"Chemical" Sounding Ingredients in Natural Skin Care Products
Ingredients found in a lot of natural skin care products can still sound a bit "chemically" to the average person so below is a list and explanation of some of the more common ingredients that can be included in natural skin care products.
Cetearyl Alcohol: This is an emulsifying (a substance that makes oil and water mix) wax from plant oils often used as an emollient and stabilizer which helps thicken products. It is not really an "alcohol", that can dry the skin, but an emulsifying wax, made by combining fatty alcohols from vegetable sources, such as coconut fatty alcohol.
Citric Acid: Citric acid is an organic acid derived from plants.
Cocamido Propyl Betaine: This is derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil and is a very gentle cleansing agent.
Decyl Glucoside: Decyl Glucoside is a natural cleansing agent used instead of sulfates and is derived from sugar, which provides a mild foaming action.
Glycerine (Vegetable): A colourless sweet viscous liquid derived from vegetable fats. A humectant (A substance that helps retain moisture) used in moisturisers due to its water binding capabilities. Good for sensitive skins.
Glyceryl Stearate: This is made from hardened vegetable oil and vegetable glycerine with an addition of vegetable stearic acid, serves as an emulsifier.
Isopropyl Myristate: is a water-white liquid wax that can easily penetrate the skin and it also helps make lotions feel creamier.
PEG-100 Stearate: This is a coconut-derived emulsifier.
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate: This is a surfactant (cleansing agent) and is considered gentle and effective for most skin types.
Sodium Stearate: This is a soap type emulsifier made from Stearic acid.
Stearic Acid (Palm Stearic) A vegetable derivative used to stiffen and stabilize lotions and creams. Occurs naturally in vegetable fats and is a white, waxy, natural fatty acid.
Sucrose: (white sugar) Sugar contains Oleic acid, which gently helps dissolve dead skin cells. A good exfoliant, renews skin cells and helps even out the skin tone.
Triethanolamine: An emulsifier, made from vegetable fat.
As you can see it pays to know what you are reading as you might just be robbing yourself of some beneficial natural products simply because the names of the ingredients 'scared' you off. Now with the right knowledge you can choose freely and understand that not all 'chemically' sounding ingredients are bad for you or your skin.
Cetearyl Alcohol: This is an emulsifying (a substance that makes oil and water mix) wax from plant oils often used as an emollient and stabilizer which helps thicken products. It is not really an "alcohol", that can dry the skin, but an emulsifying wax, made by combining fatty alcohols from vegetable sources, such as coconut fatty alcohol.
Citric Acid: Citric acid is an organic acid derived from plants.
Cocamido Propyl Betaine: This is derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil and is a very gentle cleansing agent.
Decyl Glucoside: Decyl Glucoside is a natural cleansing agent used instead of sulfates and is derived from sugar, which provides a mild foaming action.
Glycerine (Vegetable): A colourless sweet viscous liquid derived from vegetable fats. A humectant (A substance that helps retain moisture) used in moisturisers due to its water binding capabilities. Good for sensitive skins.
Glyceryl Stearate: This is made from hardened vegetable oil and vegetable glycerine with an addition of vegetable stearic acid, serves as an emulsifier.
Isopropyl Myristate: is a water-white liquid wax that can easily penetrate the skin and it also helps make lotions feel creamier.
PEG-100 Stearate: This is a coconut-derived emulsifier.
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate: This is a surfactant (cleansing agent) and is considered gentle and effective for most skin types.
Sodium Stearate: This is a soap type emulsifier made from Stearic acid.
Stearic Acid (Palm Stearic) A vegetable derivative used to stiffen and stabilize lotions and creams. Occurs naturally in vegetable fats and is a white, waxy, natural fatty acid.
Sucrose: (white sugar) Sugar contains Oleic acid, which gently helps dissolve dead skin cells. A good exfoliant, renews skin cells and helps even out the skin tone.
Triethanolamine: An emulsifier, made from vegetable fat.
As you can see it pays to know what you are reading as you might just be robbing yourself of some beneficial natural products simply because the names of the ingredients 'scared' you off. Now with the right knowledge you can choose freely and understand that not all 'chemically' sounding ingredients are bad for you or your skin.
