Arachidyl/Behenyl Betainate Esylate (and) Arachidyl/Behenyl Alcohol is a palm-free alternative to Behentrimonium Chloride (BTMC) and Behentrimonium Methosulfate (BTMS) which are both extremely harmful to aquatic life (with long term effects) and are both commonly used in skin and haircare. They are not biodegradable. We chose this ingredient because it is not only biodegradable, it is as good or nicer than BTMS or BTMC. Arachidyl/Behenyl Betainate Esylate (and) Arachidyl/Behenyl Alcohol of a blend of waxy fatty acids and humectant amino acids helpful for skin plumping and hydration. As a readily biodegradable and palm-free alternative, rapeseed (canola in North America) is the 4th largest crop in the world. In sustainability terms however, rapeseed/canola is generally grown just like any other cereal crop with tillage, pesticides and as a monoculture crop. This is a product of France and in the European Union (EU) they are the world’s largest biodiesel producer with targeted emission reduction goals, while at the same time there is some reluctance with raising costs of this industry that burdens growers. While we can’t be certain how this particular crop has been harvested, we can also understand that compared to similar cereal crops, rapeseed has a larger positive impact on the environment, improving biodiversity, often grown for erosion prevention and soil health after harvesting. Our product did not undergo the use of solvents to convert biobased/upcycled sugar beets and rapeseed to make this product.

The argument for bees and beeswax is the argument for supporting our pollinators and the subsequent food chain. Honey bees (while not native), are the poster child for all pollinators because of the research and embrace of their colonies. The truth is, without bees (and we’re very partial to the native bees we have in Satis Garden), we would not have food. Full stop. Supporting small businesses that care about their bees and harvest humanely as ours do, does far more to promote the cause than striking them entirely. This keeps an interest and pushes for research for all our pollinators which are in decline. Reducing pesticides, supporting initiatives like Homegrown National Park supporting native, keystone species and buying only what you need are great ways to do more on a small level.

Jojoba is ubiquitous in everything from skin to haircare and is an extremely sustainable plant. We will be sourcing from a US supplier growing in Arizona on marginal land with hydroelectricity. Native to North America in the Sonoran Desert, it is a drought tolerant shrub that requires little water. As a desert plant, once established it can rely on very little rainfall.

Macadamia nut oil is cold-pressed which maintains its nutritious goodness that’s delivered to skin. We love macadamia nut oil for many reasons and use it throughout our products. It is a very stable oil with a great shelf life, which in our mind is part of having a sustainable product if we can take advantage of oils that hold up well. Macadamia trees sequester carbon very effectively and efficiently optimize their water use. Australians are stalwarts of environmental progress and use very little human intervention in their farming practices with less machinery and time with diesel equipment.

Mango butter is high in lauric acid, more moisturizing than coconut oil and is high in vitamin E. It is a by-product of the fruit processing and it is most often cold pressed which requires no chemical extraction and far less energy. Cold-pressed oils maintain the highest percentage of nutrition of the plant. It is a very stable butter with a great shelf life, which in our mind is part of having a sustainable product if we can take advantage of products that hold up well. Mango trees sequester carbon very effectively, in fact they are carbon negative, using up more carbon than they emit in the harvesting and production of mango. Wood from mango trees is incredibly dense, and grows tasty fruits that provide local communities with food.

Meadowfoam seed oil is highly resistant to heat and oxidative stress (leading to a long shelf life) due to its long chain of fatty acids, making this aspect quite sustainable. A native plant to the west coast of North America, it grows easily without much intervention and requires no fertilizers or herbicides, and while it grows wild it does not need to grow in it’s native locations. After cold processing, the seeds and plants used in this process are used for animal feed. It replaced sperm whale oil in the 1970’s, and while they are still listed as endangered and their numbers are increasing this shows the importance in intervening with important replacements.

We firmly believe in fair trade and fair wage producers and will never be swayed by cheaper costs. When people are paid fairly, they live in safer environments and live more productive, happier lives. Learn more about where our industry ingredients come from and how we can make a concerted effort to fight climate change at Impact.