TNS Product Q&A
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Selected FAQ's
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Q - I am only interested in using non-toxic products. I noticed that some of your products have parabens in them.
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A - The parabens are a group of antimicrobial agents, including butylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, and ethylparaben. The parabens are universally approved preservatives, including in Japan, which is traditionally the toughest market in the world for preservative usage. Unlike many other preservatives, the parabens do not contain formaldehyde pre-cursors which are banned in many countries (including Japan). Formaldehyde is listed as a carcinogen by the FDA (USA Drug Administration).
The parabens are the most widely used group of preservatives found in cosmetics due to their long and safe history. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 95% of all cosmetic products contain some form of paraben. They are considered far safer and less intrusive than most other preservatives. They are highly stable and non-volatile.
They are recognised as so safe that they are commonly used in sensitive-skin and infant/children's products including post-natal products.
The parabens are also an approved and widely utilised preservative in food products and ingestibles such as vitamins and pharmaceutical products.
The Natural Source principally utilises two forms of naturally-derived parabens within some of its formulations in order to control fungal and microbial growth of its differing natural plant active compounds. They are:
Propylparaben: derived from the 'benzoin tree gum', this is a safe, effective food grade preservative used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.
Ethylparaben: derived from the distillation of sugar-cane to produce ethyl alcohol. It is used as a safe and effective antibacterial and antifungal agent.
These broadspectrum preservatives can ensure product integrity in very small concentrations and with very active raw ingredients.
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Q - What is the definition of a “natural skin care product” and how are they different from “chemical products”?
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A - Definitions of what "natural skincare and cosmetics" vary, and TNS’ definition is that a natural product is produced or existing in nature, or is derived from natural products that are then stabilized by naturally derived preservatives (like honey) or by non intrusive chemicals.
TNS uses the term "natural" to describe products that contain pure aroma botanical ingredients without animal additive or petrochemical preservatives.
Natural ingredients work effectively on the skin because the compounds in them create a beneficial reaction, for example they might encourage the skin to trap moisture, fight elements that can damage skin cells, or by minimising oil production.
A "chemical" product is one that is developed purely by chemical means and usually derived from ingredients such as petrochemicals or their derivatives. By definition, TNS does not have any "chemical" products within its program and no petrochemicals are used in any of our products.
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Q - What are synthetic ingredients?
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A - When you hear the word 'synthetic', do you immediately think of the awful best suit your favourite uncle wore in 1976? Synthetics are created when two or more natural ingredients are combined to create a third. In fact, nature uses this principle (called 'bio-synthesis') all the time, breaking down and re-combining nutrients into forms that can be used to nourish cells and support growth in both plants and animals. Some synthetics can be useful, especially when the natural source for an ingredient can be fragile or impure. For example, vitamin A is a beneficial antioxidant with a number of healthful uses, but natural vitamin A can be unstable and breaks down easily. And if a plant has been grown in less than ideal conditions or has been exposed to contaminants, its vitamin A may not be as effective as it should be. This is where synthetics can be of use. Knowing what types of molecules combine to make up vitamin A, scientists can take some of the good molecules from one source and the rest of the good ones from a second source, leaving all the bad ones behind. When the molecules from these two sources are combined, vitamin A is created. When created synthetically, it is not 'fake' vitamin A - it has exactly the same number of molecules in the same combination as vitamin A taken from a plant, and is recognised by the skin in the same way - but it was created in a totally clean and sanitized environment, so it is guaranteed to be stable and free of any contaminants. Synthetics can also be useful if a plant has a mixture of both beneficial and undesirable qualities. Some plants contain chemical compounds that offer soothing or moisturizing benefits, while also containing other compounds that cause allergies or irritation. A good example of this is cinnamon. Cinnamon contains a compound that is useful in preventing sunburn. But cinnamon also contains an oil that can be very irritating to the skin and eyes. Through synthesis (combining various parts to make a whole), the favorable molecules in a plant can be isolated and then combined with an ingredient from another source to create a blend that will offer benefits to the skin without any of the irritation that may be caused by using the whole plant.
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Q - Why are natural ingredients so important?
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A - Simple chains of molecules are easy to recreate through synthesis. But Some compounds, such as essential oils, are made up of several hundred separate components and trying to recreate them synthetically is nearly impossible. When molecular structures are this elaborate, they carry a host of advantages - they may calm inflammation, fight infection, balance moisture levels and smell wonderful, all at the same time. While scientists can duplicate parts of these complex molecule chains, they usually can't capture the full benefits of an ingredient whose power lies in the delicate interrelationship of its many parts. This is why some artificial fragrances often smell a bit 'off' and can also prove to be irritating. Since they are not complete, imbalanced groups of molecules such as in artificial fragrances don't aren’t properly recognised by the body and therefore don't offer the same uplifting and reparative value that essential oils can. Many people find perfumes and artificial fragrances to be too strong and to cause allergic reactions due to their inability to be properly 'recognized' by the body. Many natural ingredients also offer the advantage of trace nutrients; small amounts of minerals, vitamins and other components that give an ingredient multiple benefits. For example, while mineral sugarcane is used primarily for its ability to remove dead cells from skin's surface, it also contains the antioxidant vitamins A, E and C. Honey naturally helps restore moisture and softness to the skin but also provides important amino acids, enzymes and vitamins. Many natural ingredients afford these sorts of multi-purpose actions in a balanced, synergistic way that synthetics just can't duplicate.
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Q - What is a “naturopathic” beauty product?
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A - It's when TNS uses uniquely plant-active formulations to work with the body harmoniously to achieve a better level of skin and hair health - naturally.
When you're prompted by a mainstream skincare or haircare company to buy a product, it's usually on the basis of whether or not your skin or hair is "normal, dry, oily or combination".
The Natural Source approach finds that because it is a fact that our skin and hair condition changes from time to time (sometimes all in the same day due to stress, hormonal changes, the environment etc.) then products need to be formulated to cope with these natural changes, and still be help the condition rather than hindering it, or worse, perhaps creating sensitivities that can harm our bodies.
So, unlike standard beauty lines, The Natural Source's naturopathic products are formulated with specific plant-active ingredients that can recognise change, and then gently allow the skin and hair to absorb as much or as little of the natural ingredient it needs to benefit the body.
The TNS naturopathic approach allows for your body and hair to reach a more healthy, balanced, natural state by combining with your own natural wellness and healing processes to leave your skin and hair in peak condition naturally.
The term “naturopathic” in our beauty products is used for products that contain plant-active ingredients that have specific treatment benefits for skin and hair conditions and result in heightened wellness.
TNS recognises the holistic integrity of the person, not just a part of them, and in naturopathic skincare and haircare solutions we don't differentiate between skin types or ethnicity - our products work to supplement each individual's needs and are effective for every skin type, even the most sensitive.
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Q - Why does TNS need to add preservatives to its products?
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A - It is necessary to preserve any beauty product so that the products last longer and to prevent the growth of bacteria. Bacteria can break down ingredients in a product, making them les effective and potentially causing serious health risks. It is particularly important to add preservatives to products that contain a significant portion of pure plant extracts, which may react with one another when mixed.
Companies who do not add preservatives compromise the safety of the people using the products as well as the product’s shelf life. It is generally against the law to not add preservatives unless the manufacturer can guarantee that the consumer will refrigerate the product and use it only for a set amount of time – i.e. use by date as with any fresh food.
If preservatives are needed, TNS first looks to natural agents such as tea tree and vitamin C, which offer some antibacterial benefits. Sometimes, natural ingredients do not provide sufficient protection against bacteria and small percentages of synthetic preservatives (such as the “parabens”) are needed. Studied for decades, these synthetic preservatives rarely cause allergic reaction or sensitivity, yet they prevent a product from becoming a breeding ground for germs. Used wisely, some synthetics can guard against impurities and support the healthful actions of nature's finest botanicals. The health risks of an unpreserved product are far greater than those of using parabens at a low percentage. By combining the healing and nutritive benefits of plant and pure mineral ingredients with the advances of science, we are able to create skin and hair care products that are safe, effective and gentle.
This question is one of the most asked by consumers and our answer invariably is...."all skin care products certainly have preservatives!" Anything that contains water (creams, gels, lotions) is a paradise for bacteria and moulds, and the natural sugars in plant extracts are their favourite snack food. Unfortunately, your bathroom is not an ideal location for the storage of beauty products. Steam and heat help encourage bacterial growth and many natural preservatives can't be used in strong enough concentrations to fight contamination without running the risk of skin irritation. Others are useful only against certain strains of contaminants and for limited amounts of time. Here's a good example - vitamin C will slow bacterial growth, but try leaving a glass of orange juice in the back of your refrigerator for a few weeks. Still want to drink it? And while vitamin E works wonders at keeping oils from turning rancid, it doesn't protect against bacteria. Minute amounts of some synthetic preservatives can be used to boost the preservative action of natural ingredients, providing protection against a broad range of bacteria, microbes and moulds. Bacteria can break down ingredients in a product , making it less stable and effective, as well as posing some serious health risks. Methylparaben and propylparaben, two broad-spectrum food-grade preservatives, can be used in concentrations of 1% or less and remain effective against a huge range of contaminants.
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Q - What are antioxidants and how do they work?
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A - Antioxidants are substances that our body uses to help protect it against "free radicals" - scavenger molecules that damage healthy cells and cause accelerated ageing and increased susceptibility to disease. Vitamins A (retinyl palmitate), C (ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate) and E (tocopheryl acetate) are the most popular antioxidants in skincare. Antioxidants are particularly important if you smoke, sunbathe or live within a big city, as all of these things increase the number of free radicals attacking your body. By protecting the skin, antioxidants allow the skin to repair itself more effectively. They also help to improve the skin’s condition when used overtime.
Wild Desert Plum, grown in Northern Queensland, is one of the riches natural antioxidants, possessing vitamins A,C, E. It has been used by generations of Aboriginal inhabitants for its restorative properties and as a rich nutrient source.
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Q - What are surfactants?
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A - Surfactants are principally wetting agents. They lower water's surface tension, permitting it to spread out and penetrate more easily. There are four main categories - anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants (often derived from Palm or Coconut oil) may be either negatively charged or positively charged, depending on the activity or alkalinity of the water. These are used for most cosmetic applications where absolute mildness is important, such as most shampoos and skin lotions.
There are different types of surfactants. Amphoteric surfactants are used in TNS products, which in the case of TNS are principally derived from palm and sugar cane oils. These are the mildest type of surfactant and are suitable for use in shampoos and skin lotions.
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Q- What is Sodium Laureth Sulphate and how is it different to Sodium Lauryl Sulphate?
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A - Sodium Laureth sulphate is widely used as a cleansing and foaming agent in the majority of beauty and skincare products, where the purpose of the product is to cleanse or foam. Derived from coconut and palm oils, it is so gentle it is often used in baby products.
The Natural Source does not use Sodium Laurel (lauryl) Sulphate, which is often confused with Sodium Laureth Sulphate. Sodium laurel (lauryl) sulphate is inclined to cause allergic reactions if used in vast quantities, as it is a concentrated chemical - so there can be a lot of confusion if a party has not done its homework! So as a guide, in this instance, we would like to refer you to the major world reference tool for concerns on cosmetic ingredients.
"Sodium Laureth Sulphate is the sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, widely used as a water softener and in baby and other non-irritating shampoos as a wetting and cleansing agent". (Source: A consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients - Complete Information about the Harmful and Desirable Ingredients Found in Men's and Women's Cosmetics. Ruth Winter, M.S. Three Rivers Press, 1994). Sorry if this is confusing - but don't shoot the messenger - we have no choice in naming the ingredients we use.
There are indeed many other resources where you can find and study information about ingredients used in skincare and beauty products. Of course, it is common knowledge that, like medicines, if chemicals are used in a dangerous or irresponsible way then they can be harmful, but it is also true that if they are used correctly, responsibly and legally, then they are indeed beneficial and safe to humankind. Many industries use the same chemicals for different purposes - and definitely with differing but acceptable levels to suit the purpose of the product and its use.
The Australian Beauty and Cosmetic Industry is governed by strict laws, which include submitting each and every ingredient to various bodies before it is approved for sale in this country and for export. Special licenses are required to purchase chemicals. So any individual or company would be shut down immediately and prosecuted heavily, if they were to contravene national and international health and safety guidelines governing ingredients in skincare products. Clearly, if there is a concern with an ingredient that is so widely used, then of course goods in every country around the world would be removed from shelves. Please note that the following world-leading authorities approve Sodium Laureth Sulphate: Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia), the European Commission/Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics
(Europe), and the US Food and Drug Administration/Cosmetics (United States of
America).
Chemistry is indeed a complex subject and The Natural Source is constantly at the forefront of research for the purest and most efficient ingredients as it is our mission to keep our products as natural as possible.
TEA lauryl sulphate - a cleansing agent and emulsifier used in cosmetics.
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Q - What nasties are not in your haircare products?
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A - Our Hi-Shine Haircare range does not contain:
Petrochemicals
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Animal Tested Products
Animal Derivatives
GM Ingredients
Artificial Fragrances
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Q - Where is the ethanol used in TNS products derived from?
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A - Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is derived from sugar. It is a drying accelerator and anti-bacterial agent for the skin.
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Q - Where is the mineral oil used in TNS products derived from?
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A - Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46). Yes, they can keep air off the skin to some extent, but that's what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they don't suffocate skin! Moreover, petrolatum and mineral oil are known for being efficacious in wound healing, and are also considered to be among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries, February 1998, pages 33–40).
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Q - What is used to add fragrance to TNS’ products?
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A - Typically essential oils are used, rather than chemically enhanced or synthetic fragrances. Some essential oils are unable to be successfully replicated in their entirety synthetically and therefore often smell a bit 'off' and can also prove to be irritating. Since they are not complete, imbalanced groups of molecules such as in artificial fragrances aren’t properly recognised by the body and therefore don't offer the same uplifting and reparative value that essential oils can.
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Q - In TNS Accessories, what type of wood is used?
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A - Our accessories are typically made from renewable Cherry Wood - this type of wood absorbs natural oils and has flexibility, making it ideal for hair accessories. As you use your hair combs, etc, the wood absorbs natural oils and distributes your natural oils down the hair shaft as you comb.
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Q - Why is the Camouflage Colour range so unique?
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A - Camouflage Colour does not contain some common ingredients used by most other cosmetic colour manufacturers. For example, the Camouflage Colour range is free from Toluene (obtained from distilling petroleum), Bovine products, Formaldehyde (intensely irritating and causes severe allergies) and harmful FD & C Reds (known to be of questionable safety to pregnant women).
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Toluene - May cause mild anaemia if ingested and is a narcotic in high concentrations. Being tested at the US Frederick Cancer Research Centre for possible cancer causing effects. It can cause liver damage and is irritating to the skin and respiratory tract.
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Formaldehyde:
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A technical definition of formaldehyde by the authoritative “dictionary of cosmetic ingredients“ by Ruth Winter (MS) quotes as follows:
“Formaldehyde – Vapours are intensely irritating to mucous membranes. It has been estimated that between 4-8% of the population may be sensitized to it. It is widely used to harden nails and in nail polish as well as in cosmetics as a disinfectant, germicide and preservative. Ingestion can cause severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, vertigo, coma and even death. Skin reactions after exposure are very common because the ingredient can be both irritating and allergy producing. Physicians have reported severe reactions to nail hardeners containing formaldehyde.” The National Cancer Institute issued a health warning in 1983 as it found that the ingredient was involved in DNA damage and further inhibits its repair.
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Camouflage colour products do not contain harmful FD&C reds:
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We do not use any of the various common FD&C reds widely used by cosmetic manufacturers for lipsticks, blush and nail varnishes as some research has shown some of these dyes may contribute to issues with pregnancy in laboratory experiments.
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