Did you know?
Did you know the skin is known as the largest organ in the human body and absorbs up to 60% of what you apply on it. This is why it is so important to use skin care products with ingredients that are only beneficial to you and your skin.
There are numerous skin care products in the market place with ingredients that have the potential to be harmful or cause irritation to the skin.
Whether the product claims to be natural, organic, partially natural, or claims to contain ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, it always pays to check the ingredients listing on the label before purchasing the item.
There are numerous skin care products in the market place with ingredients that have the potential to be harmful or cause irritation to the skin.
Whether the product claims to be natural, organic, partially natural, or claims to contain ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, it always pays to check the ingredients listing on the label before purchasing the item.
The general definition of ‘Natural’ skin care is based on using botanically sourced ingredients currently existing in or formed by nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals, and manufactured in such a way to preserve the integrity of the ingredient.
‘Plant-derived’ normally means that the ingredient has been derived from a natural source.
Be aware, of some ‘plant-derived’ ingredients claimed as being natural, but have been processed using synthetic chemicals, altering the chemical components of the ingredients rendering no longer to the natural product.
The questions you need to ask:
‘Plant-derived’ normally means that the ingredient has been derived from a natural source.
Be aware, of some ‘plant-derived’ ingredients claimed as being natural, but have been processed using synthetic chemicals, altering the chemical components of the ingredients rendering no longer to the natural product.
The questions you need to ask:
- Have any of the ingredients been bleached, refined or extracted using chemical processing?
- Have any of the ‘plant-derived' ingredients been altered or modified using chemical processing?
- Has there been any chemical or synthetic process involved to modify or alter the natural chemical components of its final composition?
- Does the extraction process damage or destroy the beneficial properties of the ingredient?
- Just because it is natural does not necessarily mean it is beneficial to your skin, check whether it is?
- Shea Butter (refined): The wax is extracted from the karite nut and then chemically and manually refined and bleached using chemical solvents. (Many products in the market contain Shea Butter that has been refined – always try and buy products containing shea butter that is stated as being ‘unrefined’.)
- Sodium Hydroxymethlglycinate (plant-derived preservative – based on glycine (natural amino acid) but requires highly synthetic processing to produce, and is known to be a skin and eye irritant).
- Suttocide A (plant-derived preservative – contains a 50% aqueous solution of Sodium Hydroxymethlglycinate, as above)
The term ‘Organic’ generally means that the ingredients were grown and cultivated without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers or synthetic chemicals.
A ‘Certified Organic’, product contains 95% or more ‘certified organic’ ingredients and has been certified through an internationally recognised regulatory body (the certified logo is normally printed on the product).
We place high importance on our products being 100% natural, and the majority of our ingredients are also ‘certified organic’, and we continually strive to achieve all our ingredients to be ‘certified organic’.
Although a product may be ‘certified organic’, it may not be 100% natural. For example, there are ‘certified organic’ products in the market that do not contain 100% natural emulsifiers. They use plant-derived emulsifiers that have been chemically processed, which may make up part or all of the other 5% of the product.
The questions you need to ask:
Make sure all of the ingredients have been processed without using any synthetic or chemical processing?
Apart from the 95% organic ingredients, are the other 5% of the ingredients 100% natural?
Make sure no additional synthetic chemicals have been added to any of the ingredients during processing?
Some examples included in ‘certified organic’ products that are not 100% natural:
A ‘Certified Organic’, product contains 95% or more ‘certified organic’ ingredients and has been certified through an internationally recognised regulatory body (the certified logo is normally printed on the product).
We place high importance on our products being 100% natural, and the majority of our ingredients are also ‘certified organic’, and we continually strive to achieve all our ingredients to be ‘certified organic’.
Although a product may be ‘certified organic’, it may not be 100% natural. For example, there are ‘certified organic’ products in the market that do not contain 100% natural emulsifiers. They use plant-derived emulsifiers that have been chemically processed, which may make up part or all of the other 5% of the product.
The questions you need to ask:
Some examples included in ‘certified organic’ products that are not 100% natural:
- ‘Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides (and) Cetearyl Alcohol’: This plant-derived emulsifier is often included as the remainder of the 5% of non-organic ingredients, which has been chemically processed and modified, and is no longer 100% natural.
- Vegetable Emulsifying Wax: This plant-derived emulsifier is often included as the remainder of the 5% of non-organic ingredients, which has been chemically processed and modified, and is no longer 100% natural.
- Glyceryl Cocoate: This plant-derived emulsifier is often included as the remainder of the 5% of non-organic ingredients, which has been chemically processed and modified, and is no longer 100% natural.
- OILS: check the packaging to make sure it states they use cold-pressed oils (retains the nutrient component of the oil);
- BUTTERS / WAXES: Look for ingredients that have not been bleached or refined, make sure they state they are ‘un-refined’ or ‘certified organic’. (if ‘un-refined’, they will normally state they are ‘unrefined’);
- EMULSIFIERS (ingredients which bind water & oils together, preventing separation): Make sure they are stated as being 100% natural. Many plant-derived emulsifiers have since been chemically processed. To help identify these synthetic emulsifiers (synthetic alcohols) they often contain the following phrases: ‘Benzyl’, ‘Butyl’, ‘Ceteareth’, ‘Cetearyl’, ‘Cetyl’, ‘Glyceryl’, ‘Isopropyl’, ‘Myristyl’, ‘Propyl’, ‘Propylene’, ‘Stearyl’. Here are some examples: ‘Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol’, ‘Glyceryl Cocoate’, ‘Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides (and) Cetearyl Alcohol’, Palmitate, and Vegetable Emulsifying Wax has also being chemically processed and is no longer 100% natural.
- SURFACTANTS (ingredients with foaming & cleansing properties): Make sure they are stated as being 100% natural. Many plant-derived surfactants have since been chemically processed and modified. To help identify these synthetic surfactants, here are some examples: Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, Disodium Oleamide. and Diethanolamine DEA), Monethanolamine (MEA), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds.
- PRESERVATIVES: Make sure they are stated as being 100% natural. Some may be plant-derived but have since been chemically processed. To help identify these synthetic preservatives, here are some examples: Sodium Hydroxymethlglycinate, Suttocide A, Imidiazolidinyl Urea (Germall), Methylisothiazolinone, Quarternium, and Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, & Ethyl).
- FRAGRANCES: Make sure there are no synthetically fragranced oils which are known as ‘fragrance oils’ containing many harmful petro-chemical substances, always go for products with essential oils;
- HERBAL EXTRACTS & FINAL PRODUCT: Check which processing method has been used to make the final product, make sure the products have been cold-processed, this will help maintain all the nutrient content of the product itself.
AMMONIUM LAURYL SULPHATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE:
A synthetic preservative, which can be toxic and cause skin irritation.
BLEACHED OR REFINED BUTTERS / WAXES:
If chemically processed, this process strips the nutrient content from the ingredient itself and may leave a small residue of solvent in the ingredient.
BORAX (SODIUM BORATE):
Whilst Sodium Borate (Borax) being a natural substance, it is known to be toxic. In spite of the repeated warnings from the medical community, there are products there are products still using borates as a cosmetic preservative. Acute poisonings have followed when Sodium Borate has been ingested. Borates affect the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver and skin.
BRONOPOL:
A synthetic preservative, which can be toxic causing skin irritation.
BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT):
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
BUTLYENE GLYCOL:
A petroleum derived humectant, which may cause skin and eye irritation.
CERESIN:
A synthetic emulsifier, which may cause allergic reactions.
CHLOROMETHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
COCAMIDE DEA:
Derived from coconut oil – requires additional synthetic chemical processing to acquire the final ingredient.
COCOMIDOPROPYL BETAINE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser) made of petro-chemicals, with may cause skin irritations and allergies.
COYL SARCOSINATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
COCOYL SARCOSINATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
COCOYL SARCOSINE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
CYCLOMETHICONE:
A synthetic silicone oil, which can clog your skin and prevent your skin from breathing properly.
DEA COMPOUNDS (Diethanolamine):
A synthetic compound, used as an emulsifier and surfactant (cleanser), which may contain toxic by-products.
DIAZOLIDINYL UREA:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation. Acts as a Formaldehyde releaser, see ‘Formaldehyde’.
DIMETHICONE:
A synthetic silicone oil, which can clog your skin and prevent your skin from breathing properly.
DIOCTYL SULFOSUCCINATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
DISODIUM OLEAMIDE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
DMDM HYDANTION:
A synthetic preservative, which can be highly toxic, causing dermatitis and skin irritation.
ETHYLENE/ DIETHYLENE GLYCOL:
A synthetic humectant, which may cause irritation and dermatitis.
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN:
A synthetic preservative, which may cause skin irritation and allergies. (Some products using this may claim to be preservative-free.)
FORMALDEHYDE:
A synthesised chemical used as a preservative, which can irritate the skin, including the eyes and mucous membranes. Formaldehyde has been banned in Cosmetics in both Sweden and Japan.
GERMALL (IMIDIAZOLIDINYL UREA):
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
HEAT EXTRACTED OILS:
Avoid using heat-extracted oils causing the nutrients to be destroyed (always look for cold-pressed oils).
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA:
A synthetic anti-microbial preservative. Acts as a Formaldehyde releaser, see ‘Formaldehyde’.
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (ISOPROPANOL):
This petroleum-derived ingredient is used to pro long the shelf life. It is easily absorbed through the skin and is toxic.
ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE:
This synthetic chemical is used to reduce the greasy feel caused by high oil content. It may cause skin and eye irritation.
ISOPROPYL PALMITATE:
Are synthetic emulsifiers which may cause skin irritation, dermatitis, and may be comedogenic (acne causing).
ISOTHIAZOLINONE:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
LANOLIN:
Originally obtained from the wax found on sheep’s wool, has since been refined by chemical processing. This synthetic ingredient can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people.
LAURATE:
A synthetic emulsifier
LAURYL SARCOSINE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
MEA COMPOUNDS (Monethanolamine):
A synthetic compound, used as an emulsifier and surfactant (cleanser), which may contain toxic by-products.
METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
MINERAL OILS:
A low cost petroleum oil or mineral oil jelly used in skin care and cosmetics, void of any nutrient content, known to strip away your skins own natural oils, causing dry skin and may provoke adverse reactions to sunlight and may cause chemically induced acne.
MIPA COMPOUNDS:
A synthetic compound, used as an emulsifier which may contain toxic by-products.
MONO, DI, AND TRIETHANOLAMINE:
These chemical compounds may cause allergies, skin dryness and irritation to the eyes. They also appear to possess hormonal disrupting properties.
MONTAN WAX:
A synthetic emulsifier
OCTYL STEARATE:
Is a synthetic emulsifier which may cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, clog pores and may be comedogenic (acne causing).
OLEATE (DECYL OLEATE):
A synthetic emulsifier, and is known to clog pores and may be comedogenic (acne causing).
OZOKERITE:
A synthetic emulsifier
PALMITATE:
A synthetic emulsifier
PARABENS (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, & Ethyl):
Are petro-chemical preservatives, which can cause skin allergies.
PARIFIN:
A synthetic emollient, which may cause chemically induced acne.
PEG COMPOUNDS (Polyethylene Glycol):
A synthetic c0mpound, used as a humectant, emollient, and emulsifier and surfactant, which may contain toxic by-products, and may cause allergies and dermatitis.
PETROLATUM (Petroleum Jelly):
This low cost mineral oil derivative is used as an emollient. It contains no nutrient value for the skin and can interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing capabilities, causing dry parched skin.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG compound):
A synthetic humectant, which may contain toxic by-products, and may cause allergies and dermatitis.
PROPANOL (or Propyl alcohol):
Used for its anti-bacterial properties, and is drying on the skin, and is known for its allergic and toxic effects.
PROPYL ALCOHOL:
Included in many skin care products and cosmetics, used for its anti-bacterial properties, helping to extend the shelf life of the product; and is known for its allergic and toxic effects, and is suspected of being a hormone disrupter.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL:
A synthetic humectant, which can cause irritation to the skin, and may cause allergic and toxic reactions.
QUARTERNIUM:
A synthetic preservative, which can cause skin irritation.
QUATERNIUM:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser). Acts as a Formaldehyde releaser, see ‘Formaldehyde’.
SILICONE:
A synthetic emulsifier.
SODIUM HYDROXYMETHLGLYCINATE:
Plant-derived preservative – based on glycine (natural amino acid) but requires highly synthetic processing to produce, and is known to be a skin and eye irritant.
SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE:
A relatively new synthetic preservative. There are no apparent skin reactions as of yet. If ingested, can cause impaired kidney function, and in large doses can cause vomiting, ataxia, and confusion.
SODIUM HYDROXYSULTAINE:
Derived from coconut oil - – requires additional synthetic chemical processing to create the final ingredient.
SODIUM LAURETH SULPHATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser), which may contain toxic by-products.
SODIUM LAUROYL:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser).
SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser). Can cause skin and eye irritation and allergies.
SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE:
A synthetic surfactant (cleanser), which may contain toxic by-products.
SOLVENT EXTRACTED OILS:
Avoid ‘solvent-extracted’ oils which have been chemically altered during the chemical solvent extraction process (always look for cold-pressed oils).
SORBITAN STEARATE:
A synthetic emulsifier
SUTTOCIDE A:
Plant-derived preservative – contains a 50% aqueous solution of ‘Sodium Hydroxymethlglycinate’, as listed above.
SYNTHETIC ALCOHOLS (Emulsifiers):
Continuous use has been linked to suspected increase in skin sensitivity, contributing to irritated skin and dermatitis. To help you identify these synthetic alcohols, they often contain the following phrases: ‘Benzyl’, ‘Butyl’, ‘Ceteareth’, ‘Cetearyl’, ‘Cetyl’, ‘Glyceryl’, ‘Isopropyl’, ‘Myristyl’, ‘Propyl’, ‘Propylene’, ‘Stearyl’. Some examples are: ‘Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol’, ‘Vegetable Emulsifying Wax’, ‘Glyceryl Cocoate’, ‘Cetearyl Wheat Straw Glycosides (and) Cetearyl Alcohol’.
SYNTHETIC COLOURS: (FD&C or D&C):
These codes are normally followed by a colour number. These synthetic colours are known to be potentially cancer causing and should be avoided at all costs.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES:
Known as ‘fragrance oils’ or ‘synthetic purfumes’ containing many harmful petro-chemical substances which penetrate the skin and accumulate in the fatty tissue where they may cause toxic reactions including headaches, and skin irritations. They also contain benzene derivatives and air-polluting aldehydes.
SYNTHETIC PRESERVATIVES:
Some of these preservatives are plant-derived but have since been chemically processed, making them no longer 100% natural. To help you identify these synthetic preservatives, here are some examples: Sodium Hydroxymethlglycinate, Imidiazolidinyl Urea (Germall), Suttocide A, Methylisothiazolinone, Quarternium, and Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, & Ethyl).
TALC (Talcum Powder / Baby Powder / Magnesium Silicate):
Whilst Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is crushed into powder, scientists have examined talc to contain minute fibres found to be dangerously similar to asbestos, a known human carcinogen. These minute fibres are difficult to separate during processing.
Scientific evidence has shown Talc particles to have caused tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. In response to this evidence in 1973, the US FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibres in cosmetic grade talc. In spite of this, at this present time, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by any federal governments.
Scientific evidence has shown Talc particles to have caused tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. In response to this evidence in 1973, the US FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibres in cosmetic grade talc. In spite of this, at this present time, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by any federal governments.
TEA COMPOUNDS (Triethanolamine):
A synthetic compound, used as an emulsifier and surfactant (cleanser), which may contain toxic by-products.
VEGETABLE EMULSIFYING WAX:
Contains synthetically derived ingredients, such as PEGs and Stearates, processed into a chemically altered ingredient, and is no longer classed as 100% natural.
All comments expressed on this website are purely opinions and points of view and are not considered to be factual evidence or proven accurate.
