Ingredient Glossary

Phenoxyethynol is created by treating phenol with ethylene oxide in an alkaline medium. It is not pH dependant and not a formaldehyde releasing agent. It is also paraben free. It in know way reacts with other ingredients, light or air like many other ingredients used in formulas. It is a very stable, and according to the CIR Expert Panel it is a safe cosmetic ingredient as it is currently being used in our products as a preservative.

It has been tested on the eyes and skin and is non irritating and non sensitizing at levels of 2.2% or lower. We use phenoxyethynol at 1% or less in our formulas. You may have seen phenoxyethynol used in cosmetics in conjunction with other preservatives, such as parabens. This is because phenoxyethynol is not a broad spectrum preservative by itself. Through extensive research and testing, our supplier has found success in combining it with another completely safe and commonly used cosmetic ingredient, know as Edta. Tetrasodium Edta which is derived from sodium salts.

Edta helps to "bind" minerals, which are necessary components for the growth of mold. For instance, Edta will bind up magnesium which is necessary for mold to grow. In cosmetics, Edta not only is a great additive to create a stable product, but it also pulls heavy metals from your skin when you apply the product containing it.. Edta is widely used for "chelation therapy", which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for lead and heavy metal poisoning.

Individual ingredients when listed do not sound great, but when they interact with other ingredients they create a safe and effective preservative. As I am sure you have read and probably experienced, individually many chemicals may harm you and your skin, but together they can and will create a beneficial product.

For instance, lye on its own is extremely dangerous, but after it reacts with oil and water to create castile soap it is harmless and useful. The MSDS for a pure ingredient can cause undo alarm. But as you consider other ingredients that are widely used and safe in cosmetics you will find that the MSDS sounds alarming for them as well. For instance commonly used ingredients like glycolic acid, lye, citric acid, potassium sorbate and even essential oils have MSDS warnings that could be misunderstood and deemed as too dangerous to use in cosmetics. However, we all know that these ingredients are commonly used in cosmetics and beneficial. The MSDS sheet is designed to inform the end user of how to handle the ingredient properly in an undiluted form.

Propylene Glycol is used in our products as it is the most common moisture carrying ingredient, other than water. It is also used in skincare and cosmetics because it moisturizes better than glycerins. Used as a wetting agent and surfactant it will give products better absorption and promotes spreading of the product on the skin. Propylene Glycol is an emollient which should not to be confused with Ethyl Glycol which is used in anti-freeze and other chemical based products. Propylene Glycol penetrates the outermost layer of the skin cells and will help carry other beneficial products deeper into the skins epidermis.

EDTA - (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) is added to our prodcut line to work in synergy with natural preservatives and to improve product stability.

Methylparaben/Propylparaben - Is listed as a food grade preservatives used to ensure the shelf life of a product and the hygienic stability. It is non-irritating, non-sensitizing and non-toxic. It is used to be effective against a wide range of bacteria and fungi.