On this list, we differentiate between “Naturally Derived” (processed) and “Raw” (unprocessed).

1. The Isolate Barrier (Dr. Bronner’s)

Dr. Bronner’s is legendary for its ethics, but its formula relies on two specific lab isolates:

• Industrial Citric Acid: In modern manufacturing, this isn’t squeezed from a fruit. It is an isolate produced through the fermentation of sugar by mold (Aspergillus niger). It is used as a standardized pH buffer.

• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): This is a refined antioxidant isolate. In a truly raw product, Vitamin E remains inside the whole oil (like raw Shea). These brands add it as a separate, lab-purified concentrate to ensure a two-year shelf life for global shipping.

2. The Pharmaceutical Barrier (Weleda)

Weleda creates high-performance “pharmaceutical-grade” natural care. This requires complex processing:

• Emulsions: To create a consistent cream, they use Glyceryl Stearate and Alcohol to bind water and oil. A “Raw” product uses whole balms or oils that do not require these chemical bridges.

• Non-Vegan Isolates: Many of their flagship products rely on Lanolin (wool wax) or Beeswax, which are animal by-products and do not fit our 100% Vegan criteria.

3. The Surfactant Barrier (Faith In Nature)

To achieve the high-foam, crystal-clear texture of a modern shampoo, Faith in Nature uses Industrial Surfactants:

• Ethoxylated Ingredients: Even if “derived from coconut,” ingredients like Ammonium Laureth Sulfate involve a chemical reaction with ethylene oxide (a synthetic gas). This creates the “big bubbles” consumers expect, but it is a “technical fail” for botanical purity.

• Nature-Identical Preservatives: They use Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate. While safe and eco-friendly, these are lab-synthesized versions of natural molecules, not raw plant parts.