Grounded Ingredient Guide

What goes into your soap and skincare matters. This guide explains ingredients and traditional soapmaking terms you may encounter throughout Grounded Holistic Apothecary. Individual formulas vary, so always check the ingredient list on the specific product page.

Ingredients We Use + Why

Tallow

Tallow is rendered beef fat traditionally used in soap and body care. In cold-process soap, it contributes to a firm, long-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather. In leave-on body care, it provides a rich, emollient feel. Explore our handcrafted tallow soaps and tallow body butters.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are plant-based oils used as part of a skincare formula or to dilute concentrated aromatic ingredients such as essential oils. Different oils contribute their own texture, glide and skin feel to a finished product.

Botanicals

Flowers, herbs, leaves, roots and other plant materials may be incorporated into Grounded formulas or used as infusions. Depending on the formula, botanicals can contribute color, aroma, texture or simply reflect the traditional plant-inspired character of the product.

Botanical Infusions

An infusion is made by steeping selected plant material in an oil so oil-soluble components from the botanical become part of the infused oil. We use botanical ingredients thoughtfully according to the individual formula.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite is a naturally occurring clay used in some soap formulas for its distinctive texture and cleansing feel. Clay can also contribute slip, color and a softly polished feel to a bar.

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin is a fine, gentle clay commonly used in handmade soap and skincare. In soap, it can contribute a silky feel, subtle natural color and a smooth cleansing experience.

Honey

Honey is a naturally occurring humectant, meaning it attracts water. In handcrafted soap and body-care formulas, it may contribute to texture, lather and the overall sensory character of the product.

Sea Salt

Salt can add texture and a gently exfoliating feel to certain formulas. In cold-process soapmaking, salt can also contribute to a firmer bar.

Essential Oils + Aromatic Ingredients

Essential oils are concentrated aromatic plant extracts used in selected Grounded products for fragrance and sensory experience. Not every product contains essential oils, and we also offer unscented products for customers who prefer formulas without added scent. Always review the specific product ingredient list.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture at the skin's surface. It is commonly used in skincare formulas designed to support a hydrated, comfortable skin feel.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 commonly used in skincare. It is valued in cosmetic formulations for supporting the appearance of smoother, more even-looking skin.

Charcoal

Activated charcoal is used in selected soap formulas for its deep natural color and distinctive cleansing character. It also gives handcrafted bars a striking mineral-rich appearance.

Magnesium

Magnesium is featured in our topical magnesium collection. These products are designed for external body-care use and are formulated to be incorporated into a simple massage and self-care routine. Follow the directions on each product and apply only to intact skin. Explore Grounded Topical Magnesium.

Cold-Process Soapmaking Terms

Cold Process Soap

Cold process is a traditional soapmaking method in which fats and oils are combined with a sodium hydroxide solution to begin saponification. The freshly made soap is then allowed time to harden and cure before use.

Lye / Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide, commonly called lye, is necessary to make traditional bar soap. During properly formulated soapmaking, sodium hydroxide reacts with fats and oils through saponification to create soap.

Saponification

Saponification is the chemical reaction that occurs when fats or oils react with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide. This reaction transforms the starting ingredients into soap and glycerin.

Curing

Curing is the resting period after cold-process soap is made. During this time the bar becomes harder as excess water evaporates and the finished soap develops the qualities associated with a well-cured handcrafted bar.

Superfat

Superfat refers to the portion of fats or oils intentionally left unsaponified in a soap formula. Soapmakers carefully calculate a formula's superfat as part of balancing cleansing, hardness and the finished skin feel of the bar.

Trace

Trace is a soapmaking stage when the blended oils and lye solution have emulsified and the soap batter begins to thicken. Soapmakers use the appearance and consistency of trace to help determine when a batch is ready for the next steps.

Lather

Lather is the foam and bubbles created when soap is worked with water. The size, creaminess and persistence of lather are influenced by the particular fats, oils and other ingredients used in the formula.

How to Choose a Grounded Formula

Start with the product itself rather than choosing an ingredient in isolation. Each Grounded formula combines ingredients for a particular texture, aroma and experience. Review the complete ingredient list on the product page, especially if you have known sensitivities or prefer unscented products.

Browse all Grounded products, explore our tallow soap collection, or visit our FAQ for answers about ingredients, product care and how to use Grounded products.

This guide is provided for general ingredient and product education. Grounded products are cosmetic/body-care products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.