All products contain a blend of natural and organic ingredients. There are many products in the Gnarly Joe® range which are made from 100% natural ingredients (plant oils and botanicals), and these are clearly marked on the front of the label as ‘100% Natural’.
Those products that are not labelled as 100% natural, will still consist of a majority of natural and/or organic ingredients (usually no less than 70% natural). In these instances, it means that some ingredients used, although originally derived from natural means, will then have been blended into a new solution before inclusion in a product, which technically means that it no longer be called 100% natural.
An example of this is Gnarly Joe® Hair Thickening and Conditioning Shampoo, which contains an ingredient called Phytokeratin. This ingredient is blended only from three ingredients, all which are natural (corn, wheat and soy). But because those ingredients have been hydrolysed during blending (a process in which the constitution of each ingredient is broken down and split using water), the resultant single liquid ingredient derived from that process (Phytokeratin), should no longer be referred to as ‘100% natural’. This is because an element of man-made activity has been used in the production of that ingredient.
Rest assured that Gnarly Joe® takes his mission of providing Natural No-Nonsense Skin, Hair and Beard care for Men very seriously, and he doesn’t even use artificial colours in his products. The colour of all Gnarly Joe® products is dictated solely by the ingredients that go into them.
Absolutely not, and there never will be. This is the joy of hand-making products in small batches; we get to be incredibly fastidious about what we include, and we buy the best quality natural ingredients for the manufacture of our products.
Here’s why Gnarly Joe® doesn’t use such chemicals: As an example, SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), is an ingredient that is still used in many forms of cosmetic products because it’s a very cost-effective way of producing foam and lather. Unfortunately, it’s listed as a “moderate hazard” by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Obviously, such chemicals are only used in small quantities, but Joe only promotes healthy skin and hair care solutions. You can research these ingredients on the internet to help you make an informed choice.
Gnarly Joe® does not even use small amounts of artificial Parfums to scent his products as these are usually synthetic, alcohol-based ingredients which will have a detrimental, drying effect on the skin. Instead, Joe uses essential plant oils and blended botanicals to deliver a pleasing, harmonious and naturally refreshing scent. Perennial favourites include: Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Peppermint, Pine Needle, Spearmint, Geranium Bourbon, and Black Pepper Oil.
Here’s the best advice we can offer: If you have a known skin complaint or allergy, or if you have any cause to have doubts, the responsible and safe thing to do is to seek the advice of your GP or medical practitioner before buying any products.
We all have complex and individual genetic make-up, and what works for one person, may not work for another and may cause a reaction, so always seek advice if you are in any doubt.
Even if your nominated practitioner states that there should be no problem with you using a particular product, it’s always prudent to ‘patch-test’ on an unobtrusive and small area of your skin (such as the back of your hand). You should then leave that area of skin for between 2-6 hours to see whether any adverse reaction occurs. If there is no reaction, it should be safe to use on other parts of your body, as directed on the label.
As these products are highly-concentrated serums, you really don’t need much; a little will go a long way, and the small 50ml bottles will therefore last a long time.
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and grime from your pores. Next, it’s a good idea to shake the bottle before opening to ensure that the natural plant oils are completely mixed and there is no separation of the ingredients (which could occur if the product has been left standing).
Use the pipette to dispense between 2-4 drops into the palm of your hand, and rub your palms together to warm the natural oils. Spread liberally around your face, being careful around the eyes. Please take care to massage the oils in gently, to avoid pulling or stretching too much on your skin. If any of the oils or serum ends up in your eyes, wash out immediately and thoroughly with tepid water.
When using the Eye Serum, you only need 1-2 drops beneath each eye, which you should apply using your third finger (your third finger is your weakest, so will create less pull and stretch on your skin).
Please refer to the directions on the labels of the products you have purchased and follow them.
Because Gnarly Joe® uses natural and organic ingredients, they are Ph-Balanced, which means that they work in total harmony with your body and natural functions. Therefore, with products such as Gnarly Joe® Face Moisturisers, Face Serums Anti-Ageing and Anti-Wrinkle Oils and Creams (Morning and Night Time Recovery), you can use them every day as directed.
As a general rule, most of our product are to be used once a day, and it will be labelled if the recommended use is specifically at night, or in the morning.
In certain cases, Gnarly Joe® recommends less frequent use. For example, we would recommend that you use any Beard Shampoo once a week. This is because washing your beard frequently with any shampoo will deplete the natural oils in your beard hair. The reason for this, is that especially with those who are in the process of growing a new beard, your beard hair will take natural oils and hydration that is normally used by the skin, in order for the hair to thrive. This will deprive your skin of oils that it is used to.
Washing your beard with any shampoo will deplete that process further if it’s used too much. However, Shampoo is required in moderation to stop the build of harmful bacteria, and to eradicate germs caught in the beard, especially as food and drink is consumed throughout the week. Using Beard Shampoo once or twice per week is therefore the recommended frequency.
In terms of shampooing your hair, we believe that you know best, and you will be the best judge of what your skin and body needs. As a guide, washing your hair between 2-3 times per week is average (especially for dry hair). Customers who have fine or oily hair may want to wash every day, which is fine.
Absolutely not, and we never will. Everything we do is cruelty-free.
In the UK, orders of £40 or more are shipped free. Orders under this value are shipped at £3.90 and typically delivered within 3-5 working days of the order being made. For urgent deliveries, customers can choose to pay £15 for Next Day Priority Post (orders must be placed before noon to ensure delivery, and weekends and bank holiday are not included with Next Day delivery).
Free Next Day Shipping is automatically awarded for all orders of £90 and over.
For full details of all postal and delivery practices, including International postage and typical delivery timescales, please refer to the Gnarly Joe® Shipping Policies page.
We aim to despatch all orders received before midday on the same day. Orders received after midday are shipped the following day. Orders placed on Saturday and Sunday are prepared and sent the following Monday. In the event of Bank Holidays, the order will ship on the next UK working day. As standard First Class post is used, exact delivery times cannot be guaranteed
Yes, Gnarly Joe® sometimes uses Amazon as a logistics and fulfilment partner, as their delivery systems are incredibly reliable and pass our rigorous tests for efficiency. When we receive an order from you, we’ll check which is the most expedient and efficient way to get your order to you. Sometimes, that will be via an Amazon Fulfilment Centre.
Occasionally, Gnarly Joe® offers discount codes to customers who have signed up to receive emails (or via Social Media, or pack inserts). All codes carry limitations and terms and conditions. Virtually all codes are a one-use only code, so if you’ve already used that code on a previous purchase, it won’t work again. Please also check whether there is a time limitation; you may be trying to use a code which has expired.
Yes, a very small discrepancy is both acceptable and normal. The ingredients that Gnarly Joe® uses are natural, and so there can be periodic and subtle changes in those ingredients, dependent upon when and how they were harvested, and under what circumstances. These minor variations in no way compromise the quality of your product. In fact, even in the incredibly rare circumstances where separation of the ingredients has occurred, you can either place your product in the fridge overnight, or simply shake/stir it to return it to an optimal operating state, with no loss of quality.
Yes, African Black Soap is brown in colour because of the burnt Cocoa Pod Ash used in the formulation. It is inherently thin and watery too, but don’t be fooled: It’s still concentrated and powerful! You won’t need much liquid to create an immediate and thick, rich white lather.
African Black Soap is thinner than normal Body Washes, Shower Gels and Shampoos because it doesn’t contain the chemicals (binding agents, SLS and feel-enhancers), that some products carry, specifically to add volumetric weight.
We’re sorry, but we do not accept payments by phone. It’s easy and quick to complete your purchase online.
Always check the labels, as some products do contain ingredients that have a distant relationship to nuts (albeit tenuous). For example, Shea Butter is extracted from the nut of the African Shea Tree. Allergic reactions to this form of ingredient are rare, however, if you are in any doubt, please consult your GP before purchasing or using products that contain this ingredient.
Hazelnut Oil may also occasionally be found in a product. If this appears, it will be clearly marked on the label, and it will be found in the ingredients panel of the product page on this website.
Yes, definitely! Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrated and eating well will keep skin and hair in optimum shape. There are plenty of habits you can develop to augment and assist healthy skin and hair.
Limit your intake of alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible These will both deplete your skin’s moisture and leave you dehydrated, which leads to premature ageing and dry, wrinkled skin.
Drink plenty of water and avoid drinks with sugar (which are drying). Hydrate yourself throughout the day with water whenever your body tells you that it needs a drink, and your skin and hair will thank you for it.
Take regular exercise: Nothing gives your skin a healthy glow like a long walk, a brisk swim, or a jog through the nearest park or green space.
Eat well: Avoid processed and fatty foods, and where possible, eat green. Your skin and hair will derive a great deal of nutrients from fresh fruit and vegetables.
As these products contain natural ingredients, it’s a good idea to care for them. Over time, most of these products will have their impact and efficiency negatively affected if they are placed in bright sunlight and heat. Joe tries to mitigate this effect as much as possible by placing his products in dark bottles, and by using brown, green and blue glass to protect against the penetration of harmful UV rays. However, it’s still a good idea to store your grooming products in a cool, dark place, and away from children.
Please consult your label for detailed information. You need to refer to the ‘PAO’ symbol (which stands for Period After Opening). This is the small diagram of a container with an open lid, usually found on the reverse of the label. The numeric value printed inside that illustrated container, is the number of months we advise the product will last (usually 12 months).
Please remember that Gnarly Joe® uses natural ingredients, and therefore, we never claim the 18 to 24 months’ shelf-life that some other brands promote, because we do not use chemical preservatives, or use mass-manufacturing techniques which have to allow for products standing for a long time in warehouses or retail environments. Our products are always made by hand in small batches to ensure freshness. You can help by always storing your grooming products in a cool dark place, so they are not harmed by heat or sunlight.
Because of the natural ingredients and minimal use of preservatives (those preservatives that we do use, are natural and plant-based), we recommend that you use your product within a reasonable time-frame, to ensure that the integrity and potency of the ingredients is still at its maximum. In short, we suggest that all products are used within 3 months of purchase for maximum benefit.
Don’t worry, we fill by accurate millimetre volume, and usually overfill containers very slightly to deliver a little more value. The containers and packaging we use are calibrated to accept the correct amount of product. These containers have an inbuilt tolerance or gap at the top to allow a little breathing room, and to allow for the displacement effect of having a pipette or nozzle inserted after filling. This is entirely normal. If your product has leaked or become damaged in transit, please let us know by visiting the Contact page.
Yes, we are confident in the quality of our products and we are confident enough to offer a no-quibble 30-day returns policy: You can return products for a full refund within 30 days, as long as no more than half of the item has been used. You can always head over to the Contact page to seek further advice, clarification, or advice on alternative products.
Absolutely not. Instead, we use natural and plant-based alternatives (such as crushed Jojoba powder).
As the name suggests, microbeads are microscopic pieces of plastic, that are commonly used in exfoliators, to provide a mild abrasive, which removes the top layer of your skin. The problem is that the beads are too small to be filtered out by water treatment facilities. This means that they end up in the sea, causing harm to marine life. For this reason, we would never use them.
Alternatives, such as Jojoba powder, are more expensive to use, but there is no question that they’re worth it. Not only is the natural alternative more responsible and biodegradable, it’s far less harsh and abrasive on your face, and won’t cause microscopic tears and damage to the top layers of your skin. Natural is best.