ingredients

 

coconut oil: is a must for soaps. it lathers really well and makes a nice hard bar. It is also great for hair products, it has traditionally been used in India to nourish and protect hair.

cocoa butter: has amazing moisturising properties. I also love to use it in my soap bars for that extra something – creamier bubbles and a great hardness to the bar.

shea butter: is packed full of fatty acids, some of which are not fully saponified in the soap making process, this makes the bars wonderfully creamy and good for the skin. It can be be used directly on the skin, as it melts at body temperature and absorbs rapidly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. As I can't make any miracle claims here...look up shea butter on the web to find out all about how wonderful it is!

olive oil: Homer called it liquid gold (no, not Simpson!) olive oil is just fabulous for skin and hair. It moisturises and softens the skin. It is wonderful in soap due to its high oleic acid content, and makes for a lovely rich moisturising bar.

rice bran oil: is rich in vitamin e and antioxidant gamma oryzanol. I sinks into the skin quickly and does not feel at all greasy.

castor oil:

sweet almond oil:

btms: (Behentrimonium Methosulphate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol) don't be scared of the name, it really is harmless & vegetable derived conditioning emulsifier derived from rapeseed oil. has fabulous conditioning properties. Substantive to skin and hair. It leaves the hair feeling smooth and shiny and makes it easy to comb when wet.

cetyl alcohol: a vegetable-derived fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil. It is used as a stabiliser and skin lubricant. I use it in creams, lotions, and scrubs.

jojoba wax: and is wonderful substitute for beeswax, making all products that I use it in suitable for vegans. I love using it for lip balms and you can also find it in my arnica and cuticle balms. jojoba wax brings all the beneficial properties of jojoba oil to solid balms.

jojoba oil: is very close in composition to the skin's natural sebum, so it is wonderful to use in any leave on skin products and it is especially fabulous in hair condition as it helps to keep your hair soft and supple.

arnica: has been traditionally used for the symptomatic treatment of bruises. I make a 10% organic infusion in jojoba oil

calendula: is soothing and calming, I make an organic infusion in olive oil using my own homegrown organic calendula petals. Calendula has been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century, as it's petals contain a high % of flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant based antioxidants, and have been shown to help wounds heal faster. I use calendula in soap and in my cuticle balm, as it helps to soothe cracked and sore cuticles. the cuticle balm is also useful for sore noses and top lips when you have a heavy cold or hayfever allergy.

hydrolysed oat protein: gives a soft smooth feel to skin and hair. It's also fantastic in soaps & haircare products as a vegan alternative to silk. This is just a lovely addition to my hair products, helps to keep the hair soft and smooth.

panthenol: Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) penetrates deep into the skin and hair shaft and has excellent water-binding abilities. It creates a protective film, so aiding moisture retention. It helps strengthen the hair shaft by forming an elastic film inside and out. This also helps thicken the hair and leaves the hair (and skin) feeling soft and silky.

cetrimonium chloride: Cetrimonium Chloride is a cationic quaternary conditioning agent used as a softening, detangling  and anti-static agent for hair care products. I would not be without this in any of my hair products, it is essential in my opinion!

Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a very mild surfactant based on fatty acids from coconut oil and isoethionic acid (a sodium salt based on coconut oil). It helps water mix with oil and dirt, to help them be easily rinsed away.

Sodium coco sulphate: a mild surfactant which creates and luxurious rich and silky foam, derived from coconut oil.

Coco glucoside: a mild foam enhancer and emulsifier. It smoothes out the hair to help with manageability. Derived form coconut & fruit sugars.

Disodium cocoamphodiacetate: a mild foam booster which cleanses the hair and skin without stripping away the oils. Derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil.

sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (this is NOT SLS or SLES!) my supplier sources SLSA derived from coconut oil, a safe, pleasantly fragranced and skin-friendly surfactant (sudsing / foaming agent) for both skin and hair. this mild plant derived surfactant creates a rich, luxurious lather that effectively removes surface oil, dirt and bacteria, without stripping or drying sensitive skin. Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is also hydrophilic, meaning it is attracted to water, which enables it to dissolve more readily, thus providing superior rinseablility.

argan oil: helps restore and maintain the hydration levels in skin and hair, due to high levels of omega-6 and oleic acid. I use organic.

broccoli seed oil: is a wonderful, plant derived substitute for silicone, it smooths and protects the outer surface of each hair, leaving it feeling silky and easy to comb. I use cold pressed organic.

bamboo infusion: my homemade infusion of freshly dried bamboo stems in olive oil. A great additon to conditoners, as bamboo has similar properties to silicones, as it smooths hair and aids detangling.

Colours: I use coloured clays, plant & root extracts and the occasional oxide to colour my soaps.

Fragrances: I use predominantly essential oils to fragrance my soaps, the exceptions being Seaside Spa & Three Kings which use premium grade, Pthalate free fragrance oils. For my soy candles I use premium grade, Pthalate free fragrance oils.