About Sulphates and Parabens
All Ustraa products are natural and 100% Sulphates & Parabens free. Here we tell you about these chemicals that are widely present in almost all personal care products that you may be using currently.
What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly known as SLS) is a widely used and inexpensive chemical found in many mainstream personal care products such as facewash, bodywash, shaving cream, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, and detergents. SLS is a detergent and surfactant that in turn creates lather. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is so inexpensive that it’s found in a number of industrial cleansing agents. This Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is exactly the same as what you would find in a car wash or even in a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines.
Why is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate harmful?
It is widely known that even relatively low concentrations, less than one-half percent, might result in skin irritation. Higher concentrations of SLS were responsible for severe irritation and even corrosion of the skin. The International Journal of Toxicology also provides a safety assessment of SLS and recommends concentration levels of no more than 1% in products with prolonged use. This is disturbing when you consider a number of personal care products that you currently use have levels of SLS as high as between 10-20% and in extreme cases over 30%.
In short SLS can cause irritation of the scalp, gums and skin at just 1% and in some people the reaction will be quite strong.
What we use instead in our Ustraa products?
Decycl Glucoside and Coco glucoside. They are 100% natural and chemical free.
Benefits for Decyl Glucoside and Coco Glucoside
- (a) Decyl Glucoside is a mild & gentle surfactant. Many natural personal care companies use this cleanser because it is plant-derived, biodegradable, and gentle for all hair & skin types. When you apply the product to your scalp, face or body, decyl glucoside makes it possible for water to remove the dirt. Decyl Glucoside is used in all personal care products developed for babies and individuals with a sensitive skin.
- (b) Coco Glucoside is an non-ionic surfactant that is used as a foaming, cleansing, conditioning, and thickening agent in personal care products. It is derived from renewable raw materials such as coconut oil, corn and fruit sugars, and is completely biodegradable. Coco Glucoside mildly cleanses the skin & hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed off. Again this ingredient is compatible with all skin types and gentle enough to be used in baby products as well.
Read More:
- 1. Skin Store
- 2. Ingredients to Die For
- 3. Truth in Aging
- 4. SLS Free
What are Parabens?
Parabens are chemicals which have preservative qualities. They are frequently used in personal care and health care products. Presence of parabens in personal care products increases product shelf life.
Why are Parabens harmful?
The links between Parabens (which include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben, among others) and cancer (specifically breast cancer) is of particular concern to many people. Since Parabens are commonly present in many items that are specifically marketed to females (such as makeup items, cleansers, and shampoos), many females are appalled to learn that they have been putting Parabens on (and in) their bodies for years. Even men may be harmed by Parabens, which are often absorbed into the body through the epidermis; some medical researchers believe that Parabens interfere with healthy endocrine system functioning. Everyone who uses Paraben-laced ingredients and products should be aware of the potential downside of using these chemicals in personal and health care products.
What we use instead in our Ustraa products?
Phenoxyethanol and Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
Benefits of Phenoxyethanol and Triethylene Glycol(TEG)
- (a) Phenoxyethanol has become a widely used ingredient because of its positive reputation as a relatively gentle preservative that is considered non-irritating; it is also one of the few preservatives that does not release harmful formaldehyde. This ingredient is most often used as a preservative because of its ability to kill bacteria and stabilize formulas, extending their shelf life and making them safer for use.
- (b) Triethylene Glycol (TEG) is a great solvent used in personal care products due to its natural properties. It has an excellent resistance to acids and oxidizing agents. It is mildew proof and immune to attack of insects, thus giving the products a longer shelf-life.
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