Our Ingredients

THE ART OF FORMULATION

Formulation is an act of harmony. We bring together potent botanicals, restorative earth minerals, and necessary safe sciences to create a balance of function and feeling. This is a library of intent, where every ingredient is chosen to play a specific, vital role in your ritual.

THE EARTH

A collection of geological power. We source ancient salts, purifying clays, and natural exfoliants to provide the physical texture of the ritual. These elemental materials work to ground the body, detoxify the pores, and remineralize the skin.

Activated Charcoal (Charcoal Powder)

Function: Deep Detox. A highly porous carbon material derived from coconut shells. It acts like a magnet for impurities, drawing dirt, oil, and environmental toxins out of the pores for a clarifying cleanse.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Function: Effervescent / Water Softener. A naturally occurring alkaline salt that serves as the backbone of our bath spheres. Beyond creating the gentle fizz, it neutralizes the pH of tap water, turning a harsh bath into a silky, skin-softening soak.

Cane Sugar (Sucrose)

Function: Polisher / Humectant. Pure, fine-grain sugar serves two roles: it acts as a natural source of glycolic acid (AHA) to gently buff away dead skin cells, and as a humectant that draws moisture into the fresh skin underneath.

Citric Acid (Citric Acid)

Function: Activator / AHA. Derived from the fermentation of citrus sugars, this weak organic acid is the necessary partner to Baking Soda. Upon contact with water, it releases the carbon dioxide that creates the fizz, while mildly exfoliating the skin to reveal a brighter tone.

Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)

Function: Relaxant. A pure mineral compound essential for the recovery ritual. Rich in magnesium, it dissolves readily to soothe tired muscles and promote a sense of deep physical calm during your soak.

Kaolin Clay (Kaolin)

Function: Anchor / Purifier. A soft, white mineral clay that serves a dual purpose: it gently draws impurities from the surface of the skin while “anchoring” our essential oil blends, ensuring the scent lingers throughout the bath rather than evaporating instantly.

THE NOURISHMENT

Restoration from the seed. We curate a spectrum of plant-based lipids for their bio-compatibility—their ability to mimic the skin’s natural barrier. Ranging from nutrient-dense butters to lightweight oils, these botanicals are selected for their specific absorption profiles, providing deep, lasting elasticity without heavy residue.

Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)

Function: Restorative. Often referred to as “Liquid Gold,” this Moroccan oil is abundant in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. We include it for its superior ability to soften skin and improve elasticity.

Avocado Butter (Persea Gratissima Butter)

Function: Deep Conditioner. A rich, creamy lipid packed with Vitamins A, D, and E. It melts instantly upon contact with warm skin, providing intensive hydration for rough or dry areas without feeling waxy.

Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis Seed Oil)

Function: Humectant / Lather. A unique, thick vegetable oil that attracts moisture from the air to the skin. In our cold-process soaps, it is the “secret ingredient” that creates a rich, creamy, and stable lather.

Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil)

Function: Moisture / Lather. A versatile tropical oil that serves two purposes: it creates the rich, bubbly lather in our cleansers and provides deep, rapid hydration in our body cares without leaving a sticky residue.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil)

Function: Conditioner / Antioxidant. The unrefined, first-press oil from the olive. We use the “Extra Virgin” grade because it retains the highest levels of squalene and antioxidants, creating a deeply moisturizing, cured soap bar that is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin.

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil)

Function: Balancer. Technically a liquid wax ester rather than an oil, it closely mimics the structure of human sebum. This allows it to hydrate and balance oil production universally, even on sensitive skin.

Safflower Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil)

Function: Barrier Repair. A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil with a high linoleic acid content. It reinforces the skin’s moisture barrier and improves texture without clogging pores.

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

Function: Occlusive. A rich, unrefined fat extracted from the shea nut, essential for locking moisture into the skin barrier.

Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil)

Function: Barrier Support. A light, absorbent oil exceptionally high in linoleic acid and Vitamin E. It helps to maintain the skin’s outer barrier and reduce inflammation without feeling heavy or clogging pores.

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil)

Function: Emollient. A lightweight, hypoallergenic oil abundant in Vitamin E and Omega-9 fatty acids. It absorbs elegantly into the skin, providing immediate softness without the heavy, greasy residue often associated with denser oils.

 

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter)

Function: Occlusive / Base. Deeply moisturizing fat extracted from the African Shea nut. We select the refined version for specific formulas to ensure a pure white aesthetic and a neutral scent profile that does not compete with delicate aromatics.

THE AROMATICS

The invisible architecture of the bath. We use pure essential oils and clean fragrance profiles to design the atmosphere of your ritual. These are not merely scents; they are moods, captured in droplets to shift the mind as the water shifts the body.

Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (Hydrolyzed Oat Protein)

Function: Restorative.

Oats that have been broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption. This ingredient imparts a “velvety” feel to the water and significantly reduces skin irritation and itchiness.

The Necessary Science

Nature is powerful, but it is not immortal. To ensure your safety, we use safe, clinical-grade synthetics where necessary.

BTMS-50 (Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol)

Function: Conditioning Emulsifier.

A premium, vegetable-based cationic emulsifier derived from Colza oil. Unlike standard emulsifiers that just mix oil and water, BTMS-50 leaves a sophisticated, powdery-soft finish on the skin and imparts detangling properties to hair.

Cetyl Alcohol (Cetyl Alcohol)

Function: Thickener / Co-emulsifier.

A fatty alcohol (the “good” kind, not the drying kind) derived from coconut oil. It gives our lotions their structure and body, providing a smooth, velvety glide during application.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Cocamidopropyl Betaine)

Function: Foam Booster / Mildness.

A mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. We use it to stabilize bubbles (making them last longer) and to reduce the “stripping” effect of cleansing, ensuring the skin remains soft.

Cream of Tartar (Potassium Bitartrate)

Function: Stabilizer.

A byproduct of wine-making, this fine white powder reinforces the structure of our bubble bars, ensuring they remain hard and durable until you are ready to use them.

Glycerin (Glycerin)

Function: Humectant.

A vegetable-derived syrup that acts as a moisture magnet. It draws water from the air into the outer layer of the skin, ensuring long-lasting hydration even after you rinse off.

Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein (Hydrolyzed Keratin)

Function: Strengthener.

A protein fragment identical to the building blocks of human hair and nails. In our bath rituals, it helps to smooth the skin’s surface and provides structural support to brittle nails.

Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (Hydrolyzed Oat Protein)

Function: Restorative.

Oats that have been broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption. This ingredient imparts a “velvety” feel to the water and significantly reduces skin irritation and itchiness.

Isopropyl Myristate (Isopropyl Myristate)

Function: Texture Enhancer / Dry Touch.

A safe, functional ester derived from vegetable oils. We use it to reduce the heavy, greasy feeling of rich butters, ensuring our body creams have a “dry touch” finish and absorb rapidly into the skin.

LexFeel® N350 MB (Diheptyl Succinate (and) Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer)

Function: Skin Protectant / Slip.

A safe, cosmetic-grade silicone fluid used to reduce “drag” and tackiness. It creates a breathable barrier on the skin that locks in hydration and gives the product a silky, luxurious spreadability.

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Function: Saponifier.

An essential inorganic compound that turns oil into soap. It acts as the catalyst for the chemical reaction called saponification.

Note: While it is vital to the process, absolutely no lye remains in the final cured bar—only pure soap and glycerin.

Optiphen Plus (Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid)

Function: Broad Spectrum Preservative.

A globally approved, paraben-free, and formaldehyde-free preservative system. It is non-negotiable in any formula that contains water (or touches water in the jar) to ensure your ritual remains safe, hygienic, and free of bacteria.

Panthenol (DL-Panthenol / Vitamin B5)

Function: Soother.

A pro-vitamin that penetrates deep into the skin and hair shaft. It is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm redness and improve the skin’s elasticity.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate)

Function: Gentle Surfactant.

Often called “Baby Foam,” this is a mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent. It creates a rich, creamy lather that lifts dirt without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate)

Function: Rich Lather.

A gentle, Eco-Cert approved surfactant derived from coconut oils. Often confused with SLS, it is completely different: its large molecule size prevents it from penetrating the skin, allowing it to create luxurious, long-lasting bubbles without irritation.

Stearic Acid (Stearic Acid)

Function: Emollient / Thickener.

A vegetable-derived fatty acid that gives our Body Butters their luxurious, whipped texture. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Function: Antioxidant.

A pure plant extract that protects the delicate oils in our formula from oxidizing (going rancid), ensuring your product remains fresh and potent while offering deep skin repair.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana Water)

Function: Binder.

A natural botanical distillate used in our studio to bind the dry ingredients of our bath bombs together. It evaporates quickly, leaving behind a solid sphere without triggering the fizz prematurely.

The Art of Subtraction

Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. Our formulas are refined down to their most effective, honest form.

Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben)

Function: Preservative.

A class of controversial chemical agents commonly used to extend shelf life. We strictly exclude them from our formulations due to research suggesting they can act as endocrine disruptors, opting instead for safe, non-hormonal preservation systems.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)

Function: Surfactant.

An industrial cleaning agent often found in garage floor cleaners. In skincare, it strips the skin’s natural lipid barrier, causing dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

Function: Surfactant. 

A slightly milder version of SLS, but often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen) during the manufacturing process. 

We prefer coconut-derived cleansers like SLSA.

Phthalates (Diethyl Phthalate – DEP)

Function: Plasticizer / Solvent.

Often hidden under the term “Fragrance,” these chemicals are used to make scents stick to the skin. They are known reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors.

Formaldehyde (Formaldehyde)

Function: Preservative.

A known carcinogen and respiratory irritant. While rarely added directly, it is often released by other preservatives over time.

DMDM Hydantoin (DMDM Hydantoin)

Function: Preservative.

A preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde to kill bacteria. It is a common cause of contact dermatitis and skin sensitivity.

Imidazolidinyl Urea (Imidazolidinyl Urea)

Function: Preservative.

Another formaldehyde-releasing preservative. It is frequently cited as a primary cause of allergic reactions in cosmetic users.

Triclosan (Triclosan)

Function: Antibacterial Agent.

Formerly common in antibacterial soaps. It is banned in many applications because it persists in the environment, disrupts thyroid function, and contributes to antibiotic resistance.

Petrolatum (Petrolatum)

Function: Barrier.

Also known as Petroleum Jelly. Derived from crude oil, it can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) if not properly refined, and offers no nutrient value to the skin.

Synthetic Dyes (CI 42090, Red 40, etc.)

Function: Colorant. 

Artificial pigments often derived from coal tar or petroleum. They are strictly aesthetic and have been linked to skin sensitivity and hyperactivity issues in children.

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Function: Antioxidant. 

A synthetic preservative used to keep oils from going rancid. The National Toxicology Program classifies it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Function: Stabilizer. 

A toluene-based preservative closely related to BHA. It has been linked to organ system toxicity and irritation in animal studies.

Talc (Talcum Powder)

Function: Absorbent / Anti-caking. 

A soft mineral often mined near asbestos deposits. Because purification cannot always guarantee it is asbestos-free, we use clays instead.

Microbeads (Polyethylene)

Function: Physical Exfoliant.

Tiny plastic spheres used in scrubs. They are too small to be filtered by sewage treatment, devastating marine life and entering the food chain. We use sugar and salts instead.

DEA (Diethanolamine)

Function: pH Adjuster / Foam Booster.

An ethanolamine used to make products creamy. It can react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.

TEA (Triethanolamine)

Function: Emulsifier / pH Adjuster.

Similar to DEA, this chemical can accumulate in the body over time and is a known skin and immune system toxicant.

Disodium EDTA (Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

Function: Chelator.

A synthetic stabilizer added to products to bind minerals in hard water and prevent color changes. It is not biodegradable and accumulates in the water supply, posing a risk to marine ecosystems.