How to read a shampoo label
👉 Use the EWG Skin Deep database to check what's really in your products.
You might've seen "sulfate-free" or "natural" on a bottle and thought, great, it's safe. But here's the thing: most commercial shampoos are full of lab-created ingredients that don't need to be there. And even so-called "clean" products often contain synthetic alternatives that aren't much better.
Let's break down some common commercial ingredients:
A foaming agent used in everything from car wash soap to toothpaste. It's harsh and strips your hair and scalp of natural oils, leading to dryness, itchiness, or irritation.
I don't use synthetic surfactants. Soap made from oils + lye naturally creates lather without needing aggressive chemicals.
Marketed as "gentler" than SLS, but it's still a sulfate and still synthetic. It goes through a process called ethoxylation, which can leave behind 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
Not necessary. My bars cleanse effectively without synthetic chemistry.
Common synthetic cleansers marketed as "gentle" alternatives to SLS, derived from coconut oil but still processed. Popular in sulfate-free formulas, but still lab-made and not part of traditional soapmaking.
Coconut oil + lye (saponified) creates a natural cleansing soap with a rich lather. Castor oil boosts lather too — no synthetic foam boosters needed.
This one word can legally contain dozens of hidden ingredients, many of which are allergens or hormone disruptors. Companies aren't required to list them individually.
I use essential oil blends you can read, recognize, and pronounce. No mystery chemicals here.
These coat the hair to make it feel smooth, but they don't actually nourish or hydrate. Over time, they build up and can weigh hair down or block moisture.
I use real moisturizers like shea butter, panthenol, and cocoa butter — ingredients that actually help your hair, not just fake it.
Used in liquid shampoos to prevent mold, but many are linked to hormone disruption.
My bars don't contain water after curing, so they don't need synthetic preservatives. And you're not storing them in a bottle for years anyway.
Anti-static and detangling agents, but they're often plastic-based and can build up just like silicones.
I rely on ingredients like castor oil and panthenol to naturally condition and reduce frizz, without plastic.
You'll see these in a lot of sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo bars, and honestly, they're not the worst. They're synthetic cleansers derived from coconut, and they do a great job lathering and cleaning without the same harshness as SLS. But they're still lab-made surfactants, and they require a fair bit of processing.
I don't use them because I believe we can clean our scalp without these processed ingredients. I use a cold process soap base — a method that uses natural oils and lye to create a gentle, effective cleanser the old-school way. No synthetic detergents, just real soap.
I don't make wild claims. I'm not a chemist. I'm someone who wanted to clean up her own routine, and share something better. These bars are handcrafted, intentionally formulated, and designed to be both simple and effective. And if something doesn't sit right with your hair, scalp, or values, that's okay. You get to choose. That's the whole point.
Every base oil, butter, and functional add-in is listed and explained on The Base Recipe — olive, coconut, avocado, castor and neem oils, shea and cocoa butter, plus lye, distilled water, sodium lactate, and panthenol.
A transparency note on sodium lactate. It's a naturally derived salt (from fermented sugars, like in beets) that helps harden the bar so it lasts longer, makes it easier to unmold, and adds mild moisture-drawing properties. It's generally considered safe and gentle, but some people with extremely sensitive skin may prefer bars without added humectants. If that's you, email me and I will make you a batch without it.
I use essential oils, not fragrance oils, and always within the International Fragrance Association Standards. Each blend is formulated for hair and mood. But they are potent botanicals, and I believe in an informed choice — here's what to know about each:
Scalp-stimulating and clarifying. Ideal for oily or flaky scalps.
⚠️ Peppermint and rosemary can be stimulating — not recommended during pregnancy or for young children.
Floral and calming. Great for reducing frizz and rebalancing scalp oil.
⚠️ Ylang ylang and clary sage can be hormone-active — avoid if sensitive or pregnant.
Moisture-rich and emotionally grounding.
⚠️ Rose and jasmine are beautiful but can be allergens for some. Always patch test if you're unsure.
No essential oils. Just the natural scent of the ingredients — mild, earthy, and honest. Great for sensitive skin, scent-free routines, or kids.