At LATHER, we’re explorers at heart. We believe traveling, exploring the world around you and discovering new things are all part of our overall wellness. We also believe nothing is more important than finding the very best, most effective ingredients for our products. We want you to enjoy their benefits every day, even if we have to search the world over for them. And we did! We’ve teamed up with the best partner around, Mother Nature, and gathered the best she has to offer from around the planet. Here are some of our favorites.
Bamboo
Bamboo, which is actually a member of the grass family, is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Some species can grow an inch every 40 minutes! Powdered bamboo shell makes the most effective skin exfoliant, leaving it noticeably softer and smoother. Bamboo is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, so it can rejuvenate tired skin. You can thank India for this one. Try this bamboo lemongrass foaming body scrub and see for yourself!
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil is produced in the rind of the bergamot orange fruit and has a delicious, citrusy, orange peel scent. Often used to flavor foods and beverages, this oil is also recognized in aromatherapy as promoting a sense of positivity and well-being. We’ve added this delightful scent from Italy to our yuzu bergamot moisturizer for a truly uplifting experience.
Baobab
The baobab is a deciduous tree found in South Africa. Its seeds contain oils that are a good source of protein and energy. They contain a variety of nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and are also rich in fatty and essential amino acids. We’ve added this nourishing baobab seed oil to our baobab and shea hair wash and conditioner duo to restore and nourish your dry or damaged hair, leaving it softer and revitalized.
Chia
Chia is a flowering plant member of the mint family in Central America. Chia has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which have skin-soothing properties. Our chia seed oil is certified organic. We process it using supercritical CO2 extraction resulting in an extraordinarily pure extract with the highest active chia levels you can find. To enjoy the quenching benefits of chia seed oil on your skin, try our chia seed and passion fruit facial oil and kiss dryness goodbye!
Kakadu Plum
Our Kakadu plum is a superfruit from Australia that is rich in the antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In fact, it contains up to 100 times more vitamin C than an orange! It helps protect skin from pollution and free radicals while supporting collagen, a protein that keeps skin plump and smooth. Try our Australian plum night crème with Kakadu plum extract to help bring out your skin’s natural radiance.
Lavender
When we think of France, we think of romance... and lavender! There is nothing quite like the sweet scent of lavender, another flowering plant in the mint family. Popular in aromatherapy, the smell of lavender essential oil has been shown to relax and promote sleep. Indulge your senses and find your happy place with these aromatherapeutic lavender bath bombs.
Manuka honey
New Zealand brings us Manuka honey. This is a special type of honey made by bees that feast on the Manuka or tea tree. This honey has been shown to soothe inflammation and promote the healing process. We’ve added this honey to our rich and creamy Manuka honey body butter to help soften and soothe dry, irritated skin. Indulge!
Passion fruit
The passionflower is an exotic, otherworldly looking flower found in Brazil. It produces berries, and from the seeds, we’ve extracted the oil. This oil is rich in vitamin C, as well as omega-6 linoleic acid. We’ve added it to our chia seed and passion fruit facial oil for a skin softening and soothing treat that also gives your skin the natural protection of the powerful antioxidant, vitamin C.
Plumeria
The South Pacific has been hiding an exotic beauty secret. It’s called plumeria which is a flowering shrub or small tree shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. The plumeria flower has an entrancing tropical scent. We’ve added only the purest, undiluted extracts from the blossoms to our jasmine and plumeria bath gel to help moisturize, soothe and revitalize your skin. But, shhh… don’t tell. Now you can have this little beauty secret all to yourself.
Rose
We’re all familiar with the rose, but did you know there are at least 300 different species? We fell in love with one from Bulgaria that has been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial and even UV protectant qualities. We’ve added this unique flower to our Bulgarian rose phytonutrient elixir. Anytime you want to freshen or tone the skin on your face, just spritz on a little of this rose water and let it absorb, for a youthful, dewy glow.
Sea Kelp
This seaweed from the Pacific Rim grows in underwater ocean forests called kelp forests. It has antioxidant properties due to its high level of phlorotannins, which also gives this kelp its brown color. Try this vitamin and mineral-rich sea kelp and ginseng all-over mask to purify, restore and hydrate your skin, leaving it looking and feeling healthy and vibrant!
Shea butter
From West Africa, we have a wonderful shea tree. The fat extracted from this tree's nuts is what we know as our beloved shea butter. It contains triglycerides and fatty acids which give it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Shea butter also contains triterpenes, molecules with skin-soothing properties. Dip into some pure, organic shea butter for a luxuriously skin-softening experience!
Swiss apple
One of the most popular fruits around is the almighty apple. Not just for a healthy snack anymore, this fruit has found its way into our beauty routine. We chose a special variety found in Switzerland. Apple has antioxidant properties thanks to its high levels of phenolic compounds.
So there you have it—don’t be afraid to explore. See what wonderful ingredients nature has to offer you from around the world!