FAQ's

Alcohol - Does Living Nature use alcohol in their products?

Alcohol - I noticed on your label you use an ingredient named Cetearyl alcohol- how is this not a damaging alcohol?

Cetaryl alcohol is made from vegetable oil and joined to the wheat glycoside from the wheat straw, to make a very gentle and nourishing binder for the water and oil parts of our formulations. The wheat straw glycoside and cetearyl alcohol is extracted after seed heads have been removed from the wheat stalks.

We also love that it includes the pentose sugars essential for transporting active ingredients into our cells. It is a waxy substance resembling our own human sebum (oil on the skin), absorbs readily and is extremely nourishing and protecting on the skin, leaving that soft, smooth feeling (naturally).

Another important fact is it contains NO gluten and is grown locally in New Zealand and is GE free. It has no known toxicity.

Animal Friendly - If you don’t test your products on animals how do you test them?

Animal Friendly - What’s Living Nature’s view on animal testing and animal ingredients?

Animal Friendly - Why is it important to avoid mineral products and animal products?

Baby & Rescue Gel - My baby is 6 months old – can I apply Rescue Gel to his nappy rash?

Baby Products - Does Living Nature have a range of natural baby care products?

Baby Products - What Living Nature products would you recommend for my baby and toddler?

Beauty therapy - Can I purchase the products I experienced in my Living Nature facial?

Beauty Therapy - Do you offer beauty treatments at your Kerikeri factory?

Clinic Hours are: Tuesday 9am-5.30pm, Wednesday 9am-7.00pm, Thursday 9am-7.00pm, Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Monday & Sunday - clinic closed.

We also have a retail shop, where all our products can be viewed, tested and purchased, and make-up advice offered. Our retail shop is open 7 days a week. View our selection of treatments availble (see link below)and email a booking or enquiry to shop@livingnature.com

Beauty Therapy - What are steps necessary to become a Living Nature trained and stocked therapist?

Beauty Therapy - Where is it possible to get a facial using Living Nature products?

'Best Before' Date - what is the shelf life and how do I read the date?

A Best Before & Batch Date reading APR 11 090477, means the product is Best Before April 2011, and its batch date is 090477. All Living Nature products are tracked by their batch date.

While our products are naturally preserved, they are well preserved. A Best Before date is different to “expiry, ie they may still be suitable for use provided they have been stored correctly. Our products demonstrate that when nature finds its balance it can maintain this balance for a very long time.

Carmine - Why do some of your lipsticks contain Carmine?

Chemicals in baby products - why should I be concerned about chemicals in baby products, and look for truly natural skincare products for my baby?

When you buy Living Nature, you can trust that our skincare contains absolutely no synthetic ingredients or preservatives.

Here is what the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database (www.ewg.org) reveals about chemical exposure from baby products -

Children are not little adults. Their small, developing bodies receive greater exposures by weight than adults to contaminants in air, water, food, and everyday products. In addition, their immature metabolism and organ systems are typically less capable of fending off chemical assaults. And subtle damage to developing bodies that does not trigger immediate health effects may lead to disease later in life.

In its recently updated cancer risk guidelines, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explicitly acknowledges the importance of childhood exposures. The Agency concluded, after a review of 23 studies of early life exposures to cancer-causing chemicals, that carcinogens are typically 10 times more potent for babies than for adults, and that some chemicals are up to 65 times more powerful (EPA 2005). Despite these and other well-documented concerns regarding children's sensitivity to harmful substances, no special protections exist regarding ingredients in personal care products marketed for babies and children.

Reasons for children's increased vulnerability to chemicals

According to the National Academy of Sciences, several factors contribute to children's exceptional vulnerability to the harmful effects of chemicals (NAS 1993):

- A child's chemical exposures are greater pound-for-pound than those of an adult. - Children are less able than adults to detoxify and excrete chemicals. - Children's developing organ systems are more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposures. - Children have more years of future life in which to develop disease triggered by early exposure.

Consider the skin. Studies confirm what any parent knows: an infant's skin is soft and delicate (Fluhr 2000; Giusti 2001). Infant skin is also considerably thinner than adult skin; in fact, the thickness of children's skin increases linearly with age, typically reaching a maximum at age 20 (Tan 1982). The thin skin of a newborn may well be more permeable to specific chemicals than the skin of an adult. Compounding this fact, the surface area of a child's skin relative to body weight is greater than adults, such that the potential dose of a chemical following dermal exposure is likely to be about 3 times greater in infants than in adults (West 1981; Clewell 2002).

Babies and children thus receive far greater exposures than adults to ingredients in personal care products slathered on their skin. Sensitivity to many chemicals in children's care products causes eczema (Katelaris 2006), and may produce more subtle damage later in life. Exposures to industrial chemicals may prime children for adult diseases (NAS 1993; EPA 2005), just as a few severe sunburns during childhood doubles the likelihood of developing malignant melanoma later in life (Oliveria 2006).

A recent review by government scientists of the "critical windows" of vulnerability reveals an urgent need for public health policies that recognize childhood sensitivity (Selevan 2000). Scientists have developed a much fuller understanding of children's vulnerability to chemicals, discovering links between a host of health problems - including asthma, childhood cancer, and brain damage - and such common contaminants as solvents, pesticides, PCBs, and lead (Trasande 2004). A recent National Academy of Sciences study suggests that environmental factors contribute to at least 28% of childhood developmental disabilities (NAS 2000). As a whole, these windows facilitate more pronounced risks and effects for chemical exposures in childhood than adulthood.

But health and environmental officials have been slow to act on the wealth of studies on childhood vulnerability produced in the past 20 years. EPA required nearly a decade of review to update its cancer risk guidelines in 2003, finally conceding the importance of childhood exposures (EPA 2005). The new policy targets only cancer, leaving EPA with no formal policy regarding childrens' vulnerability to chemicals that damage the immune system, the brain, the hormone system, or a host of other potential targets, despite evidence that children face higher risks for harm.

Health trends of concern

Analysis of our survey data revealed that children are exposed to many ingredients linked to health effects of particular concern:

- 82% of children are exposed to one or more known human neurotoxins every week through their use of personal care products. Growth and development of the brain continues for many years after birth, leaving infants and young children uniquely sensitive to the effects of neurotoxic agents; in particular, the blood-brain barrier, which can protect the brain from many toxic chemicals, is not fully formed until a child is 6 months old (Grandjean 2006). Examples of neurotoxins in children's products include benzyl and isopropyl alcohols. Although limits have been set for these chemicals in food (FDA 2007), no mandatory limits are in place for cosmetics. The cosmetic industry safety panel found that the safety of benzyl alcohol in products that may be inhaled is unknown, and has not reviewed the safety of isopropyl alcohol. Survey findings show that products that may be used by children contain 82 neurotoxic chemicals altogether, raising particular concerns in light of recent warnings of evidence suggesting that developmental disabilities stemming from neurotoxic chemicals like those in children's products can be considered a "silent pandemic in modern society" (Grandjean 2006). Potentially neurotoxic agents with more limited toxicity data that are common in children's products include the preservative methylisothiazolinone, which was found to damage developing neurons in a study that exposed rat brain cells repeatedly to very low levels of this substance (He 2006), raising concerns with respect to children's exposures as well.

- 69% of children are exposed to one or more ingredients that can disrupt the hormone system every week through their use of personal care products. These ingredients include estrogen mimics called parabens, preservatives to which 91% of children are exposed according to our survey, and triclosan, a common antimicrobial chemical in liquid hand soap that can easily absorb into the body (Wolff 2007) and that preliminary studies show can disrupt thyroid growth hormones. Exposures to hormonally active chemicals are a particular concern considering some current health trends of significance in the U.S. population. For instance, 1 in 8 females in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and risks are increased by exposures to estrogenic chemicals. Exposures to hormonally active chemicals may influence time to puberty; over the last 4 decades, the age at which girls in the U.S. begin menstruating has declined by a few months, while the age at which girls begin to develop breasts has declined by 1 to 2 years (Steingraber 2007). Additionally, a survey of 25,862 Americans that found over 10% of the population to have abnormal thyroid function (Canaris 2000) raises concerns with respect to children's widespread exposures to thyroid-disrupting chemicals in personal care products.

- 3.6% of children are exposed to one or more ingredients designated as known or probable human carcinogens by government health agencies, including coal tar in skin treatment shampoos, BHA in diaper cream, and silica in powders. Increasing rates of many childhood cancers, including leukemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and specific brain and nervous system cancers (Ries 2007), provide a clear cause for alarm regarding exposure of babies and children to chemicals linked to cancer

Source: see link below

Choosing the right Living Nature Products - How can I get advice on which Living Nature products are most suited for my skin?

Choosing the right Living Nature products - If I have sensitive skin, how can I be sure your products won’t have any adverse affects?

Choosing the right Living Nature products - Once I start using Living Nature, can I expect any initial changes in my skin?

Diabetes - What effect would the honey in your products have on people who suffer from sugar intolerances and diabetes?

Gift Certificates - How can I purchase a Living Nature gift certificate?

You can also purchase gift certificates of any value from our Kerikeri Shop for use in store, in our clinic or online.

Gift Certificates - How long are gift certificates valid for?

Gluten - Do Living Nature products contain gluten?

Hotels - Does Living Nature have a range of products for Hotels and Accommodation houses?

Lactose - Why do you use Lactose derived ingredients in your products?

We are committed to ongoing research into natural and sustainable plant sources and alternatives, offering our customers the most natural, safe and effective products. (See ‘Vegan’ for vegan friendly products)

Living Nature Factory - Can we visit the factory where Living Nature is made?

Living Nature Factory - Does Living Nature have any of its own stores where I could truly experience your product?

Living Nature Kerikeri – 1246 State Highway 10, , Kerikeri. Open 7 days. Phone 09 4070113.

Mature Skin - What products do you recommend for mature skin?

We have also created a number of unique products to retain and restore the delicate skin around the eyes, lips and neck – often the first visible signs of skin maturing. Our Radiance Night Oil blends purest Rose and Rosehip Oil with 7 other facial oils to truly indulge skin as you sleep. In the day time we have a specialist eye product - our Firming Eye Cream plus we also recommend Firming Flax Serum which includes high quantities of moisture carrying Harakeke to help support the skin.

For mature skin we recommend the daily regime of Vitalising Cleanser, Extra Hydrating Toning Gel, Rich Day Cream, Firming Eye Cream, Firming Flax Serum, and for night-time, Nourishing Night Cream and Radiance Night Oil.

Men's Skincare - Does Living Nature offer a men’s range?

Men's Skincare - How is men’s skin different to women’s?

Natural Ingredients - How can I be sure I'm buying a natural brand?

Natural Ingredients - There are many brands claiming to be natural,just how natural is Living Nature?

Cosmetic ingredients are virtually unregulated and while many products claim to be ‘natural’, the absence of any regulating body means that there are different levels of natural available in the market. In fact many "natural skincare" products available in the market contain only small amounts of natural extracts added to a chemical or synthetic base.

Unfortunately, when these extracts are suspended in a chemical synthetic base, any real enzyme activity the plant extract might have had is totally lost. The problem is compounded when we consider that we are exposing ourselves to potentially harmful ingredients in the form of synthetic bases.

Other ranges may produce a high-quality product with high levels of natural ingredients but still contain some ingredients that you may want to avoid.

Living Nature is considered one of the worlds leading 'Ethically Natural' skincare brands. Living Nature products contain no artificial chemicals or synthetic preservatives, blending science and nature together to create a natural, highly potent, botanical product.

Natural Ingredients - What are the unique plant ingredients in your skincare products?

Natural Ingredients - What makes Living Nature’s ingredients so unique?

Natural Ingredients - Why does Living Nature believe it is so important to only use natural ingredients?

Nut Oils - Do Living Nature lipsticks contain nut oils?

Organic Certification - Does Living Nature use organic ingredients?

We do take every possible step to ensure our products are as safe and natural as we claim. We have a supplier policy in place to ensure our suppliers test the ingredients supplied to us and conform to the same high standards as Living Nature, i.e. GE free, no animal testing, no herbicide or pesticide residues, sustainable plant resources with no environmental impact, committed to recycling, and where possible, certified organic.

Living Nature is proud to offer one of the most natural skincare and cosmetic ranges in the world and will continue to develop our organic policy and subsequent product offering over time.

Packaging - Is Living Nature’s packaging environmentally friendly and recyclable?

Card for our cartons is sourced from renewable forests and contains no toxins or chlorine bleach.

Our packaging also contains a natural ingredient, 15% Calcium carbonate (Chalk) that when combined with polypropylene reduces energy and plastic used in manufacture. The opaque finish that this provides assists in reducing the exposure of our products to light also.

As Living Nature's new packaging is made of the same material (caps and bottles) it can be recycled without disassembly.

Packaging - Why are some of your products dispensed upside down?

Parabens - I have heard Living Nature does not use Parabens, why is this?

Living Nature chooses to remain paraben and synthetic preservative free, preferring the safety of our natural plant based preservative system. We have highlighted a few independent research bodies on our site that are worth a read, or alternatively we suggest you conduct your own research on the web by Googling‘endocrine disrupting chemicals', 'Parabens' or 'Phenoxyethanol'. We are convinced that better understanding of these chemicals and the potential threats to our health, will lead to more and more people around the world, choosing a more natural lifestyle.

There is also increasing concern at the proliferation of 'greenwashing' - brands making unsubstantiated or exaggerated 'green' and 'natural' claims about their products. An example of greenwashing is claiming a product is 'paraben-free' when in fact the parabens have been removed and simply substituted for another synthetic preservative, such as phenoxyethanol.

Parabens - If you don’t use parabens in your products, how do you preserve them?

pH balanced - Are your products pH balanced and what does this mean?

Pregnancy - Are there any restrictions for using Living Nature products when pregnant or on medication?

Product efficacy - How can I be sure that Living Nature products do what you claim?

Retailers - Does Living Nature have any of its own stores where I could truly experience your product?

Living Nature Kerikeri – State Highway 10, Bulls Gorge, Kerikeri. Phone 0508 548 464 for opening hours.

Retailers - Where is it possible to purchase Living Nature Products?

Samples - Is there a trial pack/size that I can try before I commit to purchasing full size products?

Shampoo - Why does your shampoo not foam as much as synthetic shampoo?

Lots of foam is not required to properly clean your hair. We use plant-derived saponifiers such as Kumerahou, which offers a gentle foaming action to effectively clean without stripping or drying the hair.

Shipping & Freight - How long will it take to get my web order delivered?

For USA and Canada, please allow 5-7 days for delivery.

For all other countries you can expect delivery of your products within 10-14 working days.

Shipping & Freight - What are your freight charges on web purchases?

Australia: AUD10

Canada: USD10

Germany: E4.90

New Zealand: NZD5

Malaysia: USD10

Singapore: SD10

United Kingdom: GBP3.75

United States: USD10

All other countries: USD10

Duty charges may apply to purchases above certain values in different territories. Customers are responsible for ascertaining duty implications and payment of any duty charges applied on receipt of goods.

Sponsorship - Who do I address sponsorship enquiries to?

Stockists - Can you please tell me where I can purchase Living Nature products?

Stockists - What are steps necessary to become a Living Nature stockist?

Talc - I have read articles that there is evidence linking talc to cancer. Can you advise why you use talc in some of your make-up products such your powders, eyeshadows and lip/eye liners?

Talc offers the best skin protection available as it is not hydroscopic (does not absorb moisture in any way). In order for any ingredients to penetrate the skin, it needs to be formulated with an active emollient penetrating enhancing ingredient or contain water. Talc is our ingredient of choice, due to the fact that other ‘natural’ powder ingredients like silica, rice or corn flour are hydroscopic and would therefore attract moisture to them, which could potentially enable them and other ingredients within the formulation (and pollutants) to penetrate the skin. A mineral powder simply ‘sits’ on the upper ‘dead’ epidermal skin cells until it is removed at the end of the day. Talc also offers the best application, colour and product stability.

Tax - How much tax will be applied to a shopping trolley on my web order of USD60.00.

Thai manufacture - I've heard some of your cosmetics are manufactured in Thailand. Why is this when you are a New Zealand company?

The ‘bulk’ lipstick formulations are delivered to our factory in Kerikeri, where they are manually poured into individual moulds and hand finished. The final product is in no way compromised by the fact that the bulk ingredients are produced off-shore.

Living Nature sets extremely high standards for its entire range of natural skincare and cosmetics, both in terms of ingredients and manufacture. Every ingredient used throughout the range has to meet and comply with stringent standards, which have been put in place by Living Nature to ensure our natural standards are not compromised. Every ingredient supplier has to complete and sign a detailed declaration of purity, which covers items such as purity, i.e. no herbicide or pesticide residue, no irradiation, extraction processes to ensure no chemicals are utilised etc. To support their declarations they have to supply Living Nature with all the relevant COA’s, MSDS and any additional proof of purity supporting documentation as required for that ingredient, together with proof of organic certification where applicable. Once all this documentation is received, additional research is carried out to ensure not only the purity of each ingredient, but also the efficacy and safety.

In addition to the above, every formulation is sent for independent safety testing, once again, to ensure our commitment to customers safety is in no way compromised. Living Nature exceeds the high BDIH standards which we adhere to. BDIH carry out internal audits on all our ingredients annually. In terms of our BDIH certification, every ingredient has to be tracked to ‘source’ while meeting all the relevant environmental and natural standards.

Training - Does Living Nature offer training?

Vegan - Are your products suitable for Vegans?

Skin, Hair & Body Products Cosmetics: -Radiance Night Oil -Tranquility Body Oil -Energy Body Oil -Body Form Body Oil -Nature’s Hydrating Mist -Nourishing Body Bar -Luminous Pressed Powder -Summer Bronze Pressed Powder -Blush (Warm Summer, Cool Winter) -Eyeshadows (Blossoms, Siennas, Ferns; Beaches, Clouds) - Eye Pencils (River Stone, Midnight, Flax Seed) - Lip Pencils (Laughter, Morning Sun, Woods)

Webstore - 'Best Before' Date

The Best Before date is displayed in the New Zealand date format, dd/mm/yy, and is found alongside the product batch number.

For example, a Best Before & Batch Date reading APR 2011 090477, means the product is Best Before April 2011, and its batch date is 090477. All Living Nature products are tracked by their batch date.

While our products are naturally preserved, they are well preserved. A Best Before date is different to “expiry” and being unsuitable for use. Our products demonstrate that when nature finds its balance it can maintain this balance for a very long time.

Webstore - I’m having trouble with processing my order on-line, who can help me?

Webstore - what if I am not happy with my web purchases and want to return my product?

Webstore - What security measures does your website invoke to ensure my credit card details are safe?