ingredients + sourcing

sourcing determines how effective a formula will be, as well as our direct effect on the health of the planet. sourcing defines who i am as a formulator and who i am as a human being. i can’t imagine anything more important to both the heart and science of my products than sourcing.

why sourcing matters

when i started creating my own makeup formulas in the early 2000s, i realised most so-called “plant oils” on the market were anything but. many are highly processed, deodorised, blended with mystery fillers, or stored for long stretches in hot, bright warehouses before they ever touch a bottle.

labels don’t have to tell you where the olive oil, avocado oil or other “hero” ingredients actually come from. if a brand relies on a third-party manufacturer, they may know very little about how those ingredients are grown, handled, or how long they’ve travelled. rancid or overly processed oils can be masked with perfumes and essential oils, and when someone’s skin reacts, they’re often told they are “allergic” to the plant – when what they’re really reacting to is the processing.

even simple ingredients like water can be an unknown. “aqua” on a label rarely tells you anything about source or quality.

how i source

my work is rooted in the belief that ingredients should still feel alive.

whenever possible, i go directly to the grower or small producer to understand how a plant is grown, harvested, and prepared. i’m looking for truly unrefined plant oils, whole food ingredients, and whole herbs that have been handled gently, without unnecessary heating or additives.

sometimes that means paying more to the grower and choosing to keep my own margins smaller. it’s worth it to me to know the ingredients are farmed ethically and sustainably, and that they arrive here as close to their natural state as possible. many of the ingredients i use simply aren’t available in regular shops in this form – they’re too delicate, too raw, or too niche.

growing up on a farm taught me to respect the work behind every harvest. that respect is woven into every sourcing decision i make.

how i blend

once ingredients arrive, they are stored cool, away from harsh light, and blended fresh in small batches.

i avoid extreme heat so that delicate compounds, natural colour, and subtle plant aromatics are not stripped away. formulas are mixed slowly by hand, one by one, just before they are poured into their bottles or jars.

newer offerings include ozone-enriched blends, created with the same care – thoughtfully chosen base oils, gently ozonated, then combined with other skin-loving ingredients.

no animal by-products are used, and no animals are harmed in the making of my products.

what this means for your skin

our skin has its own microbiome, its own quiet ecosystem. it makes sense to use ingredients that are as fresh, whole, and respectful as possible.

when you choose a haut cacao formula, you’re not just choosing a product – you’re choosing the way it was grown, sourced, and blended. from the grower’s hands to mine to yours, every step is part of the formula.