Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils can be found in many items we use every day, such as scented candles, perfumes, household cleaners and soaps to name just a few. Fragrance oils smell nice but it’s not worth the many problems caused by inhaling it, which can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting and severe headache. Also, when coming in contact with the skin it can cause a rash, burns, itching, and chaffing.

Fragrance oils don’t get rid of smells they just mask them, either with perfume or by interfering with your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film or releasing a nerve deadening agent. Perfumes can also be powerful in triggering asthma. A typical perfume contains tens to hundreds of volatile organic compounds. These were originally discovered in natural products like flowers

or fruits now most perfumes are manufactured from synthetic chemicals. Both synthetic and naturally produced perfumes release many organic compounds some of which can agitate those who suffer from asthma. The asthma risk is there regardless of whether the compounds were produced naturally or synthetically.
Asthma is a major problem related to air fresheners and perfumed cleaning products. In a 2007 European study, researchers found
that using air fresheners as little as once a week can raise the chance of developing asthma in adults. The investigators used baseline data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (one of the world’s largest epidemiologic studies of airway disease) found that the risk of developing asthma increased with using them often but on average was about 30-50% higher in those not exposed to sprays at all.

For more information about fragrance oils visit our website at www.salonnaturalsonline.com

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by Salon Naturals on March 31, 2012  •  Permalink
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Cetyl Esters and the Role they Play

Cetyl Esters is a synthetic wax that is most typically derived from coconut. Its color ranges from a moderately translucent white to an off-white color. Cetyl esters was developed to serve as a more animal friendly replacement for spermaceti wax found in the blubber of whales. It is made up of many different esters of saturated fatty alcohols and acids, including cetyl stearate, cetyl myristate, cetyl palmitate, myristyl myristate, and myristyl stearate. All of these compounds are vegetable-derived.

Cetyl Esters is often used in hair products such as shampoo and conditioner as well as skin products such as facial cleanser, facial moisturizers, lipsticks, deodorants and even shaving cream.

In cosmetics, cetyl esters serves as a lubricant on the skin’s surface. It is non-drying, and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth with an almost powdery after feel. Safety data on this ingredient indicates little concern for toxicity, skin sensitization or irritation and is ideal for those with fussy skin. The moisturizing properties are somewhat less than those contributed by cetyl alcohol, however, the tactile characteristics of the product and smoothness during application are slightly superior to those of cetyl alcohol.

Visit the Learning Center at www.salonnaturalsonline.com for more ingredient information.

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by Salon Naturals on March 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Facts and Functions of Caprylyl Glycol

Caprylyl glycol is also known as 1,2-octanediol. This compound contains two primary hydroxyl groups and has both bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties. It works synergistically with other preservatives and is most frequently used partnered with other preservatives for its antibacterial properties in cosmetics. This ingredient causes environmental concerns due to its link to petro-chemicals.

In addition to its anti-bacterial characteristics, 1,2-octanediol is also used as a skin conditioning agent, emollient and humectant in cosmetics. Caprylyl glycol also contributes to cosmetics as a formulation stabilizer and viscosity regulator.  It can frequently be found on the ingredient lists of facial moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, lip gloss, cleansers, foundations, concealers and sunscreens.

While there is little information available regarding the safety of this ingredient, it is important to note that it is frequently paired with other preservatives that are well established as ingredients of concern. These include phenoxyethanol and chloroxylenol among others.

Caprylyl glycol or 1,2-octanediol does perform well in a variety of functions related to cosmetics. However, research this ingredient and blends containing this ingredient thoroughly to ensure its appropriateness for your personal concerns and needs.

Visit the Learning Center at www.salonnaturalsonline.com for more ingredient information.

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by Salon Naturals on March 8, 2012  •  Permalink
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Benzene Exposure and Important Facts

What is Benzene?
Benzene is a volatile, organic chemical that is a clear, colorless, aromatic liquid. It is highly flammable and formed through natural processes, including volcanoes and forest fires. It can also be formed through industrial processes and is present in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. Benzene is a carcinogen and has caused cancer in workers exposed to high levels of Benzene in workplace air. The EPA’s established maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Benzene in drinking water is 5 parts per billion.

Common Daily Benzene Exposures:
The primary daily sources of Benzene and estimated daily exposure levels in micrograms follow:

  • Air Pollution: 220 mcg
  • Fueling Automobile Tank: 10 mcg per minute
  • Driving: 40 mcg
  • Other automobile related activities: 40 mcg
  • Drinking Water: Up to 3.1 mcg

To add context to these numbers, the average individual would need to drink approximately 12 gallons of water containing the maximum contaminant level of Benzene as established by the EPA to equal the amount of Benzene breathed from the air each day.

Taking into consideration all identified exposure sources of Benzene, it is likely that at least 95% of daily exposure to Benzene comes from inhalation.

The Cosmetic Connection:
Benzene may also be formed when benzoic acid is combined with ascorbic acid. This occurs as the result of a chemical reaction that causes benzoic acid to release carbon dioxide when in the presence of ascorbic acid.

However, the joint presence of benzoic acid and ascorbic acid does not create – on its own – sufficient conditions to form Benzene.

Other factors influencing the formation of benzene include:

  • Concentrations of benzoic acid & vitamin C;
  • The existence of certain minerals, including copper and/or iron sulphate;
  • The pH levels of the products containing these additives;
  • Exposure to UV light,
  • Presence of sugars;
  • Presence of chelating compounds.

Addressing each of these individually:

Concentration:
The recommended concentration of one of the most common benzoic acid based preservative systems is between 0.75% and 3%, depending on the formulation. The presence of sodium benzoate represents slightly less than half of that percentage.

Essential oil usage in cosmetics is typically less than 1.0%. However, the concentration of essential oils is not relevant when considering the amount of ascorbic acid or vitamin C they contribute to cosmetic formulas. All vitamins – including vitamin C – are either fat soluble or water soluble. Since essential oils contain neither fat nor water, essential oils cannot “hold” vitamins. As such, the presence of citrus essential oils in cosmetics does not increase the likelihood of the formation of benzene.

Copper, Iron Sulphate, Other Minerals:
The presence of these metals in water ingredients used for manufacturing is the most likely source in cosmetics. Cosmetics that uphold the standard of relying only on purified water are unlikely to test positive for these metals. The absence of these minerals significantly impedes the conditions necessary for Benzene formation.

pH Levels:
Benzene formation has been found to occur primarily in extremely acidic conditions. A pH of 2 or less is considered the pH level optimally needed for the combination of benzoic acid & vitamin C to result in the formation of benzene. Benzene production drops sharply at pH levels of between 3 and 5 and laboratory tests indicate that benzene does not form at pH 7.

Exposure to UV Light:
All products tested that demonstrated a propensity to form Benzene through the combination of benzoic acid & vitamin C were heavily exposed to UV light for long periods of time. In contrast, such exposures would be extremely atypical in standard production processes for cosmetics.

Presence of Sugars:
Sodium Benzoate makes up slightly less than 50% of the preservative system most commonly linked to concerns regarding Benzene formation. The other ingredient present in this preservative is Gluconolactone. This naturally occurring compound is a cyclic ester of D-gluconic acid which forms from the oxidation of glucose. The joint inclusion of this sugar derivative along with sodium benzoate further inhibits the formation of benzene.

Chelating Compounds
In addition to the inhibitory characteristics of the sugar components present in  gluconolactone, this compound is also capable of chelating metals. Laboratory testing indicates that the presence of chelating agents drastically reduces the likelihood that benzene will form – even in an environment where benzoic acid and ascorbic acid are present.

Summary:
Although there is significant research and resulting scientific opinions available concerning the formation of benzene when benzoic acid and vitamin C are combined, in actuality, this is a difficult thing to achieve in an environment typical of cosmetic production. The absence of even one of the conditions outlined above diminishes the possibility of the formation of benzene significantly. The absence of two or more conditions results in a scenario approaching impossibility.

It is also important to note that benzoic acid and vitamin C are present together in a large number of fruits – cranberries are an example of this. There is no evidence that the joint presence of these two additives results in the presence of benzene in these foods.

Finally, it is worth stating that there have been no studies conducted on the likelihood that benzoic acid and vitamin C may or may not form benzene in any formulations other than ingestible beverages. 100% of the research studies given serious consideration by the scientific community focused solely on the soft drink and non-alcoholic beverage industries.

Benzene is an environmental pollutant and is most frequently ingested via the respiratory system. The primary source of benzene exposure is through petrol that is emitted into the air from exhaust gases. In no way should the toxicity of benzene be questioned nor should the importance of minimizing exposure to benzene be minimized. However, it is important that concerns regarding the formation of benzene in cosmetics be weighed in proper context and in consideration of relevant information.

Visit the Learning Center at www.salonnaturalsonline.com for more ingredient information.

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by Salon Naturals on March 7, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on March 7, 2012

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Is BTMS a Sulfate?

BTMS is a conditioning emulsifier derived from the natural plant oil Colza, or what is commonly known as Rapeseed oil. It can be used in lotions and scrubs but is more commonly found in hair conditioners as it has excellent conditioning and detangling effects, superior wet combing, and is very gentle for leave-on products. It is also used as a hair thickener, but unlike most thickeners, does not cause a build-up on the hair. This is because BTMS actually penetrates the hair shaft, rather than simply coating it. BTMS is also commonly used in skin creams and gives a soft powdery after touch to the skin.

The official INCI name for BTMS is (Behentrimonium Methosulfate (&) Cetearyl Alcohol). Behentrimonium Methosulfate is often mistakenly categorized as a sulfate along with harsher ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and others. However, this ingredient shares none of the undesirable characteristics of these types of potentially harmful ingredients. Behentrimonium Methosulfate is extremely mild, being recommended for use in baby products – even those intended to be left on the skin. It should not be confused with behentrimonium chloride, BTMS is NOT a sulfate.

Cetearyl alcohol is the second component of BTMS and should not be confused with those alcohols that can dry and irritate the skin. Cetearyl alcohol is a vegetable derived fatty alcohol with a wax-like consistency and is used to thicken and stabilize formulations. Cetearyl Alcohol imparts a soothing feel to the skin. It can be used in a wide range of product formulations, including creams, lotions, ointments, body butters, and salt scrubs. It is also commonly used in hair conditioners and other hair products.

BTMS is widely accepted as a superior conditioning agent for both the hair and skin and is in fact so mild that it is highly preferred for use in products designed for non-rinse applications such as lotions as well as products designed for the very sensitive skin of babies and children.

Visit the Learning Center at www.salonnaturalsonline.com for more ingredient information.

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by Salon Naturals on March 6, 2012  •  Permalink
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Anti-Aging Benefits of Rooibos Tea

The Rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) is more commonly known as Red Tea and is native to South Africa. Although Rooibos is not actually a tea at all, this powerful antioxidant has been recognized for centuries as an effective anti-inflammatory with remarkable healing properties. In recent years, scientists have begun studying Rooibos more intently
and have identified several characteristics in the plant that make it a highly valued ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics and in products formulated for sensitive skin with special needs.

Red Tea Extract is commonly found in skin care products, shampoos, conditioners, anti-aging treatments, moisturizers and more. Rooibos tea is an excellent, very natural treatment for eczema, acne, diaper rash and similar skin challenges. The two components of the plant most credited with its impressive ability to heal and protect the skin are flavonoids and enzymes.

Red Tea Extract is commonly found in skin care products, shampoos, conditioners, anti-aging treatments, moisturizers and more. Rooibos tea is an excellent, very natural treatment for eczema, acne, diaper rash and similar skin challenges. The two components of the plant most credited with its impressive ability to heal and protect the skin are flavonoids and enzymes.

Flavonoids are powerful anti-oxidants that play a critical role in protecting the body from disease and early aging by neutralizing free radicals. Nine flavonoids are present in the plant, including two (nothofagin & aspalathin) that are almost exclusively found in Rooibos. Enzymes, including SOD (super-oxide dismutase) are also present in the Rooibos plant. SOD protects cell structures from damage caused by oxidative stress (ROS), serves as a powerful anti-inflammatory, and is currently being studied to determine the extent to which it may actually reverse damage already caused by free radicals.

The high concentration of critical nutrients and antioxidants in both Rooibos tea and Rooibos tea extract are ideal for cosmetics designed to nourish, protect and restore the hair and skin. However, cosmetics containing only small concentrations of the extract may disappoint in terms of effectiveness. To ensure optimal results, select products that list Red Tea Extract in at least the upper third of the ingredient panel and opt for certified organic Rooibos whenever possible. Rooibos tea is also an enjoyable caffeine-free beverage that fortifies the body’s defenses and promotes faster, more complete healing. Enjoy it either hot or cold and treat yourself to a dose of powerful nutrients that represent some of nature’s best work!

Visit the Learning Center at www.salonnaturalsonline.com for more ingredient information.

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by Salon Naturals on March 5, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on March 5, 2012

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Children’s Allergies on the Rise

Until “phthalate” is a household word, conscientious parents must actively pursue any and all objective information about cosmetics and care products before using them on their children. Potent chemicals and environmental toxins in baby oil, shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, and more increase allergies in children while unsuspecting parents perpetuate the parasitic relationship between cosmetic companies and their little ones.

Diethanolamine is a chemical found in soap, detergent, and other various hair products designed for children. This ingredient reaps its unsightly effects on the skin almost instantly. Dermatitis, eczema, and general allergic irritation of the skin are among these effects.

In addition to allergies, the consumption of fluoride in toothpaste is followed by a slew of frightening manifestations: allergic reddening in or near the mouth, arthritis, and cancer. If the allergic reaction is severe enough, children may even enter anaphylactic shock and asphyxiate to death as their trachea swells shut.

As it concerns respiratory issues, harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde cause asthma and bronchial irritation, characterized by wheezing and retching. Fit to preserve a dead body, not a live one, formaldehyde is found in various cosmetics and skin care products.

To cover their tracks, cosmetic companies have coined a number of umbrella terms for use on their labels under which volatile chemicals and allergens hide. “Fragrance” is one such word, offering a consequence-free domain for neurotoxins and potent allergens. Fragrance products can sensitize children to an ingredient, initiating an allergic relationship that often results in lifelong asthma.

Everyone has their role to play in preventing this inadvertent poisoning. While legislators, environmental groups and activists will righteously attack the cosmetic companies themselves, the problem cannot affect children whose parents know better.

Learn more about the ingredients in your personal care products and common household products.

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by Salon Naturals on June 15, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on June 15, 2011

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Toxic Cosmetics

A recently conducted Toronto study has unveiled the unsightly underbelly of today’s cosmetic products: toxic content. Mostly containing heavy metals like lead, mercury, and even arsenic, everyday items such as foundation, shampoo and lipstick were exposed as chemical concoctions rather than innocent enhancers. Women and men who wish to deter both a plain appearance and negative side effects must first learn a few things about which products to use and which products to avoid.

Canadian environmental group Environmental Defence disclosed the following information as it pertained to the composition and distribution of toxins in concealer, powder, mascara, shampoo and lipstick: 96 percent of the products analyzed in the study contained lead, 90 percent contained beryllium, 61 percent had thallium, 51 percent contained cadmium, and 20 percent contained arsenic. There was no warning or even mentioning of the presence of these illegal chemicals on any of the labels.Many people, especially those who work in cosmetics, may trivialize the argument against dangerous chemicals in cosmetic products because people supposedly aren’t poisoned to a life-threatening level. Cancer and respiratory failure, however, are both serious problems caused by these toxins that kill thousands of people every year.

The Food and Drug Administration is a major player in creating the false sense of security that most people fall victim to when buying products. This is because they do not regularly enforce regulations in the cosmetic industry. Essentially, there is a figurehead meant to keep everyone complacent in the absence of any real safeguards. So what can the average consumer to do avoid this literally toxic mess? Purchasing truly all-natural or homeopathic cosmetics, reading labels, and thinking critically will get the job done.

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by Salon Naturals on June 9, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on June 9, 2011

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Is 1,4 Dioxane Avoidable?

Avoid the Carcinogen 1,4 Dioxane

A startling percentage of personal care products currently on the market are contaminated by a highly toxic chemical. The FDA is not doing its part in preventing 1,4 Dioxane contamination in many of the products consumers are using every day.  How can you know if this ingredient is in your household and personal care products?

Recent studies have shown the presence of the carcinogen 1 ,4 Dioxane in 22% of cosmetic products currently listed in the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.  It is present in  97% of hair relaxers tested and an unsettling 57% of baby soaps.  Further concern is prompted considering these products are not required to list this toxic substance as an ingredient.  As such, it is almost impossible for consumers to know with certainty whether or not they are being exposed to 1,4 Dioxane through the cosmetics and household cleaners they use.

Although companies are required by FDA regulations to list ingredients in descending order on the back label, this law applies only to “intentional” ingredients.  1,4 Dioxane is an “unintentional” contaminant and is therefore exempt from inclusion on the ingredient list.  The fact that it is unintentional should not be interpreted as unavoidable or unknown.  Manufacturers have access to all the tools necessary to not only detect the presence of 1,4 Dioxane in their products, but also to remove it.  Unfortunately, the lack of regulation and therefore meaningful incentive to take these relatively simple steps has resulted in the vast majority of manufacturers simply ignoring the problem.

1, 4 Dioxane is a petroleum derivative.  It is a colorless, transparent, and unstable liquid that dissolves easily in water. This product is mainly used as a solvent in textiles, electronics, varnishes, dyes, resins, lacquers, automotive coolant, waxes, and paints. Sadly, it’s also present in small quantities in many mainstream cosmetic and household products.

1,4 Dioxane has the ability to affect consumer health in several ways. It it known to encourage the formation of tumors with the nasal cavity and liver exhibiting the greatest vulnerability. It is also linked to birth defects, skin and lung irritation, kidney disease and diminished nervous system function.

It is highly unlikely that consumers will develop cancer or other severe health problems as a result of 1,4 Dioxane contamination in a single product. However, because consumers use multiple products each day that may or may not contain this carcinogen, it is almost impossible to calculate the actual level of exposure. 

Until the FDA requires companies to either disclose the presence of 1,4 Dioxane in their formulations or remove it completely, the responsibility of avoiding it falls entirely on the consumer.  Although there is no fully reliable method currently available to consumers, there are certain ingredients more likely than others to indicate 1,4 Dioxane contamination.  Examine the ingredient labels on your shampoos, cosmetics and other personal products.  Avoid petrochemical ingredients, including any with names including PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, oxynol, ceteareth and ingredient suffixes such as oleth, and eth.  If in doubt, research the ingredient further through the cosmetic database.  In many cases, the information provided will indicate the likelihood that the ingredient is linked to 1,4 Dioxane contamination.

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by Salon Naturals on September 10, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on September 10, 2010

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Fragrance, Phthalates and the Price We Pay

Toxic Phthalates in Perfume

In this age of extensive beauty rituals, expensive skin care creams and custom fragrance websites, many people purchase these products without giving much thought to the potentially unsafe substances they are putting on their bodies each day. Your skin is your largest organ, and it is very sensitive to the substances with which it comes in contact. Topical exposure to toxins is often more dangerous than other types of exposure, such as ingestion, due to higher concentration of toxins that will reach the blood stream when absorbed through the skin. Additionally, many personal care products contain penetration enhancers that promote absorption, which expedites the delivery of toxins to the bloodstream. Understanding how your skin functions as a mostly unfiltered delivery system to your bloodstream is crucial to making informed decisions that affect your overall health and wellness.

This is sometimes difficult to do with the significant shortage of laws regulating the disclosure of chemical ingredients in both perfume and cosmetics. Through various animal studies done on these types of products, it has been discovered that the unreported ingredients often have high levels of toxicity and can cause skin and breathing irritations, as well as allergic reactions. Unfortunately for us, but lucky for the beauty industry, many of the chemicals in these mixtures are protected from exposure under the guise of being a trade secret. Companies have the safety of secrecy, while public safety is largely disregarded.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has attempted to get the word out to the public by stating that around 3,000 ingredients, which are mostly synthetic, are used by fragrance producers. Around 900 of these ingredients are considered toxic chemicals. This is a very unsettling fact. These ingredients are not just dangerous or harmful; they are toxic. Toxicity in chemical products is a leading cause of a variety of medical problems, including respiratory problems, skin diseases and several different types of cancer.

Phthalates, an industrial chemical shown to be harmful to animals and humans, are present in many kinds of perfume, cosmetics and other items that we come in contact with every day. While some countries have taken steps to limit the use of phthalates, none have eliminated the use of these dangerous chemicals, and they are still commonly used in dangerously high amounts. The presence of phthalates in fragrance-containing products can cause serious health issues for people in all stages of life, and can be particularly harmful for newborns. Their use also results in an increased risk for a variety of diseases and conditions, including ADHD, breast cancer and inflammatory diseases.

These concerns are well documented; however, governmental agencies responsible for the regulation of the cosmetics and fragrance industry have done little to address these serious issues. Unfortunately, it still seems that protecting trade secrets and increasing profits is more of a priority than ensuring the safety of the products we use. Fortunately, there is a plethora of good information available that allows consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing personal care products.

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by Salon Naturals on September 4, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by Salon Naturals on September 4, 2010

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