Ensème

Production locations

• France

All formulas are developed internally by the Ensème team in Lyon . The brand works with French partners to manufacture their certified organic cosmetics and accessories, according to demanding specifications.

Working Conditions & Living Wages

All accessories ( bags and shampoo holders ) are made in France, by hand, by talented artisans. The brand partners with Eco Couture, a local workshop based in Lyon with a mission to socially and professionally integrate underprivileged communities.

Ingredients

Botanical oils & butters

• Organic sunflower oil – Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, this lightweight oil helps nourish and protect the skin while maintaining hydration.
• Organic grape seed oil (from upcycled grape seeds) – A by-product of winemaking, this oil is packed with antioxidants and omega‑6 fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin.
• Organic plum oil (from Gascony plum pits) – Strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it hydrated and elastic. A by-product of Agen prune production, making it a more sustainable choice.
• Apricot kernel oil (from upcycled apricot kernels) – Extracted from leftover fruit pits, this softening oil is rich in vitamin A and omega‑9, helping to soothe and nourish the skin.
• Non-edible olive oil (from the food industry) – Unfit for consumption but perfect for skincare, this oil adds smoothness and structure to formulas while deeply conditioning the skin.
• Mango butter (from upcycled mango pits) – A by-product of mango juice and purée production, this creamy butter is packed with vitamins and fatty acids that deeply nourish and restore skin.
• Softening oil (plant-based) – A blend of natural oils that provide intense hydration and leave the skin feeling smooth and supple.

Botanical extracts & actives

• Maritime pine bark extract (from the wood industry) – Removed before wood processing, this upcycled extract has soothing and softening properties, ideal for sensitive skin.
• Olive leaf extract (from agricultural co-products) – A by-product of olive harvesting, this botanical extract has powerful protective and soothing properties.
• Upcycled pepper extract – Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the skin from free radical damage and blue light exposure.
• Organic orange blossom hydrosol – Calming floral water that promotes skin regeneration and soothes irritation.

Vitamins & antioxidants

• Stabilized vitamin C – A potent antioxidant that brightens skin, boosts collagen production, and protects against environmental stressors without irritation.
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) – A powerful antioxidant that helps to neutralise free radicals and maintain skin’s moisture barrier.
• Bakuchiol – A plant-based alternative to retinol that improves skin firmness, smooths fine lines, and stimulates collagen production without irritation.

Cleansing & foaming agents

• Gentle washing agents with upcycled sugar – Derived from sugar industry by-products, these mild cleansers remove impurities while maintaining skin hydration.
• Gentle foaming agent from sugar & coconut – A natural surfactant that creates a soft, creamy lather without stripping the skin.
• Molasses-based cleansing & conditioning agents (from the sugar industry) – A by-product of beet or cane sugar refining, these gentle agents cleanse and help detangle hair.
• Sodium lauroyl glutamate – A mild, plant-derived surfactant that gently cleanses without disrupting the skin barrier.
• Sodium myristoyl glutamate – A soft, non-irritating cleanser that enhances foam quality and conditions the skin.
• Sodium lauroyl lactylate – A skin-conditioning cleansing agent that helps maintain moisture balance.

Emulsifiers & texturing agents

• Vegetable emulsifier from olives – Helps oil and water blend seamlessly while adding a silky texture to formulations.
• Emulsifiers from wheat and rapeseed – Naturally derived, these stabilisers ensure smooth, even formulations without synthetic additives.
• Polyglyceryl‑4 oleate – A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend water and oil ingredients.
• Polyglyceryl‑4 laurate – A mild emulsifier that improves the texture of skincare formulations.
• Cetearyl alcohol – A naturally derived fatty alcohol that enhances creaminess and provides a non-greasy feel.
• Behenyl alcohol – A conditioning agent that improves formula stability and texture.
• Arachidyl alcohol & arachidyl glucoside – Plant-based emulsifiers that ensure smooth, even textures in skincare products.
• Non-edible olive oil (hardness & smoothness in formulas) – Provides a rich texture and structural integrity to creams and balms.
• Gelling agent (natural thickener) – Gives skincare products a smooth, gel-like consistency without synthetic additives.
• Xanthan gum – A plant-derived thickener that improves texture and helps stabilize formulations.

Absorbents & clays

• Absorbent agent from corn – A natural alternative to talc that helps absorb excess oil and create a soft, matte finish.
• Red clay – Rich in minerals, this natural clay detoxifies and brightens the skin.
• Green clay – Known for its purifying and balancing properties, green clay absorbs excess oil and refines pores.
• Montmorillonite (mineral clay) – A deeply cleansing clay that helps remove impurities and absorb toxins.
• Illite (natural clay) – A gentle, mineral-rich clay that soothes and purifies the skin.
• Kaolin (white clay) – A mild absorbent that detoxifies without over-drying, ideal for sensitive skin.

Probiotics & skin barrier boosters

• Probiotics – Strengthen the skin’s microbiome, reducing irritation and reinforcing the barrier against external stressors.
• Lactobacillus ferment – A probiotic extract that soothes inflammation and improves skin resilience.

Conditioners & detangling agents

• Detangling agent with upcycled sugar – Derived from sugar processing waste, this ingredient softens and smooths hair for easy combing.
• Arachidyl/​behenyl betainate esylate – A plant-based conditioning agent that improves hair and skin softness.

Fragrances

• Orange blossom fragrance – A delicate floral scent with calming and uplifting properties.
• Mint leaf fragrance – A refreshing scent that energises the senses.
• Fig & coconut milk fragrance – A creamy, fruity scent that evokes warmth and indulgence.
• Gourmet & fruity coconut fragrance – A tropical, sweet aroma that enhances the sensory experience.

Other functional ingredients

• Maltodextrin (stabiliser) – A plant-derived ingredient that enhances product consistency and stability.
• Sodium hydroxide (pH adjuster) – Regulates the acidity of formulations to maintain skin compatibility.
• Citric acid (pH adjuster) – A fruit-derived acid that helps balance pH and gently exfoliate the skin.
• Sodium benzoate (preservative) – A food-grade preservative that prevents microbial growth.
• Sodium salicylate (preservative) – A gentle preservative that helps maintain product freshness.
• Palmitic acid – A naturally occurring fatty acid that enhances hydration and smoothness.
• Stearic acid – A plant-based fatty acid that adds richness and stability to formulations.
• Arachidyl/​behenyl alcohol (fatty alcohols) – Improve texture, hydration, and stability in creams and balms.
• Cetearyl wheat straw glycosides (wheat-derived emulsifier) – A natural alternative to synthetic emulsifiers that stabilises formulations.

All Ensème products are 100% natural.

The certified organic solid shampoos are crafted without SCI, SLMI, sulfates, or silicones, ensuring a gentle cleanse that respects your scalp’s natural balance—even for the most sensitive skin.

The brand notes that creating a formula that’s both effective and sensorial was no easy task. It took over 170 tested formulas and a deep commitment to research and development to achieve the perfect blend of performance and purity. The result? A shampoo that cleanses, nourishes, and cares for your hair without compromise. 

Packaging

The brand uses 100% upcycled paper cases made from agricultural residues, giving a second life to plant materials that would otherwise go to waste. When crops like wheat, barley, or hemp are harvested, up to 80% of the plant — mainly stems and leaves — is left unused. Instead of discarding them, these natural leftovers are repurposed into the eco-friendlier packaging of Ensème products.

Because this paper is made from a mix of agricultural residues, its colour may vary slightly from batch to batch, depending on the plants used. This makes every package unique while reducing waste.

Compared to traditional options, the brand states this upcycled paper has a 50% lower environmental impact than virgin tree-based paper and 30% lower than recycled paper—making it a smarter, more sustainable choice for packaging that cares for the planet.

Water usage

All products are certified organic according to the COSMOS ORGANIC standard . This very demanding standard was developed on a European and international scale. 

This certification guarantees:

• Production and processing processes that respect the environment and human health.
• The development of the concept of green chemistry.
• Responsible use of natural resources.
• Respect for biodiversity.
• The absence of petrochemical ingredients.
• The absence of GMOs.
• Recyclable packaging.

NOTE: the use of organic certified ingredients limits water pollution

NOTE: Water usage/​pollution down to the raw materials is generally impossible to track for cosmetic products.

Circular packaging design

The packaging is designed with circularity in mind—fully recyclable and made from 100% upcycled paper, giving a second life to agricultural plant waste. Each case is locally printed in France using plant-based inks and assembled without glue, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Ensème solid shampoos also repurpose co-products from the agri-food industry, helping to preserve the planet’s natural resources.

Shampoo bars can be stored into upcycled fabric pouches, lined with absorbent honeycomb fabric — perfect for carrying it straight from the shower, wherever you go! 

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• Production locations: France
• HQ is located in Lyon, France
• Ensème sells/​exports in these countries: Worldwide

Transportation

• The brand doesn’t detail its transportation within the supply chain.
• We do know the brand uses Colissimo for its e‑commerce.

All formulas are 100% vegan and none of the products are tested on animals in accordance with EU regulations.

Product design

The entire Ensème range has been developed to be used by the whole family, including children from 3 years old. 

Although they do not contain essential oils or allergens , and do not present any particular contraindications, the solid shampoos have not been tested for use on pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Products include cleansing and makeup removing balm, anti-aging infused serum, shampoo, and conditioner bars.

Shampoo bars can last, on average, up to two months at a rate of two to three uses per week (20 uses). This also depends on the nature and length of your hair. Conditioner bars last three months with two to three uses per week (50 uses).

The brand also sells accessories like an upcycled fabric pouch with a 100% cotton fabric OEKO-TEX certified. This pouch is resealable thanks to two natural braided cotton cords. The outer cotton fabric comes from end-of-life sheets kindly donated by Tizu, a brand of designer, responsible and upcycled furniture. 

Transparency on product

Product website pages include an ingredient list in both commonly used term and scientific Latin terms. 

Transparency on processes

The brand details the production is done in France and gives a detailed description of its material sourcing. The brand shares insights into the composition of products, its manufacturing and how to use each product correctly.

NOTE: Transparency in cosmetics isn’t very regulated yet.