Green Chemistry

We use the safest and most effective antioxidants, preservatives and emulsifiers to ensure our products nourish, soothe and protect your skin.

Coco Glucocide:  A non-ionic surfactant used for foaming and cleansing. It is derived from coconut oil and fruit sugars and is created through a chemical reaction between glucose and coconut oil derived ingredients. Coco-glucoside is used to build viscosity and foaming capacity in soaps. It is very gentle and acts as a cleansing agent without drying out skin. 

Citric Acid: Used as a pH adjuster derived from certain fruits or vegetables through fermentation.

Hyaluronic Acid: A polysaccharide found naturally in skin that has the ability to bind large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated. We use a low-molecular hyaluronic acid created through fermentation that is able to penetrate the skin without causing irritation.

Propanediol: A colourless liquid glycol, naturally derived from corn. It functions as both a solvent and humectant.

Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): Derived from minerals that are refined into calcium carbonate then turned into baking soda. When combined with citric acid, baking soda creates a fizz that both softens the water and distributes the essential oils throughout.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Resveratrol: A source of polyphenol antioxidants derived from knotweed. 

Rosemary Leaf Extract & Rosemary CO2: Extract from rosemary leaf that is very high in antioxidants. Keeps our products smelling and feeling as fresh as possible. 

Vitamin E (tocopherol): A naturally occurring antioxidant. 

EMULSIFIERS

An emulsifier is the ingredient that binds water to oil in order to create an emulsion, which is just a fancy term for cream or lotion. We chose the following ingredients because they are safe, do not separate, and do not leave a sheen on your skin after applying.

Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol extracted from coconuts that is very different than denatured alcohol, which is known to dry out skin. 

Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate: The sodium salt of sulfur extracted from coconut. Sulphur is an element that exists in all of nature. The term 'no sulfates' is way too broad a term and is based on a lot of misinformation. 

Stearic Acid: A fatty acid extracted from plants that acts as a thickening agent and helps to prevent melting in warmer temperatures. Plant fats that are solid at room temperature, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, palm oil or coconut oil, contain high amounts of stearic acid. 

Xanthan Gum: A natural food and cosmetic additive used as a binder, emulsion stabilizer and skin conditioning agent. It is a polysaccharide produced from simple sugars using fermentation. It is dried and processed into a powder, when added to water it acts as a thickener.

PRESERVATIVES

The preservatives we use for our lotions, creams, cleansers and toners are sodium levulinate from non-GMO corn, and sodium anisate from basil. Levulinate contains the same compound (levulinic acid) that bees use to protect their pollen and nectar. Not only are these effective anti-microbials, but they also have active skin care properties; soothes skin and balances the skin's PH to an ideal level.

Glyceryl Caprylate: Derived from coconuts, it works with sodium levulinate and sodium anisate in our preservative system.

Vegetable Glycerin: A colourless, odourless liquid that derives from non-GMO rapeseed oil. It is soluble in water and acts as a humectant (attracts moisture). 

REFLECTOR SPF 30 FACIAL SUN PROTECTION

Zinc Oxide: A naturally occurring powdered mineral used in lotions and creams meant for outdoor use. Zinc Oxide sits on top of the skin scattering, reflecting and absorbing UVA and UVB rays. 

Titanium Dioxide: A naturally occurring mineral that works like tiny mirrors to deflect UV rays off of the skin. It has a high refractive index and ability to reflect and scatter light. Titanium Dioxide is both gentle and cooling on the skin. 

Aluminum Hydroxide: Used as a skin protectant - coats the titanium dioxide and forms a protective layer without penetrating the skin. 

Lauric Acid: Naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut oil. 

Triethoxycaprylylsilane: Used to create a stable coating for zinc oxide. 

Tapioca Starch: Derived from the root of the cassava plant and is used to create a smooth, non-oily, light cream. 

Olive Leaf Extract and Turmeric are both antioxidant rich botanical extracts that are soothing and rejuvenating to the skin. 

EMULSIFIERS

Glyceryl Stearate SE: Fatty acid derived from vegetable oil, produced from glycerin and stearic acid and used as an emulsifier. 

Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate:  Produced from glycerol and stearic acid and used as an emulsifier. 

PRESERVATIVES

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Used as a preservative and antioxidant. 

Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid and Sorbic Acid: All ECOCERT approved preservatives that work together in Reflector SPF 30 to ensure safe broad spectrum protection. 

Potassium Sorbate: The inactive salt of sorbic acid. 

Sea Buckthorn

BOTANICAL NAME: Hippophae Rhamnoides 

EXTRACTION: Cold-pressed

DESCRIPTION: Sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) is a spiny shrub or tree with bright red or yellow berries indigenous to the coastal and mountainous regions of Europe and northern Asia. Sea buckthorn seed oil is a yellow or pale orange liquid and has a strong musky scent. The oil has a long history of curing skin ailments. The Ancient Greeks used sea buckthorn for its healing properties as early as 212 B.C. Its use in Tibet dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D) where it is referenced to in medical texts. Sea buckthorn oil has very high levels of carotenes to protect skin. Soothing essential fatty acids and phytosterols support collagen production. Sea buckthorn oil is an unsurpassed source of vitamins A and E, carotenes and flavonoids.

KEY COMPONENTS: Palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids 

Shea Butter

BOTANICAL NAME: Butyrospermum parkii

EXTRACTION: Raw, naturally refined 

DESCRIPTION: The Shea tree, or the Vitellaria paradoxa, is native to the drier parts of west and Central Africa.  This tree produces a fruit from which the butter is extracted.  This butter has been used since ancient times for sun protection.  It creates a soft, breathable barrier for the skin that moisturizes deeply and prevents water loss. Its chemical makeup includes Vitamins A & E, 10 different types of polyphenols, phytosterols, oleic acid, cinamic acid, and allantoin.  Its chemical makeup rich in nutrients means this butter is packed with multiple capabilities, including intense moisturizing and the ability to treat multiple skin irritations and conditions.  

KEY COMPONENTS: Oleic and cinamic acids, polyphenols, phytosterols and allantoin

FOUND IN: Peppermint Bar Soap, May Chang Bar Soap, Lavender Bar Soap, Coffee Scrub Bar Soap, POMADE - Bay Rum, POMADE - Muskoka, Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream.