What is palm oil and why should we care about it?
Sounds like a lovely tropical oil, right? Reminiscent of the reef oil we used to slather on ourselves back in the day? Forget the nostalgic connotations the name brings. Palm oil is actually the ingredient used in many cosmetics and food that is proving to be a huge headache for the environment in so many ways. Palm oil is the most widely used vegetable oil on the planet. Demand for palm oil is ever increasing. Palm oil is cost effective to produce and can be used for a swathe of products. This makes it very attractive to major corporations for use in their products. Palm oil is mostly produced in Indonesia and Malaysia and it has helped their economies greatly. But this production has come at a huge cost to the planet with massive amounts of verdant rainforest cleared to make room for plantations. This has measurably contributed to climate change. It also displaces species such as orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers as well as people forced off their lands.
Find out more about our stance on palm oil here >
Does soap contain palm oil?
Most commercial brands of soap contain palm oil. This can be hidden in the ingredient list as palmitate, palmitoyl or just palm. It is also hidden in other commonly used ingredients. Biome has made a commitment to be free from untraceable palm oil and stocks only the best in natural soaps. Happily, there are quite a lot available.
Your guide to our palm oil free soap
Surprise & Shine Natural Shampoo Bar
Surprise & Shine natural shampoo bar made from natural oils of coconut, olive, sweet almond, petitgrain and mandarin. This beautifully scented bar is suitable for all hair types, particularly itchy scalps. It will cleanse and leave a beautiful natural scent behind. This vegan, orangutan friendly soap is made is Australia by The Australian Natural Soap Company.
Shop Surprise & Shine natural shampoo bar here >
Volcanically Yours – Peppermint and Pumice Exfoliating Body Soap
This palm oil free soap is a natural exfoliant. Containing pumice, olive oil and peppermint oil, it will make you feel shiny and new. Another beautifully handcrafted soap from The Australian Natural Soap Company.
Shop Volcanically Yours – Peppermint and pumice exfoliating body soap >
Ditch the Itch – Calamine Zinc Body Soap
This gorgeous, soothing palm oil-free soap is just the ticket for summer mozzie bites and rashes. Using the old-fashioned recipe of zinc, castor and olive oils, this soap is unscented and gentle enough for babies' bottoms. The zinc is great for calming and taking the sting out of bites, burns and sores.
Shop Ditch the Itch calamine zinc body soap here >
Replenish – Avocado & Macadamia Body Soap
For a super moisturising hit while washing off grime, you can't go past this palm oil free soap. Scented with vibrant ylang ylang, this is another winner from The Australian Natural Soap Company.
Shop Replenish – avocado and macadamia body soap here >
Stress Me Less – Salt Body Soap
Magnesium is well known for its calming effect on the nervous system. This nourishing palm
oil free soap is choc full of it. It also contains moisturising apricot kernel oil and Australian salt. Great for acne prone and stressed out skin. This orangutan friendly soap has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and detoxifying properties.
Shop Stress Me Less – salt body soap here >
Dirt Magnet – Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser
A simple facial cleanser made from activated charcoal and olive oil and is naturally palm oil free. Charcoal extracts dirt and toxins from the pores and is the perfect gift for someone with combination and acne prone skin.
Shop Dirt Magnet – activated charcoal facial cleanser >
