Before beauty became complicated, care was simple, intentional, and deeply connected to the land. Our abuelitas and the women before them didn’t rely on endless products or harsh chemicals, they relied on herbs, oils, and remedies passed down through generations, rooted in el campo and guided by lived experience.
At Sudz Cauldron, we honor that wisdom, but we don’t stop there. We blend ancestral knowledge with modern cosmetic science to create salon-quality, high-performance formulas that are effective, safe, and thoughtfully made for real hair and real lives. We believe ingredient integrity is a responsibility.
How we choose what goes into every bar
Our Ingredient Integrity Promise
Every ingredient we use earns its place through intention, performance, and safety. We don’t believe in fear-based formulation or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we follow four guiding pillars that shape every product we make.
⫸ Pillar One: Ancestral Wisdom, Honored
My formulation journey is deeply inspired by the remedies used by my abuelita, and women who turned to the land for healing, nourishment, and care. Herbs, botanicals, oils, and butters weren’t trends; they were tools for survival, wellness, and connection.
I carry that wisdom forward by incorporating thoughtfully sourced, plant-based ingredients that have stood the test of time. Ingredients like hemp, cocoa, and botanical extracts aren’t used for nostalgia, they’re used because they work.
This is not about recreating the past. It’s about honoring it, then building upon it with care and respect.
⫸ Pillar Two: Modern Science, Applied with Intention
Because performance matters.
While ancestral remedies laid the foundation, modern science allows us to transform those ideas into effective, salon-quality solid formulas.
Many powerful natural ingredients, in their raw state, don’t cleanse well, condition efficiently, or create the lather people expect from a high-performing shampoo. That’s where cosmetic chemistry comes in.
We use naturally derived, science-backed ingredients, like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), a gentle surfactant derived from coconuts to create rich lather, effective cleansing, and a luxurious experience without stripping the hair or scalp. Science isn’t the opposite of nature. When used responsibly, it’s how nature performs at its best.
⫸ Pillar Three: Safety, Transparency & Thoughtful Preservation
Non-toxic means something here. Preservatives are necessary in personal care to prevent mold, bacteria, and spoilage. The problem isn’t preservatives themselves; it’s which ones are used.
At Sudz Cauldron, when we say non-toxic, we are being specific:
- We avoid known hormone and endocrine-disrupting preservatives, such as phenoxyethanol.
- We choose preservation systems that protect both the product and the person using it.
- We never rely on fear-based marketing or vague “chemical-free” claims.
⫸ Pillar Four: Individuality Over One-Size-Fits-All
Because hair care is personal. We recognize an important truth: not all skin and hair are the same.
Biology, environment, lifestyle, and lived experience all influence how our hair and scalp respond to ingredients.
That’s why we don’t believe in a one-formula-for-everyone approach. Instead, we intentionally formulate different bars for different hair needs, hair patterns, and scalp concerns, so people can choose what works best for their curls, their scalp, and their daily rituals.
Our role isn’t to tell you what your hair should be. It’s to give you options rooted in transparency, performance, and care.
OUR HERO INGREDIENTS
Purpose-driven. Performance-tested. Thoughtfully sourced.
Meet the Star: Hemp Protein
A nutrient-dense, regenerative, rich in amino acids your curls love. Supports strength, shine, and healthy-looking texture without heaviness.
No Fillers or Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative in clean beauty we avoid because of its connection to endocrine disruption. Making space for cleaner, simpler, more intentional formulations
Fair-Trade Cocoa
Deeply moisturizing, lightweight butter found in our curl rituals. This ingredient not only has cultural significant, but is also ethically sourced to support farming communities.
Botanicals + Extracts
Clean, plant-powered ingredients that nourish curls, calm scalps, and deliver real performance — without overcomplicating your routine.
Packaging Is an Ingredient, Too
We don’t claim perfection, but we do commit to progress. Every packaging decision we make is guided by intention, transparency, and respect for the earth that sustains us.
Our product packaging & compostable kraft bags ▼
Our full-size shampoo and conditioner bars are stored in packaging made from cotton and recycled fibers, completely free from microplastics and plastic-coated finishes. We intentionally avoid shiny or laminated coatings so that, once disposed of, the material can safely return to the earth, keeping plastic waste out of landfills and protecting soil health.
Our mini bars are packaged in kraft paper heat-seal bags with a PLA (plant-based) lining. These bags provide moisture protection while remaining rooted in plant-derived materials, helping us reduce reliance on conventional plastics.
How to dispose:
- Remove any labels or stickers, if applicable
- Compost in a commercial composting facility, where PLA-lined materials are accepted
- If commercial composting isn’t available in your area, we recommend checking with your local waste provider for best disposal options
We continue to explore home-compostable alternatives as materials and composting infrastructure evolve, because sustainability is an ongoing practice, not a finish line.
100% recycled kraft paper & intentional upcycling ▼
100% recycled kraft paper & intentional upcycling
Sustainability isn’t just about what’s new, it’s also about what already exists. We use 100% recycled kraft paper in our packaging and shipping processes, and whenever possible, we upcycle clean paper materials from our own operations to pack and protect retailer orders.
This reduces waste, lowers demand for virgin materials, and allows us to extend the life of resources that would otherwise be discarded.
You may notice variations in paper color or texture.. this is intentional. It’s the mark of materials doing their job more than once.
Lightweight Packing Peanuts Made from Corn ▼
We use compostable cornstarch packing peanuts to keep your order safe in transit. These packing peanuts are made from cornstarch instead of plastic. They’re lightweight, effective, and designed to return to the earth without leaving microplastics behind.
How to dispose:
- Compost them in home or commercial compost
- Or simply dissolve them in water (yes, your sink works and they will dissolve like it's magic!)
They disappear quickly, safely, and without residue, proving that protective packaging doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.
Cardboard shipping boxes ▼
Our shipping boxes are made from corrugated cardboard that can be reused, recycled, or composted, depending on your needs.
Whenever possible, we also reuse boxes from incoming shipments to extend their lifecycle before recycling. It may not look “perfect,” but it’s purposeful.
What you can do:
- Reuse the box for storage or gifting
- Recycle with your household cardboard
- Compost if your local facilities allow
Because the most sustainable box is often the one that already exists.
Water-activated paper tape ▼
Even the smallest details matter, right down to the tape. We use water-activated paper tape instead of plastic tape, allowing our shipping boxes to be fully recyclable or compostable without separation.
This tape creates a strong seal using natural adhesives, breaks down with paper fibers, and avoids plastic contamination in recycling streams.
It’s a small choice, but multiplied across every order, it makes a meaningful difference.
WHY WE DO THIS:
Sudz Cauldron is my answer to create the products that reclaim wellness as a right. It’s rewriting generational narratives. It’s giving our community access to products aligned with our heritage and our health.
At Sudz Cauldron, we choose differently.
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Words like ritual or remedy help us describe the feeling and intention behind our products. They are not medical claims, and do not indicate treatment of any condition.