Our Ingredients.
"if it doesn't
nourish your skin
or soul, let it go."
— anonymous
What you put on your body matters. Whether it penetrates your skin or hair, it will have a direct effect on how they will look and feel – this is the reason for using the most natural cosmetic ingredients possible. Yes, every ingredient matters!
We've been cautious about selecting each ingredient in our formulations, so if there is something you're unsure about, read about it here or ask us.
BUY LOCAL: Every ingredient we use has been sourced through Canadian suppliers and manufacturers.
what's their purpose?
Abyssinian oil Chosen for its ability to improve manageability and impart shine, this oil is wonderful for its smoothing and glossiness properties that help to protect the ends of your hair from split ends.
Allantoin is a protective and conditioning ingredient that works as a moisturizer to treat rough, scaly, itchy skin and irritations. We use this in our hair products that will touch the scalp to prevent and ease irritations from product use. Our Allantoin source is plant-derived and not animal-derived
Aloe vera leaf gel extract (Aloe barbadensis) The gel extracted from the aloe vera leaf is a powerful humectant for hair and skin, soothing the scalp, conditioning hair strands, healing minor cuts and scrapes (and even head sun burn!), and it’s another ingredient which we love because it’s also high in mucilage. *Mucilage is the thick, glue-like, gooey substance produced by many plants. Mucilage-high plants help the hair retain moisture and reduce tangles, knots, and fly-aways.
Apricot oil A medium-penetrating oil (which means it can slightly penetrate the hair strand as well as coat it), apricot kernel oil has a smoothening and softening effect to the hair, moisutizing it and making it more pliable. It's rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, that protect the scalp and help decrease inflammation on the scalp and skin.
Arachidyl/Behenyl betainate esylate (and) Arachidyl/Behenyl alcohol Bio-based emulsifier, conditioning. Plant-derived cationic surfactant system with superior smoothing, strengthening, colour retention and detangling benefits. A natural alternative to BTAC, quats and other conventional agents. 100% natural origin according to ISO 16128 COSMOS approved. Non GMO. Free of silicones, sulphates, palm derivatives & preservatives.
Aroma We DO NOT use any synthetic fragrance oils in our formulations. These specialty scent blends are plant-based natural fragrances & blends that contain pure essential oils, raw botanical compounds, aromatic isolates that are derived from botanical ingredients. They are phthalate free, without isopropyl myristate, dioctyl andipate or synthetic compounds and isolates.
Argan oil This carrier oil moisturizes hair and scalp and protects the hair from damage from UV rays and free radicals. Reduces breakage and split ends and helps to increase hair elasticity due to its high content of antioxidants, Vitamin E and fatty acids. Helps fight frizz and boosts shine.
Bamboo Bioferment Derived from fermenting bamboo leaves, bamboo bioferment is a high-quality, naturally-derived ingredient rich in natural silica that improves slip to the hair (smoothness) and shine.
Bamboo Charcoal Works to detoxify the scalp and hair in a gentle way, helping the scalp to "breathe" and balance natural oil production.
Baobab protein This peptide repairs damage to the hair that can be caused naturally over time, as hair loses its natural proteins. Increases hair strength and elasticity, protecting it from UV damage, resulting in decreased frizziness and softness. A must have at least once per week! This is the reason why we've added it to our protein hair mask.
Buah Merah Fruit Oil This high-quality oil, derived from the Buah Merah tree's fruit, is rich in antioxidants such as beta carotene, tocopherol (vitamin E), selenium and omega 3, 6 and 9. It's used to help nourish and strengthen hair. Its natural bright red colour also imparts a beautiful brightness and orange/peachy-like hue to our Obloom hair products.
Broccoli seed oil A gorgeous, natural silicone alternative for hair and skincare, broccoli seed oil is packed with nutrients, non-greasy and easily absorbed to provide shine, frizz-free and nourishing properties to the hair. One of our favourites! (Read our blog for a more detailed description).
Cetyl alcohol It does not contain alcohol, but it's a "fatty" alcohol that helps formulators achieve a lovely creamy consistency in a natural way, while also helping to keep hair's moisture in balance and seal the cuticle, protecting it from damage due to environment and over-processing. It provides a wonderful creamy and fluffiness that helps apply the product, with film-forming properties that help provide slip.
Chia seed extract Chia seed polysaccharides adhere to the hair fibre, forming a flexible and resistant film that helps to provide long-lasting, natural curls and enhance existing curls without frizz.
Cocoa butter Deeply penetrates into the hair strand and nourishes the hair. When used properly, it will not weigh the hair down and it can help to balance the scalp's oil production by protecting it from dryness. Helps against frizz and dullness.
Coconut milk powder (Cocos nucifera) Coconut milk is high in lauric acid, protein, vitaminc C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6, so it works well on hair follicles to strengthen and nourish, as well as to soften and to increase shine.
Eucalyptus essential oil High in anti-inflammatory properties, eucalyptus oil is often used for hair products that will touch the scalp, helping to prevent dandruff and regulate hair oils (sebum). It also boosts the natural shine of the hair and has been shown to aide in hair growth and strength.
Fenugreek powder (Trigonella foenum-graecum) High in protein and nicotinic acid, which are known to be beneficial against hair fall and dandruff; treating scalp dryness, flaky and itchy scalp; beneficial against hair thinning; triggering hair growth; promotes hair shine. Rich in mucilage. *Mucilage is the thick, glue-like, gooey substance produced by many plants. Mucilage-high plants help the hair retain moisture and reduce tangles, knots, and fly-aways.
Geogard Ultra This natural, broad-spectrum preservative is a blend of gluconolactone and sodium benzoate, both ingredients which are approved by Ecocert, COSMOS, NaTrue and the Soil Association. We add this preservative to our shampoo bars as this makes them safe from possible dangers from bacterial and mould. It is a safe preservative that is accepted in natural formulations and, for these reasons, we would not recommend buying or using any shampoo bar that is unpreserved.
Guar gum This little gum is a powerhouse of goodness for the hair! It doesn't just help to create a smooth and soft gel-like foam in our products, but also helps to seal in moisture and hydrate the hair. It helps to prevent breakage, reduces frizz and static.
Hemisqualane (C13-15 Alkane) A very light, non-greasy oil derived from the fermentation of sugar-based plants, and a gorgeous natural alternative to silicone for hair products.
Isoamyl Laurate While you may question whether it's natural, we assure you it is! Isoamyl laurate is a light oil ester that helps smooth the hair and condition it, leaving behind a very light protective film that is easily washable. It works as a naturally-derived silicone alternative made from vegetable oils and sugar derivatives.
Kokum butter Very nourishing for the hair and scalp, yet a more "dry" butter that does not feel oily to the touch. It's a very hard butter and yet it can act as a natural silicone replacement for hair – it's one of our favourites!
Lactic acid This ingredient is one of the most gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that provides super-gentle exfoliating and anti-bacterial properties to the hair and scalp, dissolving product buildup and allowing the scalp to "breathe". To formulators, it also acts as a pH modifier to aid in achieving the best pH for balanced haircare products.
Lavender essential oil Used for its properties to regulate oil production on the scalp as well as for its gorgeous flowery scent that combines well with the other essential oils we have chosen - making it more grounding. It leaves hair soft and moisturized. Lavender essential oil is also antimicrobial and has been shown to aid in help growth due to its ability to help with blood circulation on the scalp.
Linseed seed extract Flaxseed polysaccharides adhere to the hair fiber, forming a flexible and resistant film that help to provide long-lasting, natural curls and enhance existing curls without the frizz.
Panthenol (Vegan source) A byproduct of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), panthenol helps to smooth the hair strand, filling in the gaps and cracks in rough skin and hair, resulting in shinier, healthier, more protected hair. It penetrates the hair cuticle and seals it. The Panthenol we source from our suppliers is certified VEGAN.
PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate This Ecocert Certified ingredient is a mild cationic surfactant that is derived from natural sources and highly biodegradable. It imparts softness to the skin and hair, it has an excellent antistatic effect on hair, and has antimicrobial activities which makes it great for the scalp. We use it in our Concentrated Shampoo Powder.
Peppermint essential oil More than for scent and tingling-cooling sensations, this lovely essential oil has been long research for its hair growth and hair loss prevention properties, increasing circulation to the scalp. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
Shikakai fruit powder (Acacia concinna) Shikakai is a small shrub-like tree that grows in India. The word Shikakai literally translates to “hair fruit” and its pod-like fruit has been used for centuries in Ayurveda (a system of ancient medicine) as a hair cleanser and tonic. Shikakai is very high in vitamin C, as well as A, D, E, and K, great for inducing hair growth, soothing the scalp, fighting dandruff, nourishing and strengthening hair follicles, preventing premature greying, exfoliating hair strands and thus making hair clean, shiny, and soft. It’s a great, natural, cleansing and conditioning ingredient!
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate This Ecocert Certified ingredient is a mild, naturally-accepted surfactant (cleanser) derived from the L-Glutamic amino acid and coconut fatty acids, and has excellent cleansing properties without irritation. We prefer this ingredient as a replacement to SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) as it is non-ethoxylated, non-petro sourced and highly biodegradable, thus its Ecocert certification. We use SCG in our shampoo bars.
Spirulina Sourced from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), Spirulina has powerful antioxidant effects that help to reduce inflammation due to its vitamin and mineral content. It's a superfood for the scalp and hair! It also imparts the beautiful green colour you see in our Nourishing shampoo bars.
Stearic acid It's not an "acid" as you would think, but it's an emulsifying agent that helps to protect the hair shaft by coating and conditionioning without causing build-up. It also helps to cleanse the hair gently without stripping it of its natural oils.
Xanthan gum Sugar-derived from corn (sometimes also from wheat or soy), it works well to thicken and stabilize formulations, keep ingredients ‘together’, and it also softens hair.