Aloe & Oatmeal Lotion

Description

INGREDIENTS: Distilled water, cetearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20, aloe vera, shea butter, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, oatmeal, cornstarch, cetyl esters, gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate, tocopherol, 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.

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.

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.

Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil is a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil with a structure similar to that of sebum, which is produced by the skin. It is a great emollient to use in formulas for oily/combo skin because it won’t cause breakouts. In this formula, it is present as a fast-absorbing emollient.

Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is another fast-absorbing, non-greasy oil. It is also a good oil for combo/oily skin, as it won’t cause breakouts either. It has a high concentration of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids. It is present in this formula as a fast-absorbing emollient.

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: 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.