We’re Raising The Bar
Our Ingredients
& Process
01.
Natural is not enough.
At Root Science, we believe natural is not enough—we’re meticulous about creating exceptional skincare formulas. This starts with sourcing the very best from science and nature, which to us means using ingredients that deliver results without compromise. After all, what’s the point of switching to natural skincare if it’s not effective or contains questionable ingredients? What we don’t use in our formulas is equally as important as what we do use. And we’re not just talking about excluding harmful synthetics, because both natural and synthetic ingredients can be harmful to your skin. For instance, photosensitizing essential oils are commonplace in “luxury” skincare products, a cause for concern that is rarely spoken of. Similarly, skincare products with an essential oil concentration above 1% are a recipe for irritation. You can always identify a formula with a high percentage of essential oils when it has perfume-strength fragrance. We curate our ingredients based on quality, purity, safety, and performance—not scent, not color, not marketing trends.
What we don’t use is just as important as what we do.
Synthetic Ingredients We Don’t Use:
Parabens
Phthalates
Sulfates
Petrochemicals
Silicones
Synthetic Fragrance
Synthetic Colorants
Hydroquinone
Talc
Natural Ingredients We Don’t Use:
Essential Oils Above 1% In Formulas
Bergamot Essential Oil (Phototoxic)
Lemon Essential Oil (Phototoxic)
Grapefruit Essential Oil (Phototoxic)
Jasmine Essential Oil (Common Skin Irritant)
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Common Skin Irritant)
Lavender Essential Oil (Common Skin Irritant)
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Common Skin Irritant)
Natural Parfum/Fragrance (Common Skin Irritant)
02.
Quality matters.
Just as with culinary olive oil, where quality ranges from supermarket brands to small-batch artisan oils, natural cosmetic ingredients exist along a vast spectrum. Counterfeit and adulterated ingredients are an unfortunate reality. As the demand for natural products grows, so do these deceptive practices. Sourcing the very best ingredients from nature requires a passion and dedication that most companies aren’t willing to commit to. After all, consumers can’t see what goes on behind closed doors, so there’s little return on investment when choosing premium ingredients. However, we know you want better, and we’re committed to providing exactly that. We’ve spent more than a decade sourcing natural ingredients of the highest caliber, which to us means working with small artisan distilleries and farmers and choosing certified organic, biodynamic, fair trade, and environmentally conscious ingredients. We also select ingredients based on extraction and handling methods, prioritizing approaches that preserve nutrients and therapeutic properties. Working with superior ingredients creates high-performance formulas that deliver results you’re going to love — and feel confident about.
03.
Skin-first formulas.
We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise on results when choosing to care for your skin with natural products. That’s why we create hard-working formulas that support skin needs first, using only necessary ingredients. That means omitting many natural and synthetic ingredients. Just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe, effective, or suitable for facial care. Ingredients—whether natural or synthetic—can cause irritation and compromise skin health, especially when included in products intended for daily use. Furthermore, formulas built around a few actives diluted in filler ingredients that offer no skin benefit don’t meet our standards. Each ingredient must directly benefit skin; otherwise it doesn’t make the cut. We create intentional and essential skincare products around real skin needs. After all, your skin doesn’t care about aesthetic appeal or fragrance; it needs ingredients that truly support its health and function.
04.
Small-batch in-house process.
The lack of rigorous quality standards in skincare is a direct reflection of outdated U.S. cosmetic regulations. It’s also perpetuated by the industry norm of purchasing mass-produced formulas from third-party manufacturers. To successfully execute our high standards for ingredient quality and formulations, we make our products in-house and in small batches. This ensures maximum freshness, precise quality control, and complete oversight of every step in the process. Our Portland, Oregon studio is home to a small team committed to both skin health and environmental responsibility. In-house production allows us to maintain the integrity of our ingredients and formulations in ways that outsourcing simply cannot. Each batch is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that what reaches your skin represents the very best from science and nature.
Skin-loving ingredients we use.
Aloe Vera
Argan Oil
Astaxanthin
Bakuchiol
Baobab Oil
Bentonite Clay
Bisabolol
Black Cumin Seed Oil
Blackberry Seed Oil
Calendula
Camellia Oil
Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Chaga Mushroom
Chamomile
Chamomile Hydrosol
Cistus Hydrosol
Coconut Charcoal
Colloidal Oatmeal
Cranberry Seed Oil
Cucumber Extract
Edelweiss
Ethylhexylglycerin
Frankincense
French Green Clay
Glycerin
Gotu Kola
Grape Seed Oil
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum Hydrosol
Hibiscus
Jojoba Oil
Kaolin Clay
Lemon Verbena Hydrosol
Macadamia Seed Oil
Marshmallow Root
Milk Thistle Seed Oil
Neem Leaf
Oat Oil
Orange Peel
Maracuja Seed Oil
Phenethyl Alcohol
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Raspberry Seed Oil
Rhassoul Clay
Rice Flour
Rose
Rose Geranium Hydrosol
Rose Hydrosol
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosemary Extract
Sacha Inchi Seed Oil
Saponified Coconut Oil
Saponified Olive Oil
Saponified Palm kernel Oil
Saponified Palm Oil
Saponified Shea Butter
Sea Buckthorn
Sea Kelp Extract
Slippery Elm Bark
Squalane
Tamanu Oil
Turmeric Root
Vitamin E
Vitamin C Ester
Witch Hazel Hydrosol
