This is what we call an ingredient when it hasn't changed much from how it occurs in the identified source material. An example of this is peppermint oil. The peppermint oil we use in our products has been removed and concentrated but it is otherwise much the same as it would be found in the peppermint leaves.

Naturally derived ingredients have been modified from their original state through additional processing.  This is generally done to improve the ingredient’s safety or efficacy. An example of this is silica. In its natural state, silica would be too abrasive, so it goes through some processing to improve the ingredient's safety.

In reviewing ingredients for our products – whether naturally sourced or derived – we do consider the preparation processes involved. And it is our practice to only allow preparation processes which support our philosophy of human and environmental health, by working strictly with verified suppliers who agree to our code of conduct.

With our Stewardship Model, we not only review the starting material(s), but also the processing steps used to obtain the ingredients we use in our products.

As examples we accept fermentation and saponification, but would not allow ethoxylation, propoxylation and quaternization.

See our full policy here.