FAQs

We are proud to be Leaping Bunny certified, which means we meet the global gold standard for eliminating animal testing from every step of our production process. As a company, we do not believe in animal testing of any of our products or ingredients used in making them, and we require all our ingredient suppliers to abide by this same principle.

All our products are 100% vegetarian.

While all our products are 100% vegetarian, not all are vegan. Although several of our products have small amounts of beeswax and honey in their formulas, no animals are ever harmed. Refer to the Ingredients tab on each product detail page to determine whether or not a product is vegan.

Most of our products are gluten free. Please refer to the Ingredients tab on each product detail page, or to the product packaging, for more information.

Our company philosophy is centered around making a positive impact in the lives of others and our planet. We are proud that our work has been acknowledged, and that we are a certified B-Corp Corporation. By voluntarily meeting higher standards of social and environmental performance through public transparency and legal accountability, we hope to inspire other companies to do the same. Learn more about our values and Social Responsibility.

Yes. Desert Essence is a Country Life Vitamins, LLC brand

All our tubes, bottles, and caps are recyclable and free of BPA. Refer to packaging for recyclability information. For example, in the Organics line, the tubes are #2 HDPE, while the caps are #5 PP

All our tubes, bottles, and caps are recyclable and free of BPA. Refer to packaging for recyclability information. For example, in the Organics line, the tubes are #2 HDPE, while the caps are #5 PP

Our Tea Tree Oils vary based on how they are grown and harvested. All are subject to the highest quality standards possible, including terpinen-4 levels of 38+ and low cineole levels of less than 3%

Our 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil is grown and harvested conventionally. Our growers are certified under the Code of Practice that sets guidelines for Tea Tree production and quality. This oil is steam distilled and no chemicals are used in the process. Sustainable practices are used, including use of solar energy, state of the art irrigation, and minimal pesticides.

Our Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil is grown by a federation of plantation owners who embrace Australian Tea Tree Oil Environmental Alliance standards by using strict sustainable agriculture practices. It is not USDA certified.

Our Organic Tea Tree Oil is USDA certified and grown under the most environmentally sustainable, ecological, and responsible practices. No chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides are used on the farm, which is surrounded by protected government land. Rain water is used instead of an irrigation system, cows are used to graze and control weeds and grasses, and a wood-fired burner is used to steam distill the oil.

Yes, our Tea Tree Oil is steam distilled, and no chemicals are used in the process

Tea Tree Oil is made up of over 100 chemical compounds. The most important of these are Terpinen-4 for potency, and cineole for irritancy. We require our Tea Tree Oils to have Terpinen-4 levels of 38% and over, which is well above industry average. The cineole levels are kept low at less than 3%, which are well below industry average

Tea Tree Oil should always be diluted with water before applying to skin. Test a small amount on clean skin on your forearm 24 hours prior to use. Avoid getting into eyes. Review product instructions and warnings before use. For external use only. Do not use on animals.

Both our 100% Pure Jojoba and Organic Jojoba oils are cold-pressed and no chemicals are involved in the extraction process.

The shelf life our Jojoba Oil is 5 years. Storing it in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life by as much as 1 year. Please note that the oil will solidify when exposed to cold, but will return to liquid at room temperature, without affecting the quality of the oil.

Jojoba Oil has manyuseful applications. It can be used as a massage oil, a deep conditioning treatment for hair, skin moisturizer, or even as a shaving prep.

Organic Jojoba Oil is certified USDA Organic by meeting strict ingredient and processing standards, including no use of pesticides, fungicides, and any other chemicals. The Non-Organic Jojoba Oil is extracted without any chemicals, but is not certified under the USDA organic standard.

For color-treated hair, we recommend using the Italian Red Grape Shampoo and Conditioner, which were specially formulated to protect against sun damage and fading. Please avoid using any shampoo or conditioner with Tea Tree Oil, as that may lighten hair color. 

Our shampoos range between 6.0 - 7.5, which enables them to cleanse without redepositing the dirt back into the hair. Our conditioners range from 4.5 - 6.0.

All our dental care products are fluoride-free.

Desert Essence is committed to the safety of its products. We use sodium coco sulfate (SCS), which is NOT the same as SLS or SLES. It’s milder, safer, doesn’t have any toxic contaminants and is made from Coconut Oil and not petroleum.

Carrageenan is a food-grade soluble fiber derived from seaweed and has been used for centuries to thicken and stabilize food. While Carrageenan is considered a safe and appropriate ingredient for toothpaste, Desert Essence recognizes people have different preferences, and created a Carrageenan free toothpaste option in response to customer feedback.

Problem skin is often acidic. Our pads and cleansers run slightly alkaline so they can help pH balance the skin.

No, our deodorants do not contain aluminum.

We are not able to disclose the exact blend of all natural essential oils and extracts used in our products. However, if you are allergic to a particular ingredient, please contact us and we can let you know if the product contains that ingredient.

Most of our products are nut-free. However, we recommend you review the ingredient list on product packaging, or the Ingredients tab on each product detail page, before you use any Desert Essence product.

We use the international standard INCI to list our ingredients. The INCI standard requires the words "fragrance (parfum)" be added to the label when extracts and oils are used, even if they are all natural. Please know that all our fragrances—or blends of extracts and essential oils—meet all guidelines set forth by the Natural Product Association (NPA).