Additional Information

Our Journey at Suma

At Suma, we’ve been making soaps and shampoos for as long as we can remember, as far back as the early 1990’s.

A Humble Beginning with Suma Shampoo

We had a small range of shampoos too, all vegan and cruelty-free of course.

They sold well, so we added conditioners to the range.

A Glow-Up in 2014

Around 2014, we gave our soaps a special glow-up and added more fragrances, with a full 12 varieties on offer and in stunning hand-designed boxes.

Transformations in 2018

Fast forward to 2018, and we were growing…it was time to look at our offering.

We reviewed the range, and decided to make some big, bold changes. It was time for a new name, new branding, new formulations and a whole new range of products. Exciting times!

We aimed to push forward our alternatives to highly processed body care, harnessing the power of plants and reducing our impact on the planet.

We threw ourselves into researching new ingredients, fragrances and colours, explored new packaging innovations and asked Suma workers for ideas.

Later that year, ALTER/NATIVE by Suma was born. Now, the brand continues to thrive, as we introduce new fragrances, accessories, and products to keep our offerings fresh and exciting. All our soaps, bars and liquids are made right here in the UK.

In 2024, we took ALTER/NATIVE by Suma to the next level and launched a dedicated Instagram channel, to give the brand the attention it deserves, keep people up to date with new products, share tips and build our community of like-minded people! Head on over if you haven’t already

www.instagram.com/alternative_by_suma/

Cruelty Free 

None of our products have been tested on animals – only on Suma workers.

Suma has been cruelty-free since we first began back in 1977. All our ALTER/NATIVE by Suma brand hair and body care products are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognisable gold standard for cruelty-free products.

It is the only internationally recognisable programme that:

• checks for brands conducting, commissioning or being party-to animal testing;
• requires a supplier monitoring system to be implemented by the brand;
• requires supply chain checking for animal testing right down to ingredient manufacturer level;
• requires adherence to a fixed cut-off date policy; and
• acceptance of ongoing independent audits to ensure compliance.

For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, please visit https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/

Vegan

All our ALTER/NATIVE by Suma hair care and body care products are registered with the Vegan Society. This means that all of our ingredients and their production methods have been thoroughly checked by the Vegan Society. All our packaging carries the easily recognisable Vegan Society logo.

This approval means that the manufacture and/or development of the product, and its ingredients, must not involve or have involved, the use of any animal product, by-product or derivative.

To find out more about the Vegan Society Trademark, please visit https://www.vegansociety.com/the-vegan-trademark

Made in the UK

Wherever possible, we always try to use local suppliers for our Suma branded products and our ALTER/NATIVE by Suma range is no exception. All our body care soaps and liquid products are proudly made in Yorkshire.

Packaging choices

There’s no getting away from the global impact of plastics, but rest assured we’re doing our bit.

Buying in bulk is a great way to start. Our 5 litre bulk containers are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, and are fully recyclable. Our 20 litre bulk containers are trickier, but we’ve managed to get the post-consumer recycled content to 30% and are working on the rest!

In 2023 we started changing the packaging of our retail sized bottles to clear bottles made from Prevented Ocean Plastic™.

Prevented Ocean Plastics™ (POP)  is high-quality, certified recycled plastic that has been collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution. reducing plastic pollution and limiting the impact on marine habitats. The POP scheme has opted to prioritise materials collected from Southeast Asia, an area identified as being at significant risk of ocean plastic pollution. In 2020 they estimated they prevented 830 million bottles from entering the ocean. Every time you buy a product packaged in Prevented Ocean Plastic™, you are making a difference for coastal communities and ocean wildlife.

To read more about it head over to our blog.

We have a large variety of entirely plastic-free soaps, skincare and haircare bars; packaged in recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes.

Compostable wrap

Our hair conditioner and moisturising bars contain a high proportion of essential oils to nourish and care for your skin and hair. This means they can be a bit more sensitive to temperature changes, so it’s always best to store them away from heat sources. To help with this, we’ve sealed them into little bags made from biodegradable and home-compostable cellulose wrap. This will keep them fresh until you’re ready to use them. Simply tear the bag into pieces and pop it in your home compost bin.

The entire ALTER/NATIVE by Suma range will always be vegan and cruelty free. Here’s more information about our ingredients.

Have you ever seen the ingredient listing on a body care label and thought it looked like another language? Officially known as INCI listings (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) these are systematic names internationally recognised to identify cosmetic ingredients. It enables the cosmetic industry to track the safety and regulatory status of ingredients efficiently on a global basis. It also allows consumers to look at ingredients and identify them by name, regardless of the national origin of the product.

Ingredients are listed in descending order, from greatest amount to least amount present in the product (except ingredients present at a concentration of less than 1%; those can be listed in any order). We have complied with these regulations, but as we like to be as transparent as possible; where one exists, we’ve listed our ingredients along with their plain English names too. We’ve also added information on where our ingredients are derived from, where we know that too!

Palm oil

We originally set out to eliminate all palm and palm derived ingredients from our new products but that proved to be really, really hard. Palm oil is pretty amazing stuff and is found in hundreds of ingredients, some of which aren’t always that obvious. We worked with our suppliers for months to create a range of products that would have the best ingredient credentials possible, whilst still performing well and remaining within our customer’s budgets.

So…where we have used palm oil or it’s derivatives, we’re pleased to say that in all products, this is responsibly sourced palm oil and is RSPO  (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified.

All palm-derived ingredients are clearly listed on our labels.

Allergens

It is a legal requirement to declare all allergens contained within our products and we are legally required to use their chemical names. These are naturally occurring and are often present in minute levels. Many are found in essential oils.

Some allergens may cause an allergic reaction in some people, so if you have sensitivity to certain ingredients, we’ve listed below the names of the allergens to look out for. These are clearly shown on all our product labels and include:

1. Acetyl Cedrene
2. Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
3. Amyl Salicylate
4. Benzyl benzoate
5. Beta-Caryophyllene
6. Camphor
7. Cananga Odorata Oil/Extract
8. Cedrus Atlantica Oil/Extract
9. Citral (citrus, derived from lemongrass, lemon myrtle, lemon and orange trees)
10. Citronellol
11. Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
12. Citrus Limon Peel Oil
13. Citrus Sinesis Peel Oil
14. Coumarin
15. Geraniol
16. Geranyl Acetate
17. Hexamethylindanopyran
18. Hexyl Cinnamal
19. Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde
20. Juniperus Virginiana Oil
21. Lavandula Oil/Extract
22. Lemongrass Oil
23. Limonene
24. Linalool
25. Linalyl Acetate
26. Oakmoss Resin
27. Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
28. Pinene
29. Pogostemon Cablin Oil
30. Terpineol
31. Terpinolene
32. Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes

Other Ingredients

Ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS) explained

All our fragranced liquid products are blended from a mix of essential oils and other nourishing ingredients, designed to benefit a wide range of hair and skin types. All of our liquid products contain over 99% natural ingredients.

Our shampoo, body wash and hand wash liquid products all contain something called Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS). This is considered to be a safe and effective cleansing agent and thought to be less irritating to skin than SLS or SLES. ALS is rapidly biodegradable and virtually 100% of this base is immediately removed from the skin or hair by simply rinsing away with water.

Shampoos

What’s in our liquid shampoos?

• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water. It acts as a solvent keeping all the oil and dirt bound to the chelating agents in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS) – derived from RSPO certified palm, ALS is a surfactant used for foaming and cleansing. 
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine – derived from coconut, it’s a surfactant that produces foam and helps to keep any washed-out oil or dirt in solution.
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) – concentrated aloe vera leaf juice soothes the scalp and aids with detangling.
• Citric Acid – is derived from vegetables and is used as an acidity regulator.
• Sodium Chloride (aka salt) – there are a few different sources of salt. The one we use comes from brine produced in nearby Cheshire. The brine is heated to produce a thick salt solution before the majority of the water is removed. To get rid of the extra moisture, the salt is dried using hot air. It acts as a thickening agent reacting with the surfactants to create that lovely viscosity.
• Sodium Benzoate – this acts as a preservative in haircare products.

This forms the base of our lovely shampoo range to which we add essential oils.

Conditioners

What’s in our liquid conditioners?

• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water. It acts as a solvent keeping all the oil and dirt bound in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride – this conditioning agent helps leave hair glossy and anti-static, it is derived from coconut and RSPO certified palm kernel oil.
• Cetyl Alcohol – derived from RSPO certified palm, palm kernel and coconut oil. It allows the conditioner to spread more easily through your hair.
• Cetearyl Alcohol – derived from RSPO certified palm, palm kernel and coconut oil and acts as a thickening agent in conditioners.
• Glyceryl Stearate – derived from RSPO certified palm, it is an emulsifying agent allowing water and oil-based ingredients to mix and remain stable.
• Sodium Benzoate – this acts as a preservative in haircare products.
• Hemp oil (in some variants) – adds moisture and shine while treating fragile strands.
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) (in some variants) – Soothes the scalp and aids with detangling.

This forms the base of our conditioners to which we add essential oils.

Liquid Body Wash

What’s in our liquid body wash?

• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water, it acts as a solvent keeping all the oil and dirt bound to the chelating agents in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS) – derived from RSPO certified palm, ALS is a surfactant used for foaming and cleansing. Lauryl Glucoside – derived from plant-based glucose, it’s a foaming agent. 
• Citric Acid – derived from vegetables and used as an acidity regulator.
• Sodium Chloride (aka salt) – there are a few different sources of salt. The one we use comes from brine produced nearby in Cheshire. The brine is heated to produce a thick salt solution before the majority of the water is removed. To get rid of the extra moisture, the salt is dried using hot air. It acts as a thickening agent reacting with the surfactants to create that lovely viscosity.
• Sodium Benzoate – this acts as a preservative in body care products.
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice (in some variants) – soothes the skin.

This forms the base of our body wash range to which we add essential oils.

Liquid Hand Wash

What’s in our liquid hand wash?

• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water. It acts as a solvent keeping all the oil and dirt bound to the chelating agents in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS) – derived from RSPO certified palm, ALS is a surfactant used for foaming and cleansing. (link to detailed description)
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine – derived from coconut, it’s a surfactant that produces foam and helps to keep any washed off oil or dirt in solution.
• Citric Acid – derived from vegetables and used as an acidity regulator.
• Lactic Acid – derived from maize, lactic acid is a natural anti-microbial agent.
• Sodium Chloride (aka salt) – there a few different sources of salt. The one we use comes from brine produced nearby in Cheshire. The brine is heated to produce a thick salt solution before the majority of the water is removed. To get rid of the extra moisture, the salt is dried using hot air. It acts as a thickening agent reacting with the surfactants to create that lovely viscosity.
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice (in some variants) – soothes the skin.

This forms the base of our hand wash range to which we add essential oils.

So, what are the fragrances??

Clear & Simple (Gentle) – Fragrance-free and exceptionally mild. There are no essential oils in the ingredients so any scent you detect is all natural. All of the products in this range are ideal for all hair types and anyone with sensitive skin.

Tea Tree & Aloe Vera (Refreshing) – Antiseptic tea tree, nourishing aloe vera, lime and lemongrass oil combine to leave your hair and body feeling happy and hydrated. Guaranteed to be a favourite with tea tree lovers, this combination has a wonderful fresh citrus aroma.

Patchouli & Sandalwood (Balancing) – Channel your inner hippy with this earthy and harmonious combination. We think we’ve got the balance just right. The patchouli and sandalwood pair perfectly, and are enhanced by the subtle hit of fabulously fragrant ylang ylang.

Lavender & Vetiver (Revitalising) – We’ve paired classic lavender with vetiver, a remarkable but less-known gem. Vetiver yields an oil often called the “oil of tranquillity.” Its smoky, sophisticated aroma perfectly complements lavender, creating a blend that soothes and unwinds.

Coconut & Argan Oil (Tropical and luxurious) – We can’t help but think this blend of exotic oils will gently lift, pamper and moisturise, whilst taking you to your happy place. Sun and palm trees here we come.

Rose & Geranium (Calming) – Flat-out floral, this classic bouquet is always a top combo. Designed to soothe, stabilise and pamper, you’ll be horizontal in no time.

Pink Grapefruit (Uplifting) – Soothing, gentle and nourishing. We’ve given this range an enticing and uplifting citrus zing. When you’re in the shower these zesty aromas will envelop you, and you’ll feel like doing the cha-cha-cha. Be careful not to slip!

Not found what you’re looking for and want to know more about our hair and body care liquid range?

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch – [email protected]

A bit about our hand soaps

Here at ALTER/NATIVE, we believe in giving your hard-working hands the care, love and CHOICE they deserve!

So, you’ll find we have multiple options when it comes to hand soap, with an array of gorgeous scents and fragrances, meaning there is something for everyone.

In a nutshell, we have boxed handmade soaps, which are all palm-free. Then we have two options of glycerine soaps, take your pick from round (these ones have been going longer than most Suma workers!), or rectangle.

Find out all about them below…

Our Boxed Handmade Soaps – Fragrances and Ingredients

These soaps are made using the traditional cold process method. The cold process method takes two days and the soaps are then allowed to cure for 21 days. As little energy as possible is used throughout production; they pour, then cut every bar of soap using a mixture of Yorkshire grit and elbow grease, and each bar is individually boxed in recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes. This process produces zero by-products.

The core ingredients of these soaps are coconut oil, rapeseed oil and shea butter.

Coconut oil is a great foundation for soaps, as it offers a unique combination of cleansing, firming and lathering properties.

Shea butter is a skin-loving ingredient thanks to its moisturising qualities, and is great for sensitive skin.

Natural variations

Every batch of ALTER/NATIVE by Suma soaps has been handmade and hand-cut in small batches. This means there may be slight variations in the size and shape of each bar. We also use a variety of plant-based ingredients to colour some of our soaps, so colour variations between soap batches can occur. Please be assured that these variations do not affect either the quality or performance of our products.

Colours and exfoliates

A lot of research and development work went into our new soaps, especially around the colours and exfoliates. We sent over bags of our wholefoods ingredients for our suppliers to experiment with and they would send back lots of boxes filled with strange and wonderful textured and coloured soap mixtures for Suma workers to try. You can’t get more handmade than that! Aduki beans were a triumph and create a really great exfoliating texture, making them fab for gardeners. They’re in our cinnamon and orange handmade bars, but if you prefer a gentler exfoliation experience try our peppermint and pine oil soap with poppy seeds.

• Rosemary & Lavender – Lavender essential oil soothes the mind and spirit while rosemary leaves and essential oil combine to waken and refresh leaving your skin feeling toned gently exfoliated and thoroughly revived.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf, linalool*, limonene*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Grapefruit & Mandarin – A citrusy-crisp scented bar filled with tangy fragrances to lift the spirit while refreshing rejuvenating and clearing the mind. Infused with gentle and soothing calendula petals a treat for tired skin.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil, citrus nobilis (mandarin) peel oil, calendula officinalis (marigold) flower, limonene*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Fragrance Free Aloe Vera – Gently soothing and hydrating, aloe vera helps take care of dry skin.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder.

• Lavender & Lime – A relaxing blend of lavender and crisp lime essential oils. The lavender helps promote a sense of calm and relaxation while the lime provides an uplifting refreshing zing creating a refreshing soap with a warm floral scent.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower, ultramarine violet ci 77007 (mineral pigment), llinalool*, limonene*, citral*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Patchouli & Hemp – A fantastic scrub with enriching ingredients, this soap’s musky, earthy fragrance leaves skin feeling super-toned, smooth and smelling wonderful.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), pogostemon cablin (patchouli) leaf oil, pterocarpus soyauxii (sandalwood) wood extract, cannabis sativa (hemp) seedcake powder

• Lemongrass & Chamomile – A beautiful peach coloured bar infused with chamomile flowers. The lemongrass and chamomile combine to make a wonderfully refreshing soap that will leave your skin thoroughly moisturised with a refreshingly clean and toned feeling.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf oil, chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower, citral*, geraniol*, limonene*, linalool*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Tea Tree & Eucalyptus – Tea tree renowned for its superb antiseptic qualities and eucalyptus for its antibacterial action combine to create a wonderfully aromatic soap for deep cleansing; with added nettle leaf to soothe tired skin.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf oil, urtica dioica (nettle leaves), urtica dioica (nettle) leaf powder, limonene*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Peppermint & Pine – A great wake up soap refreshing and uplifting perfect for that early morning shower. The poppy seeds add great exfoliation to help make your skin tingle and leave you ready to face the day.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, pinus sylvestris (pine) leaf oil, papaver somniferum (poppy) seed, limonene*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Bergamot & Green Tea – The Earl Grey of soaps; cooling and refreshing with an uplifting citrus scent paired perfectly with green tea leaves for gentle all over exfoliation.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, capsicum annuum (paprika) fruit powder, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf, limonene*, linalool*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils

• Cinnamon & Orange – A zingy bar with wonderful brown flecks. A warming sensually spicy soap with added aduki beans known for their cleansing properties all perfectly blended to invigorate and revitalise your skin leaving you feeling reenergised and ready to go.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil, cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) leaf oil, phaseolus angularis (aduki) seed powder, limonene*, eugenol*, benzyl benzoate*, linalool*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Coconut & Ylang Ylang – A richly lathering exotically fragrant soap bar made with coconut milk to moisturise and added oatmeal to calm irritated skin. Perfectly balanced with ylang ylang essential oil for an all over pamper sensation.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, avena sativa (oatmeal) kernel flour, linalool*, benzyl benzoate*, benzyl salicylate*, farnesol*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• Rose & Geranium – A wonderful richly moisturising soap bar with a subtle rose geranium fragrance very much like Turkish delight. This soap creates a gentle and relaxing cleansing experience perfect for looking after dry skin.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) leaf oil, rubia tinctorum (madder) root, rosa centifolia (rose) flower, citronellol*, geraniol*, linalool*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

Round Glycerine Soaps

Our original round glycerine soaps go back to the 90’s, and have remained a firm favourite with our customers.

These soaps are made using the hot process method.

Hydrating, soothing and pampering; we use plant-based glycerine, making them totally bio-degradable, as well as wonderfully rich and moisturising. Originally, we set out to reformulate, replace and expand our glycerine soap range but when we asked our customers they said ‘no, please don’t change them.’

So, these soaps are here to stay, but we suspect you’ll also be tempted by one of our palm-free glycerine soaps too.

What’s in our round glycerine soaps?

• Glycerine – derived from rapeseed oil, glycerine has moisturising properties, softening the skin after use.
• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water. It acts as a solvent keeping oil and dirt bound to the chelating agents in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Sodium Stearate – is derived from rapeseed and is a chelating agent. It binds to oil and dirt particles and keeps them in the water.
• Propylene glycol – this is a synthetic ingredient. It’s used as a viscosity modifier in the soap. It changes the melting and setting temperature of the soap, giving a time window where the soap is liquid and can be made into bars.
• Sorbitol – derived from corn syrup. It helps to make our soap formula thick and stable. As a humectant, it is skin conditioning and prevents moisture loss from your skin.
• Sodium laurate – this can be derived from both RSPO certified palm and coconut oils and acts as a very effective foaming and cleansing agent. It surrounds dirt and oil and enables them to be removed from skin and clothes with water.
• Sodium laureth sulfate – this can also be derived from both RSPO certified palm and coconut oils and is a surface-active agent or surfactant. It’s partly water-soluble and partly oil-soluble. This quality allows any oil and dirt to be easily washed away.
• Sodium Chloride (aka salt) – we use pure salt to help thicken the soap solution.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate – another ingredient that can sometimes be derived from either RSPO certified palm or coconut oils. This works as a surfactant, trapping oil-based dirt so that it can be rinsed away with water. It’s also an effective foaming agent, turning liquid into foam to create a rich creamy lather.
• Stearic acid – derived from RSPO certified palm oil, it’s used as a thickening agent for our bars and makes for a more luxurious soap. (is this still included in our round glycerine soaps?)
• Lauric acid – derived from coconut and used along with our other ingredients, this helps to keep our bars hard and creates fluffy bubbles. It also creates a super cleansing bar. (is this still included in our round glycerine soaps?)
• Pentasodium pentetate – this is a synthetic chelating agent and is used to prevent various mineral components from binding together and negatively affecting our bar formulation. This is a metal chelate which attracts metal ions found in water which can cause rancidity in the soap. Rancidity can change the colour and smell of the soap bar so chelates are used to prevent this from happening in the home/kitchen. (this doesn’t seem to be included in the ingredients of the soaps?)
• Tetrasodium Etidronate – is a safe synthetic ingredient. It acts as a chelating agent grabbing hold of any free metal ions found in hard water aiding saponification. It also reduces the hardness of water, providing a soft feel to the skin.

This forms the base of our round glycerine soap bars to which we add essential oils.

Fragrances

• Mandarin – A deliciously fragranced soap to bring out the escapist in you, just close your eyes and away you go.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, parfum (blend of essential oils) contains citral, citronellol, coumarin, geraniol, limonene, linalool. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Hemp & Vitamin E – Deeply cleansing hemp combines with anti-ageing vitamin E oil in this soothing gentle soap.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, cannabis sativa (hemp) essential oil, triticum vulgare (vitamin e from wheat germ oil). *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Lavender & Vetiver – Reviving and invigorating this complex blend of essential oils has lovely citrus top notes combined with musky amber cedarwood and oak moss.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, pigment violet 15, parfum (blend of essential oils) contains limonene. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Orange Blossom – Opulent and uniquely floral it’s like perfume in a bar. Care for your skin with this nourishing bouquet of essential oils and skin loving ingredients.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, cinnamon, parfum (blend of essential oils) contains limonene, linalool. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Rose & Geranium – Restore your equilibrium with this luxurious and silky soap. It’s a gentle and relaxing soap; perfect for dry skin.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) essential oil contains citronellol, geraniol; rosa (rose petals). *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• White Lavender – This calming and stress relieving soap with antibacterial properties will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, lavandula augustifolia (lavender) essential oil contains linalool. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Grapefruit & Aloe Vera – This rich and uplifting soap helps look after oily skin, leaving it feeling toned, refreshed and invigorated.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, aloe barbaris (aloe vera), citrus grandis (grapefruit) essential oil contains limonene. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

• Almond Milk – Reminiscent of holidays past and those yet to come this aromatic soap will nourish your very being with its heady scent.

Glycerine, aqua, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, sodium laurate*, sodium laureth sulfate*, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate*, stearic acid**, lauric acid, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etridronate, parfum (blend of essential oils) contains coumarin, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool. *derived from coconut/sustainably sourced palm **derived from sustainably sourced palm

Our palm free glycerine soaps are all produced on a handmade soap line. The ingredients are melted in a melting tank, then the molten soap is poured into moulds and any additions (like the fabulous rose petals) are sprinkled over the billets (the name for the large blocks of soap).

Once the soap is cooled, the blocks are cut by hand using a wire grid to get a uniform shape. The individual bars are then hand packed into boxes ready for our Suma driver to collect.

What’s in our palm free rectangle glycerine soaps?

• Aqua – we use good old Yorkshire water. It acts as a solvent keeping all the oil and dirt bound to the chelating agents in solution so it’ll go down the plug hole.
• Glycerine – derived from rapeseed oil, glycerine has moisturising properties softening the skin.
• Sodium Cocoate – derived from coconut oil, it’s another great ingredient for moisturising and softening skin.
• Sorbitol – is derived from corn and is used as a thickening agent.
• Sodium Stearate – is derived from rapeseed and is a chelating agent. It binds to the oil and dirt particles and keeps them in the water.
• Propylene Glycol – mineral derived, this ingredient acts in a similar way to water as a solvent. It also helps to mix the hydrophilic and hydrophobic ingredients together.
• Sodium Coco Sulfate – made from the fatty acids of coconut oil, it creates a rich foam to thoroughly cleanse hair and skin. Its thorough action dissolves dirt and grease effectively.
• Citric Acid – is derived from corn and is used as an acidity regulator.
• Polyglyceryl-4 oleate – a natural emulsifier produced from sunflower seed oil and vegetable glycerine.
• Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil – Derived from coconut, it acts as a moisturiser.
• Sodium Chloride (aka salt) – pure salt helps to thicken the soap solution.
• Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate – is a plant derived water softener, also known as a chelating agent.
• Tetrasodium Etidronate – is a safe synthetic ingredient. It acts as a chelating agent grabbing hold of any free metal ions found in hard water aiding saponification. It also reduces the hardness of water, giving a soft feel to the skin.
• Sodium Citrate – is produced as a by-product during saponification in a reaction between sodium chloride and citric acid. It is another chelating agent that binds to any heavy metal ions helping the other ingredients to be more effective.

This forms the base of our lovely glycerine soap bars to which we add essential oils. The palm oil free formulation used in our new palm-free glycerine soaps is more naturally derived than many glycerine formulations found on the market. The soaps can therefore be more prone to moisture crystallisation which can appear on the surface of the soaps in interesting patterns. It can sometimes look a little odd but it will disappear once the soaps are in use. Ideally allow your glycerine bars to have air to help reduce the possibility of the crystallisation occurring. Soaps store extremely well and make any room smell amazing.

Fragrances 

• Coffee & Cedarwood – Invigorating – Coffee & Cedarwood (with black pepper) – Stimulate the senses and invigorate your body with this heady blend of enticing oils.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, parfum, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil, cedarwood virginia (cedarwood) oil, cinnamon, black pepper; essential oils contain coumarin, eugenol, limonene, linalool

• Rose & Geranium – Calming. Rose & geranium (with rose petals). Distinctly floral with a classic bouquet to soothe the soul stabilize the mind and relax the body.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) oil, rosa (rose) petals, pigment red 259; essential oils contain citronellol, geraniol, linalool.

• Pink Grapefruit – Uplifting. Pink grapefruit (with aloe vera & lime). Soothing and gently cleansing with a citrus zing to leave you energized and invigorated.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, citrus grandis (grapefruit) oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, pigment red 259; essential oils contain, limonene

• Hemp & Jasmine Musk – Gentle. Hemp & jasmine musk (with wheat germ & jasmine flowers). Rich sensual and moisturising. Treat your skin to some tender loving care.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, parfum, triticum aestivum l.germ (wheat germ) oil, jasmin abs jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine) oil, cannabis sativa (hemp) oil, jasminum (jasmine) flowers, amyl cinnamic aldehyde

• Lavender & Geranium – Relaxing. Lavender & geranium (with tea tree & lavender flowers). A gentle and relaxing combination of oils blended to help bring you a daily dose of calm and harmony.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, parfum, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flowers, pigment violet 15, oakmoss resin. essential oils contain citronellol, coumarin, linalool

• Tea Tree & Aloe Vera – Refreshing. Tea tree & aloe vera (with lime & lemongrass). Naturally antiseptic and deeply nourishing to leave your skin feeling hydrated refreshed and invigorated.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, parfum, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, lemongrass bhutan oil, chromium oxide green; essential oils contain alpha-isomethyl ionone, cinnamic aldehyde, citral, citronellol, coumarin, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linalool

• Coconut & Argan Oil – Moisturising. Coconut & argan oil (with ylang ylang). Tropical and luxurious this blend of exotic oils will lift you gently with its sweet floral scent.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, parfum, argan oil, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) oil; essential oils contain alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, coumarin, farnesol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, limonene, linalool.

• Patchouli & Sandalwood – Balancing. Patchouli & sandalwood (with ylang ylang). Rich earthy and exotic this beautiful blend of exotic oils is perfect for pampering.

Aqua, glycerine, sodium cocoate, sorbitol, sodium stearate, propylene glycol, sodium coco sulfate, citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sodium chloride, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, tetrasodium etidronate, sodium citrate, parfum, pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) oil, amyris balsamifera (sandalwood) oil, paprika; essential oils contain benzyl benzoate, linalool

Skincare Bar Range

Each one of our skincare soaps has unique properties that will help you relax, indulge your senses, and cater for every part of your body. All are beautifully packaged in perfect recycled and recyclable little boxes.

Ingredients

All our skin care bars are made using coconut oil and olive oil. Coconut oil is known for its moisturising properties, helping keep skin hydrated. It’s also believed to help reduce the bacteria that causes acne, and is rich in antioxidants. Olive oil is added to provide gentle moisturiser that won’t irritate sensitive skin, whilst keeping pores clear of debris.

• Shaving Bar – Coffee and cedarwood with orange and tea tree oil. We’ve also added soybean oil to create a rich creamy lather, for a clean all over shave. Tried and tested, it’s for the hair you can see and the hair you maybe shouldn’t see.

Ingredients – Sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium olivate (olive oil), aqua, sodium castorate (castor oil), hydrogenated soybean oil, kaolin (clay), citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil contains limonene; cedrus deodara (cedarwood) wood oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, coffea arabica (coffee) seed powder, piper nigrum (black pepper) seed oil contains limonene

• Charcoal Detox – Activated charcoal with tea tree, lime and lemongrass. With its rich toxin absorbing creamy lather, this bar has been formulated to gently exfoliate and naturally moisturise your skin. We use charcoal for drawing out the toxins, not for drawing lines on paper.

Ingredients – Sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium olivate (olive oil), aqua, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil contains limonene, citral; cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass) oil contains citral, geraniol, limonene; charcoal powder, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil. charcoal powder

• Ayurvedic Soap Bar – the Sanskrit term Ayurveda originated from the word “ayur” which means life and “veda” which means knowledge, widely believed to be the science of life. To create our karma in a bar, we’ve focused on healthy mind, body and spirit, and created a traditional bar to deeply moisturise the skin. We’ve crammed in lots of holistic skin nourishing ingredients including neem, turmeric and holy basil.

Ingredients – Sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium olivate (olive oil), aqua, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, pogostemon cablin (patchouli) leaf oil, amyris balsamifera (sandalwood) bark oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil contains limonene; taraktogenos kurzii (chaulmoogra) oil, melia azadirachta (neem) leaf powder, curcuma longa (turmeric) root powder, ocimum sanctum (holy basil) leaf

• Pink Clay Cleanser – With a velvety smooth lather, this rich and creamy formula gently cleanses and moisturisers even the most delicate of skins. With a light floral scent, it’s suitable for all over body use. Wet your hands. Work into a thick creamy lather. Cleanse. Rinse. Repeat daily.

Ingredients – Sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium olivate (olive oil), aqua, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil contains limonene; pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) leaf oil contains citronellol, geraniol, linalool; tocopherol (vitamin e), kaolin (clay), ultramarine pink ci 77007

• All-In-One Bar Far & Away – Home or away this is the ideal addition to carry-on luggage for last minute getaways or lightweight minimal packing for outdoor adventures. ALTER/NATIVE by Suma All-in-One bars are take anywhere do anything bars. Suitable for hair body shaving laundry and dishes. With a pina-colada zing.

Ingredients – sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), parfum, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, limonene*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

• All-In-One Bar Earthbound – Home or away this is the ideal addition to carry-on luggage for last minute getaways or lightweight minimal packing for outdoor adventures. These All-in-One bars are take anywhere do anything bars. Suitable for hair & body shaving laundry and dishes. This one brings a tea-tree, lime and lemongrass fragrance to the party.

Ingredients -sodium cocoate (coconut oil), sodium rapeseedate (rapeseed oil), aqua, sodium shea butterate (shea butter), melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder, geraniol*, limonene*, citral*.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.