Naturally Derived Ingredients


Candelilla Wax

What it is:
 A vegan, plant-based wax obtained from the Candelilla shrub, native to northern Mexico. It’s naturally glossy and harder than beeswax, making it an ideal choice for skincare products that require structure.

How it’s processed:
 The leaves and stems are boiled in water. As they heat, the wax melts and floats to the surface. It’s then skimmed, filtered, and refined into a clean, smooth wax suitable for cosmetic use.

Why it’s used:
 Candelilla Wax helps thicken and stabilize balms, lotions, and sticks. It adds firmness, improves spreadability, locks in moisture, and provides a smooth, non-greasy finish—perfect for vegan formulas that typically use beeswax.


Hyaluronic Acid (Oleo-HA)

What it is:
 Hyaluronic Acid that has been bonded to natural lipids (oils) so it can blend into oil-based formulas. This version still helps the skin hold moisture but is specifically designed for anhydrous or oil-rich products.

How it’s processed:
 Plant sugars undergo bio-fermentation using safe, skin-friendly bacteria that naturally produce hyaluronic acid. The HA is then purified and combined with plant-derived fatty acids to make it oil-dispersible.

Why it’s used:
 Oleo-HA boosts hydration, softens fine lines, and improves skin elasticity—especially in serums, balms, and facial oils. It gives an immediate plumping effect and enhances the skin’s lipid barrier for longer-lasting moisture.


Sodium Lactate

What it is:
 A salt derived from lactic acid. Although lactic acid is found naturally in the skin, cosmetic-grade sodium lactate is made from fermented plant sugars. It’s one of the most effective natural humectants.

How it’s processed:
 Sugars from corn or beets are fermented with friendly bacteria to create lactic acid. That acid is then neutralized with sodium carbonate to form sodium lactate, which is purified into a liquid additive.

Why it’s used:
 It deeply hydrates the skin, improves product glide, and enhances the feel of lotions and creams. In soapmaking, it adds hardness, speeds dry time, and boosts big, bubbly lather.


Sodium Hydroxide

What it is:
 A mineral-derived alkali essential for making bar soap. While it may sound intimidating, it is completely used up during saponification.

How it’s processed:
 Made from simple table salt through an electrolysis process that separates sodium, hydrogen, and oxygen elements.

Why it’s used:
 It transforms oils and fats into actual soap. Once the soap has cured, no sodium hydroxide remains—just gentle, cleansing soap and skin-loving glycerin.


Potassium Hydroxide

What it is:
 A mineral-based alkali similar to sodium hydroxide but specifically used for liquid soaps and cream soaps.

How it’s processed:
 Produced through electrolysis of potassium chloride (a salt) and purified for cosmetic use.

Why it’s used:
 It creates a soft or liquid soap paste that remains fluid. It gives body washes, shampoo gels, and hand soaps their smooth, pourable consistency.


Sodium Phytate

What it is:
 A natural chelating agent extracted from rice bran, corn, or other plant seeds. It is a gentle alternative to synthetic chelators like EDTA.

How it’s processed:
 Phytic acid is extracted from plant material, then neutralized with sodium hydroxide to create sodium phytate. After filtration and refinement, it becomes a stable cosmetic ingredient.

Why it’s used:
 It binds trace metals that can cause discoloration, oxidation, or spoilage. This helps formulas stay fresh, boosts preservative performance, and improves long-term product stability.


Vegetable Glycerin

What it is:
 A clear, syrupy humectant derived from plant oils such as coconut, soy, or palm. It is extremely gentle and naturally attracts moisture.

How it’s processed:
 During the production of fatty acids or natural soap, glycerin separates from the oils. It’s then purified, distilled, and refined until it becomes cosmetic-grade.

Why it’s used:
 It draws water into the skin, creating a soft, hydrated feel. It also enhances lather in soap, prevents formulas from drying out, and adds a silky slip to lotions and cleansers.


Xanthan Gum

What it is:
 A natural thickener and stabilizer created through fermentation. It helps liquid formulas stay smooth and uniform.

How it’s processed:
 Sugars from plants like corn, soy, or wheat are fermented using the microbe Xanthomonas campestris. The mixture is then dried and ground into a lightweight powder.

Why it’s used:
 Xanthan Gum thickens lotions and gels, prevents separation, and helps formulas maintain a smooth, cohesive texture. It creates a pleasant, natural viscosity without stickiness.


Stearic Acid

What it is:
 A naturally occurring saturated fatty acid found in coconut, palm, and cocoa butter. This ingredient has a creamy, stabilizing role in skincare.

How it’s processed:
 Plant oils are split into their components (fatty acids and glycerin). The stearic acid is then separated, purified, and refined into a cosmetic-grade ingredient.

Why it’s used:
 It thickens creams, adds structure to lotions, stabilizes emulsions, and gives products a rich, velvety feel. In soap, it contributes to hardness and a dense, creamy lather.


Olivem 1000 MB

What it is:
 An olive oil–derived emulsifying system that helps oil and water blend into a stable lotion or cream. MB indicates it is made from certified sustainable sources (Mass Balance).

How it’s processed:
 Fatty acids from olive oil are combined with natural emulsifiers and processed into self-emulsifying flakes that melt easily into cosmetic formulas.

Why it’s used:
 Olivem 1000 creates silky, lightweight emulsions with a natural skin-like feel. It enhances moisture, spreads beautifully, and makes lotions exceptionally stable without feeling heavy.


Olivem 900 MB

What it is:
 A natural olive-derived thickener and co-emulsifier. It’s excellent for anhydrous (oil-only) products.

How it’s processed:
 Olive oils are broken down into their fatty components and restructured into a powdery or flaky wax that easily blends with oils.

Why it’s used:
 It thickens balms, body butters, and oil-based serums, improving glide and spreadability. It also adds a luxurious, smooth finish to richer products.


Geogard ECT

What it is:
 A broad-spectrum preservative made from naturally derived components such as benzyl alcohol, salicylic acid, glycerin, and sorbic acid.

How it’s processed:
 These components are combined and standardized to create a single, balanced preservation system approved by ECOCERT and COSMOS for natural formulations.

Why it’s used:
 It protects products from bacteria, mold, and yeast. It’s gentle, biodegradable, and works well in lotions, creams, and serums to keep them safe and stable.


Magnesium Hydroxide

What it is:
 A naturally occurring mineral used in gentle deodorants and skincare to neutralize odor and balance pH.

How it’s processed:
 Harvested from natural mineral deposits, purified, and milled into a fine powder suitable for cosmetic use.

Why it’s used:
 It absorbs moisture, reduces odor without irritating the skin, and helps balance acidity. It’s ideal for sensitive-skin deodorant formulas.


Sunflower Lecithin

What it is:
 A natural emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent extracted from sunflower seeds. It’s rich in phospholipids that support skin health.

How it’s processed:
 Sunflower seeds are cold-pressed to extract the oil. Lecithin is separated from the oil, purified, and processed into a liquid or powdered form.

Why it’s used:
 It boosts moisture retention, improves skin softness, enhances emulsion stability, and gives products a smooth, creamy, nourishing texture. It is also an excellent natural alternative to soy lecithin.

Ecomulse (Naturally Derived Emulsifier)

What it is:
Ecomulse is a naturally derived emulsifier used in lotions and creams to keep oil and water blended together. It is made from plant-based fatty acids, commonly sourced from vegetable oils.

How it’s processed:
Ecomulse is created through a controlled chemical process that modifies natural plant oils into an emulsifying ingredient. This process allows the material to bind oil and water, something raw oils cannot do on their own. While it is chemically processed, it remains plant-derived and is considered safe and gentle for skincare use.

What it does:
Ecomulse helps create a smooth, stable lotion or cream by:

  • Keeping oil and water from separating

  • Improving texture and creaminess

  • Helping products absorb evenly into the skin

  • Supporting consistent performance and shelf stability

Cetyl Alcohol (Naturally Derived Fatty Alcohol)

What it is:
Cetyl alcohol is a naturally derived fatty alcohol used in lotions, creams, and balms to improve texture and stability. It is not the same as drying alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is solid, wax-like, and skin-conditioning.

How it’s processed:
Cetyl alcohol is made from plant-based oils, most commonly coconut or palm oil. These natural oils go through a controlled chemical process that converts fatty acids into a stable fatty alcohol suitable for skincare. While chemically processed, it remains plant-derived and safe for cosmetic use.

What it does:
Cetyl alcohol helps products by:

  • Giving lotions and creams a smooth, creamy texture

  • Helping oil and water stay blended

  • Improving thickness and stability

  • Leaving skin feeling soft, not dry