Rahua

Our name, Rahua (ra-wa), finds its roots in the rare ungurahua nut found in the Amazon rainforest. The oil processed from these ungurahua nuts, Rahua Oil, is a highly effective ingredient for transforming dry, damaged hair, giving it noticeable shine and health. Rahua oil is also present in a range of our body care products helping to nourish and soothe the scalp and skin both.

We use rahua oil for a multitude of reasons, for example: by fortifying weak, damaged strands to reduce breakage and split ends; maintaining follicular and scalp health by gently cleansing and balancing your microbiome; by taking advantage of rahua oil’s super-fine molecules to help push color pigmentation deep into the hair shaft, greatly extending color endurance.

The art of making rahua oil is an ancient, female-led ceremony rooted in wisdom and the lunar cycle. In 2009, only 15 Quechua and Achuar people crafted rahua oil - a tradition that was at risk of disappearing. Today, Rahua has trained 5,250+ people across 6 tribes to cultivate this sacred ingredient while preserving the ritualistic sacred process.

If Rahua is your first foray into natural hair care, you will see an immediate difference between our products and products that don’t use clean, non-toxic ingredients. Instead of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfates, a common cleanser added to a wide range of shampoos), our ingredient list is made up of plant-derived surfactants like coco betaines that are gentle on the skin and scalp while still cleansing thoroughly. You may not see an immediate voluminous lather with natural shampoos. Our shampoos do their job by clinging to oil and dirt and sliding away with the flow of water. 

If you’re used to using SLS or silicones, there will be an adjustment period as your hair acclimates to the lighter lather and while washing away any prior buildup. Our products are crafted with non-toxic, plant-based botanicals and with minimal impact on the environment.

When our founder Fabian Lliguin, a renowned hairstylist and colorist in New York City, found himself immersed in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, educating indigenous people about their land rights and human rights, he realized he was surrounded by women with fantastically long, lustrous hair that cascaded past their waists.

Their secret? Rahua Oil. For centuries the members of the tribe, who live deep within the rainforest, had relied on this oil to nourish their hair and skin. They gave Fabian one bottle of Rahua oil to take home and in his salon, he decided to use the oil as a treatment for a client with extremely dry, damaged hair. He immediately saw results, her hair was completely transformed from brittle and lifeless to healthy, shiny, and bouncy and the rest was history.

For Rahua, there is nothing more natural or beautiful than the bounty of the Amazon rainforest. Our goal as a business is to use this bounty—safeguarded by its Indigenous peoples—to create the cleanest and greenest beauty products on earth. Rahua is an outgrowth of our founders’ activism on behalf of the rainforest and its peoples and we’re only as strong as the tribes and the forest itself. 

In order to keep our sacred source of Rahua sustainable, we facilitated a process that prioritizes maintaining and protecting the tribespeople’s way of life. We purchase directly from a number of families and communities who cultivate our ingredients using ancient traditional methods. We pay them a higher price in order to honor and sustain their work, their quality of life, and the Amazon rainforest itself.

For years, the norm has been to use chemical fillers and silicones in hair care products, which only coat your hair, providing short-term results that only look good on the surface level. Rahua products are made with non-toxic, plant-derived ingredients that work to nourish and revitalize in all aspects of hair care, targeting hair from the root to the tip.

Our formulas use rahua oil, an oil made from the nuts of the Amazonian ungurahua palm, which has an extraordinarily small molecular structure, helping it deeply penetrate the hair, bonding to and repairing the cortex, while smoothing the cuticle. This creates hair that not only looks lustrous but is more importantly, healthier, stronger, and properly nourished.

All Rahua products are formulated and made in the USA using plant-derived ingredients sourced from over 70 countries. Our Symbiotic ingredients come from over 9 countries spanning the Amazon rainforest. We pride ourselves on our sustainable and eco-friendly efforts, ensuring that we give back to the forest that has given us so much.

Amazon Beauty Inc. and Rahua are registered trademarks of our company and are completely separate from Amazon.com, Inc/Amazon.

Ingredients

Symbiotic is Rahua’s signature standard. In order for an ingredient to be classified as Symbiotic, it must be rainforest grown wild in undisturbed virgin forest, harvested and prepared using Indigenous knowledge by people indigenous to the virgin forest environment, and it must be purchased at a price that helps to grow and sustain these traditions, build economies, and empower the indigenous people.

Rahua is paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free and phthalate-free! Our formulas use plant-derived surfactants that are gentle on the skin and scalp while still cleansing thoroughly. You may not see an immediate voluminous lather with natural shampoos. Our shampoos do their job by clinging to oil and dirt and sliding away with the flow of water. 

The ingredient “natural aroma” is a custom mix of botanical, plant-derived oils that give our products their signature fragrances. Since it’s a proprietary mix, the ingredient “natural aroma” encompasses what’s included without revealing its unique blend.

No. All Rahua products are vegan and cruelty free. We do not test products on animals, nor use any animal proteins or animal byproducts (like lanolin or beeswax) in the making of any Amazon Beauty products.

Yes, all Rahua products are vegan and cruelty free. We do not test products on animals, nor do we use any animal proteins or animal byproducts (like lanolin or beeswax) in the making of any Amazon Beauty products.

Yes, Rahua products are gluten-free. In lieu of beauty ingredients which typically contain gluten, we use quinoa. We discovered that this superfood from the Andes Mountains has a small molecular weight, which allows it to penetrate deeper, strengthening hair and improving skin’s elasticity. Those with gluten sensitivities can use our products without worry.

Our ethos goes beyond fair trade. Rahua by Amazon Beauty Inc. is committed to preserving not only the Amazon rainforest, but also the indigenous people who call it home. As a small business that works directly with the tribes who cultivate, harvest and process our ingredients, we have opted out of any third party fair trade certifications. Instead, we cut out the middlemen and source select ingredients, like our namesake Rahua oil, directly from the tribes themselves who are paid fairly and above marketrate.

We are dedicated to defending the Amazon rainforest and strengthening its communities financially and by educating them about their human, intellectual and land rights.

While Rahua products are made from non-toxic ingredients, we understand that allergies and sensitivities are unpredictable. As with any new product, if you are highly sensitive, we recommend looking through the full ingredient list (available under all our product pages) and doing a patch test before using our products.

Like anyone with reactive allergies or sensitivities, we recommend that you perform a patch test before using any of our products. We have the full ingredient lists of our products available for review under each individual page. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at customercare@rahua.com and we’ll get back to you!

Products

Our products are incredibly versatile and can be used across a wide range of hair types! However, we understand that everyone has their different needs and hair goals, so we created a Hair Quiz to help match you with the perfect products from our catalog.

You can store your shampoos and conditioners as you would your other hair care products. For treatments, body care, stylers and especially oils like our Elixir, we recommend storing them in a cool, dry place away from direct light. You can also leave your products in the original packaging to keep them safe.

Yes, Rahua beauty products are made with natural, non-toxic and plant-derived ingredients. While our products are free of harsh ingredients and animal proteins which makes it perfectly safe for those who are pregnant or nursing, we always recommend reviewing with your doctor for any specific sensitivities.

If you are new to plant-based, SLS-free hair care, you may not see a voluminous lather upon use. Our shampoos do their job by clinging to oil and dirt and sliding away with the flow of water so rest assured that even without the lather, our shampoos are cleansing your hair and scalp!

Totally normal! As our products are made with plant-based ingredients with no artificial dyes, there may be minute differences in color depending on the ingredients we use. But rest assured that we always follow the same established ingredients, formula and process - we, however, cannot account for the natural color differences our plant-based ingredients may have.

Hair Care

While our products can be used across all hair types, there are a range of products that are better suited for those with finer hair. We recommend products like our Voluminous Shampoo and Voluminous Conditioner - a great line for anyone with fine hair looking to add volume and bounce. We also have an alternate, lighter version of our best selling treatment, Leave-In Treatment Light, to help those who want hydration without the weight.

Overall, our products are very concentrated so we always recommend that first time users try a smaller amount, especially with an oil like our Legendary Amazon Oil. Less is more!

Yes! We have a curated collection of products perfect for thicker or textured hair types. We recommend using heavier and more moisturizing products to help better form curl patterns and protect dry hair.

Our Hydration Shampoo and Hydration Conditioner is a great option for daily or weekly use, depending on your hair type and needs, helping to layer and retain moisture. Pre-wash treatments like our Hydration Hair Mask or Omega 9 Hair Mask are also options to help layer moisture on stubbornly dry hair or textured hair.

Yes, Rahua products are great for straight hair! You can choose from a range of products like the Classic Collection which helps nourish and add shine, the Voluminous Collection clarifies and adds body and bounce, and the Hydration Collection which transforms dry, damaged hair. It’s all dependent on your hair type and goals.

Yes, Rahua is made with plant derived and clean ingredients that are safe to use on everyone’s hair in your entire family, including children. However, you know your children best. If allergies or sensitivities are present, we recommend doing a patch test first.

Causes

In addition to our founders’ activism and advocacy for environmental protections, Rahua has helped to preserve the Amazon Rainforest by providing legal and financial aid to 200+ Achuar communities in Ecuador to ensure that they remain the rightful owners of their land.

Indigenous communities protect about 80% of the world’s biodiversity, despite making up less than 10% of the global population, making their leadership in conservation essential. With more than 211 million acres of the Amazon Rainforest already lost due to deforestation, natural disaster, and other causes, Rahua’s work is more important than ever.

To date, Rahua has preserved over 1.6 million acres of the Amazon rainforest with our Symbiotic and sustainable practices and direct relationships with the tribes who cultivate and create our Rahua Oil. At least 10% of Rahua’s profits go toward protecting Indigenous lands and preserving the rainforest and in 2024, we raised our contribution to 30% in order to fund and directly address the needs voiced by the community.

Since 2000, our founder Fabian Lliguin has spent over 11,000 hours in the rainforest, working alongside Indigenous communities to advocate for land rights, providing direct support, and standing on the front lines of environmental protection.

At least 10% of Rahua’s profits go toward protecting Indigenous lands and preserving the rainforest. In 2024, Rahua increased its contribution to 30%, to fund and directly address needs voiced by the community:

  • Expansion of acre conservation efforts
  • Equipping 10,000+ backpacks with school supplies, ensuring children in remote areas have access to basic education materials
  • Developing the 4th Rahua sponsored computer lab for the Achuar community in Kapawai

The art of making Rahua Oil itself is an act of preservation - the ancient, female-led ceremony is rooted in wisdom, empowerment, and the rhythms of the lunar cycle. Several tribes have been trained as a part of Rahua’s education program to cultivate and hand-harvest this ingredient sustainably while preserving the sacred process.

In 2009, only 15 Quechua and Achuar people still crafted Rahua Oil. Today, 6 tribes or 5,250+ people, have been trained as a part of Rahua’s education program to cultivate this ingredient while preserving the sacred process. Working with our Amazonian partners, we have cultivated over 70,000 pounds of Rahua Oil while honoring the traditional harvesting process.

Our sister organization is Ecoagents.org, a non-profit that works to preserve the Amazon Rainforest alongside  Landislife.org, which defends indigenous peoples’ rights for self determination. Rahua also supports Ecoagents on The Pink Flamingos Project (https://ecoagents.org/pages/flamingos-project) which works to clean and maintain flamingos’ natural habitat in the Galapagos Islands.

Shipping

If your order contains a pre-order product, the entire order will ship once the pre-order item becomes available!

Please allow 1-2 business days for us to process your order; if you placed your order on Friday or over the weekend, processing may not begin until Monday.

Depending on the final destination, shipping times can vary from 5-7 business days. Please note that some carriers may mark orders as delivered before the actual delivery date, we ask that you wait 24-48 hours after the expected delivery. If your order still hasn't arrived after 24-48 hours of the expected delivery date, please contact us at customercare@rahua.com and our team will get back to you shortly!

Before initiating a return, please make sure that your original order was placed no more than 30 days ago. We also ask that at least 75% of the product remains in its original packaging in order to receive a refund. There is a $9.50 fee per order to cover the cost of return shipping. This fee will be taken off of your final refund amount. If you choose to receive store credit instead, the fee will be waived.

To return an item, please visit our return portal, you will need your order number and the associated email and/or phone number. Follow the steps of the return portal and you will be emailed a return label. Please note that you are responsible for dropping it off at your nearest UPS location.

We’re so sorry that there was an issue with your order! Please email us at customercare@rahua.com with your name, order number, (if you used a different email address or phone number with the affected order, please include it as well) and any photos of the damage.

Our team will investigate and get back to you as soon as possible!

Unfortunately, we do not accept returns or refunds for any product with a fl. oz. under 2 oz., including deluxe minis and travel sizes due to the size of the product.

Yes! Our customers can enjoy free shipping on orders $85+.

Rahua.com currently ships across the United States, US territories, as well as Mexico and Canada. We have separate websites for the EU (Rahua.eu) and the UK (Rahua.uk), please visit these websites in order to receive your order faster!

Don’t want to wait? Rahua is also sold across the world in a number of different retailers, you can check out our store locator to find a retailer who carries our products near you.

Subscriptions

Our customers have the option to subscribe to a number of our products. To subscribe, all you need to do is choose your variant and toggle the option from “one-time purchase” to “subscribe and save 10%”. Switching to the section option will bring up a dropdown list of three different monthly subscription cadences.

When you sign up for a Rahua subscription, you receive 10% off every subscription shipment. You can subscribe to as many or as few Rahua products as you'd like, including sets. You also have the flexibility to set your subscription schedule to every 1, 2, or 3 months.

You can easily modify your subscription at any time. Simply log into your account and select subscriptions to view your active subscriptions. Select the subscription you wish to modify, then you can pick your preferred shipping cadence, skip an upcoming order, select a new charge date, add or remove a product on your existing subscription, change the shipping address, or update your payment information.

Depending on the frequency you've selected, your card will be charged as soon as your product is ready to ship either 1, 2, or 3 months after you've purchased the subscription. You'll receive an email notification 3 days before we ship out your next order, at which point you will be able to update your preferences if desired. You can also edit your next shipment date by logging into your subscription account.

Promo codes are not eligible on subscription orders as your discount is already built into the subscription price! You will always receive 10% off of subscription orders automatically. Rewards are still applicable to recurring orders. If you would like to apply a discount code at checkout to an order that includes one-time products, the discount will only be applied to the non-subscription items in your cart.

You can cancel your subscription at any time before your next order ships, by adjusting your preferences in our subscription portal. If you have any issues accessing your account and need further assistance in modifying your recurring order, please contact customercare@rahua.com.

While we do our best to keep every product in stock, there may be instances where we run out of inventory. In these cases, we'll notify you ahead of time to let you know that your upcoming delivery is on hold. You will not be charged until we are ready to ship your product.