Argan Oil: This so-called “liquid gold” is my all-time favourite ingredient, and I try to sneak it into as many of my products as possible. Used by Moroccan women for centuries, we westerners (and scientists) are finally catching up to the multiple benefits this oil has. Incredibly rich in Vitamin E, Argan Oil is a great anti-aging product and reduces scarring, and the high amounts on linoleic acid helps reduce acne. There’s also a good amount of squalene, which is very rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Overall, it is easily absorbed by the skin and doesn’t feel oily, makes skin glow and softens dry spots immediately.

Argan Oil is also a fantastic product because it provides meaningful work to the Berber women of Morocco. Until the beauty industry discovered Argan Oil as it’s new darling, Argan trees were often cut down to be used as firewood, causing a massive decline in the number of this rare and ancient species. Thankfully, UNESCO has also jumped on board with helping to restore the number of Argan trees by enforcing sustainable harvesting of Argan oil, and protecting the small area in which these trees are able to grow in. All the Argan oil used in Stark products is ethically harvested.

Aloe Vera: If you don’t have an Aloe plant in your house, I highly recommend getting one. Not only easy to grow and attractive, the juice in the thick leaves, or fillets, are calming, hydrating and restorative without feeling any heavier than water. Aloe has been proven to speed epidermal healing in lab rats (not that I condone animal testing...but I've also seen this to be true with my own human skin), and has great anti-bacterial properties. Aloe is fantastic for relieving skin when it’s had a little too much sun, but just as equally soothing on dry winter skin. Cleopatra is rumored to have used Aloe on her skin daily, which she maintained kept her youthful glow.

Coconut Oil: This lightweight, subtly scented oil  has a molecular structure that allows it to be absorbed easily by skin and hair.  Coconut oil replaces lost moisture and lipids in skin, which both naturally deplete with age. It is also great for healing wounds, and treating psoriasis and acne because of it's antibacterial properties. It makes a great makeup remover and all-purpose moisturizer, although most people prefer it in formulas as opposed to on its own. Oh and coconuts....yum! Coconut oil is great for baking and cooking foods as it is healthier to use than Olive oil in high temperatures.

Candelilla Wax: This is a wild-harvested succulent plant that produces wax to protect itself during the rainy season in the otherwise hot, arid clime it prefers. The wax itself has a pleasant woody scent and is far more brittle than beeswax, but we love it for it's purported  anti-inflammatory properties. 

Rice Bran Oil: Here's another beauty secret borrowed from Japanese women...ricebran! This lovely oil absorbs nicely and is said to not only protect skin a little from the sun, but to undo some of the sun's damage (ie slow down wrinkle formation), due to the oil's  exceedingly high levels of antioxidants in the E family.

Witch Hazel:  Native to North America, the curious-scented Witch Hazel blossom is both astringent and soothing, perfect for acne and all types of skin inflammation. Our Witch Hazel is alcohol-free!

Shea Butter: I’m pretty sure shea butter is what got me started on using clean, simple products in the first place. I have been using it as a night cream and occasional deep-conditioning treatment in my hair for several years and absolutely love everything about it... the smell, the texture, how it melts and is sopped up by skin. It is incredibly soothing and softening and apparently the cinnamic acid in it reduces the effects of UV damage and has a little natural SPF in it. In Africa, this butter is known as THE healing butter, and I have to agree. There's nothing this baby can't do.

Clay: Pure clay is unparalleled for obtaining a deep-cleanse. Not only does it sop up excess oils and impurities, but French Green Clay and Rhassoul Clay deliver essential minerals, promotes blood circulation, and aids in rejuvenating the skin.

Sweet Almond Oil: This sweet puppy is great on lips, hair and skin. Sweet Almond oil is a popular carrier oil, used often in massage therapy and good quality lotions and creams, with good reason. It’s light, odourless, absorbs easily into skin and is suitable for most skin types. Like many high-quality vegetable oils, it is also very nourishing to the body, inside and out.

Non-GMO Soy Butter: Light, easily absorbed and packed with antioxidants such as vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Super nutritious, yumyum! Softens dry, chafed skin. 

Camellia Seed Oil: Have you ever seen a camellia flower? Have you ever had green, white or black tea? You've probably answered yes to both of these, and sighed with delight as the beautiful memory of both the flowers and tea dance in your head like antioxidant-fighting gingerbread men. Ok, now hear this. Camellia seed oil is just as antioxidant rich as green tea, smells like the flowers and is a light, easily absorbed oil. Japanese women have known this little secret for hundreds of years. I know, I was blown away too.

Plants and their lovely juices: Ok, so you have noticed that everything in this list is based on plants. Plants have been nourishing and feeding our bodies forever. They are beautiful, they make people beautiful, and hey, they never talk back. Our mist contains plant hydrosols. Hydrosols are basically the water portion of the distilling process when essential oils are made. They contain the vital essence of the plants they are derived from, smell wonderful, have amazing healing properties and are feather-light. Once you start using hydrosol mists, you'll wonder how you ever went without. 

Essential Oils: So this is pretty broad and encapsulates about a million different oils, but using essential oils is so simple, and straight-forward logical, and can't help but face-palm when I read of any other "natural" skin care brand using "fragrance"! Fragrance is the sketchiest, most disgusting chemical cocktail out there....you never know WHAT you're getting with fragrance, so don't even bother going there. Essential oils smell amazing and generally speaking are SAFE (ok, some aren't SO safe, but they aren't really meant for your skin anyhow and we don't use those, so lets move on). Not only that, but many essential oils have all kinds of properties to them, giving them the superpowers of the PLANTS they were distilled from! (Eg. lavender is calming, peppermint is invigorating, tea tree is a wicked antispetic, you get the drill.) As you can see, it's a win-win situation with essential oils: scents with benefits.