Ingredients Glossary
We know you care about what is in the products you put on your skin, and we want to be as transparent as possible. This glossary contains the ingredients we use across our product range, along with their safety rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. While it is challenging for a small business to afford certification of products through EWG, we hope that providing the hazard ratings for the ingredients and link to that information will help you make an informed choice!
A
Aloe Vera Extract: used to soothe burns and mend scrapes, aloe vera also helps to retain moisture in the skin and fade scars. Its light texture makes it an excellent addition to skincare.
ewg = 1-3 (depending on usage)
Annatto seeds: often used as a natural colorant, annatto (or bixa) seeds also contain antimicrobial and anti-mutagenic properties. It aids in wound healing, digestive issues, and detoxification.
Almond extract: rich in vitamin E, used for sealing in moisture.
Apricot kernel oil: very moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and soothing
Ashwaganda: also known as Indian ginseng, ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen and has been used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic healers. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it has also been shown to relieve stress and anxiety, aid in fertility, lower blood sugar, and heighten immunity. (Pregnant women should consult their doctors before ingesting ashwagandha.)
B
Bamboo charcoal: detoxifying,Charcoal gently lifts toxins from the skin. Great for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Benzoin: used for centuries in wound healing, benzoin is also known for its uplifting and calming properties. It also smells amazing!
(Picture by Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Bergamot: Not just for your Earl Grey (hot, of course), bergamot has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
(Mountainhills - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Black seed oil: a powerful antioxidant, black seed oil has a host of beneficial uses. It has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and to aid in wound healing.
Black tea: another powerful antioxidant, black tea is not only beneficial when taken internally, it also helps fight inflammation and puffiness, especially in the sensitive eye area.
Blueberry extract: nutrient dense, blueberry extract is high in vitmanins A, C, and E, promoting cell turnover, which aids the body’s natural production of collagen. We use food grade blueberry extract in our famous Blueberry Lavender soap, making your favorite way to wake up a beneficial one as well!
C
Calendula petals: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and very, very pretty.
Cardamom: (powder for Golden Milk, oil for all other uses) -- We use cardamom powder in our Golden Milk, which aids in digestion with its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. We also use cardamom oil, which helps metabolic, nervous system, and kidney function. It is uplifting, and has been shown to have an overall positive effect on mood.
ewg = 1
Powder (used in our Golden Milk)
(Simon A. Eugster - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Carnauba wax: thickener, from the carnaubeira palm
ewg = 1
Carrot seed: contains anti-cancerous and antibacterial properties, carrot seed oil is also a natural sunscreen. It is also a powerful antioxidant, fighting free radicals. Carrot seed oil and powder are great for mature or ageing skin.
Carrot powder: contains the benefits of carrot seed oil, rich in vtiamin A
Castor seed, organic: anti-inflammatory, aids in wound healing, incredibly moisturizing, and antifungal
Cedarwood: great for ezcema, cedarwood is anti-inflammatory, anticeptic, and astringent
Cinnamon: antifungal and antibacterial, cinnamon is wonderful for stimulating blood flow and nourishing the skin
Cinnamon bark: antiseptic and antifungal
Clary sage: a natural antidepressant, clary sage is uplifting and calming, while also providing antibacterial benefits
Clove: aids in detoxification, while also possessing antibacterial properties. Also smells like Yule.
Cocoa butter: hydrating, moisturizing, and soothing, cocoa butter aids in fading stretch marks and is used as a base for skin care products.
Coconut, saponified: a main component in the soap-making process, saponified coconut oil provides a safe, nurturing base for our sulfate-free soaps. It is gentle and will not strip your skin of its natural oils.
Coconut shreds: used atop our Coconut Almond soap.
(S Sepp - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Coconut milk: perfect for all skin types, coconut milk is soothing and calming.
Coffee: Not only can coffee be used to get through the morning, it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It helps depuff and smooth the skin, while smelling like your favorite latte.
Comfrey: moisturizing, astringent, and healing
Cornstarch, organic: used as a natural thickener
Cypress: strengthening, healing, anti-inflammatory, detoxing, and calming
D
Disinfecting alcohol: used as a disinfectant
ewg = 2
E
Eucalyptus: an effective insect repellent, eucalyptus is also uplifting, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and helps clear the senses.
F
Fir: antiseptic, soothing, detoxifying, and cleansing
Frankincense: immune-boosting, calming, pain-reducing, and antibacterial
G
Grapefruit: antibacterial and antimicrobial
Grapeseed: possessing the benefits of grapeseed oil
Geranium: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic, as well as uplifting to the senses and overall imparting joy.
Ginger: Often used to aid digestion, ginger also has antiseptic properties and can aid in respiratory ailments. It is energizing and vibrant, making the scent a great way to start the day.
(Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Goethite: since we don’t use artificial colors or glitter, we use non-nano minerals to impart deep color and sparkle to our soaps.
Goldenseal: a well-known antidote to many skin issues, goldenseal is healing, antifungal, and antibiotic.
Green cypress: healing, antispasmodic, and detoxifying
Green tea: a skin-clearing, anti-inflammatory antioxidant powerhouse.
H
(Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hematite: As no artificial colorants or glitter are used in our soaps, we use the Earth’s glitter.
Himalayan cedar: strengthening, healing, anti-inflammatory, and calming
(Paul Evans from London, United Kingdom - DSC00483.JPG, CC BY 2.0)
Hyssop: cleansing, oil-reducing, soothing, and healing
J
Jasmine: antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, jasmine is a stimulating, natural antidepressant, as well as a well-known aphrodisiac. Oo la la!
Jojoba: an excellent moisturizer, jojoba oil closely mimics the skin’s natural moisturizers. It makes an excellent carrier oil.
K
Kaolin clay: cleansing and exfoliating, kaolin is a wonderful detoxifying agent. The most effective masks use this as a base.
L
Labdanum: healing, toning, and anti-inflammatory.
Lapis: We would never put anything artificial in our products -- why would we want to? We only use the best of what our Mama gave us.
Lavender: calming, healing, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and neuroprotective.
Lemon: astringent, antiseptic, mood-boosting, and oil-reducing
Lemongrass: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and mood-boosting
Lime: antiviral, pain-alleviating, and mood-boosting
M
(Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Muscovite mineral: Why would we want to use anything but the best, safest, most natural sparkle for our soaps? We use non-nano minerals for our soaps.
N
Nutmeg: astringent and antibacterial
O
Oats: soothing
Oat protein: a well-known skin soother
Orange blossom: toning, softening, and soothing
Oregano: antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory
P
Palm oil, RSPO compliant: used as a secondary lathering agent
Palosanto: purifying and cleansing, palo santo is healing and promotes deep connections.
Patchouli: a natural antidepressant, patchouli has many other benefits. Among them are its antibacterial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties, its uses as an aphrodisiac, and its ability to stimulate circulation. It is also an effective alternative to citronella as an insect repellent. Patchouli is toning and calming.
Peach extract: we use food grade peach extract in our Ginger Peach soap and Peach Pits deodorant. It is mood-boosting and uplifting.
Peppermint: cooling, anesthetic, antibacterial, antifungal. Very effective topical treatment for aches and pains. Controls oil production when applied topically, and it soothes irritated skin when diluted.
Pine needles Used mainly for decorative purposes, pine needles also have many of the same benefits found in pine essential oil. Their uplifting scent is welcome year round.
Pink lotus: Balancing yet moisturizing, pink lotus heals the skin, while nurturing it and relieving stress.
Prickly pear seed oil: A powerful antioxidant, prickly pear seed oil can be found in our Spring Goddess eye creme. It is deeply hydrating, yet balancing, and it helps increase the rate of cell turnover, diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
R
Rapeseed: an excellent carrier oil, rapeseed is light but leaves the skin feeling hydrated.
Rice powder: An excellent thickener.
Rock rose: naturally healing, with antibiotic, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. It is also soothing and calming, as well as hydrating.
Rose: A powerful anti-ageing ingredient, rose essential oil is anti-inflammatory and deeply moisturizing. It is also an effective insect repellent, antidepressant, and aphrodisiac.
Rosemary: Uplifting rosemary imparts joy, while also fighting acne and many skin conditions. It promotes healthy circulation, and is often used in natural hair regrowth treatments. It is also excellent for depuffing and reducing edema.
Rosewood: Soothing and healing, rosewood also helps to make skin appear smoother. It is a natural deodorant and insect repellent.
(Photo by Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Rutile: Our soaps need nothing artificial -- and that includes color and shine. We use non-nano minerals for that.
S
Safflower oils: An excellent carrier oil, safflower oil is soothing, moisturizing, and anti-ageing.
(Photo by ExplicitImplicity - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Safflower petals: Used for decorative purposes.
Sandalwood: Grounding and soothing, sandalwood calms anxiety and promotes calm. It is also effective at promoting restful sleep, often used to fight insomnia.
(Photo by Marco Schmidt[1] - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Shea butter: Is there anything shea butter can’t do? A natural sunscreen, shea butter is also deeply hydrating, working with the skin’s natural moisturizers. It is effective in wound healing and is often used as a very effective treatment for eczema and psoriasis. It is one of the foundations of many of our lotions and cremes.
Sorbitan oleate (from tapioca): Used as an emulsifier.
Spruce: Clearing and uplifting, spruce is used to relax the mind and muscles, while also supporting healthy endocrine function.
Sunflower seed oil: A great source of vitamin E, sunflower seed oil makes a wonderful carrier oil.
Sweet almond: An effective carrier oil and deeply moisturizing addition to lotion, creme, and soap.
Sweet basil: Sweet basil clears the mind, soothes the skin, and calms anxiety.
Sweet orange: Clarifying, anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, and mood-lifting.
T
Thyme: Increases blood flow, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and a natural insect repellent.
Tea tree: Antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antifungal, tea tree is a true multitasker. It fights infections, soothes inflammation, and even repels insects. It is the superstar of our ever-popular Tea Tree Rosemary soap, as well as many of our other products.
Turmeric: Turmeric is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its very distinctive taste. It is one of the main ingredients in our Golden Milk, a mixture of spices that boosts immunity, calms gastrointestinal upset, and aids the body’s natural functions to promote health and harmony.
V
Vanilla: Not only does vanilla smell deliciously warm and sweet, it is antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and counteracts anxiety. We use food grade vanilla extract only in our products.
Vegetable glycerine: A wonderful humectant, our soy-based glycerin is softening and soothing, providing a stable, healthy base for so many of our products.
Vetiver: Often used as a base note for aromatherapy blends, vetiver is deep, woodsy, and green. It is also aids cell regeneration, and is a natural deodorant. It is calming, grounding, and balancing.
W
White lotus: Calming, soothing, and balancing for the mind, as well as the skin.
Water
Wintergreen: In small, diluted doses, wintergreen essential oil is a very effective pain reliever. We use it in our stellar Pain Soother rollerball.
Virginian cedar: astringent, calming, and antiseptic
Vitamin E (from soy): Helps to naturally prolong the shelf life of oil-based products due to its inherent antioxidant properties.
Y
Ylang-ylang: Known for centuries as a powerful aphrodisiac, ylang-ylang is also soothing, and calming.