Is SADHEV Cruelty Free? Everything You Need to Know

Is SADHEV cruelty free?

Yes. SADHEV is 100% cruelty free. No SADHEV product or ingredient is tested on animals at any stage of development, production or quality control. This is not a marketing position — it is a foundational commitment that has been maintained since the brand's inception and applies to every product in the range without exception.

Is SADHEV sulphate-free?

Yes. No SADHEV product contains sulphates — including sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). SADHEV's hair care formulations use reetha (soap nut) saponins as the cleansing base — the classical Ayurvedic cleansing agent that cleanses effectively without the scalp barrier disruption that sulphates cause. All face and body care products are similarly formulated without synthetic sulphate surfactants.

Is SADHEV paraben-free?

Yes. No SADHEV product contains parabens. Parabens are synthetic preservatives associated with hormonal disruption and skin sensitisation. SADHEV uses biodegradable, nature-identical preservative systems that are safe, effective and do not carry the toxicological concerns associated with synthetic parabens.

Does SADHEV contain phthalates or synthetic fragrances?

No. SADHEV products contain no phthalates, no synthetic fragrances and no artificial colours. All fragrance in SADHEV products is entirely natural — derived from the botanical ingredients themselves rather than from synthetic fragrance compounds. This matters both for skin safety and for the integrity of the sensory experience — the fragrance you experience in a SADHEV product is the natural aromatic profile of its ingredients.

Is SADHEV Plastic Positive?

Yes. SADHEV is certified Plastic Positive by The Disposal Company — meaning SADHEV pays for the collection and recycling of 5% more plastic than it consumes through sales every month. This is not a consumer-funded commitment. SADHEV absorbs the full cost internally — there is no checkout contribution or optional add-on asked of customers. The Disposal Company uses the payment to engage rag pickers across India to collect plastic from the environment, which is then sent to certified recyclers and converted into furniture, toys and construction materials.

The distinction between Plastic Positive and Plastic Neutral: Plastic Neutral means offsetting exactly the plastic you consume. Plastic Positive means offsetting more than you consume. SADHEV is certified Positive, not merely Neutral.

For the complete explanation of how SADHEV's Plastic Positive certification works, see our detailed guide on what Plastic Positive actually means.

Does SADHEV plant trees?

Yes. SADHEV plants one tree for every purchase made. This is a separate environmental commitment from the Plastic Positive programme — it addresses carbon and biodiversity, while the Plastic Positive programme addresses the specific harm that packaging causes.

Where does SADHEV source its ingredients?

SADHEV sources ingredients from verified, ethical supply chains with a commitment to quality and provenance. Key ingredients are sourced from their true regions of origin — saffron from Pulwama in Kashmir, processed within 24 hours of harvest to preserve therapeutic potency. SADHEV also operates Sadhevana, an 80-acre certified organic farm on the outskirts of Chennai, which is the source of key ingredients and uses Panchakavya — a classical Ayurvedic bio-fertiliser — as its sole fertiliser with zero chemical inputs.

For the full story of why ingredient sourcing matters and what SADHEV's approach means for formulation quality, see our guide on why the farm behind your Ayurvedic product matters.

Is SADHEV safe for sensitive skin?

Yes. SADHEV formulations are free from the most common synthetic sensitisers — sulphates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and artificial colours. The botanical ingredients used in SADHEV products have thousands of years of documented safe use in classical Ayurvedic practice. All products are dermatologically appropriate for all skin types. As with any new skincare product, a patch test on a small area before first use is always recommended.

Does SADHEV have a 200-year heritage?

Yes. SADHEV's formulations are rooted in a documented 200-year vaidyar lineage tracing back to Brahmasree Cholayil Kunju Maami Vaidyar, an Ayurvedic physician well-versed in eight forms of Ayurvedic treatment. Co-founder Lasakan Cholayil carries this lineage forward — the formulation knowledge is ancestral, not adopted. For the complete story of what this lineage means and why it matters for the products it produces, see our guide on what a 200-year Ayurvedic lineage actually means.