Nature and Science

AB has mastered the formulation of nature and science together - a small amount of science to aid in the results. Yesterday someone I do not know commented on my blog following Dr. Wesley's video. Rather than choose to delete it, which of course I could, I chose to address their concerns, or perhaps a better word is "claims".

I always keep in mind motivation and often negativism towards Arbonne comes from those selling competitive products, or perhaps a former employee. I can't say a whole lot about other companies offering natural products - but I can share about my firsthand experiences and results with AB. I can also attest to the number of clients I have with super sensitive skin, that are able to use our products AND achieve the results they are looking for in improved complexion, fewer lines and skin that feels good. I know we have AB consultants that previously used other natural products available in the market, but switched for the benefit of actual results.
AB is endorsed by the Friends of the Environment - this says a lot! No toxic chemicals are used in our products, but we do, however, use science.
Not long ago a friend questioned what some of the ingredients found in our Fizzy Tabs. One she really thought must be "bad" turned out to be a mineral from the earth readily available and used in the food industry as a "hardener".  Keep in mind that just because a word cannot be pronounced, it does not necessarily mean they are bad for you. One thing I love about AB is that as a consultant I can look up an ingredient list for any single product and forward it to a client if they wish. The home office is also very prompt at answering questions, and yes, I have asked questions about ingredients because I must have faith and trust in what I am offering my friends.
From my friend's reaction to an ingredients label I decided to investigate some of those hard to pronounce words on the Fizzy Tabs container. Once I looked into each, I was put at ease. I decided to write an article that day, and perhaps I should have shared it on my blog right off. Without further delay, here is my article:

NATURE AND SCIENCE
Questions about ingredients? Why are there words I cannot pronounce? People may ask if Arbonne is natural, why are there words that cannot be pronounced on the ingredient list.


To address this, I took the popular Re9 Advanced Night Cream ingredients listed on the box. Many are easily recognizable as plant compounds, but others might be questioned. It’s important to realize that plant derivatives cannot simply be mixed, placed in a bottle, and be expected to benefit the skin. Science must be added to the plant-based ingredients to create a product that is results-driven and stable.

If one were to look at Arbonne’s web site and ingredient list for each product, they are listed as either plant-based or science. To put minds at ease, I decided to use the internet to research some of mystery ingredients myself. The Natural Institute of Health is a great resource, as is the CIR, which researches ingredients used by the cosmetic industry. To my surprise, I discovered that a number of ingredients at the end of the listing have to do with vitamins, whereas others are organic compounds.

Re9 Advanced Night Cream Ingredients (partial ingredient list):
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a very stable, oil-soluble Vitamin C ester which has anti-oxidant activity, inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Topical use can mitigate the damaging effects of UV exposure. Studies have shown it to stimulate collagen production as well as clarifying and brightening the skin by inhibiting melanogenesis (the production of pigment) thereby promoting a more even skin tone. Unlike ascorbic acid, it will not exfoliate or irritate skin.

Tocopherol (or TCP) are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols.

Tocopheryl acetate: also known as vitamin E acetate, is a common vitamin supplement with the molecular formula C31H52O3 (for 'α' form). It is the ester of acetic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E). It is often used in dermatological products such as skin creams.

Ascorbyl palmitate is an ester formed from ascorbic acid and palmitic acid creating a fat-soluble form of vitamin C. In addition to its use as a source of vitamin C, it is also used as an antioxidant food additive.

Thioctic acid, also known as alpha-lipoic acid, is a natural anti-oxidant which has been used for years in Europe because of it's ability to help maintain or restore liver health. It's strong anti-oxidant capabilities have been used for radiation sickness and diabetes-related neuropathy. It has also been investigated as a possible inhibitor of HIV. The PWA Health Group sells pharmaceutical grade thioctic acid without requiring a prescription.

Polysorbate 60 - Polysorbates are a class of emulsifiers used in some pharmaceuticals and food. Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)

Carbomer - a generic name for synthetic high molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid used as thickening, dispersing, suspending and emulsifying agents in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide - Palmitoyl oligopeptide is an ingredient of many skin care products including anti-aging creams, lip sticks and eye serums. Peptides are the building blocks, or bonds, between amino acids. Research has shown that peptides in general aid in skin repair and renewal. Palmitoyl oligopeptide is a fairly new peptide and is being researched as the new best thing next to retinol, but without any side effects.

Urea - A nitrogen-containing substance normally cleared from the blood by the kidney into the urine. Urea used in cosmetics is synthetically produced. Urea minimizes the change in the acid/base balance of a product when other ingredients are added to that product. It also slows the loss of moisture from a product during use. When used in the formulation of skin care products, Urea increases the water content of the top layers of the skin. The safety of Urea has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Urea was safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Hydrogenated Leicthin - Lecithin is one of the most important components of cells and plays an important role on its metabolism, especially on its constituency and membrane penetration. It has also been used as a bio-surfactant in cosmetics for a long time. However, its application to cosmetics was limited because of its oxidation and instability against heat. Hydrogenated Lecithin has all the good qualities of natural lecithin, yet its stability is greatly improved.

Stearamine - Conditioning and thickening agent.

Tromethamine - A weakly basic compound used as an alkalizing agent and as a buffer in enzymatic reactions.

Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen. It is a colorless oily liquid. It is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds), often used in place of sodium azide in biological buffers as 2-phenoxyethanol is less toxic and non-reactive with copper and lead. It is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the safety of Phenoxyethanol and approved its use as an indirect food additive. The Citywide Immunization Registry Expert Panel reviewed the safety of Phenoxyethanol, and concluded that it is safe for use as a cosmetic ingredient. Their study further noted that it was nontoxic via oral and skin administration. This was confirmed in their panel review in 2007, as part of their annual evaluation of ingredients. I located another research article, which explains how important this chemical compound is as a preservative, preventing oxidization and formation of free radicals.
AB continues to monitor how science and natural change so they know if a product ingredient needs to be "changed".  I know that AB has some of the top scientists in the world, working on Swiss-formulations - which means our products have to pass European standards, which are so much higher than what we have here in the U.S.
Arbonne is endorsed by not only the Friends of the Environment, but by many other reputable sources that monitor the industry. I came across a website recently where it rated personal care products on toxicity. Arbonne rated from 0-3. Clinique, Lancomb, Suave, Mary Kay, Olay (all the names we are most familiar with ) rated 6-10 with 10 being the highest.
So some may claim AB has "toxic" ingredients in our products - we don't. I think hand soap in public restrooms have worse ingredients in them then our products.  In fact, looking at the labels on soaps in public restrooms, I know this to be true. I also have to have faith in the doctors, plastic surgeons, chiropractors and naturopaths that are endorsing AB and incorporating it into their practice. No doubt they scrutinized the ingredients before incorporating our products into their practice. Their name and their practice is on the line, and therefore I believe that our products truly are pure, safe and beneficial.