Refillable Body Wash STARTER SET with 2 REFILLS
- One-time purchase of 2 x natural and vegan body wash refills.
- 1 x FREE Reusable Body Wash Bottle (worth £3.50).
- 250ml refills in a plastic-free home compostable pouch.
- For first time users who want to try 2 fragrances.
How it Works: Cut your impact on the plastic heaps with this revolutionary planet-first home compostable body wash system conveniently delivered to your door with our Proverb 30-day money-back guarantee.
1. Choose your reusable bottle colour - they've all been designed to look good and last so all you have to do is select your favourite.
2. Choose your 2 fragrances - Formulated with natural ingredients only, nothing harmful. Sulphate, silicone-free, vegan-friendly body wash, hand-made in England.
3. Cut, pour and compost pouch one - Simply fill your bottle with the body wash and then compost the pouch to help create more precious soil. If you prefer very mild aromas and or have super sensitive skin we recommend Coconut & Tonka.
4. Decanting your 2nd paper refill pouch - Please make sure you pour the 2nd body wash refill into your reusable bottle within 3 months.
- Staying fresh, all day long
- Avoiding questionable ingredients in most body washes such as fake colourings, petroleum, sulphates and silicones
- Saving on average 8 - 12 body wash containers a year
- Removing micro plastics from your shower routine
WHEN & HOW DO I USE IT?
Use every time you shower or bath.
HOW MUCH?
Don’t go crazy. Most people use too much body wash.
It is an obvious question - how long will it last but not an easy answer. It will entirely depend on how often you shower, body size and how much you use. However, remember all Proverb products are concentrated so make sure you don’t use too much.
TO REFILL:
1. Remove the pump.
2. Cut open your new pouch along the dotted line.
3. Carefully pour in the body wash and replace the pump.
4. We always recommend pouring the same flavour into the same bottle to avoid cross contamination.
5. Cut the pouch into smaller pieces and place in home compost or local council food waste bin.
STANDARD UK Shipping: £1.95. We offer a 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
PREMIUM UK Next Day: £3.95. Delivery the following working day for orders placed before 2pm on the previous working day (UK only). On orders up to 25kg.
US/CANADA/SWITZERLAND/NORWAY/ICELAND: FREE on orders over £100. Below that 0-2kg is £15 and 2-5kg is £35.00. Standard Delivery Option Only - Usually 6-10 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Customer is responsible of any duties.
INTERNATIONAL/INCLUDING EU: £45. Standard Delivery Only - Usually 10-15 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Unfortunately due to Brexit and the complexity this has created we are not responsible for import duties on delivery.
NATURAL & ORGANIC HIGH-PERFORMANCE INGREDIENTS ONLY
What goes in: Coconut oil, gluconolactone (gentle PHA to help remove dead skin cells and hydrate skin, 100% natural fragrance from essential oil and natural hydrosol blends, vegan and cruelty free.
What doesn't go in: Free from sulphates, silicones, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oils, parabens, GM ingredients, artificial fragrance and cheap bulkers and fillers
Ingredients for US/UK:
BERGAMOT & BASIL: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, limonene, citrus sinensis (orange) peel extract, sodium benzoate, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, methyl anthranilate, triethyl citrate, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) peel oil, benzyl acetate, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, linalool, citral, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) plant oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) plant oil, litsea cubeba (mountain pepper) fruit oil, pogostemomncablin (patchouli) oil, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) leaf oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) bud extract, ocimum basilicum (basil) leaf oil, thymus vulgaris (thyme) flower/leaf oil
WILD MINT & EUCALYPTUS: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) herb oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, limonene
LEMONGRASS & MYRTLE: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) leaf oil, sodium benzoate, citral, myrtus communis (myrtle) leaf oil, limonene, geraniol
COCONUT & TONKA: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium benzoate, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, vanilla planifolia (vanilla) fruit extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, dipteryx odorata (tonka) seed extract
- Staying fresh, all day long
- Avoiding questionable ingredients in most body washes such as fake colourings, petroleum, sulphates and silicones
- Saving on average 8 - 12 body wash containers a year
- Removing micro plastics from your shower routine
WHEN & HOW DO I USE IT?
Use every time you shower or bath.
HOW MUCH?
Don’t go crazy. Most people use too much body wash.
It is an obvious question - how long will it last but not an easy answer. It will entirely depend on how often you shower, body size and how much you use. However, remember all Proverb products are concentrated so make sure you don’t use too much.
TO REFILL:
1. Remove the pump.
2. Cut open your new pouch along the dotted line.
3. Carefully pour in the body wash and replace the pump.
4. We always recommend pouring the same flavour into the same bottle to avoid cross contamination.
5. Cut the pouch into smaller pieces and place in home compost or local council food waste bin.
STANDARD UK Shipping: £1.95. We offer a 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
PREMIUM UK Next Day: £3.95. Delivery the following working day for orders placed before 2pm on the previous working day (UK only). On orders up to 25kg.
US/SWITZERLAND/NORWAY/ICELAND: £35. Standard Delivery Option Only - Usually 6-10 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery.
INTERNATIONAL/INCLUDING EU: £45. Standard Delivery Only - Usually 10-15 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Unfortunately due to Brexit and the complexity this has created we are not responsible for import duties on delivery.
NATURAL & ORGANIC HIGH-PERFORMANCE INGREDIENTS ONLY
What goes in: Coconut oil, gluconolactone (gentle PHA to help remove dead skin cells and hydrate skin, 100% natural fragrance from essential oil and natural hydrosol blends, vegan and cruelty free.
What doesn't go in: Free from sulphates, silicones, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oils, parabens, GM ingredients, artificial fragrance and cheap bulkers and fillers
Ingredients for US/UK:
BERGAMOT & BASIL: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, limonene, citrus sinensis (orange) peel extract, sodium benzoate, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, methyl anthranilate, triethyl citrate, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) peel oil, benzyl acetate, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, linalool, citral, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) plant oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) plant oil, litsea cubeba (mountain pepper) fruit oil, pogostemomncablin (patchouli) oil, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) leaf oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) bud extract, ocimum basilicum (basil) leaf oil, thymus vulgaris (thyme) flower/leaf oil
WILD MINT & EUCALYPTUS: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) herb oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, limonene
LEMONGRASS & MYRTLE: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) leaf oil, sodium benzoate, citral, myrtus communis (myrtle) leaf oil, limonene, geraniol
COCONUT & TONKA: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium benzoate, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, vanilla planifolia (vanilla) fruit extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, dipteryx odorata (tonka) seed extract
Zero Waste
Our unique paper refill pouches are home-compostable, decomposing into the soil with your bottle keep and refill for life.
Plant Powered
Free from sulphates, artificial fragrances, parabens, silicones, petroleum and PEGs. Natural ingredients only. Made in England.
Moisturising
Plant-based goodness with anti-inflammatory and moisturising benefits to cleanse the skin naturally and leave you feeling fresh.
Convenient
Delivered to your door when you need it. Stick to your favourite or switch scents to support your skin, body & mindset.
Zero Waste
Our unique paper refill pouches are home-compostable, decomposing into the soil with your bottle keep and refill for life.
Plant Powered
Free from sulphates, artificial fragrances, parabens, silicones, petroleum and PEGs. Natural ingredients only. Made in England.
Moisturising
Plant-based goodness with anti-inflammatory and moisturising benefits to cleanse the skin naturally and leave you feeling fresh.
Convenient
Delivered to your door when you need it. Stick to your favourite or switch scents to support your skin, body & mindset.
INGREDIENTS YOU UNDERSTAND
Your skin is your biggest organ, you need to know what you are applying all over it and that is it made by people who have spent their life in skincare.
Planet first - liquid in a plastic-free, home compostable pouch
Now, this is something you will have never seen before - a planet first in beauty packaging. A few eco-pioneers have made home compostable pouches, but to date, these have NEVER held beauty creams, emulsions, gels and liquid. Normally these pouches contain powders that you then have to mix with water. The Proverb Planet first pouch is the game changer for the beauty industry and one we can’t wait to share for the greater good. Imagine a beauty industry that can be delivered in wood pulp paper-based packaging. Packaging that helps make biomass and soil, not landfill and ocean-bound plastic heaps.
Sulphate, paraben & petroleum free
We have created both organic certified and natural skincare for nearly 2 decades now. The body wash and all Proverb products are free from sulphates, paraben or phenoxyethanol preservatives, petroleum, PEGs, propylene glycol, GM-modified ingredients and cheap bulkers and fillers. You Get Out What You Put In.
100% Natural fragrances
We only ever use essential oils or hydrosols to uplift and energise, or to leave you feeling calm and rested. Choose a fragrance to suit your training, body and mindset.
Vegan & cruelty-free
All Proverb products are vegan, never tested on animals or sold directly in any territory that tests on animals.
Gluconolactone - PHA gentle exfoliation
The ‘next generation’ of exfoliants. With exceptional results on sensitive skins PHAs can help gently break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together at the surface and hydrate at the same time. These amazing multitaskers can help make skin smoother, brighter and prevent clogged pores.
Moisturising Coconut Oil
Your Proverb natural body wash has been formulated to clean you and the planet while helping to provide long-lasting moisture for the skin.
OUR 100% NATURAL FRAGRANCES
Kickstart your morning routine with your favourite or switch it up to suit your day ahead.
Wild Mint & Eucalyptus
Invigorating & Cooling
Coconut & Tonka
Subtle & Calming
Lemongrass & Myrtle
Fresh & Engergising
Bergamot & Basil
Awake & Ready
Wild Mint & Eucalyptus
Invigorating & Cooling
Coconut & Tonka
Subtle & Calming
Lemongrass & Myrtle
Fresh & Engergising
Bergamot & Basil
Awake & Ready
THE MISSION
Proverb means 'statements of truth'. No patronising marketing tones here just clear, honest answers and a brand on a mission to positively impact your health, the planet and change the way the beauty industry uses packaging. Full FAQ’s are in the dropdown menu if you need to know more.
Product Formulation
Will it work?
Yes! It will clean your skin and keep your nose very happy with our amazing scents. It will help keep your skin moisturised, supple, and soft as it is sulphate, silicone and paraben free. PROVERB always has a no-quibble 30-day guarantee so if you’re not happy with it for any reason just tell us and we will refund it for you, no questions asked. Problem solved.
What is natural Body Wash?
Natural Body Wash must have ingredients that are only from nature, not man-made. While legally you can have any amount of natural and still call it natural, Proverb Body Wash is 100% Natural and vegan. It must have no additives, nothing that could be an endocrine disruptor or impact your performance. We never use parabens or phenoxyethanol preservatives, petroleum or synthetic fragrances. We will only take the elite ingredients nature provided to ensure you get results.
How is it different to normal body wash?
It is a gel-type formula so you will be used to the texture. As it is free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate you will get a nice foam but not crazy bubbles or excessive lather. Your skin doesn’t need this, it is in fact really drying for the skin so ideally, you should always avoid it. There are no cheap synthetic perfumes so your nose will recognise the beautiful real aromas of natural herbs, plants, and flowers.
What do you not put in the Body Wash?
No SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate)
No Petroleum, Propylene Glycol or PEGs
No Artificial Fragrance ‘Parfums’ that don’t have to be listed on an ingredient INCI. We use only essential oils and natural hydrosols flavoured waters.
No Parabens or synthetic preservatives
No Triclosan
No Phalates
No Alcohol
No GM modified ingredients
No animal testing
No Gluten
What are the full INIC lists?
BERGAMOT & BASIL: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, limonene, citrus sinensis (orange) peel extract, sodium benzoate, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, methyl anthranilate, triethyl citrate, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) peel oil, benzyl acetate, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, linalool, citral, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) plant oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) plant oil, litsea cubeba (mountain pepper) fruit oil, pogostemomncablin (patchouli) oil, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) leaf oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) bud extract, ocimum basilicum (basil) leaf oil, thymus vulgaris (thyme) flower/leaf oil
WILD MINT & EUCALYPTUS: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) herb oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, limonene
LEMONGRASS & MYRTLE: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) leaf oil, sodium benzoate, citral, myrtus communis (myrtle) leaf oil, limonene, geraniol
COCONUT & TONKA: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium benzoate, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, vanilla planifolia (vanilla) fruit extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, dipteryx odorata (tonka) seed extract
What skin types is the body wash good for?
Our body wash is good for everybody and all skin types! If you are sensitive, we would suggest starting with Coconut & Tonka. In an aromatherapy ladder of potential allergy risk, it would be Coconut & Tonka (least likely), then Bergamot and Basil and then Lemongrass and Wild Mint at the top.
What is the shelf life of the pouch?
You need to decant from your home compostable pouch IMMEDIATELY! The wood pulp paper-based refill pouch has a much shorter shelf life so don’t bulk buy and store these. This is not the body wash liquid shelf life, it is the paper pack shelf life which is 3 months.
Once decanted into your bottle - the shelf life of the body wash liquid is 18 months but we always advise to use within 6 months, so it is super fresh.
Product Packaging
Is the Proverb Refillable Pouch plastic free?
Yes, it is 100% plastic free. You can put the pouch in your home compost or your local council food waste bin. When it home composts it will not break down into microplastics, instead, biomass to make your soil healthier. Body wash refill pouches are not new but there has NEVER been a version that doesn’t have any plastic layers, laminates, or a plastic nozzle that can hold liquid, this is a planet first. The Proverb pouch is made from wood pulp and home compostable biopolymers only TUV OK accredited ink, so there is no ecotoxicity to the soil.
Does the pouch home compost and how long will it take?
The entire pouch is fully tested to TUV OK compost home. The ink is also accredited by TUV OK Compost at home and is proven to have no ecotoxicity to the soil. It does mean that we don’t apply protective anti-scratch layers to the pouch that would stop the composting process, so you may find marks occurring on the paper. It has been fully tested and accredited to EN13432 the industrialised compost standards too.
Home Compost (e.g. your garden compost) - 26 weeks at ambient temperature (<30C).
Industrial Compost (local council food bin) –12 weeks at 60C. To help the process we advise cutting the pouch into smaller pieces and always ensuring your home compost has air and moisture.
Should i put my Proverb refill pouch in the normal bin?
No! Paper, cardboard, and food waste should never go to landfill - they are super important to making biomass which is crucial for soil health. If they end up in landfill, it is unlikely to decompose properly due to a lack of oxygen in the middle of a landfill pile.
The products may slowly break down but are likely to remain inert and thus have no positive impact on the soil which the planet desperately needs. This is such a waste as they could be having such a positive impact. Think of our refill packaging as organic food waste. It will biodegrade naturally, and this will always be improved with the help of oxygen and moisture.
Are you cutting down trees to make the pouches?
The paper used in the pouch is all from FSC forests. The wood pulp in the cellulose layer is also from FSC forests.
What are the bottle and the pump made of?
They are HDPE plastic so one of the best recyclable plastics. The aim is you should keep this as your lifelong bottle.
Do i need to clean my reusable bottle?
If you are keeping the same fragrance, we would just pour your new refill in straight away, no need to clean inside it - by nature of what is inside it it is already clean! Try and avoid ever putting water inside your body wash bottle as the source of life, it is the thing most likely to cause microbes you don’t want to proliferate.
What if I need to wash it out?
Rinse it, no need to add soap as there will already be some in there! Allow it to air dry. Do not put the body wash bottle in the dishwasher. Best practise would then be to use a ‘natural’ disinfectant such as ethanol - i.e., the alcohol used in hand sanitiser. Pour a small amount of ethanol, the Proverb Skin & Gym Sanitiser works well, into the bottle, swill it around to cover all the inside of the bottle and pour out. Allow to dry.
Can i put a different flavour into the same bottle?
Yes, in theory - they won’t self-implode but best practice would be to have a different one for each scent. Some aromas are stronger than others, so if you pour Coconut into a bottle that has had Wild Mint inside it, you are going to have a taint of mint to begin with. The aim is to avoid multiple bottles but even if you had one for per flavour this is a vast reduction than the average of 12 body wash bottles per person per year.
Subscription
How much do you save on a subscription?
Proverb subscription service offers you a saving of 20% ongoing off the full product RRP with the added benefit of never running out.
How long will each refill last?
Each refill is 250ml. Used once a day it will last on average 4-8 weeks. A little really does go a long way.
Can I opt out at any time?
Yes, you have full control. You can pause, skip, or cancel it at any time. Once you have set up your subscription you will be able to access your online account. Click on ‘Manage Subscriptions’ and you can alter the subscription in any way you need to.
Can I subscribe to different products & flavours?
Absolutely, you can subscribe to as many product types/flavours as you need and again, can add or subtract from the products you subscribe to at any time.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all types of major credit and debit cards and Paypal. After payment, you will receive a delivery tracking link for your order.
Shipping & Returns
Do you have a no-quibble refund and returns policy?
We have this on all Proverb products. If you’re not happy with it for any reason, just return it for a full refund within 30 days. Problem solved.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be returned to the shipping address below. Please email hello@proverbskin.com to let us know the reason for your return to see if we can help solve the issue to avoid needless shipping. We are always looking for feedback and ways we can improve but ultimately if the product is not for you then we will refund with no quibbles.
Where do you ship?
Worldwide is the short answer.
In the UK we predominantly use Yodel for our standard and FREE 2–3-day service or DPD Local for our Premium Next Day service, which with their predictive 1-hour delivery slot and easy-to-use consumer app have a 99% success rate on delivering the first time.
We use a range of couriers including the Royal Mail and Hermes we do offer worldwide delivery and the cost and expected timings are below.
How much does delivery cost?
FREE STANDARD UK Shipping: FREE on orders over £20. 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
FREE STANDARD UK Shipping: FREE on orders over £20. 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
STANDARD UK Shipping: £1.95. We offer a 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
PREMIUM UK Next Day: £3.95. Delivery the following working day for orders placed before 2pm on the previous working day (UK only). On orders up to 25kg.
US/CANADA/SWITZERLAND/NORWAY/ICELAND: FREE on orders over £100. Below that 0-2kg is £15 and 2-5kg is £35.00. Standard Delivery Option Only - Usually 6-10 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Customer is responsible of any duties.
INTERNATIONAL/INCLUDING EU: £45. Standard Delivery Only - Usually 10-15 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Unfortunately due to Brexit and the complexity this has created we are not responsible for import duties on delivery.
See full list of FAQ for more details or email us hello@proverbskin.com with any specific shipping questions.
Our Mission
Does Proverb support any charities?
Proverb is proud to be a WaterAid partner. When we crowdfunded the initial Refillable Deodorant concept in 2019, they were amazing. Supporting us despite being a young, unknown brand allowing their logo to be on pack. That normally only happens to big brands. We are committed to giving them 10% a year of our annual profits at a minimum. Proverb was created to improve the health of our customers, the planet and other people.
One-for-one sanitiser to UK children in hygiene poverty
For all retail sizes of sanitiser bought we donate ‘one for one’ to the The Hygiene Bank. We started this in April 2020 and have carried on these donations post pandemic.
Carbon Positive
Proverb is carbon positive, working with Earthly to invest in the most effective nature-based solutions that remove carbon, restore nature, and support local communities. Our 2021 project was helping to support the Kasigau Corridor in Kenya, home to 2000 elephants. In 2022- 23 we are working to protect the carbon-rich peatland forest of Rimba Raya which would have been turned into a palm oil estate emitting over 100 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. This area of Borneo is one of the most highly endangered ecosystems in the world with 65 endangered animals and plant species, including the orangutan.
Products that are better for your health, performance, and the planet
Proverb has a full skincare range formulated to the same GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN elite sports nutrition ethos. Our mission is to drive beauty products into paper packaging while maintaining our commitment to ethical sourcing and entirely natural and organic ingredients.
THE MISSION
Proverb means 'statements of truth'. No patronising marketing tones here just clear, honest answers and a brand on a mission to positively impact your health, the planet and change the way the beauty industry uses packaging. Full FAQ’s are in the dropdown menu if you need to know more.
Product Formulation
Will it work?
Yes! It will clean your skin and keep your nose very happy with our amazing scents. It will help keep your skin moisturised, supple, and soft as it is sulphate, silicone and paraben free. PROVERB always has a no-quibble 30-day guarantee so if you’re not happy with it for any reason just tell us and we will refund it for you, no questions asked. Problem solved.
What is natural Body Wash?
Natural Body Wash must have ingredients that are only from nature, not man-made. While legally you can have any amount of natural and still call it natural, Proverb Body Wash is 100% Natural and vegan. It must have no additives, nothing that could be an endocrine disruptor or impact your performance. We never use parabens or phenoxyethanol preservatives, petroleum or synthetic fragrances. We will only take the elite ingredients nature provided to ensure you get results.
How is it different to normal body wash?
It is a gel-type formula so you will be used to the texture. As it is free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate you will get a nice foam but not crazy bubbles or excessive lather. Your skin doesn’t need this, it is in fact really drying for the skin so ideally, you should always avoid it. There are no cheap synthetic perfumes so your nose will recognise the beautiful real aromas of natural herbs, plants, and flowers.
What do you not put in the Body Wash?
No SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate)
No Petroleum, Propylene Glycol or PEGs
No Artificial Fragrance ‘Parfums’ that don’t have to be listed on an ingredient INCI. We use only essential oils and natural hydrosols flavoured waters.
No Parabens or synthetic preservatives
No Triclosan
No Phalates
No Alcohol
No GM modified ingredients
No animal testing
No Gluten
What are the full INIC lists?
BERGAMOT & BASIL: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, limonene, citrus sinensis (orange) peel extract, sodium benzoate, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, methyl anthranilate, triethyl citrate, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) peel oil, benzyl acetate, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, linalool, citral, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) plant oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) plant oil, litsea cubeba (mountain pepper) fruit oil, pogostemomncablin (patchouli) oil, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) leaf oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) bud extract, ocimum basilicum (basil) leaf oil, thymus vulgaris (thyme) flower/leaf oil
WILD MINT & EUCALYPTUS: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) herb oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf oil, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, limonene
LEMONGRASS & MYRTLE: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) leaf oil, sodium benzoate, citral, myrtus communis (myrtle) leaf oil, limonene, geraniol
COCONUT & TONKA: aqua (water), coco-glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, xanthan gum, gluconolactone, sodium chloride, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium benzoate, prunus armeniaca (apricot) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, vanilla planifolia (vanilla) fruit extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, dipteryx odorata (tonka) seed extract
What skin types is the body wash good for?
Our body wash is good for everybody and all skin types! If you are sensitive, we would suggest starting with Coconut & Tonka. In an aromatherapy ladder of potential allergy risk, it would be Coconut & Tonka (least likely), then Bergamot and Basil and then Lemongrass and Wild Mint at the top.
What is the shelf life of the pouch?
You need to decant from your home compostable pouch IMMEDIATELY! The wood pulp paper-based refill pouch has a much shorter shelf life so don’t bulk buy and store these. This is not the body wash liquid shelf life, it is the paper pack shelf life which is 3 months.
Once decanted into your bottle - the shelf life of the body wash liquid is 18 months but we always advise to use within 6 months, so it is super fresh.
Product Packaging
Is the Proverb Refillable Pouch plastic free?
Yes, it is 100% plastic free. You can put the pouch in your home compost or your local council food waste bin. When it home composts it will not break down into microplastics, instead, biomass to make your soil healthier. Body wash refill pouches are not new but there has NEVER been a version that doesn’t have any plastic layers, laminates, or a plastic nozzle that can hold liquid, this is a planet first. The Proverb pouch is made from wood pulp and home compostable biopolymers only TUV OK accredited ink, so there is no ecotoxicity to the soil.
Does the pouch home compost and how long will it take?
The entire pouch is fully tested to TUV OK compost home. The ink is also accredited by TUV OK Compost at home and is proven to have no ecotoxicity to the soil. It does mean that we don’t apply protective anti-scratch layers to the pouch that would stop the composting process, so you may find marks occurring on the paper. It has been fully tested and accredited to EN13432 the industrialised compost standards too.
Home Compost (e.g. your garden compost) - 26 weeks at ambient temperature (<30C).
Industrial Compost (local council food bin) –12 weeks at 60C. To help the process we advise cutting the pouch into smaller pieces and always ensuring your home compost has air and moisture.
Should i put my Proverb refill pouch in the normal bin?
No! Paper, cardboard, and food waste should never go to landfill - they are super important to making biomass which is crucial for soil health. If they end up in landfill, it is unlikely to decompose properly due to a lack of oxygen in the middle of a landfill pile.
The products may slowly break down but are likely to remain inert and thus have no positive impact on the soil which the planet desperately needs. This is such a waste as they could be having such a positive impact. Think of our refill packaging as organic food waste. It will biodegrade naturally, and this will always be improved with the help of oxygen and moisture.
Are you cutting down trees to make the pouches?
The paper used in the pouch is all from FSC forests. The wood pulp in the cellulose layer is also from FSC forests.
What are the bottle and the pump made of?
They are HDPE plastic so one of the best recyclable plastics. The aim is you should keep this as your lifelong bottle.
Do i need to clean my reusable bottle?
If you are keeping the same fragrance, we would just pour your new refill in straight away, no need to clean inside it - by nature of what is inside it it is already clean! Try and avoid ever putting water inside your body wash bottle as the source of life, it is the thing most likely to cause microbes you don’t want to proliferate.
What if I need to wash it out?
Rinse it, no need to add soap as there will already be some in there! Allow it to air dry. Do not put the body wash bottle in the dishwasher. Best practise would then be to use a ‘natural’ disinfectant such as ethanol - i.e., the alcohol used in hand sanitiser. Pour a small amount of ethanol, the Proverb Skin & Gym Sanitiser works well, into the bottle, swill it around to cover all the inside of the bottle and pour out. Allow to dry.
Can i put a different flavour into the same bottle?
Yes, in theory - they won’t self-implode but best practice would be to have a different one for each scent. Some aromas are stronger than others, so if you pour Coconut into a bottle that has had Wild Mint inside it, you are going to have a taint of mint to begin with. The aim is to avoid multiple bottles but even if you had one for per flavour this is a vast reduction than the average of 12 body wash bottles per person per year.
Subscription
How much do you save on a subscription?
Proverb subscription service offers you a saving of 20% ongoing off the full product RRP with the added benefit of never running out.
How long will each refill last?
Each refill is 250ml. Used once a day it will last on average 4-8 weeks. A little really does go a long way.
Can I opt out at any time?
Yes, you have full control. You can pause, skip, or cancel it at any time. Once you have set up your subscription you will be able to access your online account. Click on ‘Manage Subscriptions’ and you can alter the subscription in any way you need to.
Can I subscribe to different products & flavours?
Absolutely, you can subscribe to as many product types/flavours as you need and again, can add or subtract from the products you subscribe to at any time.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all types of major credit and debit cards and Paypal. After payment, you will receive a delivery tracking link for your order.
Shipping & Returns
Do you have a no-quibble refund and returns policy?
We have this on all Proverb products. If you’re not happy with it for any reason, just return it for a full refund within 30 days. Problem solved.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be returned to the shipping address below. Please email hello@proverbskin.com to let us know the reason for your return to see if we can help solve the issue to avoid needless shipping. We are always looking for feedback and ways we can improve but ultimately if the product is not for you then we will refund with no quibbles.
Where do you ship?
Worldwide is the short answer.
In the UK we predominantly use Yodel for our standard and FREE 2–3-day service or DPD Local for our Premium Next Day service, which with their predictive 1-hour delivery slot and easy-to-use consumer app have a 99% success rate on delivering the first time.
We use a range of couriers including the Royal Mail and Hermes we do offer worldwide delivery and the cost and expected timings are below.
How much does delivery cost?
FREE STANDARD UK Shipping: FREE on orders over £20. 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
FREE STANDARD UK Shipping: FREE on orders over £20. 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
STANDARD UK Shipping: £1.95. We offer a 2–3-day service with Yodel/Hermes on orders up to 5kg.
PREMIUM UK Next Day: £3.95. Delivery the following working day for orders placed before 2pm on the previous working day (UK only). On orders up to 25kg.
US/CANADA/SWITZERLAND/NORWAY/ICELAND: FREE on orders over £100. Below that 0-2kg is £15 and 2-5kg is £35.00. Standard Delivery Option Only - Usually 6-10 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Customer is responsible of any duties.
INTERNATIONAL/INCLUDING EU: £45. Standard Delivery Only - Usually 10-15 working days. Allow up to 21 working days for delivery. Unfortunately due to Brexit and the complexity this has created we are not responsible for import duties on delivery.
See full list of FAQ for more details or email us hello@proverbskin.com with any specific shipping questions.
Our Mission
Does Proverb support any charities?
Proverb is proud to be a WaterAid partner. When we crowdfunded the initial Refillable Deodorant concept in 2019, they were amazing. Supporting us despite being a young, unknown brand allowing their logo to be on pack. That normally only happens to big brands. We are committed to giving them 10% a year of our annual profits at a minimum. Proverb was created to improve the health of our customers, the planet and other people.
One-for-one sanitiser to UK children in hygiene poverty
For all retail sizes of sanitiser bought we donate ‘one for one’ to the The Hygiene Bank. We started this in April 2020 and have carried on these donations post pandemic.
Carbon Positive
Proverb is carbon positive, working with Earthly to invest in the most effective nature-based solutions that remove carbon, restore nature, and support local communities. Our 2021 project was helping to support the Kasigau Corridor in Kenya, home to 2000 elephants. In 2022- 23 we are working to protect the carbon-rich peatland forest of Rimba Raya which would have been turned into a palm oil estate emitting over 100 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. This area of Borneo is one of the most highly endangered ecosystems in the world with 65 endangered animals and plant species, including the orangutan.
Products that are better for your health, performance, and the planet
Proverb has a full skincare range formulated to the same GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN elite sports nutrition ethos. Our mission is to drive beauty products into paper packaging while maintaining our commitment to ethical sourcing and entirely natural and organic ingredients.
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