Lily, the main formulator of this line (and indeed each worker owner) has put a lot of time, effort, thought, and intention into what is chosen for each formula. The quality and source of each ingredient matters and must add to a formula for it to be included. Here are some of the particulars around our ingredients:
Plants: preference is given to local plants grown using organic methods, then certified organic from elsewhere, then ethically wildcrafted plants. We work with several local farms and homesteads first. When we do source from herb distributors, we only buy from those that have a suitability ethos, too.
Shea Butter: We buy raw (unprocessed) fair trade Shea from a woman's cooperative.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the USA or Middle East (as opposed to Italy): We choose this as the base of most of our salves, carrier oils for most roll ons, and in lotions, too. Why? It is a cold pressed (as opposed to a solvent extracted) oil, it is easy to find high quality (and when you get Middle Eastern or American it is not adulterated like many Italian ones), olive oil is less likely to cause allergic issues in customers (than say nut oils like almond), and olive oil is AMAZING! It contains polyphenols (antioxidants) and squalene which moisturizes and promotes elasticity. Perfect for skin and hair treatments!
Beeswax (instead of vegan waxes): Candelilla and Carnauba waxes are often substituted for beeswax to make a formula vegan. We do not do this for deliberate reasons.
First, our beeswax is from small, local beekeepers who do not use their bees to assist agribusiness. Their first priority is bee health and well being. Frankly, bees can use all the help they can get in these days of neonicotinoid pesticides.
Second, the vegan waxes are either from a place where the rainforest is being destroyed to make way for cash crops for Americans or are extracted using a harsh solvent that toxifies its ingredient. We would rather use local wax that supports ethical beekeeping.
Third, beeswax, in and of itself, has amazing medicinal properties and actually adds to a formulas medicinal value instead of simply acting as a solidifier. To us, this is a no-brainer. Beeswax is more environmentally conscious and medicinal!
Preservatives: We use naturally sourced and extracted preservatives, and never any formaldehyde, parabens, or other toxic ingredients that you find (even in many "natural" brands"). We inhibit mold with a natural fermented product, we stabilize our fat based formulas with vitamin E oil and rosemary antioxidant, and we use some essential oils for this purpose too. This means our formulas are less shelf stable and have a quicker expiration date than something from Whole Foods, Walmart, or CVS. But it's also a better product for you and the planet, and we make it in small batches to ensure a decent shelf life. We firmly believe the less ingredients the better for you and do not add unnecessary shelf stabilizers just so your product can sit in a warehouse or store shelf longer.
