Consumer protection: Recognising cosmetic ingredients

For the protection of consumers it is a legal requirement that the ingredients in cosmetic products are identified on the packaging (INCI Declaration). But not much is known about what is hidden behind these (often Latin) terms. For this reason we have put together for you a list of frequently used chemical preservatives, perfumes and petroleum-based products/mineral oils.

Perfume, Fragrance.

Chemical preservatives: Benzoic Acid, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Triclosan, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Chlorhexidin, Methylisothiazolinon, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Dibromodicyanobutan, Sorbic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlormethylisothiazolinon, Bronopol, Quarternium 115, Iodpropinylbutylcarbamat. Please note: “nature-related” preservatives are chemical preservatives.

Petroleum-based products/Mineral oils: Mineral Oil, Petrolatum (Vaseline), Paraffinum-Liquidum, Paraffinum-Subliquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Microcrystalline Wax, Ozokerit, Ceresin.

If you would like further information about the advantages and disadvantages of individual cosmetic ingredients we recommend the following literature, in particular the “Blue List” handed out for specialists classifies cosmetic ingredients according to the “potential allergic threat” they pose. The “Blue List” is written by the following authors: Dr. H.P. Fiedler, Wiesbaden; Prof. Dr. H. Ippen, Göttingen; Prof. Dr. F.H. Kemper, Münster; Prof. Dr. Dr. N.-P. Lüpke, Osnabrück; Prof. Dr. K.H. Schulz, Hamburg; Dr. W. Umbach, Düsseldorf.

An informative reference book for specialists and consumers without specialized knowledge is also the book “Die Bewertung kosmetischer Inhaltsstoffe anhand der INCI-Bezeichnungen” (A review of cosmetic ingredients based on INCI identification) mentioned by Dr. Ernst W. Henrich und Dr. Thomas Baumann. It serves to evaluate cosmetic products with regards to compatibility, allergic hazardousness and effectiveness. Furthermore a distinction is made between plant and animal ingredients to enable animal-friendly consumers and vegetarians to make the right product choices.

We guarantee you that in our products there are no chemical preservatives, no perfumes and no mineral oils and/or paraffin from petroleum.