Ingredient Encylopedia

Emulsifying Wax
Emulsifying wax (which can be either plant- or petroleum-based) is an ingredient that emulsifies the ingredients in a cream or lotion product, thus preventing them from separating in the mix. Emulsifying wax produces a much more reliable, stable emulsion than a beeswax/borax combination.

Emulsifying wax is created when the wax material (either a vegetable wax of some kind or a petroleum-based wax) is treated with a detergent (typically sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) or polysorbates) to cause it to make oil and water bind together into a smooth emulsion.
If using SLS-free ingredients is important to you, check with your supplier to make sure the wax they sell does not contain SLS. Likewise, if you prefer not to use petroleum by-products in your cosmetics, ask your supplier if the emulsifying wax they sell is petroleum based.

Ingredient Encylopedia

Rose Hips Seed Oil
Rose Hips Seed Oil (Rosa mosqueta) is known for its ability to help accelerate and facilitate the healing of scar tissue and can also help prevent and fade stretch marks

Ingredient Encylopedia

Hydrosol
Along with essential oils, the water soluble component of a plant material, known as hydrosol or plant water, is produced during the distillation process. For example, while rose essential oil is being distilled from the petals, hydrosol (or rose water) is also being extracted. Hydrosols are sometimes called "hydrolats," and contain tiny micro-droplets of essential oils making them a great complement in skincare products.

Hydrosols are very gentle and can be used in higher concentrations than essential oils directly on the skin. Beware of products labeled simply "rose water" or "lavender water" because they are often simply prepared combinations of distilled water and fragrance or essential oil, along with an emulsifier to produce a saturated solution that will not separate. These prepared waters are missing the top fresh notes and skincare benefits of pure hydrosols. Another type of prepared water is a concentrate filled with alcohol. Again, these waters are not optimal for skincare. For best skincare results, use pure hydrosols in your cosmetics

Ingredient Encylopedia

Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) has been shown to actually penetrate the hair to help strengthen and revive it. Use it in small quantities in shampoos and conditioners.

Ingredient Encylopedia

Germaben II
Germaben II is a water soluble synthetic preservative suitable to preserve emulsions and other products containing water. Germaben II contains parabens which can cause adverse skin reactions in some people. Consult your chosen supplier of this ingredient for more details.