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Why Natural?

Why Natural?
You may have heard of recent product claims such as No SLS’s or Polypropylene Glycol, toluene, formaldehyde and the type of damage they can cause on the body. So you are probably wondering what is the problem with these ingredients? They seem to be in everything I use and I’m not sick, so what is the big deal? If it was so harmful, why would so many companies put this stuff in their products?

To put it simply, until recent years there has been insufficient scientific research conducted to prove the ill effects these ingredients have on the body. Luckily however, due to a growing consumer awareness and drive towards natural alternatives, more research is being conducted on the possible side effects of product use. Some research results have shown links between product use and many of today’s health issues such as increased allergies, asthma and eczema. Basically, many companies have been stuffing their products with these nasty ingredients for years because they were either unaware of the effects, or more to the point because the nasty fillers are cheap and provide a product for a lower cost.

To assist you to make an educated decision about today’s health issue and their links to product use, we have provided several links to some great informative sites and articles for you to read. Check them out at:

www.safecosmetics.org

www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/organic_skincare

www.cleanlife.com.au/cleantips(PDF 16kb)

www.hallgold.com/toxic-chemical-ingredients-directory.htm

If you don’t have time to check out these sites, then you can use this basic rule of thumb and steer clear of any of the ingredients listed below that have been know to cause nasty skin irritations .

Formaldehyde – a preservative that is found in nail polish as well as some other cosmetics.
Imidazolidinyl Urea – is a preservative.
Fragrances –fragrances are often synthetic and are found in many cosmetics and skin products. As they are not required to be listed on the ingredients label, it is worthwhile seeking out products that use natural fragrances or essential oils.
Methyl Paraben – is a widely used preservative.
Isopropyl Alcohol – is a petroleum-based anti-bacterial agent.
Methylisothiazoline – is a preservative.
Paraffin – is used in creams, hair removal products, eyebrow pencils, as well as other cosmetics. Paraffin is made from petroleum or coal.
Propylene Glycol – is a moisture-carrying agent traditionally derived from petroleum with links to liver damage.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate – is a detergent to produce bubbles which can dry and severely irritate the skin.

How do Natural Products work?
You may be thinking I know natural products will smell and feel great, but will they actually do anything? Many of our products are developed based on tried and tested aromatherapy principals. We use particular ‘active botanicals’ or other ‘active ingredients’ which help to achieve results such as increased circulation, cell regeneration, etc. The below table gives an example of some of the typical properties and characteristics of the ‘actives’ we chose to use.

Active Ingredient	Type	Properties / Characteristics
Aloe vera	Plant	A cell stimulant which is soothing, anti-inflammatory and healing
Avocado Oil	Essential Oil	Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it helps to lubricate, nourish and protect the skin. It also has healing and regenerating properties. It is beneficial for reducing age spots and healing scars. It also increases natural collagen content in the skin.
Bergamot	Essential Oil	Great for treating skin ailments or inflammation of the skin.
Calendula Oil	Plant	Great skin healing properties so is useful for healing and fading old scars.
Cocoa Butter	Butter	Derived from the coca bean it is highly emollient and softens skin.
Geranium	Essential Oil	Balances out the skin and promotes healing as it balances sebum production. Great to restore any hormonal imbalance.
German Chamomile	Essential Oil	Most anti-inflammatory of all the oils it gently sedates, calm and sooths. It is great for soothing inflamed skin or burns and can relieve allergies and eczema.
Gingko	Plant	Antioxidant which also increases circulation to the skin.
Glycerine	Plant	Derived from vegetable fats, if used in small quantities it acts as an antibacterial softener and natural preservative.
Grapefruit	Essential Oil	Great for acne and oily skin types. Also helps to revive skin and can also be used for easing muscle pain.
Green Clay		Purifies and cleanses the skin by gently drawing out toxins and drawing fresh lymph and blood to the area. As it also absorbs impurities under the skin and lifts off head skin cells.
Honey	Food	Exceptionally high in antimicrobial and antiseptic properties which encourage skin to heal, grow and also draw moisture to the skin.
Kelp powder	Marine Plant	Provides essential skin and hair nutrients and minerals as it is rich in silica.
Lavender Oil	Essential Oil	Great for relieving itchiness and irritation and helps activate the immune system. Can also help heal burns and scars as it encourages cell regeneration.
Lemon	Essential Oil	Helps contract and tone skin tissue. Also has antibacterial properties. Particularly good for dull skin.
Lemon Tea Tree	Essential Oil	Has antihistamine properties as well as natural antibacterial and natural preservative.
Lemongrass	Essential Oil	Kills bacteria and fungal infections. It stimulates circulation and helps ease muscle pain. Also has powerful antiseptic properties.
Lime	Essential Oil	Helps contract and tone skin tissue. Also has antibacterial properties.
Macadamia Oil	Essential Oil	Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it helps to lubricate, nourish and protect the skin.
Mandarin	Essential Oil	Great for preventing and treating stretch marks and scars and is particularly good for mature, aging skins.
May Chang	Essential Oil	Great for treating acne or greasy skin and can also help control perspiration.
Myrtle	Essential Oil	Destroys infectious causing bacteria and contracts and tones the skin. Antiseptic properties is great for acne prone skin.
Natural Vitamin E		Excellent for helping to fade scars.
Neroli	Essential Oil	Helps to calm and sooth the skin as well as regenerating skin cells. Helps to maintain and restore elasticity as well as prevent wrinkles, remove scars and stretch marks. Great for mature and sensitive skins.
Olive Oil	Plant	Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it helps to lubricate, nourish and protect the skin. Suitable for dry to normal skins.
Palmarosa	Essential Oil	Excellent for dry and mature skins as it is a natural antiseptic which hydrates and regenerates the skin. Helps to smooth and tone winkles and is particularly good for stress to calm and relax.
Peppermint	Essential Oil	Possesses refreshing, cooling properties and also good for pain relief.
Petitgrain	Essential Oil	Antiseptic tonic and sebum regulator for oily skin.
Rose Hip Oil	Essential Oil	Assists to repair and regenerate tissue as it is rich in both linoleic and linolenic fatty acids. Helps to improve the texture of wrinkled and scarred skin. Also high in anti-oxidants it improves skin tone if used regularly.
Rose Oil	Essential Oil	Excellent for dry and mature skin as it rehydrates and rejuvenates. Has good balancing and comforting properties.
Sandlewood	Essential Oil	Very soothing to dry and cracked skin as it promotes elasticity. Also has strengthening and calming qualities.
Shea Butter	Vegetable Extract from the Karite Tree nut	Helps with skin regeneration and improves circulation. As it leaves a protective coating on the skin it has an anti-elastase characteristic which is great active ingredient for stretch marks. Also it is particularly good for small wounds, skin cracks, skin ulcers and aging skin.
Sunflower Oil	Plant	Rich in Vitamin A and E it helps moisturise, regenerate and condition the skin. Very good for mature, sensitive or dry and damaged skin.
Sweet Almond Oil	Essential Oil	Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it helps to lubricate, nourish and protect the skin.
Sweet Orange	Essential Oil	Brightens oily skin, kills bacteria and has toning effect.
Tangerine	Essential Oil	Great for acne, congested or oily skins due to its antiseptic properties.
Tea Tree	Essential Oil	Natural preservative with powerful antibacterial properties.
Ylang Ylang	Essential Oil	Balances sebum and hormones and has a strengthening effect on nervous system
Zinc	Mineral	Particularly good for healing skin irritations such as inflamed, flakey, spotty skin. Also a sunscreen.

NB. The above descriptions were sourced from the following references:

Battaglia, S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 200

Purchon, N. The Essential Natural Health Bible, 2006