ingredients

Your A-Z guide of the ingredients we’ve carefully chosen to use in our formulations.

Here you can discover what the ingredient does and how it works, along with insider tips from our founder and formulator.

D E F M Q T U V W X Z

Argan Oil

moisturise & repair

From the tree (Argania Spinosa l.)
Argan oil with it’s high fatty acid and vitamin E content is the ultimate in moisturising oils. Extracted from the kernels of the Moroccan Argan tree, our Argan oil is organically produced and wonderful for dry hair and skin.
Argan Oil contains a blend of linoleic and oleic fatty acids, tocopherols (Vitamin E) and a plethora of organic plant compounds that can improve skin hydration by restoring barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity of the skin as well as protecting the skin and hair from the adverse effects of free radicals - the main cause of premature ageing.

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Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Powder

restoring & hydrating

Aloe Barbadensis
The plant offers great benefits for the skin and hair and its properties have been recognised for thousands of years in traditional medicine; its use has been recorded as early as 2,200 BC.
Aloe vera has great moisturising properties. That’s because it is rich in polysaccharides, which are highly hygroscopic (water-loving) and bind to moisture. Its structure forms a protective film for the skin, which helps give it its healing properties.

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Behenamidopropyl dimethylamine

smoothing frizz

This is our amazing conditioning agent. It is a fabulous example of green chemistry at its best. Derived from Rapeseed Oil it is highly biodegradable and has extremely low aquatic toxicity when compared with other commonly available conditioning agents.

Brassica alcohol

Emulsifier and moisturiser

This is a fatty alcohol it acts as an emulsifier and moisturiser to the skin and hair. Despite the word “alcohol” it bears no relationship to the ethanol based alcohol which can be very drying to the skin and hair. As a fatty alcohol it is moisturising and “Curly Girl Method” approved.

Brassica glycerides

moisturise & smooth

Derived from renewable, sustainable, non-GM Rapeseed oil. These fatty acids provide, structure and great skin feel.

Brassicyl isoleucinate estylate

anti static

Derived from renewable, sustainable, non-GM Rapeseed oil this ECO certified emulsifying agent gives great skin feel and has anti-static properties for the hair.

Cacao butter

hydrates & protects

Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, which is why it’s often touted for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin and improve elasticity. The fat in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier over skin to hold in moisture.
The Cacao industry is rife with unsustainable farming practices and poor labour standards that is why we source Organic Cacao Butter from the ACOPAGRO Cooperative in Peru which is committed to sustainable farming practices and fair work practices and pricing for farmers.

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Caprylhydroxamic Acid (&) Caprylyl Glycol (&) Glycerin

bars lasting longer

This is our preserving agent. It is a blend of multifunctional ingredients used to create a self-preserving formulation. By using multiple ingredients we can use gentler ones whilst not compromising on keeping your bar free from bacteria and mould growths. It is free of the more “suspect” preserving agents like as parabens, isothiazolinones and formaldehyde donors.

Calendula infused olive oil

anti bacterial & soothing

Calendula officinalis flowers have long been used topically on the skin by herbalists for their antibacterial and soothing properties. They have a delightful yellow, orange colour which they bring to our oily skin and hair range.

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Caprylic/capric triglyceride

deeply moisturising

Also known as fractionated Coconut oil or Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). These components of Coconut oil have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects and are deeply moisturising to the skin and hair. They also have a drier, less greasy feel than straight Coconut oil so help bring a more balanced touch to our product.

Cedarwood essential oil

antiseptic & hair strength

Cedrus Atlantica
Cedarwood is a low irritant oil with a warm woody scent it has traditionally been used for its astringent and antiseptic properties. It has a reputation for strengthening hair growth and alleviating dandruff.

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Chlorophyll

Natural colouring agent

From Alfalfa grass
We use Chlorophyll from Alfalfa grass to colour our Spearmint and Shampooch bars. Nuebar avoids the use of Micas to colour our products (commonly used in cosmetics) because of issues with child labour. The only colourants we use to differentiate our range are iron oxide, chlorophyll or the natural colours of the ingredients in the product.

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Coconut oil

hair strength & repair

The wonderful thing about coconut oil, apart from being an amazing source of medium chain fatty acids with anti-bacterial and antifungal properties, is that unlike many other oils, it has a high affinity for hair proteins. Coconut oil can absorb right into the hair shaft strengthening it by preventing protein loss.
We use an extra Virgin Organic Coconut oil from the Solomon Islands that is produced by a social enterprise which gives back 100% of the profits from the oil to the villagers who produce it.

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Coffee

stimulating & exfoliating

Coffee grounds give a coarse wash making for a vigorous scrub that is suited to those who like a strong sensation of exfoliation. Coffee exfoliation should not be used on the face, our coffee scrub is for the body only.
We use recycled coffee grounds in our coffee exfoliant body bar, so they have already delivered someone a satisfying brew!

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Colloidal oatmeal

soothe & protect

Avena sativa (Oats) finely ground.
Oats are soothing and moisturising to the skin. They are especially suitable for sensitive skins as they help to reduce itch and create a gentle and natural protective barrier

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Glyceryl stearate citrate

bar structure

Derived from Non-GM corn and canola oil this ingredient provides structure and emulsifying properties to our bars.

Ghassoul clay

gently exfoliating

AKA: rhassoul clay
Ghassoul comes from the Arabic word "ghassala", meaning "to wash". This extremely fine and mineral rich Moroccan lava clay has a smooth, almost lubricating feel on the skin. Its gentle, softening quality makes it suitable for even the most sensitive skins whilst it exfoliates and draws out impurities.

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Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate & hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables

smooth hair & skin

This is an ester complex from made from olive oil. Rather than having an oily feel it leaves a light and soft touch to the skin and hair. This ingredient acts as a vegetable based alternative to silicones which are used in many hair and skin products, but not ours.

Iron oxide

bar colour

Iron oxide are used in some of our bars (dry and oily ranges only) to create colour. Our iron oxides have been prepared to be free of any impurities and only tiny amounts are used. We avoid the use of Micas to colour our products (commonly used in cosmetics) because of issues with child labour.

Kunzea essential oil

Anti-inflammatory

Kunzea Ambigua
A native of Australia, Kunzea is is part of the Myrtaceae family (Myrtle) and related to both Australian Tea Tree and New Zealand Manuka. Kunzea shares many of the same properties as these botanical relatives, in that it is antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. Kunzea has an upliftingly rich, warm and earthy scent.

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Lactic acid

pH balance

Our lactic acid is produced via the fermentation of a cultured bacteria via biotechnology, it is used to gently pH balance our bars so that they match the pH range of the skin and hair which is naturally mildly acidic. (See our blog post “Soap Vs NueBar” for more on this topic)

Lavender essential oil

Scent & relaxation

Lavender is a well-loved essential oil which is known for its gentleness. It has a floral, herbaceous aroma with woody undertones and relaxing properties that are said to assist with sleep.

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Neem oil

Antibacterial

This strong, earthy smelling oil comes from the kernels of the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica). Neem oil has a long tradition of use for the hair and scalp in India. It has a high fatty acid content and is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

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Orange Essential Oil

Scent

Orange oil has a lovely uplifting and refreshing scent. Citrus oils are extracted from the peel by cold pressing.

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Olive oil (extra virgin, organic)

Moisturising & hydrating

EV Olive oil is just as fabulous for you on the outside as it is for you on the inside. Your skin and hair will love all the naturally occurring antioxidants and super hydrating squalene. Olive is our choice of oil for our all of our sensitive (fragrance free) products as it is extremely low allergy.

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Pink grapefruit essential oil (citrus paradisi)

Scent & stress relief

Pink Grapefruit is known to be the gentlest of the citrus essential oils but with a fresh, uplifting scent. It is commonly used to relieve stress and nervous tension.

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Panthenol (vitamin b5)

Soothing and softness

This is a vitamin found abundantly in nature. It is used in hair and skin care products for its moisturising, softening, soothing, and anti-irritant actions.

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Saccharide isomerate

Deeply moisturising

Saccharide Isomerate is a natural carbohydrate complex that is ECO certified. It naturally occurs in the stratum corneum of the skin and is proven to provide long-lasting, deep moisturising effects even at low concentrations.

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Shea oil (organic)

Moisturising & protective

To turn Shea Butter into Shea Oil all that is required is gentle heating (Shea butter melts at about 38°C) and filtering so that the heavier components are removed. This leaves a lighter, smoother oil that has a delightful luxurious but non-greasy feel on the skin.

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Sodium cocoyl isethionate

Cleanser

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is a surfactant (cleanser) derived from coconut oil. It is very mild and therefore unlikely to cause irritation compared to harsh (and cheap) surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Cleanser

This is another one of our gentle coconut based surfactants. Instead of using just one surfactant we carefully blend three gentle surfactants in the just the right ratio to create a beautiful balance of gentleness and cleansing ability.

Sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate

cleanser

Long name I know, and it has a ‘lauryl’ and a ‘sulfonate’ in it, this scares some people! But don't worry, chemically it is nothing like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate which can be extremely irritating. This is in fact another of our gentle, palm oil free surfactants. This one is made from coconut and sugars and falls into the most gentle category of them all. In fact, in a 48 hour occlusive skin patch test on human volunteers with 53 test subjects, 53/53 showed NO visible skin reaction and NO potential for dermal irritation. That’s a seriously impressive result!

Spearmint Essential Oil

Fresh & invigorating

Mentha viridis
A refreshing and invigorating scent used in our green body wash bar may help to relieve stress and tension.
Unlike its minty “cousin” Peppermint, Spearmint is a lot milder on the skin and less irritating.

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Sunflower Oil

Antioxidant & moisturising

Helianthus Annuus
Sunflower seed oil is packed full of beneficial oils (oleic acid, linoleic acid) and Vitamin E. It improves skin hydration and acts as an antioxidant. The linoleic acid found in Sunflower oil protects the skin and helps to reduce moisture loss.

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Ylang ylang essential oil

Calming scent

Cananga odorata
Ylang ylang has a beautiful heady floral scent and has traditionally been used for its calming and balancing properties.

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