Since launching The Eco Alchemist in 2021, so much has changed in the world of ingredient sourcing. From supply chain disruptions to trade wars, manufacturer buyouts, and product discontinuations, sourcing some of our core ingredients has become increasingly difficult, and in some cases, impossible.
The primary ingredient used in our shampoos, facial cleansers, and bubble baths has been discontinued, and I've been working tirelessly for several months to find a suitable powdered alternative that is gentle, naturally derived, and palm oil-free. To add to the challenge, I learned that our most trusted manufacturer has been bought out and their extensive palm-free range discontinued, which greatly diminished our options. With no other companies manufacturing this ingredient, I am left with no choice but to reformulate all of my cleansing products. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I have not yet found a replacement that has proven to be palm-free. A palm free statement alone is not sufficient, I need solid proof of the raw ingredient composition to be able to confidently inform my customers.
Some of you may be thinking, "If you don't want to use palm oil, just leave it out." But the reality is far more complex. Palm oil is found in most naturally derived ingredients that emulsify, condition, lather, or cleanse. While it's easy to find synthetic palm-free alternatives, they are not naturally derived and do not align with our values.
Another ingredient that I need to talk about is Brassica Alcohol, which many brands were using as a palm free alternative in their solid products. Since early 2021, it has been derived from palm oil “as an exception” due to supply chain issues. While it was stated that they would switch back to palm free as soon as supply chains improved, they are still using palm oil to produce it. We purchased a very large amount of the palm free version while it was available, but our stock is nearly out. The manufacturer also continues to list it as non-palm derived on their website which is very unfortunate. If they fail to update this information, we may choose to replace this ingredient in our formulas altogether as we value transparency first and foremost when selecting our ingredient manufacturers.
You may notice that some of the major palm-free shampoo bar brands around the world have either rebranded and removed their palm free claims or ceased production of their bars altogether, wiping out an entire range of plastic free goods from their line. This is because sourcing ingredients for solid personal care products that can be verified palm oil-free is becoming nearly impossible.
Discontinuing a large number of our waterless products is not an option. We remain committed to reducing waste, fighting plastic pollution, and continuing to produce our plastic-free shampoo bars and waterless cleansers. In order to keep my business alive, I have made the difficult decision to not renew our palm free certification.
In the industry, there has been an increasing use of RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified palm oil by ingredient manufacturers. While this system is not yet perfect, it represents a step forward. If no new rainforests are destroyed and existing palm plantations become certified sustainable, palm oil would be an amazing option as it is a highly efficient and diverse oil. I hope that as the demand for sustainability grows, this becomes a more widespread practice.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to create formulas that are waterless, plastic free and 100% palm oil free. All I can do is keep my head up and continue to create effective formulas while reducing waste, and being mindful of all ingredients used. While we will always strive for palm oil-free status for our products, in cases where a palm free alternative is not available, we will choose an RSPO certified ingredient to ensure the highest level of sustainability possible.
This has been an incredibly challenging time for me and my small business and I ask for your patience while I work hard to create and trial the new formulas. I am not rushing any product decisions and am viewing this not just as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to improve the quality of our products & processes. When life gives you lemons and all that.
Will you notice a change in some of your favourite products? Possibly - but my aim is to formulate them without any noticeable difference, and if there is a noticeable change, my goal is to make it an improvement. Lately I’ve been making our cleansing products in VERY small batches as I use up the remainder of the discontinued ingredients as efficiently as possible. We could see some stock shortages during this transition but I am trying to make it as smooth as possible for my valued customers and retailers.
Since our products are no longer certified, we have removed the palm-free claim from all of our products, although many of our formulas remain unchanged.
Moving forward, my goal is to source as many ingredients as possible from Canadian suppliers and distributors, supporting local businesses while maintaining our commitment to sustainability. Up to date information on all of our ingredients can be found under the “Ingredient” tab in the main menu.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this challenge together.
Sincerely,
Terri Kirkham - The Eco Alchemist