Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is a cleaning ingredient derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil. SCS is not to be confused with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which are usually produced using palm or crude oil and known to be harsh on the skin. Sodium Coco Sulfate is here to help you get that fancy foamy shampoo experience without damaging your hair and scalp. It is easily biodegradable—gentle on the planet and you.

Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride is a combination of a vegetable-based, readily biodegradable cationic ester quat derived from stearic acid (natural fatty acid extracted from cocoa or shea butter) and cetearyl alcohol. It is a conditioning agent, one of the few conditioners approved by COSMOS-standard for natural and organic cosmetics. It leaves hair sleek and shiny—increasing volume and bounce while detangling and discharging static electricity.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter is made from shea nuts. For centuries, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter has been used as a skin-softening and hydrating agent for hair and skin. Also, shea butter acts as a natural preservative, which helps to protect products (i.e. shampoo bars) from the growth of microbes like bacteria.

Stearic Acid is an emulsifier (or thickener) that is added to formulas to bind water and oil-based ingredients. Without it, oils would separate and the formulation would become unstable. This ingredient can be derived from coconut, olive, or palm oil.

Cocoa butter is made from cocoa beans, which are natural and completely biodegradable. Our cocoa beans are also sustainably sourced. We love cocoa butter for its amazing moisturizing properties for hair and skin as well as its natural emulsifying ability, which helps to protect formulas from bacteria growth.

Lactic acid is produced by bacteria called Lactobacillus, which feed on corn starch or beet sugar to convert carbohydrates into lactic acid. It is crucial to keep the pH l of the hair happy as well as prevent bacteria growth in the shampoo bar. It is a great natural disinfectant, biodegradable, and safe for you and the environment.

Cetearyl alcohol is a white waxy substance made from cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, both derived from vegetable oils. The great news is that cetearyl alcohol is not "bad" for you since it is not a fermented "mainstream" alcohol made from ethanol which can cause not only dryness but disruption of the skin's microbiome and barrier. This ingredient is added to help soften the skin and hair while also stabilizing the formula. In other words, it helps to keep the oil and the water-based ingredients together while making your skin and hair smooth and supple.

Betaine is a naturally-occurring amino acid obtained from the by-products of sugar beet molasses. Not to be confused with cocamidopropyl betaine, which is often referred to as the "most common allergen." In shampoo, betaine acts as a conditioner; it improves hair strength and elasticity due to its ability to interact with the proteins in hair. Basically, betaine acts as a guardian for the structure of the keratin proteins in the hair and protects it from damage from environmental pollution, for example.

The ingredients "perfume" or "fragrance" are tricky because manufacturers are not required by law to disclose their fragrance ingredients. Since perfumes can be listed as "trade secrets," producers can mask hundreds of toxic ingredients with one word. What do we promise at Yas Alpaca? Flowers are as sneaky as we get; that’s why we use an asterisk to tell you that our fragrance is of natural origin. We use a blend of essential oils to make your shampoo and hair smell heavenly without toxic synthetic chemicals.

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” — Leonardo da Vinci.

At Yas Alpaca, we use water to mix and bind ingredients together; it's an important ingredient of our shampoo bars.

Witch hazel has been used in a variety of forms by the Native American community for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In shampoo, Hamamelis virginiana can help reduce itchiness, scalp sensitivities, dryness, and dandruff. Witch hazel tightens your pores and reduces that "greasy" scalp feeling, leaving your hair clean and voluminous. Our Witch Hazel water is sourced from controlled organic agriculture.

Marshmallow root is used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, it forms a protective barrier and can help to reduce inflammation.

Calendula is one of the most used medicinal plants in the cosmetic field due to its anti-redness and soothing properties and its ability to promote skin regeneration. It is obtained by soaking Calendula flowers in glycerin (obtained from olive oil). Our Calendula flower extract is sourced from controlled organic agriculture.

Inulin is a simple sugar and prebiotic derived most often from the Chicory root. It helps keep the skin hydrated and conditioned and makes the hair shiny and vigorous.

Fructose or "fruit sugar" is another simple sugar found in many plants. In shampoo, it functions as a flavoring agent, moisturizer, and scalp conditioning agent.

Our vegetable glycerin is a by-product of the olive oil saponification process. Since glycerin absorbs water into its own structure, it protects formulas from microbes. It also helps our shampoo bars from drying out during storage and consumption. But, this ingredient is widely used in the cosmetic field for its emollient and moisturizing properties. Because of its softening, conditioning, and moisture-retaining properties, glycerin is great for hair! For those with curly hair, in particular, it can help define and hydrate while maintaining curls' elasticity and softness.

Benzyl alcohol is a preservative alcohol with antiseptic properties. It is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as a solvent, preservative, antimicrobial agent, and a component of fragrances. It is highly tolerated on the skin and has a low environmental impact. It is safe to use by anyone who does not have a true contact allergy.

Sodium benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid, which is found in many plants. It is a preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria in formulations. Approved by ECOCERT, Cosmos, and The Natural Products Association, it is a safe and effective ingredient to protect formulas from bacteria and mold.

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It is a great preservative that keeps fungi away from formulations. Unlike parabens, it is easily biodegradable and does not accumulate in the body. It has been approved by ECOCERT and Cosmos for use in personal care products.

This essential oil is extracted by cold pressing the lime peel. The lime essential oil has formidable bactericidal power, which helps to keep the formulation fresh. Also, it is an excellent tonic for oily scalp as it helps to balance and minimize fat production by the sebaceous glands. As a bonus, from an aromatherapy perspective, a lime essential oil is said to improve concentration and boost your mood.

The geranium is a native plant of South Africa from the Pelargonium family. Geraniol production typically begins by chopping up the leaves and stems of the geranium plant, which are then distilled with steam. We use geraniol in our formulation for its aromatic properties, a natural alternative to synthetic fragrances and phthalates.