Ingredients & Cruelty Free/Vegan Status
The full ingredients for each product is listed on their respective page; however, we thought it would be helpful for you to understand some of the main ingredients in many of our products and what they do.
Additionally, as we are completely transparent about our ingredients we are too about their cruelty free and/or vegan status, read below.
Aloe Vera
The name Aloe Vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe Vera as the universal panacea (cure-all remedy). The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.” There are over 300 varieties of the south African Lilly like plant and only a few are used as Aloe Vera for medicinal purposes or skin care product use. The Aloe Vera is extracted or expressed from the leaf of the aloe plant. When the Aloe Vera is extracted using a cold press method it is much more effective in skincare products! It is used for calming, soothing, wound healing, hydration, and skin softening. Sage's complete list of skincare products are all made with cold pressed Aloe Vera.
Lanolin
Lanolin Oil confuses many individuals. Natural Lanolin Oil comes from the wool of a sheep and does not cause acne. Lanolin oil aids in repairing the skin's natural barrier function. It can be especially beneficial for individuals with compromised skin barriers, such as those with eczema or very dry skin conditions. Many individuals with sensitive or reactive skin find lanolin oil to be well-tolerated. Lanolin oil is an excellent emollient, which means it softens and smoothens the skin's surface. It can help improve the texture of the skin, leaving it feeling supple and hydrated. Additionally, it helps soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin. See Claw & Paw, Gelloid Moisturizer & Mask, and Papain Enzyme Facial.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is the skin's own moisturizer found in umbilical cords and fluid around the joints. In skincare we use this ingredient from plant sources not humans. It is very hydrating and calming to the skin and the most moisture per drop you can add to a skincare product. That’s because hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and hold water molecules. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it exceptionally effective at hydrating the skin. When applied topically, it helps replenish and retain moisture, leaving the skin plump and well-hydrated. See Smoothing, Firming & Brightening Creme, Smoothing Gel with AH8, Hydrating Emulsion, and Eye & Lip Balm.
Wintergreen Leaf (Salicylic Acid)
Salicylic acid occurs naturally in wintergreen leaves and sweet birch. It is used in skincare products as an anti microbial, antipruriitic (anti-itch), and preservative in skincare manufacturers. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into the pores. It can help unclog and clean out pores by dissolving the oil and debris that can lead to acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne breakouts. Because of it s wonderful properties its main use is as a keratolytic in treating acne, Rosacea and oily skin. Please see MSSR Liquid, Smoothing, Firming & Brightening Creme and Smoothing Gel with Acetyl Hexapeptide 8 (AH8).
Bamboo
Bamboo beads, derived from the bamboo plant, are a natural and eco-friendly ingredient that has found its way into skincare products due to its gentle exfoliating properties and environmental sustainability. They provide gentle, manual exfoliation by removing dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities from the skin's surface. This process can leave the skin feeling smoother and looking brighter. Bamboo beads are typically less abrasive than some other physical exfoliants like apricot kernel or walnut shell powder. They are a suitable option for people with sensitive or easily irritated skin. Exfoliating with bamboo beads can improve the absorption of skincare products that follow, such as serums and moisturizers, as it removes the barrier of dead skin cells that can prevent effective product penetration. See Aloe Vera Exfoliant.
Sugar Cane (Glycolic Acid)
The most effective form of an Alpha Hydroxy Acid is Glycolic Acid from the sugar cane plant. It is used to refine the skin and removes discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, small acne lesions and keratinocytes or dead skin cells leaving the skin lighter, fresher, with less discoloration and a smaller looking pore size. Since AHA or glycolic acid does not change the structure and function of the skin it is not classified as a drug. Preparations containing glycolic acid range from 4% to 20% for everyday use on the skin and should be combined with other skin helpers like salicylic, hyaluronic and Vitamin C to give maximum results without irritation. See Smoothing, Firming & Brightening Creme and Smoothing Gel with AH8.
vegan and/or cruelty free
It’s important to note that while all our products are PETA approved Cruelty Free, they are not all Vegan. The only ingredients that come from animals are lanolin, mineral oil, and bee propolis. As for the other natural ingredients they are derived from plants.
Find a complete list below of which products are both Vegan & Cruelty Free, all others are Cruelty Free!
Vegan Products:
Fix Zit
Miracle Zit
MSSR Liquid
Soothing Gel 1%
Zit Zapper
Eye & Lip Balm
Instant Line Reducer
Smoothing Gel 20% AH8
Heavenly Body Oil
Heavenly Body Shampoo
Heavenly Body Sugar Exfoliant
Aloe Vera Facial Shampoo (Oily, Dry Sensitive, & Combo)
Aloe Vera Exfoliant (Oily)