The library
Natural Ingredients
The oils, butters, clays, salts and minerals that do the work in our products. Where each one comes from, what it does for skin and hair, how to use it, and which harsh synthetic it replaces.
Activated Charcoal in Deodorant and Soap
Activated charcoal is a porous form of carbon that can trap odor molecules on its surface. Here is what it really does in deodorant and soap, and what it does not do.
Argan Oil for Hair and Skin
Argan oil is a Moroccan treasure that softens skin and adds shine to hair. Here is how to use it, and why so many argan hair serums are mostly silicone.
Beeswax in Skin Care: A Natural Protective Barrier
Beeswax gives balms and lip care their structure and leaves a thin, flexible layer that helps protect skin. Here is how it works and how it compares to petroleum and synthetic waxes.
Bentonite Clay: How Natural Clay Absorbs and Cleanses
Bentonite is a volcanic clay that soaks up oil and moisture, which is why it shows up in masks, soaps, and natural deodorants. Here is how it works and how to use it well.
Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) in Hair and Skin Care
Black seed oil from Nigella sativa has a long traditional history and a growing body of lab research. Here is what it can do for hair and skin, and how to use it carefully.
Castor Oil for Skin, Lashes and Hair
Castor oil is thick, glossy, and unusually rich in one fatty acid. Here is what it can and cannot do for skin, lashes, and hair, and how to use it with care.
Epsom Salt and Sea Salt Baths: Minerals and Relaxation
A warm mineral bath is one of the oldest ways to unwind. Here is what Epsom salt and sea salt really do, where the claims go too far, and how to soak safely.
Essential Oils: Benefits, Dilution and Safety
Essential oils bring scent and character to natural body care, but they are concentrated plant chemicals. Here is how to dilute them, which ones need extra care, and how they compare to synthetic fragrance.
Jojoba Oil: The Plant Oil That Mimics Skin's Own Sebum
Jojoba is not really an oil at all but a liquid wax from a desert shrub, and its structure resembles part of your skin's natural sebum. Here is why that matters.
Prickly Pear Seed Oil: The Desert's Luxury Facial Oil
Pressed from the tiny seeds of cactus fruit, prickly pear seed oil is light, silky, and naturally rich in vitamin E. Here is what it does and how to buy it wisely.
Rosehip Seed Oil: Vitamin Rich Facial Oil
Rosehip seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids and natural carotenoids, which makes it a favorite facial oil. Here is what it can do, what is overstated, and how to use it.
Sacha Inchi and Rice Bran Oil for Hair
Sacha inchi and rice bran oils are two light, lesser known oils that soften hair and add shine without weighing it down. Here is what they offer and how to use them.
Shea Butter: Benefits for Skin, Lips and Hair
Shea butter is a rich, plant based fat from West Africa that helps soften dry skin, lips and hair. Here is how it works, how to use it, and how to pick a good one.
Zinc Oxide: The Mineral Sun Filter Explained
Zinc oxide is one of only two sunscreen ingredients the FDA has proposed as safe and effective. Here is how it works, why it suits sensitive skin, and how to use it well.