Forest Secrets Skin News

Happy doubting Thomas

For all the doubting Thomases that were wondering if the Japanese honeysuckle contains parabens, they can be reassured, no traces at all. Just had the lab results and it is totally free of all parabens (methyl, butyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl). Plus of course the parahydroxy benzoic acid (see my previous post). We are very lucky to have the level of technology that allows us to see and measure these chemical compounds and to clear misbeliefs and false bad reputations with no shadow of a doubt..

Parabens in the Japanese Honeysuckle extract? Have a laugh, :)

I need to make a statement to clear some misconceptions about an ingredient which I regularly use in my products and in my development work.

The Japanese honeysuckle extract (INCI Lonicera Japonica), which is totally natural, does not contain any of the parabens used commonly in cosmetics (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) or Parahydroxy benzoic acid, a precursor of paraben.

The rumors about the Japanese honeysuckle extract are based on an article by Tony Dweck on Personal Care Magazine, entitled "An update on natural preservatives". In this article it is stated that the Japanese honeysuckle extract contains parahydroxy benzoic acid, nick named a natural paraben (as a chemist I do not agree with that because it is an acid and not an ester like the parabens...). This information was based on the MSDS of an old grade of this ingredient which was discontinued several years ago (it took me some time to find this out as the article does not mention the source of the information).

In my development work I use a different grade of the Japanese honeysuckle extract and to clear any doubts or concerns about this claim for good I invested in an independent testing. So I sent a sample of the Japanese honeysuckle all the way to my home land, Italy and had it tested on the parahydroxy benzoic acid via HPLC using a standard method used in the cosmetic industry. The results? below detection limits (ie less than 10 mg/kg)!

And I am waiting for the results on the standard parabens...

I hope you appreciate my commitment and passion for naturals and that the next time you hear about parabens in the Japanese honeysuckle extract you have a laugh, :)

The beauty shortlist

We welcome The beauty shortlist on the beauty blog scene, just started! To have a look or to become a follower visit this link

Exclusive interview with Green My Style

If you like to know more about how the Forest Secret brand was born and what I do read my interview on

 

Parabens: new evidence you can see

I would like to share with you the results of an in vitro test performed recently by Dr Philippa Darbre at Reading University. The test is very simple: breast cancer cells incubated for 4 days with and without 0.00019% isobutylparaben. See below the breast cancer cells before the incubation (1) and after the incubation without (2) and with isobutylparaben (3)

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I am aware that this is an vitro test, so all the complexity of the human body is taken out of the equation, however I believe they are still valid in showing there is reason to be concerned about this compound. You can clearly see that after 4 days the breast cancer cells do grow more than the ones without. I believe that the major cancer trigger is emotional stress, however environmental factors like this can promote the cancer cells growth making it bigger.

If you add the fact that parabens do get absorbed through the skin and that they are found in urine, we need to think about their journey through the body as well as their interaction on their journey with other parts of the body. Once they are in the blood stream they are in...

Parabens are not only used in cosmetics but also in many drugs such as cough mixtures (usually they are not declared on the label), however when they get ingested they get exposed to the stomach juices and get transformed into something considered to be safe. This indicates that the parabens found in urine do come form the skin absorption rather than ingestion.

What to do as a consumer? Well my suggestion is to read the ingredients list before you buy your cosmetics in order to avoid them.

At a regulatory level isopropylparaben and butylparaben are under review and the European scientific committee has asked for more data to fill the data gaps. The industry might reply that there is no money to invest in the new research, so what might happen is the ban of these substances based on the lack of the evidence requested.

I shall keep you posted..

References:

"In vitro skin permeation and retention of parabens in cosmetic skin formulations", Pedersen, Marra, Nicoli and Santi, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2007, 29, 361-367; "Assessment of principal parabens used in cosmetics after their passage through human epidermis-dermis layers (ex-vivo study", El Hussein S, Muret P, Berard M, Makki S, Humbert P, Exp Dermatol. 2007 Oct;16(10):830-6;
“Parabens as urinary biomarkers of exposure in humans”, Xiaoyun Ye, Amber Bishop..., Environ. Health Perspect, 114, 1843-1846

Natural beauty Yearbook 2010 now available

Would like to let you know the 2010 edition of the Natural Beauty Year Book, the must have guide in the natural beauty trade industry in the UK is now available. This comprehensive guide contains key people profiles as well as market trends, a guide to natural/organic certifications and brand profiles. Clever!

See below the front cover and the editorial on Forest Secrets in the Premium Beauty Section

 

Natural Beauty Yearbook editor is Julia Brandon at Diversifed, the organizer of the Natural and Organic Products Europe Show (mainly for trade), on in April at Olympia, London

VV Brown at Mobo awards and Forest Secrets

 

Sweet and super talented VV Brown visited the Forest Secrets stand at the Mobo awards in Glasgow last month. With the most soft voice (nothing like when she sings) VV asked me if it was suitable for sensitive skin and I replied that several women have commented how good these products are for sensitive skin. For example one of the tester from the Green Beauty Bible said:

"My overall feedback is that this is a fabulous product for people with sensitive skin - it is calming and soothing, and considerably reduces redness and blotchiness.  My skin was soft, and my neck and jawline

felt firmer."

To listen to her amazing voice have a listen to Shark in the water here

Nuz Shugaa talks to Peter Andre about natural beauty products

Last October I was so fortunate to be able to go to the Mobo awards in Glasgow. Celebrities facialist Nuz Shugaa was there too and she managed to get hold of Peter Andre' despite everybody was after him. Nuz spoke to Peter about the benefits of natural beauty products, including Forest Secrets. Here is a picture of them together in front of the magnificent MOBO cake. Being a celebrity facialist is hard work but it also has its benefits...

 

The guy on the right is Peter's body guard, a cage fighter he got after his ex's threats!

Sisterhood TV features iRejuvenate Step 1

Neandra got in touch with me to know my views about how aging happens and the way to contain it, so I explain to her that stress is one of the major culprits. Research shows how women divorcing or under exams are more prone to acne and how stress can damage collagen as well... So an essential skin solution is to use a beauty product that balances the collagen loss (such as iRejuvenate Step 1) and also to look after our emotional well being..