OUR Conditioner bar INGREDIENTS

Stearic Acid

Stearic acid is a fatty acid found in plant fats. Our stearic acid is palm free and comes as fine white flakes. It is derived from European rapeseed oil and is often used in soap making as a thickening and hardening agent. We use it to harden our shampoo bars and help them last longer. It is also quite effective in moisturising and hydrating the skin. It protects the skin by forming a barrier from moisture loss and keeps skin hydrated for longer.

Brassica Alcohol

Brassica alcohol is the fatty alcohol derived from brassica oil. It is a palm free and vegan-friendly natural thickening agent and viscosity adjuster. This is an ideal alternative to palm derived emulsifiers typically used in personal care. In haircare formulas, it reduces breakage due to tangling and combing by conditioning and softening the hair, making it more manageable.

Behentrimonium Methosulphate

This is a plant based emulsifying wax that is naturally generated and often abbreviated to just BTMS. Despite the name, behentrimonium Methosulfate is a non-sulfate. The BTMS we use is palm free, derived from rapeseed oil and no GM products are used in the manufacture. It is completely vegan and serves as a conditioning agent. It creates a very fine conditioning coating on the skin and hair. This leaves a smooth static-free finish with hair feeling moisturised and less prone to frizz.

Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter

This is cocoa butter; a hard, brittle oil that is solid at room temperature. It is derived from the fat from cacao or cocoa beans. The cocoa butter we use is food grade, unrefined and comes from Peru. Cocoa butter can soothe skin irritation and smooth dry skin, wrinkles, scars and other marks on the skin. Also, it helps heal rashes from conditions like dermatitis and eczema.

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

This is argan oil and it is Moroccan in origin. It is produced from the kernels of the argan tree. The argan oil we use is 100% pure and produced by cold pressing unroasted argan kernels at low temperatures, which preserves the natural state of the oil. Argan oil is packed with vitamins, omegas, antioxidants and fatty acids, in particular vitamin E and oleic acid. Moroccan argan oil is highly prized as an ingredient in almost every type of cosmetic, due to its moisturising and softening properties. In haircare products, it helps to neutralise hair damage as well as providing hair the moisture it needs to help prevent future damage, splitting and breakage. It also tames frizz and nourishes the scalp and hair.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

This is aloe vera juice and is obtained from leaves of the aloe vera plant. The aloe vera juice we use is 99% pure and contains preservatives to prolong its shelf life. Without preservatives aloe vera juice would turn rancid very quickly. The ingredients within it include: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid,  Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate. In haircare products, aloe vera juice is one of the most hydrating ingredients you can use as it is made up of around 96% water. Because it also contains proteolytic enzymes, which repair dead skin cells, aloe vera is great at giving your hair follicles the nutrients they need, while ensuring your scalp stays the furthest from dry. Incorporating aloe vera juice into haircare products helps the scalp retain its natural oils, locks in opened-hair cuticles and gives hair a smoother and softer texture.

Panthenol

Panthenol is a white powder derived from pantothenic acid. It is suitable for all skin types including dry, oily, sensitive, combination and irritated skin. Panthenol converts to vitamin B5 when applied to the skin which is why it is also known as Pro vitamin b5. It is both a humectant, which attracts moisture, and an emollient which helps retain moisture. The combination of these properties can help to create a deeply hydrating product for the skin and hair. Panthenol is also used in hair care products for its softening and strengthening properties. It can add moisture and protection to the hair shaft which can prevent breakage.

Tocopherol

This is the highly concentrated vitamin E oil we use. It contains around 70% vitamin E and is infused in sunflower oil. Some vitamin E oils are produced synthetically, however the vitamin E oil we use is 100% natural and is distilled from sunflower oil. It is great for dry skin as it hydrates and retains moisture which helps to soothe itchy and irritated skin. A 2015 study looked into the effects of oral vitamin E against eczema. The study found vitamin E oil has antioxidant effects and it was effective at reducing atopic dermatitis with no side effects. It can also reduce cell damage in the hair and scalp and enhance circulation - both of which can assist with hair growth.

Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate & Calcium Gluconate

These ingredients are combined together to create a white powder used as a natural preservative in products like creams, lotions, moisturisers, shampoos and conditioners. It is formally known as Geogard Ultra. It is approved by the Soil Association and conforms with ECOCERT and COSMOS standards. It provides broad spectrum protection against bacteria that grow in water based cosmetic creations. This blend of ingredients has an added skin moisturisation benefit, making it ideal for products like creams, shampoos or moisturisers. Geogard Ultra is widely considered to be one of the most natural preservatives available. Our supplier considers Geogard to be 80% natural. It is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and is free from palm oil.

Essential oils

We only use essential oils to scent our conditioner bars. Using essential oils are a more natural way of scenting products, as opposed to synthetically created fragrance oils. Conditioner bars that are scented with essential oils have a more natural scent, however they do still contain allergens which naturally occur within the essential oils themselves. These allergens are all listed on our packaging.

The difficulty we find is essential oils can only be taken from certain natural ingredients such as plants and some citrus fruits. The scents are also not as strong and do not last as long as synthetic lab-made fragrance oils. Whilst it is a shame we do not have the range of choice and longevity of synthetic scents, we much prefer the more natural option.

The essential oils we currently use in our conditioner bars include: Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens Oil), Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil), Tangerine (Citrus Reticulate Peel Oil), Bergamot (Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil), Litsea Cubeba (Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil), Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea Oil), Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Citriodora Leaf Oil), Peppermint (Mentha Piperita Oil), Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil), Patchouli (Pogostemon Cabin Leaf Oil), Sandalwood Amyris (Amyris Balsamifera Oil) and Cedarwood (Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil).

Essential oils have allergens that naturally occur in the oils. These allergens are in all our sales listings and in our ingredients booklet included in the packaging of every purchase.

Colourants

We only use natural, plant or clay derived colourants to colour our conditioner bars. Natural colourants do not offer the same range of colour choices and are sometimes difficult to work with but they are far better for the environment and the skin. Our natural colourants include colours derived from dried botanicals, clays, spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables and plants. We do our utmost to make sure all ingredients, including our colourants are ethically sourced, leaving the smallest footprint on our planet as possible.

The natural colourants we currently use in our solid shampoo include: Chlorella Powder (Chlorella Vulgaris Powder), Alfalfa Powder (Medicago Sativa Extract), Cocoa Powder (Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder), Indigo Powder (Indigofera Tinctoria), Beetroot Powder (Beta Vulgaris Root Powder), Indian Madder Powder (Rubica Cordifolia Powder), French Pink Clay (CI 77004), French Yellow Clay (CI 77004), French Green Clay (CI 77004) and Activated Charcoal Powder.