Why natural cosmetics?

Natural cosmetics have become a necessity for Jörg Schaden. The Viennese, who is about to stomp a company for the production of very natural beauty and care products from the ground, has above all a motivation: the illness of his wife.

If you're concerned, you know how hard it is to check every toothpaste, every cream, every shower gel for ingredients that are constantly changing. "
Ulrike Ischler, founder of "mysalifree.com"

Why natural cosmetics?

After years of riddling, it was only in the US that the Californian professor dr. Stefan Amand the diagnosis fibromyalgia. The symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome are extremely complex. In addition to the main symptoms of total body pain, muscle tension and fatigue, various signs are observed up to 150. "Those who are themselves affected know how difficult it is to check every toothpaste, every cream, every shower gel for ingredients that are constantly changing," says Jörg Schaden, former life science manager and partner of Ulrike Ischler.
A fundamental component of the therapy is the consequent avoidance of any Salicylatquellen, which means for women mostly the conversion of almost their entire cosmetics and also certain restrictions on eating and drinking behavior and in the intake of dietary supplements.
In addition to the physical pain for Ulrike Ischler and shopping in the drugstore market was a challenge. Study ingredients and compare them with a list of whether salicylic acid is hiding behind names such as bioflavonoids, 2-carboxyphenol or phytantriol in cosmetics. Because for salicylic acid exist around 20 synonyms.
"What I did not find, despite intense research, was a skin care line that met my needs and expectations," says Ischler. As a result, the couple decided to develop their own natural cosmetics series.
From this idea arose the natural cosmetics brand "mysalifree", which is produced salicylate, gluten, paraben, paraffin, perfume and dye-free in Austria. The ingredients of the care line include organic rice germ oil, cereal oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and vitamin E. The skin care line will initially be distributed via the online shop.

What is salicylic acid? Salicylic acid and its compounds, salicylates, occur naturally in plants. Plants form salicylates as a defense mechanism. Because of their germicidal and caustic effect, they are used as preservatives in cosmetics and in corneal detaching agents.

Up to 500 chemicals on the body

However, Ulrike Ischler is not alone in her story. Just as food can make you sick, so does the application of cosmetics in our bodies causing fireworks. Cosmetic ingredients easily enter the body through the skin barrier and have a systemic effect. Many people are unaware that they apply conventional cosmetics to 500 chemicals daily on the body and face.
Around 15 to 25 percent of the western population suffer from so-called contact allergies. Those affected are hypersensitive to certain environmental substances. The most common triggers of contact dermatitis are metals such as nickel, perfumes, dyes, certain chemicals such as formaldehyde or drugs. The most common features are redness, swelling, weeping blisters and crusts.
"With natural cosmetics, the skin has the opportunity to remember its original function. It is up to us to stimulate the skin again in order to be active ourselves, "says Christina Wolff-Staudigl of the health food store of the same name and natural perfumery in Vienna. Because with about two square meters, the skin is our largest organ and deserves special attention. "Conscious nutrition and care go together. We take care of everything through the skin. "Wolff-Staudigl attaches great importance to the fact that mainly organic and fairly traded products are sold through the sales counter in their shops. Staudigl has 28 natural cosmetics brands in its product range.
Environmental awareness is on the rise with us, fortunately there are also new trends in the beauty industry. Around 10 percent of the market share is attributable to products without chemicals in Germany, with a strong upward trend. Their claim to a gentler handling of humans and nature finds more and more followers. Ten years ago, no one would have expected the natural cosmetics niche segment to have its current market share and sales.
"We notice an incredible hype around the topic of natural cosmetics," says Klemens Stiefsohn, who is responsible for marketing and sales at the Austrian natural cosmetics manufacturer Styx. The company eliminates paraffin oils, dead animal ingredients and animal testing in its 450 product lineup. Instead, cold-pressed vegetable oils, essential oils from global partners, and herbs from organic farmers are used. Products such as potatoes, goat butter or mare's milk are even sourced from within 25 kilometers. "Wherever possible, we source the active ingredients from the region."

Attention parabens

Because there is always the discussion: Traditional cosmetics should make you sick. It consists predominantly of so-called synthetic ingredients. These include parabens, silicones, paraffins, petroleum products and synthetic fragrances.
The environmental protection organization Global 2000 tested 400 products available on the Austrian market last December. With one result that makes you think: every fifth toothpaste, every second body lotion and every second aftershave are loaded with hormonally active chemicals. The most commonly detected hormonally active substances were chemicals from the group of parabens, which are used as preservatives, and the UV filter Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamete been. Parabens are the most common preservatives in conventional cosmetics. To protect a product from premature spoilage, it must be conserved. If a chemical club is used as a manufacturer, it is no problem at all to safely preserve a product. Preservatives are intended to kill microorganisms. If they do that, they fulfill their purpose. But any agent that kills microorganisms can also be damaging to the skin or even harmful to health.

Naturkosmetik is naturally durable

Even natural cosmetics products have to be preserved. How much preservatives are needed depends on the product and its packaging. Products in tubes use less than cosmetics in pans. As a general rule, the only natural preservatives that may be used in natural cosmetics are alcohols, essential oils, propolis and vitamin E, as well as natural preservatives in the case of the BDIH seal. These nature-identical preservatives are also used in foods.
There is also an old house recipe against the invasion of microbes. Sugar and salt. This is called osmosis. The unbound sugar removes the water from microorganisms and they are destroyed. The cosmetics are durable. For example, the Lower Austrian natural cosmetics manufacturer Styx conserves with sugar and salt substances. The products are therefore stable for six to twelve months after opening.
The environmental protection organization Global 2000 also randomly examined natural cosmetics articles in their study. They were free of hormonal pollutants. The claim to use exclusively in nature, especially benefits allergic people, because they usually react with skin irritation to the chemical and synthetic ingredients of conventional cosmetics.

The quality seal

No wonder then that the major industrial companies such as L'Oréal follow the trend and come up with the independent quality labels for individual brands. Garnier's "Bio Aktiv" series and Sanoflore, for example, bear the EcoCert seal.
Anyone who wants to play it safe must be guided by the seals anyway. The most famous labels are currently BDIH / COSMOS, NaTrue, EcoCert and ICADA, They guarantee that nature is inside, when nature is on it.
The BDIH label, for example, provides a long list of substances that may be included in organic quality. If the product carries the word Bio in its name, 95 percent of its ingredients should come from certified organic farming.
Also with the label NaTrue there are specifications for the natural substances used. If a manufacturer wants to have a product certified not just as "natural cosmetics" but as "natural cosmetics with organic ingredients", at least 70 percent of the ingredients must come from certified organic farming. For the term "organic cosmetics" it is 95 percent. When comparing natural cosmetics and conventional cosmetics, it is important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the individual products and to combine them with their personal needs.
Natural cosmetics shampoos do not foam as intensively as conventional products in this area, but they are in no way inferior in terms of cleansing power. Especially sensitive and dry skin benefits from the absence of surfactants.
Hair and scalp undergo a structural change and behave differently than usual. If the chemical residues are eliminated, you will be rewarded by the newly gained bounce.
Deodorants can not achieve the full effectiveness, such as antiperspirant deodorants, since bioactive substances can not reduce sweat production. The dubious aluminum salts found in most antiperspirants are missing in natural care products. The sweat production is not suppressed, but the natural scents can be on the body odor. Lime and lemon balm bring a fresh feeling. And there is one more thing to keep in mind: Those who switch from traditional to natural cosmetics should not mix old with new. Only use up the old cosmetics and then start with the new, natural products.

More information about the legal definition of natural cosmetics here.

Photo / Video: NOW.