Palm Oil is a very controversial ingredient. It is an edible oil that derives from the palm fruit, grown on the African Oil Palm Tree. Oil palms originated in Africa, but now can be found in all warm weather climates around the world. This oil is found in a very large percentage of the items we use everyday including food, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and cleaning agents. It is the second largest vegetable oil used world wide. Because of the wide spread use this industry contributes heavily to deforestation, habitat degradation, animal cruelty, as well as climate change.
So why does the soap industry use palm oil? Well, this particular oil includes a hard to find form of vitamin E, tocopherol, and also has the ability to remove oil and dirt while protecting the natural oils of your skin and hair. It’s an important part of the soap making industry.
Now for the good news… There is a way to continuing to use palm oil without harming the environment. At The Freckled Farm Soap Company we only use organic, sustainable, palm oil. This means our palm oil is ethically farmed with organic practices. Our oil supplier has produced to us a certificate stating their product comes from a sustainable source that meets the rigorous requirements set forth by the RSPO. These requirements ensure that the land, animal inhabitants, as well the indigenous people who work the land are treated fairly, and ethically, while carrying out ecologically safe farming practices. This allows you to take advantage of the benefits of this oil without worry that you are contributing to harming the environment and actually contributes to helping ensure these practices become more common.