Ingredient selection at FATSKN:

Each and every ingredient is meticulously selected based on its chemical makeup, benefits and how nicely it works with our skin. Considering the number of ingredients that are out there, it is quite a small list!

• Tallow - always grassfed and grassfinished (which makes it a massive pain to source but in Caitlin's eyes is well worth the trouble). It's no secret tallow is our favorite. This saturated fat, rich in vitamins A, D, K, E, B12, selenium, and choline, helps calm, clarify, and hydrate the skin. The fatty acids in tallow support the skin barrier on a cellular level to prevent damaging oxidation.   

• Organic cacao butter - This stand-out saturated fat full of vitamin D strengthens the moisture barrier and prevents water loss.  It also contains skin-loving minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and magnesium that boost regeneration.  Its fatty acid profile hydrates and even provides natural sun protection.

• Organic, cold-pressed jojoba oil - A non-greasy monounsaturated fat (that's actually a wax!) whose molecular structure is similar to the skin's natural oils. Vitamins E, C, A, B, and D help to fortify skin and promote healing. Its impressive lineup of minerals like chromium, copper, and zinc ease inflammation and stimulate collagen production. (We've noted here that it's cold-pressed to emphasize that no solvents (like hexane) are used in it's processing. It's also non-deodorized (which would be an additional refinement) leaving it with the most gentle nutty smell).

• Beeswax - sourced from Alberta, filtered but not refined so that the beautiful yellow colour as well as the incredible honey smell stays intact.

• Raw honey - sourced from Alberta, not heated above 37° so that all of the wonderful enzymes are kept intact (aka not pasteurized).

 

Here is a list of ingredients we avoid (it's quite long):

*Some of the links here link to the FDA write-ups on these items, some link to studies. I think it is important for people to understand where these agencies draw the line on what is safe and what isn't vs. where FATSKN draws the line. 

• PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 6)) or HUFAs (highly-unsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3)) such as:
• Sunflower Seed Oil
• Safflower Seed Oil
• Soybean Oil (also estrogenic)
• Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil)
• Argan Oil
• Fragrances - Endocrin disruptors (especially phthalates as they're estrogenic. Pass.)
• Thickeners like xanthan gum and carrageenan (have you seen how many of the foods you eat contain these ingredients? I challenge you to find a cottage cheese in Canada that doesn't contain either of these.)
• Polysorbates (20, 40, 60, 65, 80, 85)
• Sodium Benzoate (found in shampoos, soaps, detergents, sunscreen)
• Iron Oxide (I personally believe we are overloaded with iron so I avoid any extra like the plague! This ingredient is often found in mascaras). 
• Hops / beer - hops is estrogenic and we steer clear of anything estrogenic!
• Aluminum - I feel like this one is well known, but it's still in tons of baking soda and most department-store deodorants. (If we ever use baking soda in a deodorant it will be 100% free of aluminum).
• Parabens - estrogenic. Hard pass.
• Sulfates (SLS) - lathering agents used in soaps, detergents and shampoos. 
• Mineral oil (petrolatum) - no, no, and no. Your skin can't use any of this! Stop using Vaseline and CeraVe I do not care that the EWG says it's fine have you looked (really looked) at how they evaluate things?

All of these ingredients (that we avoid) are approved by both the FDA and Health Canada Cosmetics regulatory bodies.

I'll leave you with that.