Ingredients

All Things Good. That’s our promise, and our commitment. We strive to offer only the best natural ingredients for our products, and work hard to use free-trade and sustainably-produced items whenever and wherever we can.

Our ingredients and products are never tested on animals and are certified cruelty-free. Our vegan soaps are petroleum-free, detergent-free, and free from sulfates, parabens and phthalates.

If you have any question about our products or ingredients, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for more information. We are always happy to help.

Black Soap

African Black Soap

The primary ingredient in our Black Soap product line, raw black soap is a unique all-vegetable soap product whose key ingredient is derived from plantain skins, a highly renewable natural resource. Made for centuries by African village women, the plantain skins are roasted to create ash, which is then boiled with cocoa pods, palm tree leaves and shea tree bark to create the base of the soap.

Each village maintains a highly protected “secret” formula which generally includes the addition of some combination of shea butter, coconut and palm kernel oils. The oils are added to the mix, stirred constantly for at least 24 hours, and then allowed to cure in the sun. The resulting block of soap is what we call “black” soap. Never black in color (it’s generally a dark tan color), black soap gets its name both from the ash from the plantain leaves and the deep color that develops as the product dries in the sun.

The plantain skins are one of the keys to the incredible effectiveness of this soap. Rich in iron and Vitamins A and E, the plantain provides essential nutrients to the skin. Natural enzymes in the plantain act as gentle exfoliants, helping to improve the quality of your skin without irritation. The plantain ash also helps to create an extremely gentle soap that is free from lye or other harsh ingredients that were traditionally used in making soaps. Used for centuries to help heal problem skin, black soap can be helpful in thinning fine lines, evening out dark spots, soothing eczema and razor bumps, and eliminating and healing blemishes.

Shea Butter

Shea Nut

We think shea butter is one of nature’s most special ingredients. Our organic, fair-trade shea butter is a great source of the fatty acids needed for healthy collagen production. Containing high levels of Vitamins A, E and F, shea butter is a natural UV protector and is also considered an effective treatment for skin irritations and inflammatory conditions. No wonder it has been used for centuries as a moisturizer for healthy skin and hair.

Harvested from the nut of the Karite tree, shea butter is indigenous to West Africa (our organic fair-trade shea butter comes specifically from the African Savannah). Once a year, the Mangifolia Tree gives up its fruit, known as the Shea nut or Karite nut. These nuts are handpicked, then boiled to extract their treasured oils, which are then solidfied into creamy, raw shea “butter.”

Here at Dr. Woods, we only use certified Fair Trade Shea Butter in its purest form – raw and organic. Harvested by small, women-owned family co-ops, we are able to offer a product that is as good for our world as it is good for your skin. By using only raw shea butter, we are able retain its highest level of therapeutic properties and effectiveness as a moisturizer and skin conditioner.

We love shea butter so much that we make all of our products in two formulations – with or without added shea. Its unique properties make it an effective and healthy solution for:

Maintaining moisture balance for your skin
Keeping skin supple and smooth
Supporting healthy collagen production and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
Promoting healing from scrapes, bruises and burns
Preventing dry ashy skin and to relieve rashes and symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
Protecting skin from sun damage.