Technical Ingredients in products

Alcohol denat. (Denatured alcohol)

Allantoin

Ammonium lauryl sulphate

Apricot oil polyglyceryl 10 esters

Ascorbyl palmitate

Beeswax is used to give texture to creams and balms, it also helps protect the skin from moisture loss. Our beeswax is from New Zealand and is certified organic.

Used in our shampoos as a preservative, benzoic acid hinders the growth of fungus, moulds and some bacteria.

Naturally occurring in jasmine, ylang ylang and rose oils, benzyl alcohol has preservative and solvent actions. We use a man-made version in some cleansers and moisturisers for preservation and to dissolve oil-based ingredients.

Benzyl cinnamate occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as cinnamon, helichrysum and lemongrass. It is also found in benzoin resin.

Benzyl benzoate occurs naturally in ylang ylang essential oil, which we use in some of our products. It has a fixative action, helping to stabilise and maintain the blended fragrance in a product. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Benzyl salicylate

Benzyl salicylate occurs naturally in ylang ylang essential oil, which we use in some of our products.

Bisabolol

Naturally occurring in chamomile, bisabolol contributes to the plant’s anti-inflammatory action. Used as an isolated ingredient in our Chamomile Cleanser, it adds to the product’s anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. 

Derived from vegetable matter, capric triglycerides are in the form of a thin oil that works as a solvent for other oil-based ingredients. It is also a softening emollient that absorbs easily into the skin.

Cetearyl alcohol is also known as emulsifying wax or cetyl stearyl alcohol. It can be animal-, vegetable-, or petrochemical-derived, but we choose to use a vegetable-derived source. It emulsifies and thickens products, and it has an emollient action.

This is a type of emulsifying wax derived from coconut and corn. Only small amounts are needed for it to be effective in blending ingredients and smoothing the consistency of products. We use it in our moisturisers and sun screens.

Derived from olive oil, cetearyl olivate is an emulsifier that is often blended with sorbitan olivate. Together, these emulsifiers help mix oil- and water-based ingredients and help to give a product a luxurious, smooth feel.

Cetrimonium chloride is in our conditioners. It is a cationic (positively charged) surfactant: it carries nourishing ingredients into the negatively charged broken hair shafts, and together they help repair the hair proteins. It also acts as a preservative.

Cetyl alcohol is a vegetable-derived emulsifier that helps to bind oil-based and water-based ingredients in our moisturisers. It also acts as a thickener, and its emollient action adds to the softening effect of the moisturisers.

Cinnamal occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as cinnamon, lemon, lemongrass and petitgrain. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Cinnamyl alcohol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as cinnamon. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Citral occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavandin, lime, litsea, orange, palmarosa and rose. It has a lemony scent. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Citric acid naturally occurs in the human body and also in plants, especially citrus fruits. We use it in our conditioners and gel-based bath products to help regulate their pH level and to gently preserve them.

Citronellol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as basil, chamomile, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, lemongrass, melissa, Roman chamomile, rose and tagetes. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Cocamidopropyl betaine

Derived from coconut oil, cocamidopropyl betaine is a mild surfactant and foaming agent that is used in some of our bath products.

Cocoa butter (organic & fair trade)

Cocoa butter is used for its deeply moisturising properties. All our cocoa butter is certified organic and from an approved Fair Trade project.

Coconut acid

Obtained from coconut oil, coconut acid acts as an emollient, emulsifier, moisturiser and surfactant.

Corn starch (organic)

We use organic corn starch as the base for our body powders because it is a gentle, safe, easily-metabolised alternative to mineral talc. We also use it as a thickener in some creams.

Coumarin

Coumarin occurs naturally in many plants, giving them a sweet clover smell. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Craeta praeparata Calcium carbonate

Naturally found in rocks, shells and limestone, this is the base and active ingredient in our toothpastes. It cleans and brightens the teeth without being harsh.

Dead Sea salt

The cosmetic value of Dead Sea salts has been known since ancient times. High in minerals and trace elements, the salts are enriching and beneficial to the skin. The salts are invigorating as well as cleansing and refreshing.

Decyl glucoside Lauryl glucoside

Derived from corn, decyl glucoside is a mild surfactant that we use in our Baseline Bath & Shower Gel. It gently cleanses, together with cocamidopropyl betaine, another surfactant, as well as giving the product some preservative action.

D-limonene
Limonene

See limonene.

Esculin
Aesculin

This naturally occurring constituent of the horse chestnut exhibits protection against UV rays. While not strong enough to be used in isolation as a sun-screening agent, it enhances the action of the UV absorbers and blockers in our sun range.

Ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate

An active ingredient in our sun products, this is a UV absorber that helps protect skin from the sun’s burning rays.

Eugenol

Eugenol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as basil, bay, cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, palmarosa, petitgrain, rose, tagetes and ylang ylang. It has a pleasant, spicy aroma. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Farnesol

Farnesol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as eucalyptus, lemongrass, neroli, palmarosa, rose and ylang ylang. It emphasises the aroma of other sweet, floral scents. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Geraniol

Geraniol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as chamomile, citronella, clary sage, coriander, geranium, ho leaf, lavandin, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, marjoram, neroli, Roman chamomile, rose, Spanish sage and ylang ylang. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Glycerin (organic / non organic)
Glycerin

Glycerin is a versatile ingredient with solvent and humectant properties. This means it helps dissolve ingredients, and helps both products and skin retain moisture. Our glycerin is derived from coconut and we use it in a range of products. We use both certified organic and non-organic glycerin. (Organic glycerin is not available in food grade at this time).

Glyceryl laurate

This is an emulsifier that we use in our Lemongrass Sun Lotion. It blends the oil- and water-based ingredients together.

Glyceryl stearate

Glyceryl stearate is formed from glycerin. We use it in our creams for its emulsifying action of blending water- and oil-based ingredients together. It has emollient and moisturising properties, so contributes to the smoothness of the creams.

Hectorite

Hectorite is a mineral with the consistency of clay. It is used in cosmetics as a thickener and emulsifier. It helps keep water-based and oil-based ingredients in suspension. Products with hectorite need to be shaken before use.

Honey (organic)
Mel

Honey’s emollient action soothes and softens the skin. It is also antiseptic so it not only adds to a product’s preservative system, but it may also help to reduce microbial growth on the skin. All our honey is certified organic. The honey in our Sensual Jasmine range is certified organic and fair trade. The organic manuka honey from New Zealand in our Winter Warmer has an activity rating of 15 (Unique Manuka Factor).  

Isoeugenol

Isoeugenol occurs naturally in some essential oils we use, such as clove, lime, litsea and ylang ylang. It has a sweet scent like vanilla. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Kaolin
China clay

Kaolin is a white, powdery clay that can absorb high quantities of moisture. Used in facial masks, kaolin helps draw impurities from the skin to provide a deep-cleansing and purifying action.

Lanolin

Lanolin is prepared from an oily residue washed off the wool of living sheep. It has excellent emollient and thickening properties, so we use it to thicken our hair conditioners and some creams. It helps hair and skin retain moisture.

Lanolin alcohol

Lanolin alcohol is made from lanolin. It has emollient and thickening properties. We use it in Rose Body Cream, as it gives the product its rich, velvety texture. It also adds to the bright, glossy appearance of the cream.

Lauryl betaine

Lauryl betaine is a very mild detergent that we use in our gel-based products such as shampoos and foaming baths. When combined with other surfactants, it creates a milder formulation and reduces the possibility of irritation.

Lauryl glucoside

See decyl glucoside

Lecithin

Naturally occurring in the human body and plants such as soya, lecithin is a fat-soluble compound used in cosmetics as a thickener and emulsifier. We also use it in our moisturisers and creams for its emollient and antioxidant properties.

Levulinic acid

Levulinic acid occurs naturally in sugar cane and is derived from starches. It is a naturally occurring preservative, so inclusion of this ingredient in our creams and bath products means we don’t have to rely heavily on conventional preservatives.

Limonene

Limonene occurs naturally in many essential oils we use: bay, bergamot, black pepper, chamomile, cistus, citronella, clary sage, coriander, cypress, elemi, eucalyptus, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, helichrysum, ho leaf, juniper, lavandin, lavender, lemongrass, lime, litsea, mandarin, neroli, niaouli, orange, palmarosa, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, Roman chamomile, rosemary, Spanish sage, spearmint (garden mint), tagetes and tea tree. It smells like oranges and is used as a natural flavour in our toothpastes. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Linalool

Linalool occurs naturally in many essential oils we use: basil, bay, bergamot, black pepper, chamomile, cinnamon, cistus, citronella, clary sage, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, helichrysum, ho leaf, lavandin, lavender, lemon, lime, litsea, mandarin, marjoram, neroli, niaouli, palmarosa, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, rose, rosemary, Spanish sage, spearmint (garden mint), tagetes, thyme, violet absolute, yarrow and ylang ylang. Some people are sensitive to this constituent.

Magnesium carbonate

Magnesium carbonate absorbs moisture readily. In our body powders it absorbs moisture that would otherwise prevent the corn starch from flowing freely. We therefore use it as a flowing agent.

Montmorillonite Red clay

Montmorillonite, more commonly known as red clay, has been used in cosmetics for thousands of years, it is deeply absorptive and cleansing. It absorbs the skin’s oils and toxins, while its high mineral content improves the skin’s circulation and general health.

Octyl palmitate

Octyl palmitate is used in our Avocado & Vitamin E Night Cream and Comfrey & Mallow Foot Balm for its rich, moisturising and softening capacity.

Palmitoyl tripeptide-5

A bio-active derived from palmitic acid (from plant oils) combined with animo acids to helps to stimulate collagen formation.

Panthenol

Panthenol is a precursor to vitamin B5, which means it is converted into this vitamin when absorbed by the body. It encourages cell growth and is moisturising, which is why we add it to some of our cleansers and lotions.

Parfum

‘Parfum’ indicates a mixture of aromatic ingredients that are designed to fragrance a product. Our products are fragranced only by pure essential oils only. We prefer to list all our ingredients, so you only see 'parfum' in a couple of cases where we are restricted by the amount of space on our labels.

Peach powder

A natural exfoliant made from the pith of the peach.

Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil

This is an emollient that is softening and lubricating to the skin. It is made from a blend of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and castor oil. It also acts as a preservative.

Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative. It is particularly effective at protecting water-based products, such as moisturisers, from bacterial contamination. It is mild enough to be used safely on the skin.

Polysorbate-20

Polysorbate-20 is a viscous liquid that we use in our flower waters and shampoos to help emulsify and stabilise these water- and oil-based formulations.

Polysorbate-60

Polysorbate-60 is used in some of our cream cleansers and moisturisers for its emulsifying action. It helps to bind and stabilise our water-based ingredients with our oil-based ingredients.

Potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate is used widely in the food and cosmetics industry as a preservative. We add it to many of our moisturisers and hair care products to give them a gentle preservative system that guards against yeasts, moulds and fungi.

Propolis extract (organic)

Propolis is produced by bees from a resinous substance collected from trees. It is used to protect the hive. Its antimicrobial action makes it useful in cosmetics as it helps to protect and repair the skin. All our propolis is certified organic.

Pumice powder

Obtained from porous volcanic rock, we use pumice powder in our Pumice Foot Scrub and Seaweed Salt Scrub for its gently abrasive cleansing action. It helps to remove dead or hardened skin, cleansing and softening at the same time.

Pure sea salt

Sourced from French salt marshes, we use pure sea salt in our Lavender Bath Salts. Sea salt is rich in minerals and is antiseptic and cleansing. It is deeply relaxing and helps to loosen muscles and refresh the skin.

Sclerotium gum

Sclerotium gum is obtained from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. It is a natural thickener that promotes hydration of the skin and the product itself. It also helps to stabilise the emulsion of other ingredients in a product.

Shea butter (organic)
Butyrospermum parkii

The butter produced from the nut of the African Karite tree has been long used for its superior moisturising properties. Our shea nut butter is produced in Ghana and is certified organic.

Sodium castorate

Sodium castorate is the soap created from castor oil when it is mixed with sodium hydroxide. It cleans and soothes, and provides a waterproof coating on the skin so it doesn’t dry out. It is in our Citrus Hand Wash.

Sodium citrate

Sodium citrate is a salt derived from citric acid. It has a preservative action, and as a buffer, it helps regulate acidity in products. It is commonly used in the food and cosmetics industry.

Sodium cocoate

Sodium cocoate is the soap created from coconut oil when it is mixed with sodium hydroxide. It gives a good lather and cleanses without being harsh. It forms the base of many of our soaps, along with sodium palmate.

Sodium hyaluronate

Sodium hyaluronate is found naturally in the body. It boosts skin moisture levels and smoothes out wrinkles to give the skin a soft finish. It is also a gelling agent that keeps ingredients together and to refine a product’s texture.

Sodium hydroxide
Caustic soda lye

Sodium hydroxide’s main use is in the formation of soap, when it is usually combined with palm oil or coconut oil.

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate

This is a mild foaming and cleansing agent which effectively removes surface oil, dirt and bacteria from the skin or hair.

Sodium methyl coco taurate Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

This is in our Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath for its foaming and cleansing actions. It is fairly mild but its combination with lauryl betaine makes it even milder. It is derived from coconut and taurine, an amino acid.

Sodium palmate

Sodium palmate is the soap created from palm oil when it is mixed with sodium hydroxide. It lathers and cleanses well without being harsh. It forms the base of many of our soaps, along with sodium cocoate.

Sodium usnate

An extract derived from lichen, it is used in our deodorants for its antibacterial properties.

Sorbitan olivate

Derived from olive oil, sorbitan olivate is an emulsifier that is often blended with cetearyl olivate. Together, these emulsifiers help mix oil- and water-based ingredients and help to give a product a luxurious, smooth feel.

Sorbitan stearate

Sorbitan stearate is an emulsifier that we use in many of our moisturisers and bath oils. It helps blend water- and oil-based ingredients; in particular it solubilises essential oils in water.

Stearic acid

Stearic acid, derived from coconut or palm oil, is in our Red Clay Shaving Gel to emulsify the ingredients and give the product a smooth finish. It also helps to soften the skin and hair, which lessens skin aggravation.

Sucrose distearate

Sucrose distearate is formed from sugar and stearic acid, a natural fatty acid derived form coconut or palm oil. It is an emulsifier and is used in our After Shave Balm to blend the essential oils with the water-based ingredients.

Sucrose stearate

Sucrose stearate is formed from sugar and stearic acid. It is not as strong an emulsifer as sucrose distearate, but it is used in some of our lighter moisturisers to help mix the ingredients together. 

Tocopherol
Vitamin E

Tocopherol is vitamin E, which is extracted from vegetable oils. It exhibits antioxidant activity, which means it not only preserves the products that it is in, but it also can help to give some antioxidants and nourishment to the skin.

Tocopheryl acetate
Tocopherol acetate

Tocopheryl acetate is a thick, oily liquid that is derived from tocopherol, or vitamin E. It is very nourishing and protects the skin from harmful environmental effects with its anti.

Water (Aqua)

Water is an essential component for healthy looking skin and hair, as it cleans and moisturises. It is also necessary to dissolve water-soluble ingredients in a product and therefore forms the base of many of them.

Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum is derived from corn. It is a mild thickener, emulsifier and stabiliser that we use in many of our products to enhance their consistency.

Zinc oxide CI77947