Understanding Clean Beauty at iKOU

At iKOU, our commitment to Clean Beauty encompasses crafting skincare solutions that are not only effective but also safe and environmentally responsible. To us, "Clean Beauty" signifies products that are free from harmful synthetic chemicals and are formulated with integrity and transparency.

Transparency in Ingredients: We are committed to transparency, clearly detailing the composition of our products. While not all iKOU products are entirely organic, those that include organic ingredients are rigorously tested and certified by our suppliers. This ensures that when you select these products, you're choosing options whose purity and composition meet the highest standards of organic certification.

Chemical-Free, Naturally: The term "chemical-free" often causes confusion. At iKOU, it specifically refers to the absence of harmful synthetic chemicals. It's essential to understand that certain ingredients, like benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid, can be derived both synthetically and naturally. In our products, we use versions sourced from nature—benzyl alcohol from jasmine and salicylic acid from white willow bark. These naturally occurring chemicals are part of our Eco-Cert approved preservatives, ensuring our formulations are safe and maintain their integrity.

We acknowledge that all cosmetic and therapeutic products, including ours, contain chemicals in the broadest sense as all matter is chemical. However, our use of the term "chemical-free" aims to communicate our commitment to formulating products without synthetic additives, which can be harsh or damaging to the skin and the environment.

Transparency and Education: We believe it’s important to educate our customers about what goes into their skincare. Each product’s label clearly outlines its ingredients, distinguishing between naturally occurring and synthetic substances. This transparency ensures that you, as a consumer, are informed and can trust that our "chemical-free" claim refers to our avoidance of unnecessary synthetic chemicals.

Understanding Our "Wild Harvested" Ingredients

At iKOU, we are proud to include "wild harvested" ingredients in our products, which means these ingredients are gathered from their natural habitat, rather than cultivated in a farm setting. This approach ensures that our ingredients benefit from the natural ecosystem in which they thrive, often resulting in higher potency and a richer nutrient profile.

Definition and Sourcing: "Wild harvested" refers to ingredients that grow wild in nature and are collected in areas that remain untouched by industrial agriculture. These areas are often pristine and remote, ensuring the purity of the ingredients. For example, our Kakadu Plum, an ingredient known for its high vitamin C content, is sourced from the Northern Territory of Australia, where it grows abundantly in tropical ecosystems that are undisturbed by civilisation.

Cultural Sensitivity and Eco-Ethical Harvesting: We source these ingredients with a commitment to cultural sensitivity and eco-ethical practices. This includes working directly with Indigenous communities who are part of government-funded projects aimed at sustainable harvesting. These relationships not only support the preservation of their traditional lands but also contribute to the local economy.

Product Specificity and Availability: Ingredients that are wild harvested are marked with a # symbol on our ingredients list. Due to the nature of these ingredients being sourced from the wild, their availability can be limited. Therefore, you’ll notice on our product packaging "#wild-harvested when available" to reflect this variability.This approach highlights our commitment to sustainability and acknowledges the natural fluctuations in wild harvesting.

Understanding Our Hand Blending Process: At iKOU, we cherish the art of hand blending. Each product batch is carefully crafted by our dedicated team, who blend, measure, and test all components personally, rather than relying on automated processes. This hands-on approach is part of our commitment to maintaining the authentic quality and uniqueness of our products, ensuring that each item offers the utmost in effectiveness and luxury.

Benefits of Hand Blending: Hand blending is not just about tradition; it's about quality and precision. This method allows our artisans to ensure that every product meets our high standards and retains its unique properties. The personal care taken in this process helps maintain the integrity of the natural ingredients, allowing for a more harmonious blend of essential oils and botanicals.

Our Commitment to Vegan and Cruelty-Free Practices

At iKOU, we pride ourselves on being a 100% vegan company. Our dedication to cruelty-free and vegan principles is at the heart of everything we do, from formulation to production.

Vegan Standards: No animal-derived ingredients are used in any of our products. Every ingredient we select is plant-derived, adhering to our strict vegan standards. For full transparency, refer to our ingredients list available on each product page, which underscores our commitment to veganism.

Cruelty-Free Assurance: Our cruelty-free commitment is comprehensive. iKOU does not, and never will, test on animals. This policy extends to our entire supply chain—neither our manufacturers nor any third parties engage in animal testing on our behalf. 

Through these practices, iKOU remains dedicated to providing skincare solutions that respect animal welfare and align with the ethical values of our consumers. By choosing iKOU, you support a brand that not only cares for your skin but also upholds the rights and well-being of all living creatures.

Powered by Renewable Energy

At iKOU, we are committed to sustainability not only in our products but also in how we produce them. We proudly use renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power, to operate all our premises—from our production facilities to our retail stores.

Renewable Energy Initiatives: We have established partnerships to ensure our energy consumption is powered by green energy. This includes purchasing green power directly for our operational needs and supporting broader environmental efforts through certified carbon offsets purchased from Tasman Environmental Markets (TEM).

Our Commitment to Social Responsibility

At iKOU, being socially responsible is central to our ethos. We believe in making a positive impact through every aspect of our business—from sourcing materials to supporting communities.

Sustainable Sourcing and Production: Our products are made from carefully selected raw materials sourced primarily from local Australian growers, supporting local industry and reducing our carbon footprint. We ensure that our products are manufactured within Australia, adhering to strict environmental and labour regulations, enhancing the traceability and ethical standards of our supply chain.

Environmental and Social Impact: iKOU products are designed with environmental responsibility in mind. Our packaging is recyclable, and we continuously work to minimise waste and emissions throughout our production process. 

Community Engagement and Support: We extend our responsibility to the community by supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference. This includes donating products to hospital palliative care units and supporting disaster relief efforts, such as during the 2020 bushfires and the Northern Rivers flooding. Our commitment during these times not only provided immediate relief but also supported the mental well-being of the affected communities.

Supporting Diversity and Local Economy: iKOU is dedicated to uplifting various groups within the community, including women in business, global artisans, and minority groups. We engage in trade practices that promote fairness and equity, ensuring that every purchase supports these values.

What We Mean by "Farmed by Nature, Not Person"

At iKOU, "Farmed by nature, not person" encapsulates our approach to sourcing ingredients that are naturally resilient and rich in beneficial properties, without human intervention in their growth process.

Environmental and Ecological Benefits: By choosing ingredients that are "farmed by nature," we avoid the pitfalls of conventional agriculture, such as soil depletion and biodiversity loss caused by mono-cropping. Mono-cropping, the practice of planting the same crop repeatedly on the same land, gradually exhausts the soil of specific nutrients, reducing its fertility and harming the environment. In contrast, wild-harvested plants grow in diverse, balanced ecosystems where the soil remains rich and fertile, naturally replenished by a variety of plant species and their interaction with surrounding wildlife.

Sustainable Harvesting: We ensure that our harvesting practices are sustainable, taking care not to deplete or disturb the natural habitats from which we source our ingredients. This commitment to eco-ethical practices supports the environment and contributes to the longevity of the plant species and their native ecosystems.

By supporting products with ingredients that are "farmed by nature," you are choosing a path of environmental consciousness, sustainability, and efficacy. iKOU is dedicated to delivering skincare that harnesses the intrinsic power of nature, brought to you in a manner that respects and preserves the natural world.