Frequently Asked Questions
Q - What preservatives are used in the products you sell?
A - The ecobasik range has no preservatives. The eco-castile range uses rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract in their liquids. The bar soaps have pentasodium penetetate & tetrasodium etidronate - these are NOT EDTA. They are the safest alternative and they are only in the formulation at 0.1%.
Q - Why have you chosen SOAP based products?
A - True soaps contain the natural forming ingredient glycerin. glycerin is a natural humectant and draws moisture from the air to your skin.
They soaps are made with natural ingredients and require very little energy in the production process. it is possible to make them without having leftover by-products that tend to go too the landfill and the soap that flows down the drain whilst washing is biodegradable.
Factors such as gender, part of the body, time of day, age, diet, ethnic origin, health, and the environment affect the pH of the normal secretions of the skin.
A product's pH is not the real danger to your skin (between pH 5 & 10). The synthetic detergents and other chemicals used in soaps to alter the pH are damaging.
They can be drying for the skin and prevent the skin from managing its own pH balance. Many of us are very sensitive to these synthetic additives and detergents.
True soap products have pH that is naturally 'alkali' which makes them effective cleaners and eliminates the need for harmful preservatives and antibacterial agents.
Q - What is 'Castile' soap?
A - Traditionally these soaps are 100% olive oil from the 'Castile' region in Spain. Spain are happy for the name to be used for soaps that have some olive oil incorporated but have no animal fats. A castile product should always be vegan.
Q - Are the personal care products pH balanced?
A - NO, the pH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of solutions not solids. many advertising campaigns for ‘pH balanced’ skin care products state that the pH of the skin is acidic.
One of the skin’s functions is to secrete toxins out of the body. the acidic conditions on the skin are caused by normal secretions from sweat glands and sebaceous glands which secrete an oily substance called sebum.
Washing with an alkali product helps to neutralise these acidic toxins. Unless you are using an extremely acidic (2) or alkaline (12) product, which can actually damage your skin, the pH of skin care products will not change the natural pH of skin secretions.
Q - Are there any differences with 'ecobasik' and supermarket cleaning brands?
A - Yes - ecobasik use minerals and soap in their formulations. Supermarket brands use similar minerlas but use synthetic detergents which require preservatives and pH balancers to allow the preservatives to work. These are not only irritants but also slow down the biodegradeable aspect of the product. 'ecobasik' is also palm oil free, vegan, natural, cruelty free & NZ made.
Q - Are the 'eco-castile' products similar to Dr Bronner's?
A - Yes & No - they are both natural soap products. Dr Bronners has one formulation and umpteen fragrances.
Soap can be formulated for two specific needs:-
- To clean without moisturising - no greasy film on washing of domestic items.
- To clean and moisturise - will not strip the skin and leaves a moisturising film.