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SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL

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What are the problems surrounding palm oil in cosmetics?  At Codibel’s lab we have recently received many questions regarding the use of palm oil in cosmetics.    It is known that the uncontrolled development of palm oil plantations can contribute significantly to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and habitat and can even influence climate change from the loss of peatland.    We at Codibel share the widespread concern about these issues and are committed to reducing the impact on the environment. The purpose of this blog is to explain why palm (kernel) oil and its derivatives are used in cosmetics, where you are likely to find these ingredients, and how to choose a product correctly to ensure you can support us in our strive to reduce the massive problem of deforestation associated with indiscriminate palm oil farming.    Palm oil and palm kernel oil are very versatile vegetable oils, and palm oil trees produce higher yields per hectare, than any other oil seed. These fa
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THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMAL TESTING

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Many cosmetics on the market today boast that they are “cruelty free”, however, in this month’s blog, I will attempt to bring an insight into this very important topic for the industry and how associated claims can be misleading.     Read on….and form your own opinion.   Some history on the ban on animal testing for cosmetics : 2004  The ban on animal testing in the European Union was first introduced on 11 th September 2004, when it became forbidden for manufacturers to test  finished cosmetic products on animals within the EU.  2009 In March 2009, a ban was also introduced in the EU for testing cosmetic  ingredients on animals.  At the same time, in 2009, a ban on the  sale of cosmetics tested on animals was also introduced, with the exception of some specific tests (repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and toxicokinetics). These tests were still allowed to be performed on animals during the phasing out period while research was pursued in order to validate
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HOW NATURAL ARE “NATURAL” COSMETICS ?

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HOW NATURAL ARE “NATURAL” COSMETICS ? Dear readers,  For the second blog “straight from the lab” I would like to talk about  natural and organic (bio) cosmetics . It is of course nice to think that you can buy “totally natural products”, without “harmful chemicals” and free-from all the “nasties”.  But how can you tell which products on the market are really natural?  For a long time there has been much confusion over what can and cannot be called a ‘natural product’.  It should be said that although there is still no official universal definition we are getting closer to defining what a “natural” or “organic” cosmetic should and should not contain.   Read on… Look for the label … In order to maintain trust and honesty towards consumers, any claims such as “natural” and “organic” must be justified by the manufacturer of the cosmetic product.  So, we would advise you to look for an official LABEL that has been certified by an external third party and guarantees that the p
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Parabens?

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What are Parabens?  Parabens are a class of substances widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, foods, pharmaceuticals and other household products. They keep products free from bacteria, moulds and fungi that would otherwise spoil the product and could cause real harm to the user. Parabens are derived from para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, cherries, carrots, blueberries and onions. PHBA also is naturally formed in the human body by the breakdown of some amino acids. Parabens used in cosmetics are synthetically produced, but are identical to those found in nature and the human body quickly changes them into natural PHBA and eliminates them.  Parabens in cosmetics Sadly there is a lot of misinformation about parabens, including allegations that they are linked to cancer. In fact, they are not a cause of cancer of any kind. Parabens are non-toxic to human cells. This is because our own skin cells rapid
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