Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Natural Preservatives
Until recently, there weren't any truly natural primary preservatives. Then Leucidal Naturals came out with radish root ferment, which is based on the microorganisms found in Kimchi. During an epidemic of avian flu, Korean farmers noticed their chickens who were regularly eating a diet containing kimchi were not getting sick. Scientists isolated a compound called radish root ferment and found it to be an effective inhibitor of bacteria at a use rate of 2-4%. it's fully compatible with most products. The only downside is it's a salicylate, which is risky for people with salicylate intolerances or aspirin allergies. Recently they came out with Leucidal SF, which is salicylate free and also highly compatible with most ingredients.
Parabens
Parabens are a group of petrochemicals used as preservatives that have gotten a lot of bad press due to traces of parabens being found in cancer tissues of the breast.
No conclusive causal evidence has been found, despite research. The ACA declares parabens safe.
This is an example of a somewhat disingenous marketing technique that focuses on what's not in a product rather than what is. it diverts your attention away from the actual ingredients, such as phenoxyethanol which can be pretty nasty.
No conclusive causal evidence has been found, despite research. The ACA declares parabens safe.
This is an example of a somewhat disingenous marketing technique that focuses on what's not in a product rather than what is. it diverts your attention away from the actual ingredients, such as phenoxyethanol which can be pretty nasty.
Lecithin
Lecithin is an emulsifier. it is most commonly used in food products but also in body products. Egg yolks contain lecithin, and are therefore a natural emulsifier, which is why they keep the oil and vinegar together in your salad dressing.
Frequently, lecithin is derived from soy. Aside from allergies and the GMO and biodiversity issues of non-organic soy (which you can read more about here), soy lecithin is a non-toxic product. It's also used in such small amounts that it's unlikely to cause a reaction.
Frequently, lecithin is derived from soy. Aside from allergies and the GMO and biodiversity issues of non-organic soy (which you can read more about here), soy lecithin is a non-toxic product. It's also used in such small amounts that it's unlikely to cause a reaction.
Definitions
antioxidant: A substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products or personal hygiene products.
emollient: Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin, moisturizing
emulsion: A suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix; a mixture of two immiscible liquids
emulsifier: An emulsifier is a surface-active agent that facilitates the mixing of two or more liquid substances that would separate into its component parts under normal conditions; has two ends--one oil-attracting end (hydrophobic) and one water-attracting (hydrophilic) end.
humectant: A substance that promotes retention of moisture
petrochemical: Relating to or denoting substances obtained by the refining and processing of petroleum or natural gas
preservative: a substance or preparation added to a product to destroy or inhibit the multiplication of microorganisms.
salicylic acid: a monohydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid and a beta hydroxy acid.In addition to being an important active metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which acts in part as a prodrug to salicyclic acid, it is probably best known for its use in anti-acne treatments. The salts and esters of salicylic acid are known as salicylates.
salicylates: chemicals that occur naturally in many plants, including many fruits vegetables, and herbs. salicylates in plants act as a natural immune hormone and preservative, protecting the plants against diseases, insects, fungi, and harmful bacteria. salicylates are also created synthetically and can be found in many medicines, perfumes and preservatives.
Preservatives vs. Antioxidants
Two things have a major effect on the shelf life of a product. One is bacterial growth and one is oxidation.
Firstly, what is the purpose of a preservative? it is to prevent the growth of bacteria. In any environment exposed to water, bacteria WILL grow. There is no exception to this rule. Even with refrigeration, eventually bacterial contamination of some kind will happen. Some of it is innocuous but some is dangerous, particularly to immunocompromised individuals, such as MRSA. And even if you have a healthy immune system, rubbing this antibiotic resistant strain of bacterial directly on your skin is not advised, amirite? Any product that contains water or water based ingredients needs a preservative. Period.
Some essential oils are anti microbial or antifungal, but not at the level of concentration used in products meant to be put on skin. For an essential oil to be a effective preservative, you wouldn't be able to use the product on your body. This doesn't negate their potential benefits, such as tea tree oil for dandruff, it just doesn't make them an effective primary preservative.
Secondly, what is the purpose of an antioxidant? An antioxidant prevents oils from oxidizing, i.e. going rancid when being exposed to oxygen. Some examples of antioxidants are mixed tocopherols (vitamin e), rosemary extract, and grape seed extract.Certain oils and butters are naturally high in antioxidants such as vitamin e. This means they have a longer shelf life than oils low in antioxidants.
THE TAKEAWAY: oxidation has nothing to do with microbial growth. Just because your product will not readily oxidize doesn't mean bacteria won't grow in it. And just because you can't see the bacteria doesn't mean it's not there. Therefore, all good products will have both a preservative system and either naturally occurring or added antioxidants.
Firstly, what is the purpose of a preservative? it is to prevent the growth of bacteria. In any environment exposed to water, bacteria WILL grow. There is no exception to this rule. Even with refrigeration, eventually bacterial contamination of some kind will happen. Some of it is innocuous but some is dangerous, particularly to immunocompromised individuals, such as MRSA. And even if you have a healthy immune system, rubbing this antibiotic resistant strain of bacterial directly on your skin is not advised, amirite? Any product that contains water or water based ingredients needs a preservative. Period.
Some essential oils are anti microbial or antifungal, but not at the level of concentration used in products meant to be put on skin. For an essential oil to be a effective preservative, you wouldn't be able to use the product on your body. This doesn't negate their potential benefits, such as tea tree oil for dandruff, it just doesn't make them an effective primary preservative.
Secondly, what is the purpose of an antioxidant? An antioxidant prevents oils from oxidizing, i.e. going rancid when being exposed to oxygen. Some examples of antioxidants are mixed tocopherols (vitamin e), rosemary extract, and grape seed extract.Certain oils and butters are naturally high in antioxidants such as vitamin e. This means they have a longer shelf life than oils low in antioxidants.
THE TAKEAWAY: oxidation has nothing to do with microbial growth. Just because your product will not readily oxidize doesn't mean bacteria won't grow in it. And just because you can't see the bacteria doesn't mean it's not there. Therefore, all good products will have both a preservative system and either naturally occurring or added antioxidants.
Monday, July 23, 2012
I started this blog as a result of my own personal journey into the world of elimination diets. I always had a host of vague medical problems: difficulty sleeping, irritability, muscle aches, fatigue, migraines, sinusitis, bouts of confusion/lack of clarity, nystagmus, hives. they would come on without warning and disappear just as suddenly. As a child, I would throw random temper tantrums and develop pink splotches all over my body. After my doctor suggested an elimination diet, we discovered I was sensititive to several fruits (all berries, cherries and grapes) and red food dye. I assumed these two things were unrelated. Then one day, I discovered that there is an established link between sensitivities to a naturally existing chemical called salicylates and certain petroleum-based additives, such as artificial dyes and preservatives. I Googled a bit more and eventually discovered the Feingold Diet, which eliminates several salicylate containing foods and all artificial additives. This diet remains controversial, mostly due to the intense lobbying of the food industry. Unfortunately, additives are a billion dollar business and a lot cheaper to produce than actual food.
While researching bath and body products with my newly discovered information, I came upon some very helpful bits and also a wealth of misleading information. Particularly in the arena of natural products, there's a huge grey area in the consumers' mind of what does and does not constitute a "natural" product. Just because something has a scientific sounding name doesn't make it unnatural (sodium chloride = table salt) and just because its natural doesn't mean you want it on your skin (i.e. arsenic is natural). I want to set some of the misinformation straight, and compile a database of information where a person in a similar situation could find all the answers they need. I'm not a doctor or a scientist. I don't have a medical background. This information can be found on other places on the internet, but there was no easy-to-read database based solely on unbiased information for the consumer, particularly for those with salicylate sensitivities. If you know something I don't, please drop me a line! I'm in no way the authority on all things chemical, I'm just a regular gal who wanted to make life a bit easier for those who went through what I did.
My vision: I believe it is the right of the consumer to know exactly what they’re putting on their body, and I have the knowledge and ability to make that information available. My larger vision is that the FDA follows the route of the EMEA and acknowledges the potentially adverse effects of ingesting petrochemicals, mainly the negative impact it can have on the developing child, and has the integrity to accurately inform the consumer despite economic pressure from lobbying groups. I can make this happen by being the source of unbiased information, and advocating for integrity.
Mission: Knowledge is power. To give power to the consumer so they have the ability to make choices for themselves and not be swayed by rhetoric, advertising or propaganda.
While researching bath and body products with my newly discovered information, I came upon some very helpful bits and also a wealth of misleading information. Particularly in the arena of natural products, there's a huge grey area in the consumers' mind of what does and does not constitute a "natural" product. Just because something has a scientific sounding name doesn't make it unnatural (sodium chloride = table salt) and just because its natural doesn't mean you want it on your skin (i.e. arsenic is natural). I want to set some of the misinformation straight, and compile a database of information where a person in a similar situation could find all the answers they need. I'm not a doctor or a scientist. I don't have a medical background. This information can be found on other places on the internet, but there was no easy-to-read database based solely on unbiased information for the consumer, particularly for those with salicylate sensitivities. If you know something I don't, please drop me a line! I'm in no way the authority on all things chemical, I'm just a regular gal who wanted to make life a bit easier for those who went through what I did.
My vision: I believe it is the right of the consumer to know exactly what they’re putting on their body, and I have the knowledge and ability to make that information available. My larger vision is that the FDA follows the route of the EMEA and acknowledges the potentially adverse effects of ingesting petrochemicals, mainly the negative impact it can have on the developing child, and has the integrity to accurately inform the consumer despite economic pressure from lobbying groups. I can make this happen by being the source of unbiased information, and advocating for integrity.
Mission: Knowledge is power. To give power to the consumer so they have the ability to make choices for themselves and not be swayed by rhetoric, advertising or propaganda.
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