Wonderful waterless hydration!
Take a quick glance at the ingredient list on your skincare products - chances are, you’ll see ‘aqua’ listed right near the top. That’s just a fancy way of saying water. And since ingredients are listed in order of quantity, that means many products are mostly water.
Skincare is used to add something beneficial to your skin and you hope to see results but once water is added to a product, it has to include preservatives, stabilisers and emulsifiers to stop it from deteriorating and spoiling. There are some good ‘natural’ preservatives but unfortunately, the majority of skincare products contain synthetic chemicals that aren’t skin friendly.
These chemicals are….
Emulsifiers
Otherwise known as surfactants, emulsifiers are there for the sole purpose of enabling water and oil to mix, think laundry liquid and washing up liquid, they contain surfactants to enable grease to mix with water and wash away grime. When you apply your skincare containing surfactants (which is any that contain water/aqua) the same happens to your skin, which results in the washing away of your skin’s natural barrier. The products you use to hydrate your skin can actually have a dehydrating effect.
Preservatives
Preservatives are added to skincare to prevent bacteria from growing. Any formulation containing water will contain anti microbes.
Many commonly used preservatives have been shown to irritate skin. Our bodies - inside and out - are home to beneficial bacteria that play a vital role in our health. Bacteria killing preservatives can disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome, throwing off it’s balance and often leading to dryness and irritation.
All our products are an honest concentration of plant oils and butters that blend beautifully without the need for chemicals. They support the skin’s natural flora and fauna and lock in moisture whilst allowing skin to breathe.
Thickening agents and fillers
These ingredients are often added simply because water is too watery! Thickeners and fillers are used to give products a richer texture and more body, but they don’t offer any benefits to the skin. In fact, some can clog pores and create a barrier that blocks the skin from breathing properly.
