Tag Archives: sulphates

Pick Your Ingredients

We attended the Health & Safety information event
at Volkhaus in Weidikon, Zurich,
on Saturday 11th March 2017.

For Essentially Lili, the Event was about being present, away from home and the comfort of helping others from my computer. I loved meeting people, engaging with them and hearing their personal stories whilst sharing my own in return.

There is comfort shared in having compassion and understanding for each other’s journey, the frustrations and resolutions whilst being able to give reassurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

At our table, we had a ‘Pick Your Ingredients’ exercise which allowed visitors to look at our jars filled with coloured beads and think about what is included in the everyday products bought.

Did you know that the Cosmetics Industry only has to include between 15 and 18% of Natural and Organic ingredients in order to state on the label that their product is ‘All Natural and Organic’?That means the rest of the 82-85% of ingredients can be whatever they want it to be.

Whilst there are many that claim to be making all Natural products, they can actually include alcohols, parfums, artificial fragrances, synthetic and petroleum-based ingredients to complete the process of making their products.

So a product with pictures of Lavender, Olive Oil, Rosehip Seeds or Geranium flowers doesn’t necessarily mean it will be filled with those ingredients.It could merely be the parfum or fragrance of these ingredients, which is misleading to say the least.

Whilst I was studying for my Diploma in Holistic Skincare Products, one of the lessons was about the ingredients contained in mass-produced products.These ingredients are in baby products,shampoos, conditioners, makeup, talc, sunscreens, hand and body lotions.

I felt quite ill after doing this subject and it only reinforced my promise not to make products that will compromise on the integrity of All Natural Ingredients contained in the Essentially Lili Range.

The Industry has been catering for people who can put all sorts of products on their skin without really worrying about what the ingredients do to their skin.But for those of us who have super sensitive skin, this is not the case.The reactions to these ingredients are often so sudden, causing redness, itching, burning sensations and nothing can seem to calm this down.

The Pick Your Ingredients Activity became an eye-opener for those that came to check out and try the challenge.What did the Coloured Beads Represent?

Blue – Represents Water/ Aqua.This can cause your skin to dry out as moisture is drawn from your skin by the environment, heat, sun and cold weather.

Red – Represents Detergents called P-phenylenediamine, 4-MMPD Sulphate, Diaminobenzene, Ammoniated Mercury and Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS/SLES) & foaming agents which should be avoided. The main source of absorption is via the mucous membranes of the mouth. Found in soaps, detergents, shampoos, mouthwash, hand cream, cleansers, hair dyes (Permanent & Semi-Permanent) as well as toothpaste. It can be stored in the liver, heart, lungs and brain.It can damage the eyes, particularly of children. It can cause skin irritations, mutagenic effects, may cause hair loss, prolonged exposure can cause skin damage, moderately toxic by ingestion.

Pink – Represents Binding Agents like gum, waxes and fats.

Purple – Represents Nanoparticles are ultra-fine particles which possess certain properties due to their tiny size.This allows them to accumulated in the body, possibly by topical use. They may trigger potentially harmful chemical reactions. Nanoparticles include titanium dioxide & zinc oxide for sunscreen products.

Chemical blocks may be absorbed by the skin and work by absorbing the UV light. This causes a chemical reaction in the molecule of block, which may release free radicals. The skin damage can cause photosensitivity and blockers known to do this include: octocrylene, octyl-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), benzophenone-3, (oxybenzone) and benzophenone-4 (sulisobenzone).If these penetrate the skin before it absorbs the UV photon, then these free radicals are released into the skin. It can increase the risk of cancer and contributes to skin ageing.

White – Represents Synthetics like fragrances & colours, Talc & Toluene.Phthalates listed as Perfumes/Fragrances preserves synthetic scents. There are Over 200 Synthetic Fragrances used in Cosmetics.The label only has to state ‘Fragrance’ so you have no way of knowing which of the 200 are in your product. The fragrance can mask the product going off, provide no benefits, so best avoided.These are often not listed on the ingredients but are contained in health & beauty products. These can be found in Nail polish, lacquers and soft plastics such as pet and infant chew toys. These can adversely affect male sperm, increases testosterone and oestrogen, has been found in Breast Cancer.

Talcum powder – Is chemically similar to Asbestos. It is found in many baby products, including powders, feminine powders, condom lubricants and cosmetics. As a feminine powder or spray it can cause ovarian cancer.

Tolune – Found in most perfumes, nail polish and cosmetics. Acts as an endocrine disruptor, potential carcinogen, may cause birth defects.

Black – Represents Solvents derived from Petroleum found in brake & hydraulic fluid like anti-freeze. Includes Propylene, Butylene & Glycol, Mineral oils & petrolatum. These are without odour or colour, it’s cheap and works well at combining ingredients.The solvent derived from used in brake and hydraulic fluids like antifreeze.

It can penetrate the outer layers of the skin and used as a humectant.It leaves a film that traps the moisture along with toxins & waste that would normally be eliminated through the skin.It can be found in deodorant, shaving gel, conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, face creams, baby wipes and cosmetic, baby lotions, foundation creams, mascara, deodorants, lipsticks & suntan lotion.

It may cause respiratory & throat irritations, central nervous system depression, blood & kidney disorders.It could cause nystagmus (involuntary movement of the eyes, usually side to side but can be up and down or circular, lymphocytosis; it can irritate the skin and may cause dermatitis & conjunctivitis. Ingestion may cause pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycaemia, intravascular haemolysis.In extreme cases, it may cause death. Possible carcinogen.

Brown – Represents Preservatives, Q15, Antiseptic, includes Parabens Includes Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl- ethyl-) Proyply-Alcohol.Parabens are added to stop microbial growth and extend the shelf life of the products. Many Skincare Products contain Parabens, those with citrus seed may have been sprayed with parabens. They can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed, they can cause irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It can cause allergic reactions on the skin, of which symptoms include itching, redness and pain.And it can affect hormones and have been found in Breast tumours . These have also been found in carbonated drinks.

Proyply-Alcohol – is an antiseptic used in cosmetics, shampoos, shaving products, waterless hand cleansers, mouthwash (25-30%) and in the preparation of bottled water, carbonated drinks and decaffeinated coffee. In the mouthwash, it has been linked to mouth and throat cancers.

Q15 – This is a preservative found in many cosmetics. It is a water-soluble anti-microbial agent that has proven active against bacteria, but less active against yeast. It was found to be responsible for over 12% of allergic reactions in an American study. Not known if Q-15 can be absorbed through the skin for the carcinogen producing action to occur. It can react in the body with other chemicals to produce nitrosamines (known carcinogens.) Known formaldehyde releaser, maybe a major cause of dermatitis , people who may be allergic to formaldehyde can potentially have problems with this ingredient.</p

Gallery: Our Jars full of Coloured beads, Essentially Lili Table & Products, Talking to my Visitors.

Orange – Add a little bit of body Acidity regulators like Ethanloamines used with preservatives like Diazolidinyl Urea. It prevents bacterial growth, though it’s not effective against fungi. These are acidity regulators and used normally with other Ingredients like DEA Cocamide. Amines react with nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. These are found in soaps, shampoos, bubble bath, lotions, cosmetics, laundry detergents.It can severely irritate body tissues, can cause dermatitis and may be corrosive to the eyes.

Green – Essential Oils like Lavender, Frankincense, Cypress, Sweet Orange, Myrrh, Rose, Palmarosa, Tea Tree, Sandalwood & Jasmine are just a few of the many wonderful natural fragrances available.

Yellow – Butters & Vegetable Oils, like Cocoa & Shea Butter, Avocado, Jojoba, Wheatgerm, Baobab, Tamanu, Neem Oils. Also included are Herbs, clay, mud, flowers, leaves, roots, nuts, seeds, beeswax, milk, honey, yoghurt & fats.

If the Green and Yellow ingredients have been organically sourced, free from pesticides and haven’t been doctored during the bottling stages, they can have some amazing effects on the mind, body and spirit. Their natural scents are liberating, refreshing, calming, soothing, relaxing and uplifting.

The vegetable oils are rich in vitamins, often with natural UV protection, with antioxidants as they enrich your skin with goodness and benefits.

The butters are creamy and literally melt in your hands once in contact with your body’s temperature.
And making All Natural products that contain only these ingredients is definitely a more luxurious way to treat and rejuvenate your skin on a daily basis, without fear of what damage is happening to your body.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

• What were your reactions to the list of Ingredients?
• Did you know what these were?
• Can you send in pictures of your favourite product’s list of ingredients so we can have a look at what’s contained?

We look forward to hearing your feedback especially on this topic of Ingredients.

Should you wish to contact us for more information about our All-Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered.

Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili