Skincare is often marketed as an art of transformation: glowing, youthful, perfected. But true beauty begins long before a product reaches your skin. It begins in the soil, the seeds, and the care behind every harvested ingredient.

At Suhu, we believe that how ingredients are sourced is just as important as what they do. Ethical sourcing is not a trend for us; it’s our foundation. Because every oil, extract, and essential ingredient we use affects not only your skin but also the ecosystems and communities that make it possible.

Why Ingredient Sourcing Matters

The global skincare industry depends heavily on plant-derived ingredients: oils, waxes, and botanical extracts. The way these ingredients are grown and processed can dramatically influence both their environmental footprint and their therapeutic quality (study).

Unsustainable farming practices, chemical refinement, and mass production can strip natural oils of their nutrients and damage local ecosystems. Conversely, small-batch, cold-pressed, and traceable sourcing preserves antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that keep ingredients potent and skin-compatible (study).

Simply put – ethical sourcing preserves both purity and performance.

Extraction Methods and Nutrient Retention

The method used to extract plant oils determines how much of the original nutrient profile survives the process.

Cold pressing: Mechanical extraction at low temperatures helps retain delicate vitamins, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fats (review).
Solvent extraction or high-heat refining: Produces higher yields but degrades antioxidants like tocopherols (vitamin E) and phenolic compounds (review).
First-press oils: Represent the purest fraction, rich in active compounds and naturally more stable (review).

This is why Suhu’s oils are cold-pressed, non-GMO, and unrefined whenever possible. They deliver maximum efficacy without synthetic additives or unnecessary processing.

Sustainability and Traceability

Beyond efficacy, sourcing ethically means sourcing responsibly. Poor agricultural practices can lead to soil depletion, habitat destruction, and unfair labor conditions, all of which contradict the principles of care that skincare should embody.

Sustainable sourcing protects biodiversity, ensures fair compensation for growers, and minimizes environmental harm (source). Certifications like COSMOS Organic or Fair for Life are growing more common, but transparency and direct supplier relationships remain the gold standard.

At Suhu, we prioritize traceable supply chains, partner with growers who share our values, and produce in small atches to minimize waste.

The Human Impact

Skincare is deeply connected to human wellbeing. Ethical sourcing protects more than the planet, it protects people. When ingredients are harvested responsibly, local communities benefit through fair pay, stable partnerships, and ecological preservation (report).

This aligns with Suhu’s larger vision: creating skincare that not only supports your skin health but also reflects compassion and accountability at every level.