What’s so special about Ruby Red’s ingredients?
We only use natural vegetable or plant ingredients and NO chemicals.
Did you know that up to 60% of what we put on to our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream? That’s how nicotine patches work after all. So all those chemicals in your regular beauty products are going – you’ve guessed it – straight into your body. You wouldn’t eat them (yuk!), so why use them on your body?
Ruby Red products contain NO synthetic fragrances, parabens, artificial colours or animal-derived nasties – just 100% natural organic goodness. And we should know, since every formulation is freshly made by us here at the Ruby Red workshop.
So what’s so good about organic stuff, anyway?
Organic means that our ingredients are grown without using artificial pesticides and herbicides in a soil that hasn’t been treated with artificial fertilisers and free from genetic modification. They do not contain anti-biotics, growth promoters or other baddies, so the ingredients we use contain only natural, unadulaterated goodness. Brownie points all round.
And the extra bonus for the planet is that the plants are grown naturally; without any intensive agriculture which depletes the soil and means the ingredients have less nutrients. This way recycling is maximized and pollution minimised – and to top it all off nicely, our sensitive habitats and landscape are protected.
What does Fairly Traded mean?
At Ruby Red, we treat others like we want to be treated, in a fair and open way. So we like to pay a fair price for all the goods we buy from the growers and producers of our ingredients. In doing so, with every Ruby Red product you buy, you can also make a difference by helping communities in the developing world to improve their lives. Shopping has never been so saintly!
Raw ingredients
We all know that boiling veg means losing some of the nutrients; well it’s the same principle with the vegetable oils used in beauty products. Because we want you to get the full benefit of all the natural ingredients we use, we make sure our recipes do not require heat when mixing all our lovely lotions and potions.
The A-Z list of the Ruby Red ingredients
Looking through our list of ingredients is like taking a journey around the world; each country has their own contribution to make to the Ruby Red range. If you need more information, email your quandry to info@rubyredcosmetics.co.uk and we will do our best to help you.
Bergamot Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Italy
Named after the Italian city of Begamo in Lombardy, where the oil was first sold, Bergamot is known for its refreshing and uplifting quality. The oil is extracted from the peel of the nearly ripe fruit by cold expression and is a light coloured liquid with a fresh sweet-fuity, slightly spicy-balsamic undertone. Love that Earl Grey Tea as well.
Cedarwood Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Himalayas
Cedarwood deodorata is woody and depthy with a sweet- balsamic, smoky undertone. Extracted from the bark of the tree, it makes an excellent meditation oil and is an ideal whole body balancer.
Geranium Rose Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Africa
Unlike its English cousin, the geranium shrub which is native to Africa is fantastically aromatic. The oil is steam-distilled from the flowers and this uplifting floral fragrance has balancing qualities for the mind.
Honey (certified organic)
Country of Origin: New Zealand Forest
Pooh Bear’s favourite pick-me-up is traditionally used in many cultures to hydrate and cleanse the skin. We find it’s fabulous for softening and nourishing skin that’s tired and dry.
Jojoba Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Israel
Jojoba oil originated in the US and was hailed as one of nature’s miracles. The seeds of the Jojoba shrub yield up to 60% as oil and have been used for centuries by Native Americans for skin and haircare. It is known to act like the sebum of the skin, gives great protection. And if you fancied, you can cook with it.
Lavender Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: France
With a whole host of health applications under its belt this relaxing oil helps to soothe away stress, restore balance and encourage sweet dreams. The Lavender shrub is indigenous to the mediterranean region but is now cultivated all over the world and the oil is steam distilled from the fresh flowering tops.
Lemon Peel Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: France
We’ve all seen a lemon but did you know that they contain loads of Vitamins A,B and C? This versatile and revitalising oil has been used for centuries to brighten skin and strengthen brittle nails. Can cause dermal irritation so best to avoid using near eyes.
Macadamia Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Australia
These nuts make tasty bits in chocolate and also a great massage oil. It sinks rapidly into the skin and is a nourishing oil which supports moisturisation. The oil is extracted from the nut of the macadamia tree and has a lovely pale colour.
Mandarin Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Italy
This yummy citrus fruit was traditionally a gift to the Mandarins of China and is a seriously soothing oil. Expressed from the outer peel of the fruit, it has an intensely sweet, almost floral citrus scent.
Palmarosa Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Comoros Islands
Plamarosa is a wild growing herbaceous plant with long slender stems and terminal flowering tops, but it’s the grassy leaves which are the most fragrant. The gorgeous floral-rosy aroma with soothing and strengthening properties can actively boost skin regeneration.
Patchouli Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Indonesia
The most romantic of natural oils with a strong, sensual scent can put you in the mood for meditation (among other things!) and prevents dry skin. Native to tropical Asia, this perennial bushy herb grows up to one metre high and has white flowers tinged with purple.
Petitgrain Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Paraguay
Petit grain is produced from the small unripe fruit of citrus fruit trees, which look like “small grains” – hence the name. A fresh-floral, citrus aroma with woody undertones, it benefits the mind and is useful for insomnia and nervous exhaustion.
Rosemary Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Spain
A powerfully refreshing fragrance, making a top sports rub. Aids concentration and may combat tiredness too. You can also add the herb to your dinner. But be careful while pregnant.
Dead Sea Salt
Country of Origin: Israel
For centuries, salt from the Dead Sea has been renowned for its therapeutic and beautifying properties due to its unique composition, rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium and bromide. Great for body scrubs, the salts gently polish and exfoliate by removing dead surface cells leaving skin soft and smooth with improved texture.
Shea Butter (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Africa
The Karite (meaning ‘life’) Tree is one of Mother Nature’s cooler creations. We source our Fair Trade Shea Butter from a certified organic women’s co-operative in Ghana, West Africa. It’s known as ‘Women’s Gold’ as it’s the womenfolk who run the industry and have kept the secret of its production from their men for 100s of years.
The Karite tree or Shea Nut tree is not cultivated but grows wild, producing an almond-like fruit, which is pressed to extract the oils to make Shea butter.
When turned into a smooth, luxurious butter its anti oxidant-packed fruit has been renowned for centuries as a fantastic all-round skin moisturiser and rejuvenator.
In Africa, the harvesting and processing of shea butter is a role reserved strictly for women, who benefit exclusively from the trade, which is why it’s locally known as ‘women’s gold’.
To retain its full natural goodness (and to keep their trade sparkling) we make sure our shea butter is ethically sourced direct from a womens’ co-operative in Ghana and is kept completely chemical free. They’ve just bought their first bit of machinery – a milling machine – and have paid for organic certification, which is not only crucial for the growth of their business but very well deserved.
Sunflower Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Italy
Sacred to the Mya and Aztec, the sunflower plant was used for many talismanic protective purposes. Rich in Vitamin E, this great oil mirrors the natural skin lipids.
Sweet Orange Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: France
The naturally sweet scent encourages relaxation, which makes it a real favourite for blissful bathing.
Ylang Ylang Oil (certified organic)
Country of Origin: Madagascar
A relaxing aroma helps ease away tension and promote a uniquely euphoric experience. Not surprisingly, in Indonesia the flowers are traditionally spread on wedding night beds…
Caring for Ruby Red
Because our products are so pure, they need looking after in the big bad world of your bathroom. Keeping them away from heat and direct sunlight helps them stay in tip top condition.
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