Cade Wood Oil - Juniperus oxycedrus . Essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the wood from the juniper tree. Used by European herbalists as a cleanser and toner to help clear and condition the scalp and prevent flaking. Today coal tar, a dangerous petrochemical, is generally used in its place in many mass-produced hair care products.

Calaguala Fern Extract - Polypodium leucotomos . Used by Mayan Indians in skin and scalp preparations as far back as 350 B.C., this soothing herbal smoothes and conditions the skin and helps clear and tone the scalp and remove buildup. A superb addition to preparations for dry skin and scalp conditions.

Calamine - A natural blend of zinc oxide and a small amount of ferric oxide, used in skin lotions, ointments and liniments for the treatment of itchy skin and rashes.

Calcium Pyrophosphate - Mild abrasive added to toothpastes for cleaning and whitening teeth.

Calendula - Calendula officinalis . The common Marigold, known for its healing and analgesic properties. It is a frequent ingredient in ointments and natural deodorants. Contains saponins. Sometimes used as a natural yellow color. Soothes, heals, restores. Calendula is an excellent anti-inflammatory, and is very useful for eczema, dermatitis and irritated skin in general.

Candelilla Wax - A wax derived from the Candelilla plant

Camomile - Anthemis nobilis . A softening agent for rough, dry skin, used since ancient times for its calming and conditioning effects. Its soothing and hydrating properties also work well on the hair and scalp. (See also Roman Camomile ; Blue Camomile .)

Camphor Oil - Cinnamomum camphora . Tonic and freshener used in small amounts in lotions and creams for its cooling and soothing effects. Has antiinflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Canadian Willowherb - Epilobium angustifolium . Antiinflammatory and soothing agent shown in clinical studies to work faster and better than many hydrocortisone creams in reducing itching and irritation. A superb skin care ingredient, often used in suncare products. Contains salicylic acid.

Carrageenan - Food-grade seaweed gum obtained from Irish moss ( Chondrus crispus ) and other red algae. A natural stabilizer, binding agent and emulsifier. Food-grade carrageenan should not be confused with degraded carrageenan, which is a known carcinogen.

Carrot Oil - Daucus carota var . sativa . The seeds of carrots yield an essential oil that is rich in beta carotene, orange or red compounds that are precursors to vitamin A and occur naturally in plants. Also high in vitamin E, it is essential to skin cell regeneration and stimulates the production of sebum in dry, scaly scalps and skin.

Carrot Seed Extract - Carrot seed has regenerating and toning effects, which is excellent for mature and congested skin.

Carrageenan Gum - Carrageenan is a natural gum derived from certain types of red seaweeds belonging to the Rhodophyceae family. Carrageenan is used for thickening, suspending and binding ingredients.

Castile Soap - A mild vegetable oil-based soap saponified with an alkaline salt.

Catnip Essential Oil - Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family. It is primarily known for the stimulating effect it has on cats, although some people use the leaves in tea, as a meat tenderizer and even as a folk treatment for fevers, colds, cramps and migraines. Research by Iowa State University and the US Forest Service announced that nepatalactone, a component in catnip, can be used as a very effective mosquito repellent. The authors stated that nepetalactone is about 10 times more effective than DEET, the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

Cayenne Pepper Extract - Capsicum frutescens . Its active ingredient, capsaicin (the chemical responsible for making peppers hot) is a powerful analgesic that works by blocking the activity of substance P, responsible for the transmission of pain impulses in the body. An excellent anti-inflammatory and warming agent, used in massage lotions and liniments to soothe tight, overworked muscles and tension.

Cedarwood Oil (Red) - Juniperus virginiana . Essential oil known for its antiirritant properties and its soothing effect on the skin and scalp. Sometimes used as a natural fragrance.

Cellulose Gum - The most abundant polymer found in nature. Used as a setting agent in hairsprays, styling gels and mousses. A natural alternative to synthetic polymers (such as PVP) found in most mass-produced styling aids. Also used as a binder and thickener in cosmetic products.

Celtic Sea Salt - Hand harvested Sea salt. Natural bath crystal. High in essential minerals.

Centaury - (Century Herb) Erythraea centaurium . Used in cosmetics for its soothing and astringent properties. Applied topically, it helps even out skin tones and fade freckles and other skin discolorations. Also used as a natural color.

Chamomile Extract - Antimicrobial, calming, soothing.

Chamomile German Essential Oil - German Chamomile has anti-bacterial and fungicidal properties. It has excellent wound-healing and pain-relieving properties.

Chamomile Roman Essential Oil - The pure essential oil Roman Chamomile flowers is antiseptic, astringent and has healing properties for dermatitis, eczema, acne and rashes. It is especially effective in treating sensitive, dry and inflamed skin.

Chestnut Extract - Castanea sativa . Tonic and astringent, also used as a natural brown color in makeup formulations.

Chinese Angelica - (Dong Quai) Angelica sinensis . Superb skin and scalp tonic and antibacterial used in preparations for acne and other skin conditions.

Chinese Chrysanthemum - (Ju hua) Chrysanthemum morifolium . Used in Chinese medicine in the treatment of allergic reactions and skin irritations. Known for its soothing effect on the skin and scalp.

Chinese Golden Thread - Coptis chinensis . Natural antibiotic and immune system enhancer. Very similar to goldenseal, but four times higher in its active constituent berberine.

Chlorella - Chlorella pyrenoidosa . Made up of over 60% protein, this green micro-algae contains all the essential amino acids, and is high in chlorophyll and vitamin B. An excellent nutrient, often used as a skin hydrator. A natural ocean algae extract that provides a high moisturising and soothing properties. High in natural mineral content. Used for its known qualities towards repairing cuticles and strengthening nails.

Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum roseum . Often called Persian pellitory or painted daisy. A natural astringent and skin revitalizer.

Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil - Antimicrobial, mild astringent, soothes, cools

Cinnamon - Cinnamomum zeylanicum . Fragrant spice used as a coloring agent in natural makeup powders.

Citric Acid - Extract from citrus fruits used as a natural pH adjuster in cosmetics. Added to shampoos, it acts as a chelating agent, binding to chlorine and iron (from hard water) and removing them from the hair.

Citric Seed Extract - Derived from citrus fruit and employed as a preservative and helps adjust acid/alkaline balance.

Citronella Essential Oil - Steam distilled from Managrass or Lemon Balm grass. Uplifting and clearing. Good for oily skin and excessive perspiration. Insect repellent.

Clary Sage Oil - Salvia sclera . Essential oil with astringent and anti-wrinkle properties, also used as a natural fragrance.

Clematis - Clematis vitalba . Applied topically, this herb has anti-inflammatory properties and a soothing effect on the skin.

Clove Oil - Eugenia caryophyllus . Soothing agent and antiseptic. Herbalists often recommend this fragrant herb for sensitive teeth and gums.

Clove Bud Essential Oil - Steam distilled from the Clove flower buds. Clove oil is antiseptic, stimulating and pain-killing.

Cocoa Butter - Pressed from the delicious smelling cocoa bean. It is a rich emollient for dry skin. Softens and protects, particularly where skin is thin (eyes, lips and throat).

Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base - Absorption base containing essential fatty acids, coconut fatty alcohols from palm kernels, aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E. Rich in linoleic and linolenic acids (vitamin F), excellent nutrients and skin conditioners. In hair care products, it is often combined with the important amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are high in sulfur and excellent for the hair and scalp.

Coconut Fatty Alcohols - The long-chain fatty alcohols from coconut palm kernels, which are natural emollients. Synthetic versions of cetyl alcohol are often used in commercial formulations and should be avoided.

Coconut Milk - Cocos nucifera . The milk from coconuts, a natural hair and skin hydrator.

Coconut Oil - Cocos nucifera . Rich emollient expressed from coconuts. It is naturally converted into a soap through a saponification reaction with an alkaline salt. Beware of cosmetics that bill themselves as "natural" and use a synthetically processed derivative, sodium lauryl sulfate, claiming it comes "from coconut oil." Accept nothing but the real thing in its natural form.

Coconut Oil-Corn Oil Soap - Natural cleansing and foaming agent made from coconut/palm fatty alcohols and glucose obtained from corn. This mild, natural detergent has a similar composition to saponins (plant glycosides) obtained from soap bark (quillaya) and yucca root.

Coco Betaine - Derived from coconut oil and is used as a foaming agent.

Coco polyglucose - Coco polyglucose is a "non-ionic surfactant" (foaming agent) synthesised from coconut and glucose from corn. Coco polyglucose has excellent dermatological compatibility (i.e. it is very mild on the skin). Based on the Duhring Chamber Test it has the lowest irritation score of all common surfactants tested. It is free from ethylene oxide (which can cause nitrosamine contamination) and free from preservatives. It has low environmental impact due to: 1. high biodegradability (breaks down readily) 2. high eco-toxicological compatibility (doesn't harm the environment if released) 3. it manufactured from completely renewable vegetable raw materials Having praised it's virtues, we still feel it is an "undesirable" in our range of certified organic raw materials, and we eventually hope to replace with the certified organic “foaming agent” of similar functionality.

Collagen - Dermal protein that makes up 70 percent of the body's connective tissue. Applied topically, it helps attract and retain moisture to smooth and soften the skin, increase elasticity and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Coltsfoot - Tussilago farfara . Superb skin nutrient, high in polysaccharides, vitamin C and zinc. A natural antiinflammatory and soothing agent, it helps soften and regenerate the skin.

Combined with horsetail in hair care preparations, it strengthens and smoothes hair fiber and promotes scalp health.

Corn Cob Meal - Zea mays . Powder obtained from ground dried corn cobs, added to masks and scrubs for its pore-clearing and exfoliating properties. Sometimes used as a thickener.

Corn Meal - Zea mays . Meal obtained from ground corn, used as a thickener and mild exfoliant in cosmetic formulations. It has a soothing and softening effect on the skin.

Corn Starch - Cornstarch is an ultra-fine, powdery flour ground from the endosperm, or white heart, of organic corn kernels.

Corn Syrup - Natural chelating agent added to shampoos to improve rinseability by binding to iron (from hard water) and chlorine and removing them from the hair. Also used as an emulsifier and humectant.

Cucumber - Cucumis sativa . Used in face creams, lotions and cleansers for its astringent, soothing and cooling properties. Rich in antioxidant vitamin C, an excellent protector and skin nutrient.

Cypress Blue Australian Essential Oil - Antibacterial, astringent, fixative. Distilled from the heartwood of the native Australian cypress tree. Warm and woody aroma with anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant and anti-viral properties.

Cysteine - Sulfur-rich amino acid, very beneficial to the hair and skin.

Cystine - Sulfur-rich amino acid.