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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
View all products with Calendula infused olive oilCaprylic/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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
View all products with Lavender essential oilNeem 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.
View all products with Neem oilOrange Essential Oil
Scent
Orange oil has a lovely uplifting and refreshing scent. Citrus oils are extracted from the peel by cold pressing.
View all products with Orange Essential OilOlive 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.
View all products with Olive oil (extra virgin, organic)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.
View all products with Pink grapefruit essential oil (citrus paradisi)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.
View all products with Panthenol (vitamin b5)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.
View all products with Saccharide isomerateShea 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.
View all products with Shea oil (organic)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.
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.
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.