Ingredient Glossary

We believe you have a #RightToKnow what’s in the products you use in your home.

That’s why we team up with like-minded brands, partners, and organizations to champion transparency for ingredient disclosure across the cleaning industry and beyond. Trade secrets are the past—we’re looking to the future, and it’s time to #ComeClean.

We believe our products are healthy solutions for your home, and for the community and environment outside of it. As a pioneer in corporate responsibility, we consider our impact in everything we do—from product development through production, purchase, use, and disposal.

Plant-Based

Plant-Derived

Minerals

Plant-Modified Synthetic

Preservatives

Synthetic

Sometimes a plant oil is minimally modified with carbon from other sources to improve its performance. When carbon in the modified plant oil is mostly (more than 50%) from the plant, Seventh Generation refers to the ingredient as plant-based. The remaining carbon may be derived from petroleum based sources.

Some ingredients obtain their carbon exclusively from plants, but have been modified from their state found in nature to provide functional performance. Seventh Generation refers to such ingredients as plant-derived.

Many ingredients are found in nature as minerals. If the mineral has been processed to form an ingredient it is listed as mineral-based on our label.

When most (50% or more) of the carbon in an ingredient is from sources other than a plant, Seventh Generation identifies the ingredient as plant-modified synthetic.

Some of our formulations require the use of a preservative or preservative system, which helps prevent microorganism growth that can make your products go bad. At this time, we have not found an effective plant-derived preservative system that is compatible with our products. Because of this, we feel confident that our synthetic preservative is the best option at this time. However, we are diligently searching for a wholly plant-derived preservative system.

Finally, if the carbon in an ingredient is derived exclusively from petroleum or natural gas, the ingredient is synthetic.

Plant-Based

Plant-Derived

Minerals

Many ingredients are found in nature as minerals. If the mineral has been processed to form an ingredient it is listed as mineral-based on our label.

Plant-Modified Synthetic

When most (50% or more) of the carbon in an ingredient is from sources other than a plant, Seventh Generation identifies the ingredient as plant-modified synthetic.

Preservatives

Synthetic

Finally, if the carbon in an ingredient is derived exclusively from petroleum or natural gas, the ingredient is synthetic.

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A
A	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Abies balsamea (balsam fir)	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
	Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice	Skin Conditioner	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Amylase	Enzyme- soil remover	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Chamomile Flower (Anthemis nobilis)
	Artemisia pallens (davana) flower oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Davana Flower (Artemisia pallens)

B
B	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Benzisothiazolinone	Preservative	Synthetic, Biodegradable
	Beta-caryophyllene	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate
	Boric Acid	Enzyme stabilizer	Mineral-based, Disperses into the environment
	Buchu leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Buchu Leaf (Agathosma betulina)

C
C	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Mandarin Orange Peel (Citrus nobilis)
	Citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Bergamot Orange Fruit (Citrus aurantium bergamia)
	Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Orange (Citrus aurantium dulcis)
	Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Orange Peel (Citrus aurantium dulcis)
	Citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Grapefruit Peel (Citrus grandis)
	Citrus limon (lemon) peel oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Lemon Peel (Citrus limon)
	Citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium amara)
	Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate	Conditioning agent	Plant based, Biodegradable
	Coco-Glucoside	Skin Conditioner	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil	Anti-foaming agent, Shine Agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Coriandrum sativum (coriander) fruit oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil or Coriander Fruit (Coriandrum sativum)
	Citrus aurantifolia (lime)	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
	Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Lemongrass Leaf (Cymbopogon citratus)
	Cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon schoenanthus)
	Cupressus sempervirens (cypress)	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Cypress (Cupressus semperviren)
	Citronellol	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived derived from Cintronella
	Caprylyl/Decyl Glucoside	Cleaning agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Cedrenol	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Cedarwood
	Calcium Chloride	Enzyme stabilizer, Viscosity modifier	Mineral-based, Disperses into the environment
	Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Ylang Ylang Flower (Cananga odorata)
	Canarium luzonicum (elemi) gum nonvolatiles	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)
	Citric Acid	Water softener, chelating agent, pH adjuster	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Safflower Seed (Carthamus tinctorius )
	Caprylyl/Myristyl Glucoside	Cleaning agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Cedrol	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Cedarwood
	Cellulose Gum	Anti-redeposition agent	Plant-based, Biodegradable
	Ceteareth-25	Anti-spotting agent	Plant-modified synthetic, Biodegradable
	Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose	Emulsion stabilizer	Plant based, Biodegradable
	Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) bark extract	Fragrance component	Botanical Extract of Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
	Citral	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Litsea cubeba

D
D	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Decyl Glucoside	Cleaning Agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Dihydrogenated Palmoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate	Fabric softening agent	Plant-based, Biodegradable

E
E	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Eugenia caryophyllus (clove) leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Clove Leaf (Eugenia caryophyllus)
	Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) seed oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Cardamom Seed (Elettaria cardamomum)
	Ethyl Levulinate Glycerol Ketal	Solubilizer	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Eucalyptus Leaf

F
F	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Fusanus spicatus (sandalwood) oil	Fragrance component	Essential oil of Sandalwood (Fusanus spicatus)
	Fatty Acid, di-(Palm Carboxyethyl) Hydroxyethyl Methylammonium Methyl Sulfates	Fabric softening agent	Biodegradable, Plant based

G
G	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate	Skin conditioner	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Glyceryl Oleate	Skin conditioner	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Glycerin	Foam stabilizer, enzyme stabilizer, feel enhancer, conditioning agent,	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Gamma-decalactone	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Castor Bean

H
H	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Hydrogen Peroxide	Stain removal agent	Inorganic (contains only hydrogen and oxygen), Disperses into the environment
	Hexyl Glucoside	Cleaning Agent	Plant Based, Biodegradable

J
J	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Juniperus mexicana (cedar) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Cedar (Juniperus mexicana)

L
L	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Lactic Acid	pH adjuster, demineralizer	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Lauramine Oxide	Cleaning agent	Plant based, Biodegradable
	Laureth-6	Cleaning agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Lauryl Polyglucose	Cleaning agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
	Linalool	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Howood
	Litsea cubeba(may chang) fruit oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of May Change (litsea cubeba)

M
M	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Mannanase	Enzyme soil remover	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Spearmint Leaf (Mentha viridis)
	Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) kernel oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Nutmeg Kernel (Myristica fragrans)
	Methylisothiazolinone	Preservative	Synthetic, Biodegradable
	Magnesium Chloride	Viscosity modifier	Mineral-based, Disperses into the environment
	Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
	Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil	Fragrance component	Essential of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
	Magnesium Sulfate	Cleaning enhancer	Mineral-based, Disperses into the environment

O
O	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Orange oil sinensal	Fragrance component	Botanical Extract of Orange Sinesal Oil
	Oleic Acid	Anti-foaming agent, Shine Agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable

P
P	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Protease	Enzyme soil remover	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus dulci)
	Potassium Sorbate	Preservative	Synthetic
	PPG-10-Laureth-7	Cleaning agent	Plant-modified synthetic
	PPG-4-Laureth-8	Anti-spotting agent	Plant-modified synthetic
	Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
	Pinus sylvestris (pine)	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Pine Needles (Pinus sylvestris)
	Pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Geranium Flower (Pelargonium graveolens)
	Pectinase	Enzyme soil removers	Plant-derived, Biodegradable

Q
Q	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract	Cleansing agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable

S
S	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Sodium Sulfate	Processing aid	Mineral-based
	Sodium Silicate	pH adjuster, cleaning agent	Mineral-based
	Sodium Polyaspartate	Anti-filming agent	Synthetic
	Sodium Percarbonate	Oxygen stain removal agent	Mineral-based
	Sodium Magnesium Silicate	Anti-spotting agent	Mineral-based
	Sodium Lauryl Sulfate	Cleaning agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Sodium Hydroxide	pH adjuster	Mineral-based
	Sodium Gluconate	Water softener	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Sodium Citrate	Water softener	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Sodium Coco Sulfate	Cleaning Agent	Plant-derived, Biodegradable
	Sodium Chloride	Viscosity modifier, processing aid	Mineral-based
	Sodium Carboxymethyl Inulin	Soil dispersant	Plant-based
	Sodium Carbonate	Cleaning agent	Mineral-based
	Sodium Borate	Enzyme stabilizer	Mineral-based
	Sodium Bicarbonate	Water Softener	Mineral-based
	Sodium Benzoate	Preservative	Synthetic
	Sodium aluminosilicate	Water softener	Mineral-based

T
T	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Tangelo oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Tangelo Orange (Citrus reticulata)
	Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate	Chelating agent	Synthetic
	Thymol	Short description	Liliensternus Atrociraptor Eucoelophysis Herbstosaurus
	Tocopheryl Acetate	Anti-oxidant	Synthetic

V
V	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Vanillin	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Clove

W
W	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Water	Diluent	Inorganic (contains only hydrogen and oxygen, Biodegradable)

X
X	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Xanthan Gum	Thickener	Plant-derived, Biodegradable

Z
Z	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	Zingiber officinale (ginger) root oil	Fragrance component	Essential Oil of Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale )

3
3	INGREDIENT NAME	WHAT IT IS	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
	3-hexenol	Fragrance component	Botanical Isolate derived from Corn Mint

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