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FAQ's
What is a
sulfate?
What are parabens?
Why is PROPYLENE GLYCOL used in cosmetics, and is it safe?
I have noticed "formalin" listed as an ingredient in shampoos and
conditioners. Isn't formalin a solution of formaldehyde in water, and
isn't it toxic? Why is it used?
How do hair conditioners work?
Which oils are best for the skin?
What is environmentally sensitized skin?
Some thinning factors that are unique to women.
Give Your Hair a Drink!
Plain talk on thinning hair for men.
What
is a sulfate?
Answer:
SURFACTANTS are the workhorses of cosmetics and toiletries, functioning as
cleansers (in facial cleansers, shampoos and body washes), emulsifiers (in
face and body creams and lotions) and solubilisers (for dissolving
fragrance oils in water-based products such as rose or lavender water).
Surfactants are either anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric in nature
- depending upon the electric charge of the active part of the molecule.
"Sulfates" is the common use term for a group of anionic cleansing
ingredients more correctly known as "alkyl sulfates". As a group, alkyl
sulfates are strong irritants. Ammonium lauryl sulfate is the
strongest irritant within the group, closely followed by sodium lauryl
sulfate (SLS), which is the most commonly used. All cleansing
cosmetics and toiletries require the addition of an anionic surfactant
to ensure the effectiveness of the product.
Sulfates are universally chosen by the industry due to their strong
cleansing power, and very low cost. Apart from sulfates, the other groups
of anionic surfactants used in cosmetics are soaps, sulfonates and
carboxylates. After considerable research, THE PURIST COMPANY has chosen a
carboxylate (sodium cocoyl sarcosinate), and a sulfonate (lauryl
sulfoacetate sodium) as replacements for sulfates. Both of these high
quality ingredients are plant derived and very mild to human skin and
eyes.
Nonionic surfactants (such as sucrose cocoate and lauryl polyglucose) and
amphoteric surfactants (such as disodium cocoamphoacetate and
cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine) are known for their extreme mildness to
skin and eyes, and are added to produce a rich and luxurious cleansing
product.
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What are parabens?
Answer:
Parabens are the most commonly used preservative in a wide range of
cosmetic and toiletry products. They are the most common ingredient (apart
from water) and are present in high concentrations.
Commonly used parabens are described on ingredient listings as
benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methylparaben
and propylparaben. These estrogenic substances disrupt the normal hormone
functions and increased exposure to them may elevate an individual’s risk
of developing cancer.
Research has shown that parabens mimic the function of the naturally
occurring hormone, estrogen. Parabens are only estrogenic when applied
externally, therefore could be of great concern from cosmetics applied to
the skin. And, unlike plant estrogens, parabens tend to accumulate in body
tissue, especially fat, rather than being excreted.
Parabens are not used in any products of The Purist Company. Many
cosmetic ingredients, especially herbal extracts and botanical actives,
are preserved with parabens. When a cosmetic manufacturer uses paraben-preserved
ingredients in their formulations, they are not required to list parabens
in the label ingredient listing. They are classified as “incidental
ingredients” when used in this way, and are excluded from the usual
ingredient disclosure rules. On behalf of our consumer safety, The Purist
Company also avoids using ingredients that have been preserved with parabens.
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Why is PROPYLENE GLYCOL
used in cosmetics, and is it safe?
Answer:
Propylene glycol is an ingredient in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It
is a humectant, which attracts water to itself and prevents creams from
drying out. It is also a solvent. In fact, most herbs are extracted into
propylene glycol.
Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative - it is a primary irritant
and can cause delayed contact hypersensitivity.It is commonly used instead
of glycerin or sorbitol, both particularly innocuous and highly effective
plant-derived humectants, because it is cheap.
Consumers who are concerned about allergies and sensitivities to cosmetics
would be well advised to avoid products containing propylene glycol,
choosing instead those which use glycerin or sorbitol.
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I have noticed "formalin"
listed as an ingredient in shampoos and conditioners. Isn't formalin a
solution of formaldehyde in water, and isn't it toxic? Why is it used?
Answer:
Formaldehyde is an effective and cheap preservative which is used in some
major brand hair care products. It is toxic, carcinogenic, and probably
the most irritating ingredient used in personal care products. It is
listed as "formalin" or "sodium formate" on product labels instead of its
common name, formaldehyde, to veil its presence. This is currently legally
acceptable practice.
Formaldehyde finds its way into a wide range of cosmetics and toiletries
as a preservative of raw materials. Formaldehyde is termed an "incidental
ingredient" by the current Cosmetic Ingredient Disclosure Regulations when
used in this way, and is exempted from having to be listed on the label!
People with sensitivities can check with their cosmetics supplier for an
assurance that formaldehyde is not used to preserve any raw ingredients
used in their products.
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How do hair conditioners
work?
Answer:
Hair conditioners should function effectively in two main ways - to
detangle and to nourish. Hair conditioners always contain a detangling
ingredient. These substances are attracted to, and leave a coating on the
hair. This coating reflects light, making the hair shiny. It also makes
the hair easier to comb. Most detanglers are quaternary ammonium compounds
(quats). Commonly used quats include stearalkonium chloride and
cetrimonium bromide. These substances are known to be quite irritating to
skin and eyes. Look for quats with "methosulfate" replacing "chloride" or
"bromides" as these are considerably milder - in fact, behentrimonium
methosulfate is so mild that it is recommended for use in leave-on baby
products.
Conditioners should also contain ingredients proven to provide ongoing
nourishment, thereby contributing to the health of hair and scalp.
However, nutrients are not necessary for a conditioner to appear to
function well. Because they tend to be expensive, most manufacturers add
only minuscule amounts of nourishing ingredients to their conditioners,
for marketing purposes.
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Which oils are best for the
skin?
Answer:
Oils used in personal care products are either mineral, synthetic or
vegetable. Mineral oil leaves an impermeable film on the skin that clogs
pores and interferes in normal skin respiration. May be contaminated with
carcinogenic impurities. Paraffin is a carcinogen.
Vegetable oils nourish the skin, although it is important that the oils
are cold pressed to have far more beneficial effects due to the complex of
nourishing substances they contain, including antioxidants. Avocado oil is
especially beneficial to the skin and useful for irritated skin
conditions. Macadamia oil is extremely skin compatible, due to its
likeness to natural skin lipids. Some oils, such as almond oil, are "comedogenic"
(pimple forming), and should be avoided in leave-on products. Avoid
man-made oils such as isopropyl palmitate and myristate. Synthetic oils
are numerous and designed to give varying aesthetic (visual) effects.
Essential fatty acid (EFA) oils are very beneficial to the skin - The
Purist Company uses vipers bugloss oil (blue cats tail)(echium
plantagineum) which is the pick of the EFA oils due to its uniquely high
level of the Omega 3 stearadonic acid, which is powerfully
anti-inflammatory.
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What is environmentally sensitized skin?
Answer:
Surveys show at least 50% of women believe they have “sensitive” skin. .
.skin sensitized by the environment is easily-irritated and unable to
tolerate over-stimulation from aggressive environmental factors such as
pollution, sudden changes in climate and humidity and certain cosmetic
ingredients. A small percentage of the population is born with genetically
sensitive skin but most people who experience redness, itching and
inflammation are actually suffering from an environmentally-induced
reaction.
Most at risk are those with a recognized skin condition or just dry, red
or itchy skin or scalp, infants, chemotherapy patients and the elderly.
An “allergic skin”, on the other hand, is the result of an immune system
reaction to a particular ingredient or environmental influence. An
allergic skin often exhibits the same symptoms as a sensitized skin, but
is more difficult to treat.
People with sensitized or allergic skin often avoid skin care protection
because of bad reactions in the past, or because they feel that any
products placed on the skin will cause additional irritation. This is a
dangerous mistake, since delicate skin should be protected from
environmental irritants and pollution at all times !
Sufferers of multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue or allergies
may also want to avoid some cosmetic ingredients.
For daily maintenance, we recommend you use the [A'kin] ® range of pure,
safe & organic products.
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Some thinning factors that are unique to women.
Remark:
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Menopause
These life changes can cause hormonal swings in women, often having a
temporary or even permanent effect on healthy-looking hair. When combined
with environmental pollution, changing nutritional habits and a more
active lifestyle, the threat to a healthy-looking head of hair is often
magnified.
Coloring, highlighting, permanent waving and relaxing your hair can be
very drying to the scalp and hair, resulting in thin-looking hair.
Rigorous hair brushing and styling, rough scalp massaging, pulling,
twisting and braiding hair too tight (including improperly done hair
extensions) often cause temporary or even permanent scalp damage.
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Give Your Hair a Drink!
Remark:
Help improve the appearance of thinning hair by creating and maintaining
an optimum scalp environment. [A'kin] ® shampoos and conditioners help
provide a healthy scalp environment for stronger, thicker, healthier
looking hair.
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Plain Talk on Thinning Hair for Men.
Remark:
Considering the aging baby boomer generation, the number of men with
thinning hair is projected to increase by a wider margin than the overall
population growth between now and 2010. Although there is a direct
correlation between age and thinning hair, it can begin as early as age
17. More than 32.5 million men are facing this problem. But all is not
lost. There is something you can do to help your hair become stronger,
thicker and healthier-looking. . .
One of your first lines of defense against thinning hair is [A'kin] ®!
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