ingredients

Our Ingredients

From the soil to your strands — every ingredient earns its place.

We don't formulate from a catalog. We source from family farms in Haiti, Ghana, and Chad — ingredients with deep roots in the cultures that have cared for textured hair for generations.

What we put in matters. What we leave out matters more.

Every J.O.S formula is built on a simple rule: if it wouldn't belong in our own hair, it doesn't go in yours. That means no synthetic fillers, no harsh sulfates, and no hidden toxins — just plant-based ingredients that actually work for coily, kinky, and curly hair.

Our formulas are handmade in small batches to keep every ingredient potent and fresh.

Sulfates (SLS / SLES)
Parabens
Phthalates
Mineral oil
Petrolatum
Synthetic dyes
Formaldehyde
Animal testing

The hero ingredients

Each one is chosen for what it does for textured hair — and where it comes from.

No. 01
C
Haiti — Plateau Central
Sourced from Haiti

Haitian Castor Oil

Ricinus communis

Cold-pressed from castor beans grown in Haiti's nutrient-rich highlands, this is one of the most powerful natural oils for hair growth and length retention. Unlike commercial castor oil, ours is unrefined — keeping all the ricinoleic acid that stimulates the scalp and strengthens strands from root to tip.

Generations of Haitian women have used it to grow long, thick hair. We honor that tradition by sourcing directly from Haitian farmers.

What it does
Stimulates growth Strengthens strands Seals moisture Soothes scalp
No. 02
Ch
Chad — Lake region
Sourced from Chad

Chebe Powder

Croton zambesicus blend

For centuries, the Basara women of Chad — known for hair that reaches the floor — have used chebe powder to retain every inch of length. Ground from cherry seeds, cloves, and lavender resin, chebe doesn't grow hair faster — it stops the breakage that keeps your length from showing.

We use authentic chebe in our 4C / Kinky Hair Kits because what works for some of the world's longest natural hair belongs in our most fragile textures.

What it does
Prevents breakage Retains length Strengthens 4C hair Adds slip
No. 03
M
Haiti
Sourced from Haiti

Haitian Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Called the "miracle tree," moringa is packed with over 90 nutrients — vitamins A, C, E, plus zinc and iron. Cold-pressed from Haitian moringa seeds, this oil delivers deep nutrition to the hair follicle while the antioxidants protect strands from environmental damage.

It's the secret behind our Moringa-Shea Hair Yogurt — a moisture treatment that softens even the driest 4C coils.

What it does
Deep nourishment Antioxidant protection Reduces frizz Supports thickness
No. 04
S
Ghana — Northern region
Sourced from Ghana

African Shea Butter

Vitellaria paradoxa

Hand-harvested by women's cooperatives in northern Ghana, our unrefined shea butter is the gold standard for coily and curly hair. Rich in vitamins A, E, and F, it locks moisture deep into the cortex of the strand — not just on the surface — making it essential for hair that thirsts.

We use Grade A shea (the highest quality), never the bleached, deodorized version found in mass-market products.

What it does
Locks in moisture Softens texture Defines curls Protects from heat
No. 05
Ca
Cold-pressed seed oil
Plant-Based

Carrot Seed Oil

Daucus carota

Packed with beta-carotene and vitamin A, carrot seed oil is a quiet powerhouse for kids' delicate hair and adult fine strands alike. It strengthens the hair shaft, supports a healthy scalp, and gives a natural shine without weight.

It's the foundation of our Kid's Leave-In Conditioning Milk — gentle enough for the smallest curls, effective enough for tangles.

What it does
Adds shine Gentle for kids Strengthens shaft Lightweight
No. 06
A
Fresh-water harvest
Marine Botanical

Blue-Green Algae

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae

One of the most nutrient-dense organisms on earth, blue-green algae delivers amino acids, chlorophyll, and trace minerals directly into the cortex of the hair. For curls that look dull or lack bounce, it's a reset button — restoring the elasticity that defines healthy curl pattern.

What it does
Restores elasticity Mineralizes Boosts curl pattern Adds bounce
No. 07
P
Pure essential oil
Essential Oil

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

The cool tingle is the work of menthol — which increases blood flow to the scalp. More circulation means more nutrients to the follicle, and more follicles in active growth phase. Studies show peppermint can rival minoxidil for hair growth, without the chemicals.

Find it in our Co-Wash and Scalp Stimulator formulas.

What it does
Boosts circulation Awakens follicles Cools itch Fresh scent
No. 08
B
Vitamin B7 complex
Vitamin Complex

Biotin

Vitamin B7

Biotin is the building block of keratin — the protein your hair is literally made of. Topically applied, it reinforces fragile strands, fills in damaged areas of the cuticle, and supports the growth of stronger, thicker new hair.

It's the active behind our biotin growth conditioner, used in our Kid's Hair Kit for support during their fastest growth years.

What it does
Strengthens keratin Supports growth Repairs damage Thickens strands
Our Sourcing Promise

The land that grows it. The hands that harvest it. Both matter.

When we say "Haitian castor oil" or "Ghanaian shea butter," it's not marketing. It's a supply chain that pays farmers fairly, supports women's cooperatives, and keeps traditional knowledge alive in the communities that built it.

i.

Direct Trade

We source from farmers and cooperatives directly — no middlemen, no commodity markets. Better quality, fairer pay.

ii.

Small-Batch Made

Every J.O.S formula is handmade in small batches so ingredients stay fresh and active when they reach you.

iii.

Culturally Rooted

The traditions of Caribbean and African hair care are not trends to us. They're where our formulas began.

Ready to put these ingredients to work?

Take our 60-second hair quiz and we'll build a personalized routine using the exact ingredients your curls need.

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