Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are sulfates and are they something I should be avoiding?

2) How do I find out what [A’kin] and Al’chemy products would suit my skin and hair type?

3) Is it safe to use your products with essential oils during pregnancy?

4) I have eczema. Which products can you recommend I use?

5) Why is propylene glycol used in cosmetics and is it safe?

6) What are parabens?

7) Do any of your products contain nuts?

8) Can coeliacs use Al’chemy shampoos & conditioners?

9) What products contain hydrolysed wheat protein?

10) Do your products have an expiry date?

11) Do you use palm oil in any of your products?

1) What are sulfates and are they something I should be avoiding?

Almost all of us have heard about “sulfates” but we are not sure what they really are, why they are used and whether we should be using products containing sulfates. Let’s try and unravel the mystery…

“Sulfates” is the common use term for a group of cleaning ingredients more correctly known as “alkyl sulfates”. Sulfates are the most common cleaning ingredients used in commercial cleaning products, such as laundry and dishwashing detergents and engine degreasers. They are used because they are the lowest cost most powerful cleaning ingredients available.

However sulfates are also the most common cleansing ingredients used in skin and hair care products! No wonder so many people suffer from an itchy scalp and dry skin and hair.

There are a number of different subtypes of sulfates. Let’s have a look at the main ones….

Sodium lauryl sulfate (often called SLS) - common “standard” used in irritancy testing, against which the irritancy of other substances is compared(1). Researchers have found that the skin is the most vulnerable to SLS as skin tissue readily absorbs it and that it can also produce a dry itchy scalp and dandruff(2). Other research has shown a corrosion of the hair follicle leading to hair loss(3). Pretreatment with SLS has also been shown to cause increased susceptibility to other irritants(4,5).

Sodium laureth sulfate (often called SLES) – this is the most commonly used “sulfate” in beauty products.

Ammonium lauryl sulfate - A relative of SLS, ammonium lauryl sulfate is used in some so called “SLS-free” shampoos - however it is also a strong irritant like SLS(6).

People can make their own choice from the evidence available on whether they want to avoid products containing sulfates. However, those with sensitive skin and/or itchy scalp may benefit from using products which are “sulfate-free”.

After considerable research, The Purist Company has chosen to use the following ingredients in place of suflates:

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate - from palm, a mild amino acid (sarcosine) derivative cleanser.
Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate – from palm, a mild cleanser recommended for those who have problems with soap.
Sucrose cocoate – 100% botanical source anti irritant sugar ester cleanser.
Lauryl polyglucose – 100% natural source and milder to skin and eyes than the more commonly used decyl polyglucose.
Disodium cocoamphoacetate – Mildness "standard" amphoteric cleanser from coconut.
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine – Mild amino acid derivative cleanser delivers superior and milder performance compared to the common and cheaper alternative cocamidopropyl betaine.

References

1. Brasch et al, Reproducibility of irritant patch test reactions to sodium lauryl sulfate in a double blind placebo-controlled randomised study using clinical scoring”, Contact Dermatitis, 41(3): 150-5, Sept 1999

2. Peter Dingle and Toni Brown, “Dangerous Beauty”

3. Journal of the American Journal of Toxicology, Vol 2, No 7, pp127-181, 1983

4. Choi et al, Chronic irritant contact dermatitis: recovery time in man”, Contact Dermatitis, 42(5):264-9, May 2000

5. Brasch et al, Reproducibility of irritant patch test reactions to sodium lauryl sulfate in a double blind placebo-controlled randomised study using clinical scoring”, Contact Dermatitis, 41(3): 150-5, Sept 1999

6. Formulating For Effect, Huntsman Surfactant Sciences, March 2003

2) How do I find out what [A’kin] and Al’chemy products would suit my skin and hair type?

The first step is to identify your skin and hair type. Once you know this please refer to the product pages on this site, or visit your nearest natural skincare & hair care stockist.

3) Is it safe to use your products with essential oils during pregnancy?

The concentrations of oils in The Purist Company products are safe for use during pregnancy. However to ensure your comfort and peace of mind, we recommend you check with your general medical practitioner.

4) I have eczema. Which products should I use?

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory condition of the upper layers of the skin. The most common things that will trigger eczema are allergies, both food and environmental, as well as emotional and physical stress and climatic changes. The three main common features of eczema that distinguish it from other ailments are dry skin, sore rash and itchiness.

For eczema sufferers, The Purist Company recommends products with least irritancy. Whilst we recommend these products, please remember that each person is unique. We advise for very sensitive skins that you use our testers provided in store to patch test your skin.

Try any of the following:

5) Why is propylene glycol used in cosmetics and is it safe?

Propylene glycol is an ingredient used in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It is also used as a powerful solvent to prevent creams from drying out. Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative and has been shown to cause allergies.

Propylene glycol is not used in any products created by The Purist Company.

6) What are parabens?

Parabens are the most commonly used preservative in cosmetic, personal care and toiletry products. Research has shown that parabens mimic the function of the naturally ocurring hormone, estrogen. Parabens are only estrogenic when applied externally, therefore could be of great concern from cosmetics when applied to the skin. On behalf of consumer safety, The Purist Company have taken the additional precaution of avoiding using ingredients which have been preserved with parabens.

7) Do any of your products contain nuts?

The following products contain small amounts of nut oils.

Al’chemy Jojoba, Light Conditioner
Al’chemy Avocado & Calendula Re-Moisturising Conditioner
Al’chemy Macadamia & Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner
Al’chemy Unscented, Wheat Free, Very Gentle Conditioner
[A’kin] Rose & Geranium, Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in One
[A’kin] Rose de Mai, Anti-oxidant Day Crème
[A’kin] Lavender & Rose, Repairing Anti-oxidant Night Crème
[A'kin] Unscented, 24 Hour Pure Moisture
[A’kin] Lavender & Geranium, Body Moist
[A’kin] Unscented, Replenishing Body Moist
[A’kin] Lavender, Geranium & Jojoba Hand Nail & Cuticle Crème
[A’kin] Unscented, Intensive Hand Nail & Cuticle Treatment
[A'kin] Sweet Blossom & Jojoba, Pure Essential Lip Balm
[A'kin] Macadamia & Rosehip, Pure Unscented Lip Balm
[A'kin] Pure Alchemy Cellular Radiance Serum
[A'kin] pureBaby Nurturing Moisturiser
[A'kin] pureBaby Protective Bottom Balm
[A'kin] pureBaby Comforting Massage Oil

8) Can Coeliacs use Al’chemy shampoos & conditioners?

Coeliac Disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a genetically based permanent intolerance to dietary gluten. The Coeliac Society of NSW have confirmed the external application of gluten (such as hydrolysed wheat protein used in Al’chemy hair care products) is not a concern for people diagnosed with coeliac disease as gluten must be ingested and reach the small bowel for problems to occur.

9) What products contain hydrolysed wheat protein?

All of our formulations are wheat gluten free, with the exception of:

Al’chemy Rice Aminos & Wheat Protein, Intensive Moisture Shampoo
Al'chemy Jojoba, Light Conditioner
Al'chemy Avocado & Calendula Re-Moisturising Conditioner
Al'chemy Macadamia & Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner
Al’chemy Lavender & Anthyllis, 24-Hour Intensive Moisture Leave-In-Conditioner
Al’chemy Ginkgo & Jojoba, Intensive Moisture Vitamin Hair Masque

10) Do your products have an expiry date?

Our Al’chemy and [A’kin] products have a minimum shelf life of 3 years and once opened the products should be used within 12 months.

11) Do you use palm oil in your products?

The Purist Company does not use palm oil as an ingredient in its formulations. However, a few of our ingredients are derived from palm oil. Palm oil is a versatile raw material and often manufacturers may use it to produce our ingredients – depending on the pricing and availability. While it may be difficult to determine the origin of these ingredients, The Purist Company has been proactive in ensuring its ingredients are produced from raw materials from sustainable environments.

Over the past 12 months, The Purist Company has been actively lobbying all of its suppliers to provide re-assurance that when palm oil is used in the production process, it is sourced from sustainable environments. Most of our suppliers have expressed their intention to source sustainable palm oil. As members of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, they are supporting the process to evaluate and certificate palm, which is almost complete.

If your questions have not been answered, please email us.