The Barcelona-based brand has a very clear strategy when it comes to creating its products. It combines “time-honoured plant wisdom” with “modern clinical insight” to create hair care formulations that can be considered both clean and high-performance from an efficacy point of view.
Its formulas include ingredients such as strawberries, rosemary and even onions to improve the health of the hair and scalp.
For example, its Strawberry + NMF Nurture System combines antioxidant-rich strawberry extract with panthenol and its signature natural moisturising factors to cleanse, hydrate and strengthen dry, sun-damaged hair. Meanwhile, its Rosemary + Peptides Hair Density System uses rosemary extract, peptides and follicle-boosting actives to support scalp health and encourage fuller-looking hair.
Natural and high performing ingredients
Other key ingredients the brand works with are raspberry extract, which it claims smooths hair and combats environmental damage; grapeseed oil, which it says seals the cuticle, reduces frizz and adds a natural shine without heaviness; and date extract, which is rich in natural sugars, amino acids and antioxidants that the brand says helps to moisturise and strengthen hair fibre and protect against oxidative damage.
R&D cosmetic chemist at Tara Formula, Miriam Freixa Villen, said the brand prioritises local and traceable ingredients that have been used ancestrally for generations in food and natural remedies.
“Around 80% of our raw materials are sourced locally. Many of our key actives are inspired by foods or botanicals commonly used in the Mediterranean diet – think rosemary, onion, sage or wild strawberry,” she explained, adding that they are functional with proven properties for hair and scalp health.
The brand works with food-grade ingredients that have been studied for their efficacy.
“Our R&D process is rooted in science, not speed,” she continued. “One major challenge is ensuring that every product is not only safe and effective, but also a sensorial pleasure.”
Each formulation goes through extensive lab testing, and Freixa Villen said that for some shampoos, the brand has produced over 50 batches to find the right balance of stability, performance and texture.
“We also work with sensitive skin in mind, so finding high-performance actives that are also gentle is a constant area of focus,” she added.
Preservatives are key
When working with food-grade ingredients, product preservation is a key part of the formulation strategy.
“We adapt our system based on the specific characteristics of each formula,” Freixa Villen explained. “Factors like water content, pH and ingredient compatibility influence the type and dose of preservatives we use.”
In many cases, the brand uses mild, naturally derived preservatives.
“To ensure safety and longevity, every product undergoes rigorous microbiological testing, including the Challenge Test, where the formula is intentionally inoculated with bacteria, yeast and mould strains to confirm it can effectively resist microbial contamination over time,” she explained. “This ensures that each formula remains fresh, safe and stable until the very last use.”
Compliance is central to the development process. The brand dermatologically tests all formulas on sensitive skin and is rated as “non-irritant” – the highest safety grade.
What’s next for the brand?
Looking to the future, the brand is working on two major new launches.
One is a black garlic & ceramides line, focused on strengthening and rebuilding the hair fibre for damaged or chemically treated hair.
The other is a moringa & collagen line, specifically developed for curly and textured hair to offer definition, hydration and bounce without weighing hair down.
