Weleda Calendula Nappy Cream

SIMPLY TUESDAY REVIEW|

Weleda Calendula Nappy cream

🔹Water= Water, a solvent for ingredients that do not like to dissolve in oils but rather in water.  Usually, the number one in the ingredients list, so it makes up the majority of the product. The water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized (it means that almost all of the mineral ions inside it is removed). This way, the products can stay more stable over time.

🔹 Sweet almond oil= is the essential oil of sweet almonds that is extracted through an oil distillation process; it can also be extracted with an almond kernel press. This concentrated oil is packed with saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats, the latter two in notably higher levels than the former. This oil also contains high levels of fatty acids and has been used for over centuries to treat skin diseases, namely, eczema and psoriasis. Ideally, you want almonds to be organic as they are a heavily sprayed nut. Notice how they have not used the botanical name Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis, which to me can indicate the product is synthetic.

🔹Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil = Sodium Sesamum undocumented is the sodium salt of the fatty acids derived from Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Beneficial for acne-prone skin and acne scars. It can be used as a fragrance ingredient, a binder or an emulsion stabiliser. It has been seen to cause some allergic reactions.

🔹Benzyl Salicylate= is also one of the 26 fragrance ingredients that by EU must be disclosed for fragrance suffers. A natural ingredient of essential oils. Benzyl benzoate is found in a variety of different essential oils. Petroleum derived- It is best to avoid using this during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent ingredient to combat blemishes and is considered safe in low concentrations (5% or less) – known as an endocrine disrupter. Best avoided. Rated a 3/10 by the EWG. Known human immune system toxicant or allergen.

🔹Geraniol= Geraniol is a monoterpenoid and alcohol. It is one of the 26 fragrance ingredients that by EU must be disclosed for fragrance suffers. It is the primary component of rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil (Java type). It is a colorless oil, although commercial samples can appear yellow. Most monoterpenoids are volatile oils with highly distinctive aromas and flavors, such as essential oils, turpentine, and oleoresins of coniferous plants. Geraniol limit is 0.001% in leave on products as per EU requirements.

🔹Farnesol= It is one of the 26 Fragrance ingredients that by EU must be disclosed for fragrance suffers. Not assessed for safety in cosmetics according to CIR. Extracted from the Ambrette seed oil.

🔹Linalool is a super common fragrance ingredient. It’s kind of everywhere, both in plants and in cosmetic products. It’s part of 200 natural oils, including lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, jasmine, geranium and it can be found in 90-95% of prestige perfumes on the market. The problem with linalool is, that just like limonene it oxidises on air exposure and becomes allergenic. That’s why a product containing linalool that has been opened for several months is more likely to be allergenic than fresh. If you are not allergic to essential oils, this ingredient should be safe to use.🔹Benzyl Benzoate= is one of the 26 Fragrance ingredients that by EU must be disclosed for fragrance suffers. Benzyl benzoate is found in a variety of different essential oils. Natural sources of benzyl benzoate include ylang-ylang, cinnamon, rosewood, Peruvian balsam, and vanilla. It is also used as a preservative, Anti microbial and a solvent.

🔹Clay/Hectorite= dermatologically compatible. Mineral bulking agent and stabiliser for emulsions, creams, gels and powders. It is a weathering product of weathered felsspars- Feldspars are a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up about 41% of the Earth’s continental crust by weight.

🔹 Calendula Flower extract=They have soothing properties to support the regeneration of skin. They contain various carotenoids, flavonoids and saponins.

🔹Chamomile Flower extract= Extra Ted from the flowers, stems and leaves of the chamomile plant. They have soothing properties to support the regeneration of skin.

🔹Parfum= Yes they describe it as this on the ingredients list however they state they only ever use essential oils in their products and never use synthetic fragrances. They also list some of the fragrance ingredients they use, which are detailed below.

🔹Limonene= Limonene is a chemical found in the peels of citrus fruits and in other plants. Limonene is a naturally occurring compound found mainly in the skin of certain plants and fruits, including lemons and oranges. Used as a solvent and used for its smell. The EWG website states that limonene is a known fragrance allergen that can cause skin allergies and also irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs. Limonene is a scent ingredient and solvent naturally occurring in the rind of citrus fruit. Upon storage and exposure to sunlight and air, limonene degrades to various oxiodation products, which act as skin and respiratory irritants and sensitizers. Three references on the EWG website state- limited or possible evidence of immune system toxicity or allergies.

🔹 Zinc Oxide= one of the safest ingredients to use in a cream according to the EWG- Environmental Working Group. They class it as a number 2 health hazard. Zinc Oxide is an inorganic oxide used as a colorant and sunscreen agent.Possible human respiratory toxicant- only applicable if in a spray, lotions, creams do not cause an issue. Less than 0.01% skin penetration in human volunteers. Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by CIR.Zinc oxide, like most powders, can be a health risk if inhaled, but this is not a concern with creams and lotions. According to the EWG One or more animal studies show it’s classified as toxic at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient). It creates a barrier between the skin and the nappy. Zinc oxide works as a mild astringent and has some antiseptic properties. Zinc oxide is an astringent which reduces the loss of tissue fluid. A human study showed about 0.4% of zinc oxide penetrated to the bloodstream. Zinc is found to be bioaccumulative in Arctic seabirds.🔹 Beeswax= Beeswax helps to keep an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, especially in cosmetics and personal care products that require a creamy consistency. These waxes also increase the thickness of the lipid (oil) portion of solid and stick-like products such as lipstick, giving them structure, allowing for a smooth application. Beeswax is a precipitate of bee’s wax glands which is used to build honeycombs. The wax melts at temperatures above 60°. Beeswax leaves a fine film on the skin which prevents it from drying out.

🔹 Wool was/Lanolin= Lanolins consistency is very close in consistency and composition to human skin sebum. It is gained from raw wool after the shearing of sheep. The waste is able to bind water and has a high water absorption capacity. It is a very suitable ingredient to use on dry, rough or irritated skin.

🔹Glyceryl Lionleate= An emulsifier used to stabilise oil in water emulsions and is made up of vegetable oils. It makes the skin soft, supple and smooth.

   Well known in the low tox world of personal care products and in the scheme of things, compared to other mainstream brands, Weleda definitely has a lower toxic load for sure. This particular product is classed a 3/10 by the Environmental working group BUT this was an ingredient that really stood out to me so I researched it further- Benzyl salicylate.Im not sure how I feel about this one???Low tox is not no tox and whilst this product receives a low toxic rating, benzyl salicylate states that based on the available data, benzyl salicylate has low acute dermal toxicity. It can be derived from two sources. It occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant extracts and is widely used in blends of fragrance materials or it can be petroleum derived. My understanding is Weleda used plant extracts as stayed on the website. I have written to them to seek clarification. Benzyl Salicylate is also subject to concentration limits in cosmetics. There is a definite scientific study linked to this ingredient saying it demonstrates estrogenic activity by increasing the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. (aka endocrine disrupters) It’s definitely disappointing researching this to find the true properties of this ingredients to ruin what is such a great low tox product.The natural occurrence of Benzyl Salicylate can be found in ylang-ylang oil (5.2%), carnation oil (3.9%), and tuberose absolute at 2.6%. Low dermal skin toxicity levels were determined by a study on rabbits.

🔸 Recycling of the tube is available through terra cycle.

🔸 The Environmental working group rate this product as 3/10.

🔸 Alcohol Free, Mineral Oil Free, Paraben Free,Cruelty Free, Certified Organic,Sulphate Free.Other brands I can recommend@bubbaorganics lavender nappy cream 🇦🇺@australianallnaturalskincare Nappy balm 🇦🇺@ecostoreau nappy balm 🇳🇿@drbronners_australianz organic magic balm 🇺🇸

🥥 Plain organic coconut oil