Responsibility

At 39BC, we believe that building a business comes with responsibility. We are committed to building a brand that acts with integrity, to community and to earth. We think of ourselves as global citizens and future ancestors.

 

We work with partners who share our values. We produce in considered quantities. We favour recyclable materials where possible, and are actively exploring better options for the future.

 

We are not perfect, but we are intentional.

 

Things worth knowing about this first release:

  • Our bottles are not made from recycled materials — yet. We discovered this after placing our first order. They are, however, fully recyclable. For future production runs, we’re switching to PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic. Lesson learned: never assume.
  • No added colourants. We let the oils speak for themselves. Each formula retains its natural hue, with no artificial dyes or aesthetic interference.
  • A gentle, sulfate-conscious cleanse. Our Shower Oil uses a mild surfactant system. There’s no SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) or SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Instead, we use MIPA-Laureth Sulfate — a gentler alternative that produces a rich lather without stripping the skin. We tested “sulfate-free” naturals, but they simply didn’t cleanse the oil effectively. Your skin deserves both care and clarity.

 

Every decision we make is rooted in care for the skin, for the self, and for the systems we live in.

 

We are

  • Made in the UK
  • 85% Natural ingredients (The remaining 15% is fragrance and sulfate)
  • Gentle sulfate system — no harsh SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) or SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate). We use MIPA-Laureth Sulfate, a milder alternative that creates a rich lather without stripping the skin.
  • Paraben-free — preserved without methylparaben, propylparaben, or any other parabens.
  • Phthalate-free — no plasticizers, often hidden in synthetic fragrance.
  • No mineral oils or petrolatum — our base oils are 100% plant-derived (sunflower, castor, avocado, almond, grape seed, and coconut).
  • No silicones — no dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, or other synthetic emollients.
  • No PEGs — free from polyethylene glycols.
  • No synthetic colourants — no artificial dyes or pigments.
  • No microplastics — no plastic beads, powders, or synthetic polymers.
  • No formaldehyde or releasers — free from DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and others.
  • Vegan & cruelty-free — no animal-derived ingredients (no lanolin, beeswax, carmine, or collagen).
  • Palm-responsible — only RSPO-certified palm ingredients are used.
  • Fully recyclable
  • No single-use plastic
  • Packaging designed to be reused or repurposed. 
  • Woman-owned / Black-owned

 

Our Ingredient Philosophy

 

At 39BC, we work with both natural and synthetic ingredients - not as opposites, but as partners in craft. We believe in using what is effective, expressive, and responsible.

Natural materials bring richness, texture, and emotional resonance to fragrance. But natural doesn’t always mean safer. In fact, some synthetics are less allergenic and more stable, offering a cleaner, more consistent experience for the skin.

Harvesting botanicals for fine fragrance can require vast amounts of plant material. Many naturals are increasingly endangered or over-harvested. That’s why we partner with world-class fragrance houses to ensure that every material we use, natural or synthetic,  is ethically sourced and environmentally considered.

In some cases, we choose nature-identical molecules over their natural counterparts. Not as a compromise, but as a conscious, sustainable decision - one that allows our perfumers to create with both integrity and imagination.

If you want to know more about how we make our products, how we ship, or how we can do better, we welcome the conversation → studio@39-bc.com