair with harsh sulfate-based cleansers, only to work so hard to add hydration back later? We're all for gentle cleansers that do the hard work to remove excess dirt and oil, but don't strip your microbiome leaving your scalp hydrated and your hair silky.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Mentha Piperia Oil

What is it?

An essential oil from an aromatic herb in the mint family. A hybrid of spearmint and water mint.

Why's it good?

Improves scalp health and circulation, helping to eliminate dandruff and stimulate hair growth.

EWG Score.

4

Latin name.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

What is it?

An essential oil coming from the leaves of the rosemary herb.

Why's it good?

Nourishes dry hair follicles, improving both hair thickness and growth. It's a potent antioxidant as well as an antimicrobial agent.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Citrus Bergamia Fruit Oil

What is it?

A fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange, with a yellow or green color similar to a lime.

Why's it good?

Loaded with vitamin C and fatty acids, a natural antimicrobial.

EWG Score.

2

Latin name.

Cocos Nucifera Oil

What is it?

A plant-derived fatty acid oil extracted from the rich white lining of coconuts.

Why's it good?

A multi-benefit powerhouse that's been used for centuries. Rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants to restore hair’s protein, smooth frizz and help retain moisture and condition hair.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

What is it?

Shea Butter is the creamy fat extracted from the nut of the African butyrospermum parkii tree.

Why's it good?

Rich in essential vitamins and fatty acids to deep condition, strengthen and soften locks.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract

What is it?

Alma oil come from the nutrient-rich fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree.

Why's it good?

Alma oil's phyto-nutrients, vitamins and minerals help to increase scalp circulation and stimulate healthy hair growth. Alma oil's high vitamin C content offers anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help soothe a dry, itchy scalp, while its conditioning properties add shine.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

A Konjac sponge is made from natural konjac root - a porous vegetable that grows in Asia. It's hard at first, but quickly softens and swells when hydrated with water into a gel-like cushy pillow.

Why's it good?

Konjac sponges are a very gentle way to exfoliate dead or dry skin (so gentle in fact, they were first created to cleanse baby's skin). The konjac plant is naturally alkaline, which gives it its soap-like cleansing ability and leaves skin perfectly balanced. They are also 100% biodegradable and home compostable, so a big win for our planet over plastic loofahs that last in our landfills for generations.

How do we use it?

When paired with our Waterless Body Wash Concentrate it creates super sudsy in-shower experience and helps make a little product go a long way.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Polyglyceryl-3 Betainate Acetate

What is it?

Betaine is a natural substance with a high cationic charge that is plant-derived from sugar beet. Given it also naturally occurs within the body, it's a non-irrigating and safe ingredient to improve the condition of skin.

Why's it good?

Betaine is a humectant that helps increase hydration and protect the skin's natural barrier, leaving skin feeling soothed and silky smooth. Its molecular structure bonds with hydrogen to help maintain moisture and prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Betaine also has a calming effect on the skin that reduces sensitivity and protects skin from further damage. It's readily biodegradable and palm-free.

How do we use it?

It's near the top of our body wash list to work alongside our cleanser to not only clean, but condition the skin the more you work it in - leaving a dewy, plumped feeling from well hydrated skin.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Tocopherol

What is it?

A form of Vitamin E derived from vegetable oils.

Why's it good?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant superhero, leaving hair strong, shiny and elastic. It supports a healthy scalp by improving scalp circulation and balancing oil production, while preventing hair loss and adding shine.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

Jojoba esters come from the jojoba plant and are often referred to as an oil because of how similar they are to sebum oil found in human skin.

Why's it good?

A highly effective moisturizer - jojoba oil is remarkably similar to the natural oils produced by human skin. Jojoba creates a great slip for detangling, reduces frizz, and creates noticeably smoother, softer hair.

EWG Score.

1

Latin name.

Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil

What is it?

Sesame oil or gingelly oil is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. The oil is then extracted from these seeds by pressing or toasting techniques.

Why's it good?

Sesame oil is an emollient, meaning it can help to soften skin and make hair strands look smoother. It's rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help to soothe and heal the scalp and roots to aid in hair growth.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

A mild non-irritating anionic surfactant from the natural amino acid family.

Why's it good?

A natural cleanser that removed dirt and excess oil, while leaving hair with a smooth silky feeling.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

Propanediol is a plant-based, ECOCERT-approved glycol solubilizer and emollient derived from corn.

Why's it good?

This 100% natural ingredient is used to improve moisture blending activity which results in silky smooth hair.

EWG Score.

2

What is it?

A hydrolytic substance formed by the enzymatic hydrolysis of a lecithin (a natural fatty acid).

Why's it good?

It is used as an emulsifier to help blend light-weight active ingredients that are smoothing, non-greasy and hydrating.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

A natural thickener produced from sugar and a microorganism called xanthomonas campestris.

Why's it good?

A water-soluble thickener that functions by binding water when combined to create creamy products.

EWG Score.

1

What is it?

Sulfates are a type of surfactant – they clean things. They are molecules that can attract both oil and water to lift the grease and grime off of our skin and hair, dissolve (emulsify) it into solution and then rinse everything down the drain. Sulfates may give you the most lather or bubbles, but lather is not the best indicator of how well a surfactant actually cleans.

Why's it bad?

Sulfates are inexpensive and widely-used, however they are harsh surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. They often strip away too much moisture, leaving the hair dry and unhealthy and the scalp dry and prone to irritation. They also can strip colour from dyed hair more quickly. SLES (a types of sulfate) is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation which is a known carcinogen.

Where's it found?

Often found in shampoo, body wash, and bubble bath.

What we used instead?

We replaced harsh sulfates with coconut-derived cleansers, including Sodium Cocoyl Isothionate and Sodium N-Lauroyl-L-Glutamate. These gently cleanse the hair follicles and the scalp without stripping the natural oil barrier. Sodium Cocoyl Isothionate is also known as 'baby foam' for its rich, velvety lather. It washes away dirt and excess oil while hydrating to leave the hair and skin feeling soft and silky-smooth.

Other disguises

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isoethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate.

What is it?

A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. They are widely used in personal care products to moisturize and soften skin or to dissolve and combine ingredients. They are also found in one of the most common types of plastic (PVC) and can leach inside packaging before seeping into the skin.

Why's it bad?

Phthalates can disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Whenever you see the term fragrance this can mean there are hidden phthalates, which have been linked to breast cancers, reproductive malformation, infertility and hormonal harm in children and men.

Where's it found?

Often found in synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and commonly-used plastic materials.

What we used instead?

We do not use any ingredients containing phthalates, nor will we use synthetic fragrance which can contain unwanted chemicals. We do use essentials oils that also have a hair and/or skin benefits and they will always be clearly marked on the label.

Other disguises

DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) DMP (dimethyl phthalate) BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate) DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate).

What is it?

A chemical widely used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate and PVC are the most common plastic packaging used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Why's it bad?

BPA can migrate inside from plastic packaging or epoxy coating, and can also be used inside formulas through BPA-based polymers. It is a well-known endocrine disruptor and has been linked to adverse health effects ranging from infertility to cancer.

Where's it found?

Often found to seep inside from polycarbonate plastic packaging.

What we used instead?

We are and always will be BPA-free. We avoid plastic inside and out and ensure that the thin epoxy lining inside our aluminum tubes is BPA-free and both food-grade and medical-grade safe to use.

Other disguises

BPA (2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane), plastic #7.

What is it?

PEGs are petroleum-based compounds (ie. plastic) widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers.

Why's it bad?

Another microplastic! Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens, that may cause cancer and respiratory or nervous system damage, as well as a skin and eye irritation.

Where's it found?

Found in creams, sunscreen, foundation, body wash, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste.

What we used instead?

We use 100% vegetable-derived thickeners such as glyceryl caprylate/caprate and xanthan gum, that act as natural gelling-emulsifying agents and create a soft, silicone-like feel on skin and hair without the plastic.

Other disguises

Macrogol.

What is it?

Once the plastic we throw away enters the environment it breaks down in the sun, waves and wind into much smaller pieces. Microplastics are less then 1/4 inch in size and come in many forms, including fragments, pellets, beads, fibers, and film. Plastic takes over 400 years to breakdown on land and can live forever in the ocean.

Why's it bad?

They are everywhere - in the air we breathe, water we drink and food we eat. Now research confirms the inevitable: we have microplastics in our bodies. Plastics also vary in their chemical toxicity, with ocean plastic attracting pollutants like heavy metals and organic pesticides increasing the risk. Interesting note - most bioplastics require specific heat conditions to breakdown and even then often live on in the form of microplastics.

Where's it found?

Everywhere - they're in our environment, but also leach in from plastic water bottles and cosmetic packaging or from everyday products we use.

What we used instead?

Although replacing your plastic water bottle with a reusable metal or glass alternative is a good place to start, we are out to end single-use plastic packaging and replace with safe and reusable materials, such as aluminum and paper.

Other disguises

Plastic Microbeads.

What is it?

Silicone in beauty products functions similarly to applying a liquid plastic layer to your body. This water-repellant film creates a barrier against the evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture while trapping foreign particles inside.

Why's it bad?

Silicones are not biodegradable. They wash down into our drains and into the oceans, accumulating inside of wildlife. From a beauty point of view, they also coat the hair shaft which can be detrimental to hair health, resulting in heaviness and build-up over time.

Where's it found?

Often found in conditioners, masks, lotions, and cosmetics.

What we used instead?

We use natural oils and butters, such as amla, jojoba and shea to mimic the smoothing effects of silicone.

Other disguises

Dimethicone.

What is it?

Petrochemicals are incredibly pervasive in beauty products. There is a surprising number of things that can be distilled from petroleum, including preservatives, gelifying agents, solvents and stabilizers so they can easily be disguised.

Why's it bad?

The big health concern with petroleum products is that they can generate 1,4-dioxane, a substance known to potentially contribute to some cancers. It’s also a kidney toxin, neurotoxin, and a respiratory toxin, not to mention a leading groundwater contaminant.

Where's it found?

Everywhere.

What we used instead?

We are against plastic inside and out. We go to great lengths to avoid using petroleum-derived ingredients and instead source ingredients that are naturally-derived.

Other disguises

Mineral Oil, Petroleum Jelly, Petrolatum, Paraffin, Polybutene, and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene.

What is it?

These scents or flavors are engineered in a lab from any combination of over 3,000 stock chemical ingredients.

Why's it bad?

Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law as trade secrets so the chemical composition of 'fragrance' can remain undisclosed. Sadly this allows traditional beauty products to hide toxic ingredients, including phthalates, hormone disruptors and allergens, inside 'fragrance' on the ingredient list.

Where's it found?

Everywhere - in all types of cosmetics.

What we used instead?

We believe in transparency and ingredients with clear benefits. We use natural essential oils selected with purpose for their skin and hair benefits, which will always be clearly list as an ingredient.

Other disguises

Fragrance, parfum, aroma.

What is it?

Artificial colors and dyes are chemical additives that change the shade of soaps, lotions, shower gels, face creams, shampoos, styling products, and more. These dyes are often made up from a variety of synthetic chemicals.

Why's it bad?

You can find dozens of chemicals in a single dye, making it extremely difficult to know exactly what you’re exposing your body to. Many artificial colorants are made from coal tar, and some can contain heavy metal salts, including lead.

Where's it found?

Everywhere - in all types of cosmetics.

What we used instead?

Nothing. Our formulas are the colour that they are supposed to be. Because we use natural essential oils, some colour variation may occur, but for us this trade off is a no-brainer.

Other disguises

Often labeled as a CI #, color or by name (ie. CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 15985/Yellow 6).

What is it?

Used as a preservative in cosmetics.

Why's it bad?

A known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity.

Where's it found?

Often found in shampoo, body wash and bubble bath.

What we used instead?

Our water-free formulas require minimal (if any) preservatives and if required, we lean towards ones that are naturally derived with a proven safety profile

Other disguises

Present where quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other preservatives are listed.