No Synthetic Preservatives or Parabens
We go to great lengths, and collaborate with world renowned and respected scientists, to find and test the most natural
and beneficial plant derived ingredients, honeys and naturally occurring minerals to use in our products. This does not
mean we believe synthetic chemicals are bad for you, but that we have chosen not to use them in our skincare. For
details of specific synthetic ingredients we choose not to use, please check out our "questionable ingredients" page
Synthetic preservatives and synthetic parabens are something that we choose not to use in our products.. The Living Nature preservative system is a synergy of several potent plant extracts which are strong antioxidants, bactericides and fungicides. Because the Living Nature preservative is natural the product does require more care and has a shorter shelf life than products preserved with synthetic parabens.
The preservatives most commonly used in cosmetic products are methyl paraben, ethyl paraben and propyl paraben and their derivatives and they are very effective preservatives. Sudies have indicated, however, that synthetic parabens can be absorbed into the skin tissue (Kitagawa et al 1997) and taken up by the blood stream (Kiwada et al 1979). They have also been shown to mimic oestrogenic activity (Routledge et al 1998). There is evidence on the role of oestrogen and other hormones on the growth and development of breast cancer (Bilimoria et al. 1999, Prasad et al 2003.
The studies did not conclude with certainty how parabens are getting into our bloodstream and major organs or that they are a cause of cancer. But they do conclude that further research is required. “Although the CIR expert panel considered the effects of butylparaben they have not considered the more recent data on oestrogenicity and so synthetic parabens have not been considered in risk assessments to date” (Harvey and Philippa Darbre J)
References:
Kitigawa S, Li H, Sato S. 1997 Chem. Pharm. Bull (Tokyo) 45: 1354-1357
Kiwada, H Awazu S, Hanano M. 1979 J. Pharmacobio-Dyn. 2: 356-364
Routledge EJ, Parker J, Odum J Ashby J, Sumpter JP 1998 Toxicol. Pharmacol. 153: 12-19
Billmoria MM et al Ann. Surg. Oncol. 6: 200-207
Prasad et al Cancer 98: 2539-2546
Harvey et al Appl. Toxicol. 24: 167-176 (2004).
No Mineral Oils
Both petrochemically derived mineral oils, or synthetically made mineral oils, asphyxiate the skin, blocking pores. They are often used because they are cheap and have a very nice initial skin feel.
The skin needs to respire, and many dry skin conditions are soothed by the immediate feeling of a mineral oil which allows the skin to move more elastically, but they do not provide nutrients and just mask the condition which gradually gets worse.
No Irradiated Ingredients
Irradiation is standard practice in many countries trying to make sure no foreign bacteria, flora or fauna enters the
country. Unfortunately this kills off all enzyme activity in a raw material, and leaves a residue of radiation.
Irradiation is the process of exposing material to radiation, either in X Ray or Ultra Violet light forms. Used in
the food industry in order to kill bacteria and extend shelf life, the radiation in fact kills the vitamins, friendly
bacteria and enzymes. Effectively this renders the food dead and useless to the body. The friendly bacteria naturally
control the growth of harmful bacteria, but when removed will allow some bad bacteria to give rise to even more
dangerous, radiation resistant bacteria strains. Radiation-resistant strains of bacteria have been developed under
laboratory conditions and scientists found that one particular bacteria can survive a radiation dose five times
that which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow for beef. Scientists exposed this bacteria to 10
and 15 kilograys of radiation for several hours, enough radiation to kill a person several thousand times over.
The bacteria survived.
The FDA's approved irradiation dosage is 450,000 rads, approximately 150 million times greater than that of a chest
x-ray. High levels of benzene, and also new chemicals known as "unique radiolytic products" were identified by
U.S Army tests as carcinogenic and shown to induce genetic toxicity. FDA's claims of "safety" are based on
grossly inadequate tests which fail to meet the minimal standards and were rebutted by the agencies own expert
committees.
No Herbicide or Pesticide Residues
We abide by the internationally recognised BDIH certification criteria for natural cosmetics (ref. www.bdih.com).
Many of our plants are organic wildcrafted, which means they have been grown and harvested in the wild where there have never
been any sprays or chemicals introduced. Because they are grown in the wild they cannot be certified as organic.
When we
purchase ingredients, we are not always able to get organic products (due to small supply and great demand), so
everything is tested for herbicide and pesticides. We accept no level!
No Genetically Modified Ingredients
See our Vital Planet Issues link for more on remaining GE Free
No Animal Ingredients
We do not agree with killing animals for beauty's sake and avoid using any animal derived ingredients in our products.
No Animal Testing
We believe it is unnecessary to test on animals and that it is also unscientific, as many animals do not have similar immune systems or skin tissue to humans. Today cells can be cultivated in vitro for testing purposes and we have used this methodology to assess some of our own ingredients.
We have not had any of our products tested on animals nor have we asked anyone else to do so.
Our products contain high quantities of bioactive ingredients
Contain high quantities of bioactive ingredients, particularly the unique medicinal plants and manuka honey native to New Zealand.
We only use recyclable, reusable, reduced packaging
We are committed to reducing waste globally and minimise the amount of packaging we use as far as possible. We are
committed to recycling and use recyclable glass or the most recyclable plastic that we can, encouraging our
customers to make use of their local recycling centres. We avoid papers with dioxins and chlorines as far as possible.
Ultimately we'll do our best to research and find
the healthiest and most natural ingredients possible.
