We consciously choose not to use palm oil in our formulations. Not because palm oil is harmful, but because of three specific considerations: formulation control, traceability and texture.
What is palm oil?
Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It is one of the most widely used plant-based oils in the world, both in food and cosmetics. In soap, palm oil is commonly used for hardness and structural stability of the bar.
On INCI lists, palm oil appears as "Elaeis Guineensis Oil". Saponified palm oil is listed as "Sodium Palmate" or "Sodium Palm Kernelate".
Why we choose not to use it
Our choice is a deliberate formulation decision based on three factors:
1. Formulation control
Palm oil has properties that vary significantly between batches. This makes it difficult to keep texture, lather and skin feel exactly consistent from one production run to the next. We choose oils and butters that are more predictable in formulation, so every bar delivers the same experience.
2. Traceability
Full origin and supply chain control is essential to us. With our chosen oils, the origin and processing are clear and verifiable. This aligns with our philosophy of radical transparency: we want to account for every ingredient, from source to skin.
3. Product feel
Our formulas are developed with a focus on skin comfort. Alternative plant oils and butters give us more control over softness, residue and how the bar feels on the skin. The result is a product we can fine-tune precisely to the experience we aim for.
What we use instead
The properties that palm oil is typically valued for in soap, we achieve with:
- —Coconut oil (Sodium Cocoate) · provides hardness, lather formation and cleansing
- —Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter) · gives structure and moisturises
- —Olive oil (Sodium Olivate) · nourishes the skin and contributes to mildness
Is palm oil bad?
No. Palm oil is not harmful to the skin and is an effective, widely used ingredient in soap. It has been used in cosmetics for centuries and is approved for cosmetic use.
Our choice is not a judgement on palm oil itself. It is a formulation decision based on the specific requirements of our products: consistency, traceability and skin feel.
How to recognise palm oil on an INCI list
Palm oil and its derivatives can appear under various names:
- —Elaeis Guineensis Oil (pure palm oil)
- —Sodium Palmate (saponified palm oil)
- —Sodium Palm Kernelate (saponified palm kernel oil)
- —Palm Kernel Acid
- —Palmitic Acid (can be from palm, but also from other sources)
- —Glyceryl Stearate (sometimes derived from palm)
Our NO-list
Palm oil is on our NO-list: a published list of ingredients that we do not use. This list is based on formulation preference and transparency, not on claims about safety or superiority.
View the full ingredient list and NO-list.
Last updated: 2026-02-04