GLOSSARY

Alcohol is commonly used in natural cosmetics and also in baby care products. It can be found in various products such as body creams, lotions, aftershaves, toothpaste, etc. Alcohol has antibacterial properties and serves as a preservative.

There are "good alcohols," i.e. fatty alcohols, that nourish the skin. Unfortunately, most natural cosmetics, especially certified natural cosmetics, contain alcohol that attracts water in the form of ethanol (also known as bio ethanol) and dries out and cracks the skin. For example, if you apply lotion to a child with dry skin, it will dry out the skin even more, leading to a vicious cycle of applying more lotion that further dries out the skin.

Natural allergens are substances that occur naturally in nature and can cause allergies in sensitized individuals.

Our organic aloe vera juice is hand-filleted from slowly growing aloe vera leaves that are organically grown. The nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and mono- and polysaccharides in aloe vera juice have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, nourishing, regenerating, wound-healing, and moisturizing effects.

Our creams are made entirely with organic aloe vera juice and without water as a filler.

Anti-aging is a term used to describe skincare that helps to prevent skin aging and wrinkle formation.

Essential oils are a collective term for natural fragrances derived from leaves, peels, resins, or flowers.

Petroleum derivatives are ingredients in cosmetics that are synthetically derived from mineral oil. Many other artificial ingredients such as surfactants and emulsifiers are derived from further processing of mineral oils. Petroleum is found in the upper crust of the earth. Petroleum derivatives used in cosmetics include ceresin, diisopropyl, adipate, mineral spirits, isoparaffin, paraffin, petrolatum, vaseline, microcrystalline wax, etc. Paraffins used in cosmetics are derived from lubricating oil fractions of petroleum, which are also used as motor oil. Refined paraffin oils are used as lubricants, and they are used to make products such as vaseline. Paraffins can dry out the skin, impede natural regulatory mechanisms, and can accumulate in the liver, kidneys, and lymph nodes. Mineral oils are obtained by distillation of petroleum, which are used as heating, fuel, and lubricating oils. Highly refined white oils are used in cosmetics and medicine. The residue of mineral oil rectification can be used as road surfacing "tar". Mineral oil is easy to process, has a long shelf life, has consistent quality, and thus allows for inexpensive mass production.

Formaldehyde donors (diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, and bronopol) are preservatives commonly used in moisturizing creams, cleansing milk, and scrubs. Formaldehyde is a toxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic chemical ingredient.

Healing clay is a moisturizing fine clay that is often used in masks for its high absorbency.

Hormonally active substances may have a hormone-like effect based on their chemical structure, such as synthetic ingredients like emulsifiers or sunscreens. Therefore, these substances are considered to be hazardous to health and can only be used in limited amounts. However, NATURALSOPHY completely avoids the use of hormonally active substances.

INCI stands for International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredients, which has been a standardized naming system for cosmetic ingredients across the EU since 1998. The closer a substance is listed to the top of the INCI (ingredient list), the more of it is included in the product. For most products on the market, "Aqua" or water is listed at the top, indicating that the product consists primarily of water. NATURALSOPHY consciously uses organic aloe vera juice as a substitute for water as a filler. In addition to its moisturizing function, aloe vera juice has anti-inflammatory, regenerating, repairing, and antibacterial effects. It also protects the skin from drying out and naturally draws the organic oils in NATURALSOPHY products into the deeper layers of the skin - without the use of silicones or other artificial aids.

KBA or simply "organic" refers to agricultural products from organic farming.

Methylisothiazolinone is also a preservative used in shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, shower gels, and many other products. Methylisothiazolinone can weaken the immune system and can cause skin allergies and eczema.

Microbeads are tiny beads made from mineral oil and used in various cosmetic products such as exfoliating scrubs. Microbeads do not dissolve and end up in the environment. These are not allowed in natural cosmetics and are naturally not used in NATURALSOPHY products.

The principle of sustainability is a guiding concept of ecological action, which states that we should not conduct business at the expense of future generations. NATURALSOPHY uses not only glass bottles, but also recycled materials and plant-based plastics, and the folding carton packaging contains 40% vegetable waste, which is obtained from 100% green energy.

NATURALSOPHY only uses natural surfactants in their products, which, despite their elaborate processing, break down into individual components and do not pollute the environment. These surfactants are extracted from sources such as coconuts. In contrast to industrial surfactants, natural surfactants cost many times more and do not foam in excessive amounts. However, natural surfactants are much gentler on the skin and do not compromise its natural protective barrier while thoroughly removing dirt.

The fruit aromas used in all NATURALSOPHY products are natural fruity scents and oils obtained through biotechnological processes.

Octoxynols is a surfactant used in peels, cleansing milk, creams, and other cosmetics. This surfactant can cause skin inflammation and is considered carcinogenic.

(Ethyl, Methyl, Isobutyl, Propyl, and Butyl) Parabens are preservatives used in lotions, creams, foundations, and many other cosmetics and beauty products. Studies have shown that parabens can enter the bloodstream and disrupt the hormonal system. Due to the similarity of parabens' structure to the female sex hormone estrogen, they are linked to breast cancer.

Paraffin is a (cheap) mixture of saturated hydrocarbons obtained from mineral oil. Paraffins are often used as a neutral cream base on a mineral oil basis, which is not allowed in certified natural cosmetics. NATURALSOPHY avoids paraffins and only uses high-quality, cold-pressed organic oils that are scientifically proven to be good for the skin.

PEG is a collective term for a group of chemical substances called polyethylene glycols. PEG is frequently used as synthetic emulsifiers in creams by many manufacturers. PEG is made from mineral oil and can cause skin irritation. It is not allowed in certified natural cosmetics. PEG/Propylene Gycol/1,2-Propylene Glycol Polyethylene glycol (PEG) continues to emulsify on the skin and binds to the skin's natural oils, which are washed away from the skin along with the emulsifiers, thereby "depriving" the skin of moisture.

Phthalates are plasticizers, fragrances and solvents used in nail polish, bath salts, cleansing milk, lotions, etc. However, their use can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as disruption to the hormonal balance.

Silicones are synthetic polymers commonly used as auxiliary agents in cosmetic products. They are also made from mineral oil and are not allowed in certified natural cosmetics. Silicones can be found in many cosmetic and beauty products, as well as in other applications such as sealing joints or car paints and furniture polishes. Silicones belong to the group of synthetic polymers and are derived from parts of crude oil in a laboratory. Silicones are a cheap alternative to high-quality plant-based oils and form a softening layer on the skin, which is removed from the skin again by washing. This layer of silicones prevents other ingredients from penetrating the skin and providing the skin with nutrients. Additionally, it causes germs and bacteria to thrive beneath the foreign layer of the skin. In contrast, plant-based oils strengthen the skin, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Silicones block pores, cause skin irritation, trigger allergic reactions and lead to dry and itchy skin. Examples of silicones include dimethicone, methicone, polysiloxane and cyclomethicone.

SLS is a frequently used surfactant that is used in bubble baths, soap, or shampoo. It removes moisture from the skin.

Vegan natural cosmetics mean that the products do not contain any animal substances. NATURALSOPHY products such as Organic Wonder Oil 50ml and 250ml and Organic Beauty Cream are certified Organic Vegan.

Water is needed in cosmetic products to make them more liquid, creamy, or to fill them up. Therefore, the manufacturer can decide on the water content of their formula based on the selling price. This means that a product can contain 50% or 99% water content. The higher the water content, the less oil, emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives, etc. are needed. We consciously do not use water as a filler, but instead use targeted organic Aloe Vera juice in our products, as it contains many nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and mono- and polysaccharides. It is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, nourishing, regenerative, wound-healing, and moisturizing.