Botanical Extracts provide an ethical range of skin care sourced from the purest of natural ingredients, leverage their performance with the latest science, and formulated them to deliver their efficacy at the prescribed dosage. They publish their guarantee without deception and ensure ‘NO NASTIES‘ are added along the way, even when so many are commonly used by the industry in general to achieve a commercial outcome.
What is Botanical Extracts Non-Inclusion Policy?
Botanical Extracts Non-Inclusion Policy excludes all of the following ‘Nasties’, going right back to the raw ingredient supplier to ensure that none of the processes, preservative systems of the base ingredients have been contaminated with any of the following:
| | Ø | Parabens– an antiquated system of cheap preservatives that studies have linked with cosmetics to breast cancer tissue |
| | Ø | Sulphates / Sulfanates, etc – may cause skin sensitivity and impair the skin barrier functions |
| | Ø | MITs– thought to be allergenic and cytotoxic, linked to nerve cell death |
| | Ø | Artificial Fragrances – may cause allergies, do cause sensitivity and photosensitivity and are really just a cheap, uneducated alternative to the science of aromatherapy |
| | Ø | Artificial Colours – research suggests that they are comedogenic and sensitising and only add beauty to the appearance of the product |
| | Ø | Lanolin / Derivatives – may contain pesticides, which are irritating to the pilosebaceous unit and are an animal by-product |
| | Ø | SD Alcohol – will cause sensitivity |
| | Ø | Isopropyl Myristate – may cause over stimulation of sebaceous glands |
| | Ø | Formaldehyde– accepted as a human carcinogen and drying to the skin |
| | Ø | Diazolidinyl Urea – a serious formaldehyde donor and animal by-product |
| | Ø | Coal Tars, Mineral oil – occlusive on the skin and studies have shown these to be carcinogenic |
| | Ø | Animal derived / by-products – unacceptable to many religious practices, and science has now shown them not to be as clean, effective or necessary as plant derived ingredients |
| | Ø | Testing on animals – Unacceptable to the conscience of most humans |
Click here for more details on these excluded ingredients
What is the Transitional Phase?
Some users may find that their skin takes a short time to adapt to a range that excludes occlusive and chemical ingredients that are used in many other ranges to purely give a product ‘skin feel’, but have no skin benefit. The transitional phase is a process whereby the skin undergoes changes as it adapts to the products, and specifically to the non-inclusion policy. As the skin no longer has an occlusive film over it, there is no barrier to prevent the products availability to assist the skin’s own function. Clients can expect the transitional phase to last from 4 to 5 weeks and can present in the following:
| | ♦ | Adjustment / Change |
| | ♦ | Breakouts (papules / pustules), often related to old congestion |
| | ♦ | Dryness just after moisturising due to the lack of occlusive ingredients |
| | ♦ | Flaking |
| | ♦ | Sensitivity |
It is important to persist through this phase, as the results will be a more healthy functioning skin that is natural and glowing. It is the ultimate aim of using products that strive to remove the ingestion of ‘Nasties’, to restore the skin’s own healthy function. This is a process that will require a little time to reverse any previous unnatural mega dosing of the skin with unprecedented concentrations of chemicals. The ‘less is more’ philosophy will restore the healthy performance of the skin’s own renewal mechanism, by making real nourishment and protection available while removing unnatural exposure to formulation ‘Nasties’.
The Botanical Extracts philosophy will give you healthier, younger looking skin for much longer, without accelerating the ageing process.
More details on the Nasties…..
Parabens~ one of the most commonly used group of preservatives in cosmetics and skincare. Paraben is the common name for this class of chemical; however they are also known by other names such as esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. They provide bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity against a diverse number of organisms. Research has shown a link between parabens in cosmetics and breast cancer. Parabens have been found in breast tumour tissues, through these studies.
Sulphates~ serves as a base surfactant and foaming agent, commonly used in cleansers, shower gels and shampoo. Research shows sulphates lead to skin sensitisation and impaired barrier function. Our products are sulphate free.
MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) ~ is a powerful biocide and preservative. It is frequently used in personal care products such as shampoos and other hair care products, as well as certain paint formulations. However some studies have shown it to be allergenic and cytotoxic, and this has led to some concern over its use. Reports have shown that MIT had been linked to nerve cell death in scientific studies.
Artificial Fragrances ~ synthetic fragrances are added to cosmetics and skincare for aroma. Fragrances have also been the source of cosmetic allergies. An FDA study determined that more than 1 percent of all cosmetic allegoric contact dermatitis cases were due to fragrances. Observations indicate that in reality, this percentage may be significantly higher: 7 to 18 percent of all individuals may have some form of sensitivity or intolerance to fragrance. Fragrance is also known to photo-sensitise the skin.
Artificial Colours ~ colour can be found listed as FD&C, D&C, and Ext. Colours are known to have a comedogenic effect on the skin as well as potential skin sensitiser.
Lanolin ~ derivative formed by a fat like viscous secretion of the sheep�s sebaceous glands. Used as an emollient with moisturising properties. Potentially sensitising to the skin and potentially irritating to the philosebacous unit, which may lead to formation of comedones/millia. Has a history of pesticide residuals.
SD Alcohol ~ widely used in the cosmetic industry as an antiseptic and a solvent given its strong grease dissolving abilities. SD Alcohol is drying and sensitising to the skin, particularly when used in high concentrations.
Isopropyl Myristate ~ used as an emollient, moisturiser, and skin softener that also assists in product penetration. Has a tendency to be extremely irritating to the skin and has the potential to cause breakout as it creeps into follicles, causing irritation and over stimulation of the sebaceous glands.
Formaldehyde~ preservative used in cosmetics & skincare. Medical journals have documented the negative effects of formaldehyde exposure to include: dizziness, nausea, fatigue, reduced limb strength, headaches, eye, nose, throat irritation, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, excessive phlegm, dermatitis, chest pain, wheezing, diarrhoea, vomiting, etc. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Diazolidinyl Urea ~ a formaldehyde donor, details as above.
Petroleum By-Products/Coal Tars/ Mineral Oil ~ all by-products in the distillation of petroleum, and are used in some industries as metal-cutting fluids and mining filtration fluids for heavy and rare metal separation. Known to have an occlusive effect on the skin, thus not allowing the skin to function optimally, may also have a comedogenic effect.
Animal Derived Products ~ nearly all export markets (unfortunately not Australia) require for importation at least a bovine free certificate after the outbreak of mad cow�s disease. BE future proofed all its formulations against new outbreaks like bird flu and other possible late to detect risk factors from commonly used animal by-products by using only plant derived ingredients.
Testing on Animals ~ this cruel, time-honoured European and American practice is just unnecessary if you don’t use questionable chemical compounds and have a conscience. Botanical Extracts is not tested on animals.
