Chemical Preservatives - Always Read the Label

You might be surprised by what you find. Look out for:

Alcohol
Works as a preservative when present in concentrations of 20-30%.

Used in such high proportions it can strip away natural oils and is unsuitable for people with sensitive skin or Rosacea sufferers.


Benzoic Acid
A mild skin irritant thought to exacerbate Eczema.


Benzyl Alcohol
Considered a skin and eye irritant and has been linked to Contact Dermatitis and Urticaria.


Formaldehyde
Still used in some "natural" skin care products, Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and skin irritant.


Japanese Honeysuckle (listed as Lonicera Japonica)
While this might sound innocuous, this is a naturally occurring Paraben.

Are natural Parabens better than the synthetic chemical type? A Paraben is a Paraben - whatever its source.


Parabens – Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Isopropyl, methyl, Benzyl
The debate rages on about these six preservatives. Recent studies have raised concerns over the gradual build-up of these chemicals in the body and linked them to hormone disuption and cancer.

More clinical trials need to be done but at Pai, we exercise a precautionary approach. If we don't know enough about an ingredient, we don't use it.


Parfum
This term was traditionally used to hide the precise formulae of commercial perfumes.

However it is now a common fixture on beauty products' ingredient lists to hide a multitude of sins - from synthetic fragrances to chemical fixatives and preservatives.

200 different chemicals can be legally covered by the word "parfum".


Phenoxyethanol
Used by the majority of 'natural' and 'organic' skincare brands, this petroleum based preservative is a skin irritant. It is banned in Japan and some European countries.


Sodium Benzoate
At the centre of a food health scare a few years ago, Sodium benzoate has been linked to DNA damage and the onset of Parkinson's disease.


Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is a common paraben replacement but is a harsh skin irritant and is thought to break down into formaldehyde in the body.