NORWEX TECH TALK - Monthly Technical Information About Norwex Poducts

MACADAMIA NUT OIL WARNING

Please be advised that the following new organic products contain Macadamia nut oil: Organic Day Cream, Organic Night Cream, Organic Lifting Serum and Organic Hand Cream, and that our Organic Body Lotion contains both Macadamia nut and Sweet almond oils.

Why? These are incredible ingredients which work to soothe, nourish, and soften the skin. Macadamia nut oil is the richest natural plant source of palmitoleic acid, which very closely resembles our own sebum (the oil naturally produced by our skin for protection). Please note, people can be allergic to anything, and there are far more issues with synthetic cosmetic ingredients than there are with organic nut oils. Also note that ALL ingredients are listed on our products.

Is this a problem? It MAY be a problem for those with peanut and/or tree nut allergies (approximately 1.1% of the population). These allergies can be quite severe and, while the majority of serious reactions are from eating nut products with high levels of nut protein, the organic unrefined oils in our products may still contain a little of the allergenic proteins and could therefore result in a reaction. Because people with peanut or tree nut allergies may become sensitized to other tree nuts, (such as macadamia or almond) we should not recommend these products for those with either peanut or tree nut allergies. However, for the remaining 99% of the population, we are offering them the finest skin care ingredients nature has to offer.

Please keep this in mind when doing your demonstrations, and to be safe, ask if there are any peanut or tree nut allergies in the room before passing around the new products listed above. Please also respect the request of those sensitive that the products not be shared in their presence.

October 2008 Tech Talk Article
By: Candi Bezte, Norwex Science & Technical Advisor

The New Norwex Organic Line

There are many definitions and criteria used to define natural and organic products and the use of the term “organic” on personal care labels is not regulated in the same way as it is for foods. This can make it difficult for consumers to identify truly organic personal care products. This is one reason why all of our new personal care products are not simply labeled natural or organic, but are actually ECOCERT® certified organic. ECOCERT® is considered to be the most important organization in Europe in setting the criteria for natural and organic cosmetics – their requirements for an organic product are as follows:

a minimum of 10% of the total ingredients must be certified organic;
at least 95% of the ingredients must be of vegetable/plant origin; and
while the product may contain a maximum of 5% synthetic ingredients, none of these must be included on the negative list.

ECOCERT’s negative list includes:

mineral oil and silicon;
synthetic emulsifiers like PEG (polyethylene glycol);
viscosity controlling agents like carbomer;
preservatives such as formaldehyde releasers, parabens, or phenoxyethanol;
synthetic perfumes;
synthetic dyes; and
synthetic solvents like propylene glycol.

In addition, the Swiss plant extracts used in our products are also certified organic by Bio Suisse. Bio Suisse is an association of more than 30 organic farming organizations and about 6300 farms engaging in organic production in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Bio Suisse quality seal is by far the most important seal for organic products in Switzerland and Bio Suisse requirements are far stricter than even those of the European Union.

October 2008 Tech Talk

by Candi Bezte, Norwex Science & Technical Advisor

The Scoop on SLES

Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) is a surfactant/detergent used in many products; including our foaming hand soap, shampoo, body wash, Descaler, Sanira Solution etc. It is highly effective and highly biodegradable. Please note that “The Web” is full of misinformation on this ingredient. There has been a lot of testing and the only validated issue with it is that it can be a skin irritant – although it is less irritating than its cousin SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate). We also tend use a relatively low concentration in our personal care products, as well as adding wonderful skin nourishing and anti-inflammatory emollients such as shea butter and calendula - so our products result in less potential for a negative reaction.

There has, in the past (in the 1970s), been some contamination of a similar ingredient with a known carcinogen, and I am guessing that is where pretty much all of the bad publicity that SLES is carcinogenic originated. But I have found nothing in valid, scientific reports or research (and there has been quite a lot) to suggest anything about it being "absorbed into the body and accumulating" or being carcinogenic or any other negative effects that one may read online. If it is applied to the skin at a high concentration and left there – it can certainly be an irritant; used diluted in rinse off preparations, it is unlikely to result in reactions; except in very sensitive individuals or those with known allergies to it. One simply CANNOT believe everything on the internet!

Here are some sites debunking the SLES myths found online:

1. Personal Care Products Council

2. Snopes.com

September 2008 Tech Talk

by Candi Bezte, Norwex Science & Technical Advisor

Microfiber Fixes!

The silver-based agent used in our cloths is based on micro, not nano technology. The agent is physically embedded into the cloth to prevent it from leaching out during repeated use or washing. When microbes come into contact with this agent they die quickly, and there is a measured 99.9% reduction in microbes after 24 hours (although the agent is working well before then to destroy bacteria) leaving the cloth fresh and clean after washing.

If ANY cloths, however, develop an odour, this could be due to a resistant group of organisms, or perhaps soap/oil residue preventing organisms from coming into direct contact with the silver agent. Either way, to further help remove embedded residue, the remedy is the same – boil the cloth in a pot on the stove for 10 minutes in enough water (to which a little Norwex Dishwashing Liquid or Ultra Power Plus has been added if you like) to keep it covered,. This will effectively deep clean the cloth, removing the residue (grease/dirt/microbes) that may be trapped within. You now have a “fresh” cloth that is ready for use.

When cleaning with Norwex cloths, do not use any oils or oil-based cleaners – water is REALLY all it takes!

August 2008 Tech Talk

by Candi Bezte, Norwex Science & Technical Advisor

More Articles...