Ingredients
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE) LEAF
What: From the aloe plant.
Why: Anti-inflammatory for the scalp, blocks oxidative stress, moisturizing, and strengthening for the hair.
How: Delivers vitamins, enzymes, minerals, glyconutrients, lignin, saponins, salicylic and amino acids to the scalp and hair. Has a similar chemical makeup to keratin, the primary protein of hair.
Sustainability factor: Grows in dry soil, making use of less desirable land.
AQUA - CHECK WITH LAB THE REAL USE
What - Purified water.
Why - Used to dissolve components and create form with dry ingredients.
How - Many ingredients are highly water soluble.
Sustainability factor - Only a small amount of water is used and the purification process is offset by xxxxxx.
DAYS SHAMPOO
BENZOIC ACID
What - It is an organic acid first used in foods almost 100 years ago. It occurs naturally in prunes, cinnamon, and cloves.
Why - An antimicrobial preservative.
How - Prevents yeasts and molds from growing.
Sustainability factor - Can be made in a lab more efficiently than from an extraction from plants.
BIOTIN
What - Nutrient. Also known at vitamin B7, it is a water-soluble vitamin. Vegan sources include legumes, nuts, and oats.
Why - It is an essential vitamin for hair health, by improving strength and elasticity, resulting in improved hair growth.
How - providing nourishment to the keratin structure (a basic protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails) by nourishing the scalp, and being absorbed by the hair strand.
Sustainability factor - /?????
CISTUS LADANIFERUS RESIN
What - derived from the gum Rockrose or Cistus Ladanifer plant.
Why - Used for its scent. Also known to be antimicrobial and antioxidative.
How - ?????.
Sustainability factor - And evergreen shrub that produces year-round. A vegan alternative to amber in perfumery.
CITRIC ACID
What - Found in citrus fruits, or made with microbial fermentation of wheat, cane sugar, or corn.
Why - Closes hair follicles making your hair soft and shiny. Balanced pH, which helps improve conditions such as dandruff. Increases blood flow, stimulating hair growth.
How - Contains high levels of folic acid and vitamin B and the minerals magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
Sustainability factor - Microbial production methods are more energy and resource-efficient than fruit extraction with all of the same benefits.
CITRUS BERGAMIA LEAF OIL
What - Otherwise known as bergamot oil, an essential oil obtained from the bergamot leaf.
Why - Generally used for its scent. Also has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, mental alertness and anti-anxiety properties.
How - contains several bioactive molecules with potential health benefits.
Sustainability factor - Bergamot is generally grown by small-scale farms in a sustainable method.
CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OIL
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Why - Uasdfasdf.
How - sdfasfdasdf.
Sustainability factor - asdfasdfadsfy xxxxxx.
CLITORIA TERNATEA FLOWER WATER
What - Also known as the Butterfly Pea, Blue Bell Vine, Blue Pea, Cordofan Pea and Darwin pea.
Why - A natural colorant. Can promote hair growth and reduce greying of hair.
How - Flower is a vibrant blue color. Contains the bioflavonoids including quercetin and anthocyanin, thought to increase blood flow in the scalp and sustain and fortify hair follicles.
Sustainability factor - The plant is grown worldwide and can be done organically. (???)
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
What - Is a fatty acid derived from coconut oil.
Why - A surfactant, meaning it helps distribute the ingredients and attracts dirt and oil to rinse away.
How - Creates lather that expands and moves dirt and oil away from the hair and scalp without drying.
Sustainability factor - Coconut palms grow around the world and can be used for many different products from the same plant. .
COCAMIDOPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
What - A natural polymer derived from coconut and palm oil.
Why - A conditioning, anti-static, anti-frizz, and curl-defining agent.
How - Reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface of skin and hair.
Sustainability factor - Coconut and palm oil palms grow in many regions, can produce many different types of products, can be RSPO-certified sustainable.
COCOS NUCIFERRA FRUIT POWDER
What - From the dried, ground fruit of the Coconut.
Why - Rehydrates hair and scalp without being oily or dense, detangles, improves softness and shine.
How - Rich in antioxidants. Has antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that help fight infections and fungus, thus optimizing the environment for healthy hair growth. Lauric acid in coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft, nourishing the hair with vitamins, minerals, and medium-chain fatty acids, along with retaining moisture due to its anti-evaporating nature.
Sustainability factor - requires the least amount of energy to produce compared to other oils like olive oil, doesn’t require pesticides or herbicides, and is harvested by hand rather than a machine.
DEHYDROXANTHAN GUM
What: from fermented polysaccharides (type of carbohydrate).
Why: Emulsion stabilizer, viscous controlling agent, and film-forming agent. Helps evenly distribute ingredients and rinsing cleanly. Prevents hair from holding too much oil keeping it dryer and fluffier while still soft.
How: Keeps the oil and water molecules from disintegrating into individual components, and forms a thin layer of film over the hair which prevents environmental damage.
Sustainability factor: A naturally-derived ingredient used in food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and cosmetic products that can be fairly easily produced by fermenting an organic starch.
FERULA GALBANIFLUA RESIN OIL
What - From the Galbanum, a giant fennel-like plant.
Why - Used for its scent. Traditionally was used to dress inflamed wounds indicating inflammation reduction properties.
How - contains about 8% terpenes; about 65% of a resin which contains sulfur; about 20% gum; and a very small quantity of the colorless crystalline substance umbelliferone. It also contains α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, cadinene, 3-carene, and ocimene.
Sustainability factor - These plants grow plentifully on mountain slopes, therefore, utilizing difficult to cultivate areas for crops.
GLYCERIN
What - A colorless, odorless liquid. Vegan sources of glycerin include plant oils such as shea butter or coconut oil.
Why - Keeps hair and scalp hydrated. Can lessen dandruff. For dry hair this reduces breakage, so with continued use it will appear to grow faster.
How - is a humectant, meaning it can extract moisture from the air and bind it to the hair and scalp.
Sustainability factor - Coconut palms and Shea trees can be farmed sustainably.
GLYCERYL STEARATE
What - A fatty acid that can be made from many plant oils.
Why - Moisturizes, prevents frizz, detangles, reduces oiliness of other ingredients. Antioxidant qualities protect against damage caused by free radicals. Stabilizes ingredients in a formula to extend effectiveness and therefore shelf-life, and distributes ingredients more evenly.
How - Helps retain hydration and slow the loss of moisture, has antioxidants, helps to balance the product’s pH value, and emulsifies ingredients.
Sustainability factor - Can be derived from sustainably produced plant oils such as organic soybean oil.
GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
What - A biopolymer extracted from the seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus beans, also called the guar bean.
Why - A lightweight conditioning agent and detangler.
How - Is positively charged, neutralizing the negative charges on hair strands that cause it to become static or tangled.
Sustainability factor - Grows easily in semi-arid zones, and is easy to harvest.
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS OIL
What - Also known as sunflower seed oil is expressed from the seeds of the Sunflower plant.
Why - Improves hair growth and slows hair loss by reducing breakage and improving production within the follicle. Deep moisturizing, softening, and detangles hair. Improves manageability, reduces frizz.
How - Approximately 59% linoleic acid, 30% oleic acid, 6% stearic acid, and 5% palmitic acid. Relatively high concentration of Omega-6 (linoleic acid) which improves skin barrier function and regulates keratin production. May also be able to block the formation of DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. Oleic acid provides deep moisture and strengthening. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients that improve the health of the skin and scalp.
Sustainability factor - Sunflower seeds have a high oil yeild compared to similar crops at 40%–47% of oil content. They are a heary flower that requires little care, is resilient against pests.
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
What - Individual amino acid units extracted from the wheat grain.
Why - Nourishes the hair fibers, lowers dehydration, antistatic, improves strength, softness and shine.
How - Has a a low molecular weight making it possible to penetrate damaged cuticle layers and strenghten from within.
Sustainability factor - We only use non GMO, sustainably produced wheat.?????
HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH PHOSPHATE
What - Generally derived from tapioca starch.//wheat proteins ???
Why - A surfactant and emulsifier, meaning it is a “surface-active agent” that causes opposing elements to mix more readily. Gentle on the hair.
How - Lowers the surface tension between two elements such as oil and water.
Sustainability factor - Can be produced with non GMO ingredients, and is readily biodegradable. ???
INULIN
What: Inulin is a simple sugar (fructose) produced naturally by many plants.
Why: softens the hair while creating shiney and robust hair
How: it aids in the retention of water and ceates a healthy scalp balance promoting healthy hair growth from the follicle.
Sustainability factor: Inulin is most commomly found in chicory root which is sustainable when farmed in a responsible organic way.
JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS FRUIT OIL
What: Oil obtained from the berries, a female seed cone, from the Juniper tree. They are coniferous trees and shrubs in the cypress family.
Why: Used for its scent. It has also been widely used as herbal medicine from ancient time, and has more recently been documented to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal activities.
How: ????
Sustainability factor: Juniperus Communis L grows in many regions of the world. The berries can be harvested every two years, leaving the tree to blossom again.
LACTIC ACID
What: It is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) produced as a chemical byproduct of anaerobic fermentation of many things including plants.
Why: It is used to adjust the pH of the formula, and for its moisturizing and exfoliating properties. Cleanses your hair, dissolves product buildup, allows your follicles to breath and grow more readily therefore preventing hair aging and giving you softer, bouncier hair.
How: It breaks down the dead skin and product buildup that weigh your hair down and prevent optimal growth.
Sustainability factor: Can be produced in a lab efficiently.
LAUROYL LYSINE
What: An amino acid derivative that is made from natural coconut oil, oleic acid, lauric acid, and other organic ingredients.
Why: Removes dirt and bacteria without stripping away natural oils. Revives hair’s natural sheen and health. A hair and scalp conditioning agent. Improves foaming and product texture.
How: ????
Sustainability factor: Can be produced using organic elements and is readily biodegradable. ???
LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) OIL
What: An essential oil derived from the Lavender plant.
Why: Calms the nervous system, improve itchy scalp.
How: Around 100 individual phytochemicals have been extracted from lavender oil, many having anti-inflammatory properties.
Sustainability factor: Grows where many plants cannot survive such as dry, well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils in full sun.
LITSEA CUBEBA FRUIT OILS
What - An essential oil made from a plant often called may chang, mountain pepper or tropical verbena.
Why - As an aromatic note it relaxes anxiety and is mood boosting. With topical application it has antiseptic/antibacterial/antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and deodorizing properties. Reduces oiliness in skin by balancing sebum levels.
How - ?????
Sustainability factor - As it is a small, evergreen, tree, it can be harvested year-round.
MARANTA ARUNDINACEA ROOT POWDER
What - Also called Arrowroot. A silky powder is made from the root of this tuber.
Why - Reduces oiliness and calms inflammation of the scalp.
How - Absorbs excess sebum without causing dryness or irritation.
Sustainability factor - ?????
NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3)
What - A nutrient. One of the 2 forms of vitamin B3.
Why - Key to healthy hair, it improves scalp health, promoting stronger, more elastic hair.
How - When applied topically it encourages protein (keratin) synthesis, increases proteins in the scalp’s lipid barrier (JAMES PLEASE EXPLAIN THE SKIN/LIPID CONNECTION?), reduces inflammation, regulates sebum production, locks in moisture, and protects from environmental damage such as UV rays and pollution.
Sustainability factor - Vegan sources include wheat, but for cosmetics it is more sustainably produced synthetically. ?????
OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM OIL
What - A traditional herb also known as Tulsi or Holy Basil.
Why - Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant to keep away dandruff and encourage healthy growth.
How - This herb contains high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, zinc, iron, oleanolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. It is packed with highly antimicrobial elements which control fungal strains to prevent dandruff.
Sustainability factor - A robust plant that flourishes in tropical and subtropical climates but also adaptable to most soil types.
PANTHENOL
What - AKA pro-vitamin B5. This stable form of vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, is a natural building block of hair. It is derived from rice.
Why - Improves your hair’s shine, softness, strength while protecting it from hair styling or environmental damage
How - Locks in moisture.
Sustainability factor - The plant source of panthenol is renewable and can be sustainably farmed.
POGOSTEMON CABLIN (PATCHOULI) LEAF OIL
What - More commonly known as patchouli oil, an essential oil extracted from this aromatic herb.
Why - Improves oily scalp as well as dry scalp, dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. Used in perfumery for it’s distinct cool yet woody scent.
How - Balances oil production, is an antiseptic, astringent, and fungicide.
Sustainability factor - The plant recovers easily after periods of dryness. Leaves and twigs used for oil production can be harvested throughout the year.
POTASSIUM SORBATE
What - A synthetically produced salt from sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide.
Why - Preserves the effectiveness of other ingredients. An alternative to ingredients that we avoid such as parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and phthalates.
How - Stops the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi.
Sustainability factor - ?????
*** ask HFB about purity, and avoiding contamination wtih lead, arsenic, mercury.
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF OIL
What: Also known as Rosemary. The essential oil is derived from the needle-like leaves of this woody perennial herb.
Why: Used in perfumery for its herbal scent, can prevent hair loss, it also may improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and reduce inflammation.
How: Treats androgenetic alopecia (baldness) by preventing a byproduct of testosterone from attacking your hair follicles as well as improving circulation. Inhaling rosemary oil helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for thinking, concentration, and memory.
Sustainability factor: Rosemary can be sustainably farmed.
SACCHAROMYCES FERMENT
What: Made from the fermenting and filtering of yeast.
Why: With a high bioavailability, this ingredient improves skin structure (scalp), protects against UV-rays, penetrates the hair shaft to hydrate, smooth, and repair. A natural preservative.
How: Rich in essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids and beta-glucan. Fermentative ingredients are non-perishable therefore preserving the effectiveness of formulas without chemical preservatives.
Sustainability factor: Can be produced indoors with minimal water, energy and time. ****It is found and produced easily but making it emils VOCs**** checking this
SALIX ALBA BARK EXTRACT
What: Produced from the bark of the White Willow tree. Traditionally used for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties. Contains salicylates, a natural salicylic acid alternative, as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids that give willow bark tonic, astringent, and antiseptic properties.
Why: Exfoliates scalp, improves hair growth, reduces oil.
How: Exfoliates the scalp, removing dirt, product build-up, pollution and dead skin cells from the scalp that weighs hair down and may interfere with growth from follicles. Salicylates also help control excess sebum.
Sustainability factor: White willows are fast-growing and the bark can be sustainably harvested without cutting down the entire tree.
SALVIA SCLAREA (CLARY SAGE) OIL
What: A flowering herb that’s native to the Mediterranean. An essential oil extracted from the Clary sage leaves and buds.
Why: Used in perfumery for it’s scent and can have antidepressant, mental clarity and stress relief effects. Applied topically it is known for anti-inflammatory, improved circulation, wound healing, reducing skin inflammation, healing rashes, healing dandruff and reducing oil.
How: Aromatically it is thought to trigger dopamine production, reduce cortisol and lower blood pressure. Topically it is antibacterial, antifungal, and contains a linalyl acetate which reduces skin inflammation and heals rashes. It also regulates the sebaceous gland and helps control oil production.
Sustainability factor: A perennial herb that grows easily in high temperatures.
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL
What: Also known as JOJOBA oil. It is a liquid wax extracted from the seeds of this woody shrub that is native to South-western North America.
Why: Conditions hair, detangles, adds shine, helps preserve the product.
How: Coats the hair with a light film without sealing it off, cannot be metabolized by many microorganisms so they cannot grow on the product.
Sustainability factor: Jojoba is a drought resistant evergreen shrub.
SODIUM BENZOATE
What: Derived from benzoic acid which is found in many plants, including cinnamon, cloves, tomatoes, berries, plums, apples, and cranberries.
Why: Preservative.
How: Prevents fungi and bacteria from developing and contaminating.
Sustainability factor: From renewable natural sources.
SODIUM BICARBONATE
What: Also known as baking soda.
Why: Helps cleans the hair.
How: Removes buildup of oils, soaps and other ingredients that collect on the hair and scalp.
Sustainability factor: It is a biodegradable salt.
SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE
What: Is a sodium salt ester, or a fatty acid derived from coconut oil.
Why: A gentle surfactant and emulsifier.
How: Lowers the surface tension between water and oil therefore dissolving oil and dirt. It produces a rich lather which enhances the cleansing action of the formulation without drying out your skin.
Sustainability factor: Components are biodegradable and can be collected sustainably.
SODIUM ISETHIONATE
What: a salt used to make Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Why: Surfactants, cleansing agents, antistatic, conditioning.
How: Lowers the surface tension between water and oil therefore dissolving oil and dirt. It produces a rich lather which enhances the cleansing action of the formulation without drying out your skin.
Sustainability factor: asdfasdfadsfy xxxxxx.
SODIUM LACTATE
What: Is the sodium salt of lactic acid. It is produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets.
Why: It acts as a preservative, pH regulator and is a powerful yet non-sticky humectant (aids in the retention of moisture).
How: It holds water to the skin and hair, therefore retaining moisture needed for health and a healthy appearance.
Sustainability factor: A byproduct of the fermentation process for lactic acid, it can be produced in a lab efficiently.
SODIUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE
What: Prepared by treating starch with octenyl succinic anhydride (succinic acid and octanol).
Why: An emulsifier, oil absorbent, binder/stabilizer, gelling agent/thickener.
How: effectively disperses oils within water.
Sustainability factor: Approved as a food additive so is safe for human consumption, and is biodegradable.
SODIUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE
What: Prepared by treating starch with octenyl succinic anhydride (succinic acid and octanol).
Why: An emulsifier, oil absorbent, binder/stabilizer, gelling agent/thickener.
How: effectively disperses oils within water.
Sustainability factor: Approved as a food additive so is safe for human consumption, and is biodegradable.
SORBITAN OLIVATE
What: Made from fatty acids in olive oil combined with sorbitol (a dehydrated natural sugar alcohol)
Why: An emulsifier, emollient, and gentle cleansing agent.
How: Helps ingredients mix with oil to improve product viscosity and to attract dirt and oil to rinse away..
Sustainability factor: Naturally derived and biodegradable
SPIRULINA PLATENSIS EXTRACT
What: AKA blue-green alga. An older cyanobacterium (a photosynthetic bacteria containing chlorophyl that produces oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis).
Why: Helps to moisturize, soothe and balance the scalp, promoting healthy hair and hair growth, while helping to maintain hydration..
How: Contains vitamins A, E, proteins and beta-carotene that promote cell renewal and act as antioxidants. Contains amino acids that help maintain hydration.
Sustainability factor: Absorbs significant amounts of carbon in its production, and can be harvested in a sustainable manner without causing harm to the environment.
STARCH HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
What: A modified starch, from food-grade potato starch.
Why: Antistatic, emulsion stabilising, hair conditioning, and viscosity controlling.
How: Neutralizes electrical charge on a surface to reduce static, helps ingredients mix and increases the viscosity by thickening the liquid to give it more texture, conditions hair without leaving a layer therefore leaving hair with more volume.
Sustainability factor: Plant based and biodegradable.
TAPIOCA STARCH
What: Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, the yuca of the cassava plant.
Why: Mild on skin and hair, yet densely nutrient-rich, it adds healing moisture to damaged and dry hair textures, and contributes to decreased hair loss,
How: Containing powerful nutrients that condition the hair, boosts blood circulation on the scalp therefore strengthening the hair at the root and promoting healthy hair growth.
Sustainability factor: A very drought tolerant crop that is capable of growing on difficult soil.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF OIL
What: AKA white-cedar, is an oil made from the leaf of this coniferous tree.
Why: Used for its woody scent. Also known to improve hair growth and count.
How: ???.
Sustainability factor: Leaves and small branches can be harvested year round without removing entire tree therefore it is a sustainable crop.
THYMUS VULGARIS FLOWER/LEAF OIL
What: Commonly known as Thyme, this is an oil produced from the flowers and leaves of this herb.
Why: Helps create an environment for optimum hair growth.
How: Contains antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
Sustainability factor: A crop easily grown in different regions of the world with a low water impact.
TRILAURIN
What: the crystalline triglyceride of lauric acid reported in laurel leaves and the fats of various seeds such as tallow, palm-nut and coconut.
Why: A non-aqueous, moisture rich, viscosity-increasing agent and for hydration.
How: Distributes within the formula without thinning in water to thicken, and holds moisture on hair without weight.
Sustainability factor: Comes from natural sources and is biodegradable.
UREA
What: Urea, also known as carbamide, is a moisturizing compound that’s naturally produced on your skin when the body breaks down proteins.
Why: Can relieve an itchy scalp, reduce dandruff, and promote hair growth.
How: It gently exfoliates and reduces inflammation on the skin and is an excellent moisturizer and humectant, which leads to a healthier more moisturized scalp, which can lead to improved hair growth.
Sustainability factor: Can be made efficiently in a lab.
ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH
What: A starch produced from corn.
Why: A conditioning agent. A formula binding agent.
How: Binds moisture to the hair to keep it conditioned, and helps to bing the product formula together until use.
Sustainability factor: Corn can be farmed organically without the use of GMO seeds or pesticides. We always choose non GMO corn derived ingredients. ***we need to know our source***
ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT OIL
What: Ginger root. An oil derived from this herbal root.
Why: Increases strength, shine, and aids in preventing thinning of hair. Can also be used for its scent.
How: Contains fatty acids, vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Sustainability factor: This robust root is easy to grow and maintain in many environments.