INGREDIENTS
These matter to us. We have first hand experience with a variety of skin allergies. We have a deep interest in the topic, a solid understanding of it, and are fastidious about our sourcing.
OUR PRODUCTS DO NOT CONTAIN
- PARABENS
Parabens are used as a preservative in many cosmetics and skincare products. There have been links made between parabens and cancer, reproductive deficiency, and general skin irritation. Whilst their use is regulated with regards to how much of each paraben a product can contain, many products contain more than one type of paraben, and as many people use more than one skin product each day, exposure to parabens and their potentially harmful effects can add up.
- SLS/SLES
Sodium Lauryl (and Laureth) Sulphate (SLS) is a foaming agent used in most readily available soap products, specifically liquid soaps and shampoos, to make products lather and bubble.
They are a drying ingredient that are both linked with eye and skin irritation, and are often the ingredients that make your eyes sting when you get products containing them in your eyes. Many manufacturers add extra synthetic chemicals to their products to mask this side effect.
They also ensure you use more product in liquid soaps, and when used in bar soaps take on more water which means the bar takes longer to dry resulting in evaopartion and soap mush/scum eg a lot of wasted product.
- PTHALATES
Phthalates are used in many readily available products to hold scent and colour. Phthalates have been shown to be hormone disruptors and are linked to linked to asthma, skin irritation, and negative foetal development.
- MIT/BIT
These are preservatives used in several sectors (cosmetics, paint) including detergents. They can give rise to allergy risks. All or our products, including our detergents: Dishwashing Liquid, Floor Cleaner, All-Purpose Spray, Concentrated Laundry Liquid, Glass Spray…. Are formulated 99% Natural Origin ingredients in exclusive allergen free formulas without MIT/BIT.
- GLUTEN
Our soaps do not contain corn, wheat or wheat flakes, oats or oat flakes. We regularly check for ingredient updates and will update as relevant. If you have a specific query, please contact us directly.
- MINERAL OIL
Cheap and therefore used in many readily available products, mineral/petroleum oil comes from crude oil and can be contaminated with toxins linked with cancer. Sometimes prescribed to mask (they form a barrier over the skin) eczema and other chronic skin conditions they are also linked to the cuase of such irritations by not allowing the skin to breathe.
- TALC
A naturally occurring mineral Talc has historically been used as a drying agent. Talc is now known to be a trigger for many skin rashes and reactions. It has frequently been found to be contaminated with asbsetsos, another mineral that grows in a similar environment within the earth.
- LANOLIN
Lanolin Lanolin is a waxy substance that sheep naturally produce to protect their wool. Because lanolin's properties are similar to those of the sebum (oil) secreted by human skin it is frequently used in readily available soap bars, moisturisers and so on. It is a known allergen that causes skin irritation and flare ups for already reactive skin.
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CRUELTY FREE
None of the products we stock are tested on animals in any way.
ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
Most of our soaps contain organic ingredients that are as a result of certified "AB agriculture biologique" this complies with EU regulations on organic processes and standards. Ingredients that are organic are clearly labelled and include Olive oil, Olive leaf extract, Lavender essential oils, Argan Oil, Shea butter. Where products contain organic ingredients this will be detailed in the product information with a *.
Some of our savonneries are small family businesses that can not justify the cost of certifying each soap on an annual basis as organic, this does not stop them using (certified) organic ingredients, and in most products the net content of these in a finished product is significantly higher than required for the accreditation.
PRESERVATIVES
Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative and a chelating ingredient that is used for keeping the colour and the fragrance of the soap stable. Tetrasodium EDTA is an amino acid compound and is also a common food ingredient. This preservative is used in some of our artisan soaps.
VEGAN
Most of our products are suitable for Vegans. The exceptions are those that Contain Organic Goat’s Milk, Organic Donkey Milk, and Propolis.
COLOUR
Many of our soaps are coloured purely through natural plant oils with no added colour.
Some of our soaps contain colour from natural sources and some curated colours. Please contact us for specific requirements.
FRAGRANCE
- ‘Plant Oils’
Traditional Savon de Marseille and Traditional Aleppo Soap are un-fragranced. 100% Hypoallergenic, pure plant oil soap in solid and liquid format. We also stock hypoallergenic soaps fragranced with ‘non-essential plant oils’ eg Calendula and Avocado.
- ‘Parfum’
Derived in part from plant or flower oils and part curated in an independent lab, parfum can be an irritant for some skins types, it can also be used by some people where they have reactions to essential oils. Known allergens, naturally occurring from the ingredients used in the formulations are highlighted and listed.
- ‘Essential Oils’
Super and soothing for some sensitive skins, and irritant for others, Essential Oils come from the steam extraction of natural flower oils. 100% Pure, known naturally occurring irritants are highlighted and listed.
SOURCING
All of our products are carefully sourced from Savonneries in France who use locally sourced natural ingredients and work with environmentally friendly and traditional processes. We work in partnership with them, mutual visiting, developing ranges, learning and evolving.
All our soaps are made in France (except the Aleppo soaps which are made in Aleppo City, Syria). For specific provenance please see each product.
Our soaps are made with plant based ingredients and do not contain Parabens or SLS (sodium laureth sulphate), they are not tested on animals, they are biodegradable, where relevant packaged in recycled and compostable packaging. They are mostly made in small savonnieries that respect traditional soap making methods as well as the environment.
We describe our soaps as being natural because they are made as a result of a natural process using predominantly plant based ingredients. Our soaps are made with vegetal oils that vary depending on the soap: RSPO palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, Shea butter, Argan oil, Avocado Oil, Almond Oil and more. Our soaps also contain varying amounts of plant and flower essences and extracts and some contain plant and flower pieces. Some of our soaps also contain preservatives (to keep the colour and scent), colours and fragrances.
Any of our Savonneries that use palm oil , are accredited and certified as only using products from sustainable sources, this is a positive oil to use: it is great for skin conditioning, it is a fast growing natural resource that is now under a robust stewardship scheme
See https://rspo.org/ and https://www.ecocert.com/en/home for more information.
