Our ingredient promise

Our Ingredients Policy

Naturally sourced. Carefully screened. No unnecessary nasties.

At Essentially Natural, every product is checked before it is listed. We prioritise natural-origin, safe, useful and environmentally considerate ingredients, and we would rather say no to a product than compromise on our standards.

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Reviewed before listing
Pure oils & botanicals
Strict ingredient no-list
Natural ingredients and amber bottles
Naturally sourced ingredients

Our Ingredient Promise

Natural First

We prioritise natural and natural-origin ingredients whenever possible.

Safety Checked

Ready-to-use products are checked for unwanted or concerning ingredients.

No Fillers in Botanicals

Our dried herbs, flowers and botanicals are pure plant material with no fillers or additives.

No Compromise Listing Policy

If one ingredient does not meet our standard, the product does not get listed.

Ingredient review and botanical testing

What We Check Before We List a Product

  • Ingredient origin, quality and traceability
  • Suitability for natural formulation and intended use
  • Biodegradability and environmental impact where relevant
  • Preservative systems for water-containing products
  • Fragrance and colourant type and safety
  • Palm-derived ingredients and sustainability where relevant
  • Certification or supplier documentation where applicable
Our standard is high because your health, your trust and the planet matter.

Ingredients You Won’t Find Here

We keep our no-list clear and practical, so customers can understand what we avoid and why.

Synthetic Fragrance & Colour Concerns Synthetic harmful colourants, synthetic fragrances, phthalates
We avoid unnecessary synthetic fragrance and colour concerns, especially where safer natural alternatives are available.
Petroleum-Derived Ingredients Mineral oils, paraffin, petrolatum
We prioritise plant, mineral and natural-origin ingredients and avoid petroleum-derived ingredients where natural alternatives can do the job.
Harsh Surfactants & Sulfates SLS, SLES, sulfates
We avoid harsh surfactants and sulfates in favour of gentler options that better suit natural formulation principles.
Preservatives & Controversial Additives We Avoid Parabens, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, BHA, BHT, triclosan
We avoid preservative systems and additives that do not align with our ingredient standards, while still recognising that safe preservation is essential for water-containing products.
Other No-List Ingredients EDTA, cyclic silicones, talc, toluene, toxic heavy metal levels
We screen products for other ingredients or impurity concerns that do not meet our natural, safety and quality expectations.

We base decisions on evidence, not fear.

Ingredients are assessed for safety, purpose, natural origin and overall formulation suitability.

Nuance Matters

Natural product standards need care and context. Some ingredient decisions are more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

Palm-Derived Ingredients

We do not sell palm oil, but some products may contain palm-derived ingredients. Where relevant, we prioritise responsibly sourced options.

Certain Silicones

We avoid cyclic silicones, while recognising that different silicone classes behave differently and have different safety profiles.

Preservatives

Water-containing products need preservation. We allow suitable preservative systems where they meet safety and quality expectations.

Sourcing & Certification

Local Sourcing

We support local suppliers and source locally wherever possible.

GMO-Free

Where products are certified GMO-free, this will be clearly stated.

Organic

Organic status is stated on the product page where confirmed.

Vegan

Most products are plant-derived. Vegan status is indicated where relevant.

Cruelty-Free

We do not test on animals and work with suppliers that share our values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does natural mean preservative-free?
No. Water-containing products usually need a suitable preservative system to remain safe and stable.
Do you allow palm-derived ingredients?
Sometimes, where there is a justified functional reason and sustainability has been considered.
Are all your products organic?
No. Organic status is product-specific and will be stated on the product page where confirmed.
Can I ask about a specific ingredient?
Yes. Contact our team and we’ll help check the product details for you.
Are all your products vegan?
Most are plant-derived, but vegan status should be checked on the relevant product page where needed.
Where can I verify certifications?
Certifications and approval notes are listed on product pages where confirmed and relevant.

We believe in transparency, integrity and conscious choices.

If you have any questions about ingredients in our products, our team is here to help.

Contact Us

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