Vegetable Oils & Nut Butters

Castor oil (ricinnus communis) is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant. It acts as a humectant by attracting and retaining moisture to the skin and hair. Castor oil is great in products designed to create a barrier between the skin and extreme environmental conditions. We use it in our shampoo bars.

Coconut oil (cocos nucifera) is available in a few different forms. Saltysiren uses refined coconut oil in some of our soap formulas, it produced a nice rich lather, adds stability to the bar, and is odorless. We also use virgin coconut oil, which is extracted from fresh coconut meat with a centrifuge. This oil is very rich, it has incredible moisturizing abilities, and smells like coconut! We use this kind of coconut oil in our lip balms, lotion bars, and in our baby and moisturizing soaps.

Hemp seed oil (cannabis sativa) is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. This oil is very high in essential fatty acids, which help stimulate cell growth essential for healing. Hemp oil is especially good for dry skin and has the benefit of being absorbed by the skin quickly. We use hemp oil in our lip balm.

Cocoa butter is made by pressing the same kind of cocoa beans used to make chocolate, which if not the deodorized version, will smell like chocolate. Cocoa butter has moisturizing qualities and is best used as a protective barrier to retain moisture in the skin.

Shea butter (butyrosperum parki) comes from the pits of the fruit of the African butter tree which grows in Central Africa. Shea butter is very rich, yet mild and has a very creamy texture. Shea butter is valued for it's emollient properties.