Aloe & Oatmeal Body Butter

Description

INGREDIENTS: distilled water, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20; shea butter, calendula-infused aloe butter, meadowfoam oil, chamomile-infused MCT, aloe vera juice, oatmeal, cetyl esters, cornstarch, tocopherol, gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate (and) calcium gluconate, fragrance, EDTA

INGREDIENTS EXPLAINED:

Cetearyl alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20: This is the emulsifier in the formula. An emulsifier is a compound that is able to bind to both polar and nonpolar molecules in a solution. In skincare, an emulsifier is what holds the oil and water phases of the formula together. There are lots of different types of emulsifiers, with different properties. This particular emulsifier is what is known as an ‘oil in water’ emulsifier, because it emulsifies a small oil phase in a larger water phase.

Shea butter: One of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients! This butter is obtained from the karite tree, and it’s also a great source of antioxidants like quercetin, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, as well as skin-nourishing fatty acids (stearic and linoleic). It also penetrates skin readily. This is just such a wonderful ingredient for skin.

Calendula-Infused Aloe Butter: A soft butter infused with both aloe vera and calendula. This butter acts as an emollient in the formula, and also provides bonus anti-inflammatory activity from the calendula and aloe.

Meadowfoam oil: This oil is super stable, largely because it is primarily composed of long-chain fatty acids, which are the most resistant to rancidity when exposed to oxygen. It also contains compounds which help the skin’s ability to prevent collagen degradation and to protect skin from UVB damage. In this formula, it is present as a stabilizing emollient.

Chamomile-Infused MCT: MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides, and is coconut oil that has had MCTs separated from the other fats present. The result is a clear liquid at room temperature that is very stable, and has a non-greasy, fast-absorbing feel on skin. I took this fractionated coconut oil and infused it with chamomile flowers to provide anti-inflammatory activity.

Aloe vera: Aloe vera has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antioxidant activity with regards to skin. In this formula, it is present as both a moisturizing agent and an anti-inflammatory active.

Oatmeal (colloidal): Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal (44 micrometer particle size) that acts as a skin soother and moisturizer.

Cornstarch: This ingredient acts as a thickener in this formula.

Cetyl esters: This ingredient provides ‘slip’ to the formula, allowing the product to slide more easily across skin. It also acts as a thickener.

Tocopherol: Tocopherol is Vitamin E, and acts as a preservative in this formula, preventing the oxidation of the oils in the product and increasing the shelf life.

Gluconolactone (and) Sodium benzoate (and) Calcium Gluconate: This is the main preservative in this formula. It prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, fungus, yeast, etc.

Fragrance: This is the scent that is added to the product. Fragrance oil manufacturers are not required by law to disclose what compounds are in their fragrance oils. However, some will tell you what is NOT in their fragrance oils, and I base my fragrance oil purchases on this information. I make sure my fragrance oils are free of phthalates and known carcinogens. Because fragrance may be a source of irritation in a product formula, I offer all my products fragrance free as well as scented.

EDTA: EDTA is a metal ion chelator. This means that it scours the solution for metal ions, and once it finds them, it binds them very tightly, which makes them no longer a danger. Metal ions are highly reactive molecules that can cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA in cells. They are known to cause allergic reactions in skin, and generate inflammation.