Green Goo Ingredients – Plants With Purpose
At Green Goo, we believe skincare should do more than cover things up. That’s why we use plants with purpose—herbs, oils, and botanicals chosen for how they support your skin, your routines, and the planet.
On this page, you’ll learn more about:
- Our unique lipid infusion process
- What we mean when we say “salve”
- Many of the herbs and ingredients we use, from A to Z
Our Lipid Infusion Process
Our salves are fundamentally different from most products on the shelf.
Instead of using pre-made extracts, we:
- Carefully source whole, dried or fresh herbs from trusted growers.
- Slow-infuse those herbs into high-quality oils over low heat for an extended period of time.
- Strain the infused oil and blend it with beeswax and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients to create our final formulas.
This lipid infusion process:
- Draws out the beneficial properties of the whole plants
- Creates rich, concentrated oils
- Helps our salves feel truly “alive” with herbal goodness
It’s a slower way to make skincare—but we think you can feel the difference.
What Is a Salve?
A salve is a concentrated blend of oils, herbs, and wax (usually beeswax) that’s applied to the skin. Salves do not contain water, which makes them rich, protective, and long-lasting.
To dive deeper into what salves are, how they differ from lotions, and how to use them, visit our Salve 101 guide.
Ingredient Glossary (A–Z)
Below you’ll find many of the herbs, oils, and botanicals we use in our formulas, plus where you’ll find them in Green Goo products.
Note: This list is not exhaustive, and product formulas may change over time. Always check the ingredient label on your product for the most up-to-date information.
Aloe Vera
What it is
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant whose inner gel has been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices. It’s naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Why we love it for skin
Aloe Vera helps smooth, cool, and hydrate the skin, making it a great choice when your skin is feeling dry, tight, or stressed.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Skin Repair, Tattoo Care, Animal Castile Wash, Poultry Castile Wash, Baby Castile Wash, Toothpaste, and more.
Arnica
What it is
Arnica is a bright mountain flower that has been used in topical preparations for generations.
Why we love it for skin
Arnica is known for its comforting feel on overworked or tired areas when used externally.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Pain Relief and Animal Pain Relief.
Beeswax
What it is
Beeswax is a natural wax made by honeybees. It’s a complex substance with many naturally occurring components.
Why we love it for skin
Beeswax helps create a protective barrier on the skin, supports moisture retention, and adds structure and stability to our salves.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Pain Relief, Skin Repair, Solar Goo, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, and more.
Blue Chamomile (German Chamomile)
What it is
Blue (German) Chamomile is a flowering plant and one of the most widely used herbs in the world, known for its characteristic blue-tinted essential oil.
Why we love it for skin
Blue Chamomile is prized for its calming, soothing feel and its ability to help skin look and feel more balanced and protected.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Skin Repair.
Calendula
What it is
Calendula is a bright orange or yellow flowering herb that’s easy to grow and has been loved in gardens and herbal traditions for a long time.
Why we love it for skin
Calendula is known for its gentle, comforting feel and its ability to help skin feel hydrated, cared for, and protected.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Solar Goo, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Cold Sore, Hand Goo, Animal First Aid, Baby Balm, Children’s First Aid, Face Wash, Nursing Comfort, multiple Lip Balms, Poultry First Aid, Toothpaste, and more.
Chamomile
What it is
Chamomile is a daisy-like flower used for thousands of years in teas and topical preparations.
Why we love it for skin
Chamomile is gentle and soothing, helping skin feel calm and comfortable.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Dry Skin, Baby Balm, and Nursing Comfort.
Chickweed
What it is
Chickweed is a small flowering plant that has a long history in folk herbalism.
Why we love it for skin
Chickweed is known for its cooling, soothing feel and is a lovely addition to formulas meant for skin that needs extra comfort.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Poison Ivy, Cold Sore, and more.
Cinnamon
What it is
Cinnamon comes from the bark of an evergreen tree and has been valued as a spice and aromatic for thousands of years.
Why we love it for skin
Cinnamon adds a warming, stimulating element to topical formulas and helps create a cozy, comforting feel.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Pain Relief.
Cocoa Butter
What it is
Cocoa Butter is a rich, creamy fat extracted from cocoa beans.
Why we love it for skin
Cocoa Butter is deeply moisturizing and helps skin feel soft, smooth, and pampered.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Belly Balm.
Coconut Oil
What it is
Coconut Oil is an edible oil pressed from the meat of coconuts.
Why we love it for skin
Coconut Oil is moisturizing and easily absorbed, helping to soften and condition dry skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Skin Repair, Solar Goo, Lip Balms, Animal Castile Wash, Poultry Castile Wash, Lavender Body Lotion, Castile Soap – Aloe Baby Wash, and more.
Comfrey
What it is
Comfrey is a leafy, flowering plant that has been used in topical preparations for centuries.
Why we love it for skin
Comfrey is often used in formulas meant to comfort and support skin that’s been through a lot.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Poison Ivy, Cold Sore, Animal First Aid, Baby Balm, Children’s First Aid, Poultry First Aid, Herbal Sitz Bath, and more.
Elder
What it is
Elder is a shrub that produces clusters of small flowers and berries and has a long history of use.
Why we love it for skin
We use elder flowers to help soften, rejuvenate, and soothe the skin’s appearance.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Dry Skin.
Eucalyptus
What it is
Eucalyptus is an aromatic evergreen tree with distinctive leaves.
Why we love it for skin
Eucalyptus has a fresh, invigorating aroma and adds a cooling, cleansing feel to topical products.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Free to Breathe, Bugs Be Gone, Bath Salt – Eucalyptus + Mint, Poultry Respiratory Care, and more.
Ginger
What it is
Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome (root) is widely used as a spice and in traditional herbal preparations.
Why we love it for skin
Ginger adds a warming, invigorating element and can help skin feel energized and refreshed.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Pain Relief and Bath Salt – Rosemary + Lemon.
Grindelia
What it is
Grindelia, also known as Great Valley Gumweed, is a flowering plant in the daisy family.
Why we love it for skin
Grindelia has traditionally been used for its soothing feel on the skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Poison Ivy.
Helichrysum
What it is
Helichrysum, sometimes called the everlasting flower, is a bright, daisy-like plant.
Why we love it for skin
Helichrysum is a favorite in skincare for its cleansing, comforting feel and its ability to help skin look refreshed and rejuvenated.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Skin Repair.
Jewelweed
What it is
Jewelweed is a succulent herb that often grows near water and is loved by hummingbirds and pollinators.
Why we love it for skin
Jewelweed is traditionally used in topical preparations meant to comfort skin after exposure to the outdoors.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Poison Ivy.
Jojoba Seed Oil
What it is
Jojoba is a shrub whose seeds produce a liquid wax often referred to as jojoba oil.
Why we love it for skin
Jojoba is moisturizing yet lightweight and is known for its balancing, soothing feel on the skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Dry Skin, Face Wash, Baby Balm, Belly Balm, Castile Soap – Double Mint, Castile Soap – Lavender, Castile Soap – Lavender + Geranium, and more.
Lavender
What it is
Lavender is a fragrant, flowering herb with a long history in aromatherapy and herbal traditions.
Why we love it for skin
Lavender has a calming aroma and is used in skincare to help create a soothing, comforting experience while supporting balanced-looking skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Foot Care, Baby Balm, Children’s First Aid, Bugs Be Gone, Free to Breathe, Bath Salt – Eucalyptus + Mint, Bath Salt – Lavender, Belly Balm, several Castile Soaps, Face Wash, Herbal Sitz Bath, Poultry Respiratory Care, and more.
Lemon Balm
What it is
Lemon Balm is a lemon-scented herb in the mint family.
Why we love it for skin
Lemon Balm is known for its relaxing, soothing feel and is often used in products meant to comfort the skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Cold Sore.
Marshmallow Root
What it is
Marshmallow is a flowering plant whose root has a naturally gel-like (mucilaginous) texture.
Why we love it for skin
Marshmallow Root is prized for its hydrating, soothing feel and its ability to help skin feel cushioned and protected.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Nursing Comfort.
Myrrh
What it is
Myrrh is a resin from the Commiphora tree and has been valued for thousands of years.
Why we love it for skin
Myrrh adds a comforting, tightening feel and is often used in formulas meant to calm and nurture the skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Poison Ivy, Cold Sore, and more.
Olive Oil
What it is
Olive Oil is pressed from the fruit of the olive tree and has been part of culinary and topical traditions for millennia.
Why we love it for skin
Olive Oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and helps skin feel nourished, soft, and replenished.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Pain Relief, Skin Repair, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Nursing Comfort, Animal Pain Relief, Lip Balms, and more.
Peppermint
What it is
Peppermint is a hybrid mint with a pungent, refreshing aroma.
Why we love it for skin
Peppermint adds a cool, invigorating feel and a fresh scent that can make products feel especially refreshing.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Pain Relief, Free to Breathe, Cool Mint Lip Balm, Bugs Be Gone, Castile Soap – Double Mint, Poultry Respiratory Care, Toothpaste, and more.
Plantain
What it is
Plantain (the herb, not the banana) is a leafy plant that has been used in traditional poultices for generations.
Why we love it for skin
Plantain is known for its cooling, soothing feel and is often added to formulas meant to comfort skin that’s been through a lot.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Poison Ivy, Cold Sore, and more.
Rosehip Seed Oil
What it is
Rosehip Seed Oil is pressed from the seeds of wild rose bushes.
Why we love it for skin
Rosehip Seed Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants and is loved for its ability to help skin feel hydrated, smooth, and nurtured.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Skin Repair and Belly Balm.
Sage
What it is
Sage is a fragrant, evergreen herb in the mint family.
Why we love it for skin
Sage is known for its toning, cleansing feel and its role in formulas meant to help skin feel refreshed and balanced.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Pain Relief, Tattoo Care, Children’s First Aid, Bugs Be Gone, Herbal Sitz Bath, Bath Salt – Rosemary + Lemon, and more.
Shea Butter
What it is
Shea Butter is a rich, creamy fat from the nuts of the shea tree.
Why we love it for skin
Shea Butter is deeply moisturizing and helps skin feel soft, smooth, and cared for, making it a favorite for dry or stressed areas.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Solar Goo, Belly Balm, Animal Castile Wash, Lavender Body Lotion, and more.
St. John’s Wort
What it is
St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant with a long history in traditional herbal uses.
Why we love it for skin
St. John’s Wort is commonly used in topical oils and salves meant to comfort and nourish the skin.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Cold Sore, Children’s First Aid, and more.
Sunflower
What it is
Sunflower is a tall, bright flowering plant whose seeds are pressed to make sunflower oil.
Why we love it for skin
Sunflower Oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids and helps skin feel soft, conditioned, and soothed.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Face Wash, Dry Skin, First Aid, Foot Care, Hand Goo, Skin Repair, Solar Goo, Tattoo Care, Animal Castile Wash, Poultry Castile Wash, Castile Soap – Aloe Baby Wash, and more.
Vitamin E
What it is
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in many plants and plant oils.
Why we love it for skin
Vitamin E helps support skin’s natural moisture barrier and adds a soothing, nurturing feel to our formulas.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Skin Repair, Solar Goo, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Poison Ivy, Belly Balm, multiple Castile Soaps, Face Wash, Lip Balms, and more.
Yarrow
What it is
Yarrow is a flowering plant in the daisy family with a long history in traditional uses.
Why we love it for skin
Yarrow is often used in topical preparations for its gentle, toning feel and its role in formulas meant to support skin that needs extra care.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
First Aid, Dry Skin, Skin Repair, Foot Care, Tattoo Care, Hand Goo, Cold Sore, Animal First Aid, Baby Balm, Children’s First Aid, Herbal Sitz Bath, Poultry First Aid, and more.
Zinc Oxide
What it is
Zinc Oxide is a white, powdery mineral commonly used in topical pastes and creams.
Why we love it for skin
Zinc Oxide is known for its protective, comforting feel on the skin and is widely used in mineral sunscreens.
Where you’ll find it in Green Goo
Solar Goo and Sweet Honey Lip Balm.
Want to Learn More?
Curious about how these ingredients come together in our formulas?
- Visit our Salve 101 page to learn more about salves.
- Explore our FAQs for answers about safety, use, and sourcing.
- Browse our product collections to see which Green Goo products might be right for you.
If you have questions about a specific ingredient or product, reach out through our Contact page. We’re always happy to talk plants and help you find what you’re looking for.