Natural dried gum secreted from the stems and branches of the African Acacia tree. We use it as a thickener and emulsifier in our Hopscotch Clarifying shampoo. Acacia gum has also demonstrated wound healing ability when applied topically.
Our algae extract is produced from Hawaiian Algae. In our products it is designed to provide natural conditioning benefits due to its film forming properties. It also gives improved feel, added shine, moisture and volume to hair. It outperforms Aloe Vera gel as a moisturizing film-former in tests performed on human subjects.
Our Aloe Vera Juice is derived from plants that are organically and sustainably grown in the US. Aloe strengthens hair and lends natural conditioning and moisture benefits thanks to its film forming properties.
This once rare oil is becoming more present in the beauty marketplace because of its legendary beautifying properties for both skin and hair. We include it in most of our formulation because it is light, easily absorbed and works for any hair type. It is chock full of nutrients, and imparts remarkable shine, promotes healthier and stronger hair, and prevents and restores damaged hair.
This rich oil is cold pressed from the kernels of babassu palm trees which grow in Brazil. It is similar to coconut oil in its look, feel and benefits, but more universal in its appeal than its counterpart to a multitude of skin and hair types, in all climates. Coconut oil is amazing, but because it can behave differently on the same head of hair once moved to a different climate, we chose to use babassu oil in all our formulations instead. It moisturizes and adds sheen without leaving a greasy after feel. It is absorbed easily and quickly into the hair and scalp.
This conditioner is derived from canola oil and wields much conditioning power with its antistatic and detangling properties. It is able to restore and rebuild damaged hair by penetrating and substantiating the hair shaft. It also has softening and antimicrobial properties. It scores a 3 on the Skin Deep scale.
This ingredient is one of the mildest conditioning agents available. It is derived from the oil of the colza plant (canola oil), and delivers excellent conditioning, detangling and wet combing ability. Behentrimonium methosulfate is rated at 1 on the Skin Deep scale.
This is the only natural oil that most closely approximate silcones in its cosmetic benefits and behavior. This oil is a must have for all curlies that want the coating, glossing and smoothing effect of silicones, yet are committed to a silicone free regimen (which we advocate.)
The calendula (aka marigold) flower is renowned for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also great for problem skin and scalp issues, including cradle cap.
We make this ourselves by slowly infusing US grown organic calendula flowers into organic cold pressed olive oil. We use the solar folk method (we rely on the sunshine instead of direct heat) over 6-12 weeks, depending on the season and the amount of sunshine we are getting. The calendula (aka marigold) flower is renowned for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also great for problem skin and scalp issues, including cradle cap.
Not to be confused with propylene glycol, which is harmful and will never be found in our products, caprylyl glycol is actually moisturizing, conditioning and has mild preservative properties. Caprylyl glycol is rated at 0 on the Skin Deep scale.
This is an extremely mild, natural surfactant blend made of four different surfactants (cleansing agents.) It has been approved and certified for use in certified organic products. This blend is sulfate free and gentle enough for babies and adults with sensitive skin.
This ingredient is a fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil. It is incorporated into our formulas for its thickening, emollient, moisturizing and foam boosting properties. Cetearyl alcohol is rated at 1 on the Skin Deep scale.
This ingredient is a fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil. It is incorporated into our formulas for its thickening, emollient, moisturizing and foam boosting properties. Cetyl alcohol is rated at 1 on the Skin Deep scale.
Chamomile is well known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. We include it in the majority of our formulas as a relaxing alternative to synthetic fragrance oils, which frequently contain BPA and other hormone disrupters. Chamomile and Lavender are the only essential oils which are gentle enough for a newborn baby in his or her first three months of life, which is why they are the only fragrance you will find in our line of products.
This is a gentle, sulfate free surfactant that does not strip hair the way harsher shampoos do. This ingredient has a score of 4 on the Skin Deep database.
This beautiful butter is extracted by cold-pressing the seeds of the cupuacu tree which is native to Brazil. It is highly emollient and hydrating because of its ability to absorb large amounts of water. It is great for treating dry, damaged or brittle hair.
Take an already exquisite botanical extract (bamboo) and allow it to marinate in a medium of probiotics (lactobacillus) to be precise, and you get this amazing fermented bamboo extract. Bamboo is high in silica, and its addition to any hair formulation adds slip, lustre and smoothness to the hair shaft. The probiotics make the bamboo even more bio-available for absorption, and nurture good scalp health. The bamboo used is sustainably harvested in the United States.
Imparts shine, curl definition, light crunch-free hold and moisture to hair.
Although we could get it for cheaper elsewhere, we take pride in sourcing our grapeseed oil from a women owned business, using exclusively USDA Pinot Noir grapes from Sonoma, California. Grapeseed oil is great for all hair types, providing softness, sheen and improved scalp health due to its plethora of beneficial vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
This protein comes from the seeds of the lupine plant. Lupine protein contains a high amount of essential amino acids which provide many benefits, including anti-static, regenerating and conditioning properties. We incorporate the lupine at low enough levels (2%) so as to avoid creating protein sensitivity in the protein-averse. This small amount, however, is still enough to be effective.
This ingredient is also known by the name sea kelp bioferment. It basically consists of the pulp of the kelp seaweed plant, macerated in water, filtered and then fermented with lactobacillus probiotics. This makes the mineralizing and hydrating properties of the seaweed even more bio-available to the scalp and hair shaft. This biofermented seaweed gel is excellent for shingling, curl definition, taming frizz, adding volume, providing light hold and moisture for days even after one application. Incidentally, this is also the main active botanical ingredient in Crème de la Mer, a celebrated face cream that retails in the range of $150 - $1500 per jar, depending on the size. (The smallest size is one fluid ounce. No, that is not a typo.) So you can always dab a little of this, at a fraction of the cost, into your favorite facial serum, moisturizer or oil, or use alone on skin for an oil free moisturizer.
This is not a stand alone ingredient, but is the type of probiotic that is in all our fermented extracts. Probiotics are great for scalp health.
This essential oil is distilled from organic lavender buds that are sustainably grown on a single farm in Oregon. Lavender is great for encouraging hair growth, balancing scalp conditions and imparting a relaxing fragrance. In combination with chamomile essential oil, it is literally like a spa for babies everytime you open a bottle. Lavender is also the only other essential oil that is safe for babies between birth and 3 months of age, which is why we use lavender and chamomile essential oils exclusively, for fragrance, in our formulas. Together, lavender and chamomile also soothe cranky children, possibly making the hair grooming experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Our lavender hydrosol and lavender essential oil come from organic lavender buds that are sustainably grown on a single farm in Oregon. Lavender is great for encouraging hair growth, balancing scalp conditions and imparting a relaxing fragrance. Lavender hydrosol also has a cleansing effect and helps to gently relieve dirty hair of excessive build-up.
Our aqueous marshmallow root extract is house made. We include it in many of our formulas for its detangling, scalp-balancing and shine enhancing properties. It also helps with hair growth.
MSM stands for methlysulfonylmethane. It is a compound found in all living things but can also be made synthetically. Used topically on the hair shaft and scalp it imparts softness, strength and may accelerate growth. It has also been reported to help with alleviating dandruff.
Another delightful butter from Brazil that soaks right into hair without making it greasy. It is chock full of essential fatty acids and moisturizes, conditions, protects and repairs damaged and healthy hair alike.
A nutrient rich butter that is lighter and creamier in texture than its more well known western counterpart. It moisturizes the hair beautifully and helps to tame frizz.
Gives hair moisture, sheen and softness, and helps to reduce the occurrence of split ends by strengthening the hair shaft.
One of the safer and milder compounds amongst the synthetic preservatives on the market. We choose to use a preservative to keep your purchased product free of mold and bacteria, even stashed away in your bathroom cabinets, for a respectable length of time (1-2 years.) Phenoxyethanol is rated 4 on the Skin Deep scale.
This amazing oil comes to us from the north eastern part of South America. The indigenous population there use pracaxi oil as a hair detangler, brightener and strengthener. It imparts a beautiful softness, definition and sheen to curly hair.
Rosemary is a great herb for promoting hair growth, balancing scalp disorders and enhancing shine. Our rosemary extract is aqueous and house made from US grown organic rosemary leaves.
A mild natural organic compound that is often used as a food grade preservative. Sorbic acid receives a score of 3 on the Skin Deep database.
A very mild cleanser that receives a score of 0 on the Skin Deep Database.
A rich butter that moisturizes hair beautifully, giving a very soft hold and taming frizz.
A naturally derived gum used as a thickener in our Hopscotch Clarifying Shampoo.