Holistic Health

The Truth About Surfactants, Extenders, Solvents, Thickeners, Stabilisers, Emulsifiers and Emollients.

SURFACTANTS are substances which cleanse by decreasing the surface tension of liquids, usually by having the property of being attracted to both water and oil. Many surfactants are created with a negative charge to dissipate the unnatural static electricity build up that occurs in most people (resulting in static-filled, fly-away hair) who are living with too many unnatural petrochemical plastic static-generating materials.

Surfactants are often used in combination with synthetic foam boosters, foam stabilizers and thickeners to create the illusion of a rich product.

EMOLLIENTS

Emollients are liquid substances which help prevent drying of the skin by providing a barrier to trans-epidermal water loss.

Some emollients are humectants: they attract water from their surroundings. In dry conditions, they can draw moisture away from the skin.

Certified organic fixed or base oils are always cold-pressed (crushed under low-heat conditions) from fresh fruit and seeds/nuts to preserve the beneficial phytonutrients that are vital to human health. Cold-pressed oils and natural waxes have been safely used by humans for thousands of years

In contrast, synthetic emollients are modern chemicals and most are created under very energy-intensive conditions (high usage of fossil fuels with resulting air and/or water pollution) that involve extremely high temperatures of 500 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to twenty four hours, along with very high pressure and/or vacuum. (Many synthetic emollients also require toxic or carcinogenic catalysts or reactive agents in their manufacture.) These conditions are required to transform or split the natural vegetable oil molecules into new molecules that are typically not found in nature. These temperature and pressure extremes are the same as those found in the core of a nuclear reactor. What delicate, vital nutrients could survive these destructive conditions? Indeed, new research shows that these industrial processes can cause the formation of trans-fatty acids or trans-isomers which have been linked to the creation of free radicals and prostaglandin inhibitors. Do synthetic emollients sound healthy to you?

NATURAL OILS

• Preferably certified organic wherever possible
• almond oil
• avocado oil
• coconut oil
• hazelnut oil
• jojoba oil
• olive oil
• palm oil
• pumpkin seed oil
• safflower oil
• sesame oil
• sunflower oil
• tamanu oil
• wheat germ oil
• Natural oils to avoid:
• castor oil (castor beans yield the bio toxin ricin)
• cottonseed oil (likely to contain high pesticide residues)
• grape seed oil
  ( usually (but not always) petrochemical solvent-extracted from
  conventionally-grown grapes.
• peanut oil
  (peanuts can cause severe anaphylaxis
  allergic reactions in many people)
• po mace-grade olive oil
  (petrochemical solvent-extracted from olive pits.
  see extenders and solvents, below)
• rice bran oil (petrochemical solvent-extracted)

NATURAL WAXES

• Extracted without solvents, preferably certified organic wherever possible
• Beeswax
• Cocoa butter
• Karite butter (Shea butter)
• Solvent-extracted (may contain solvent residues)
• Carnauba
• Candelilla

Synthetic Emollients

Oleo chemical and petrochemical (synthetic) emollients:

The decision is yours.

Our products are made with love and care by our team of experienced bio chemists well versed in the art of creating Natural and Organic skincare products to international standards.   We are registered with the *CTFA of South Africa (Cosmetic Toiletries and Fragrance Association and The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, Our products are approved by Beauty Without Cruelty.
*Note: The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association of South Africa is the industry's voice committed to maintaining the high quality and safety of cosmetic products. The CTFA guides members on the Self-regulatory Codes of Practice & Standards to ensure that the South African cosmetic industry flourishes.

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