Category Archives: Uncategorized

Common Names: evening primrose oil, EPO Latin Names: Oenothera biennis Background Evening primrose is a plant native to North and South America that also grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It has yellow flowers that open at sunset and close during the day. The oil from evening primrose seeds contains omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acidContinue reading “Evening Primrose Oil”

Some nutritional approaches, such as dietary supplements, have a long history of use for symptoms of musculoskeletal inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis. There isn’t enough evidence to support the use of many of them for inflammatory conditions, but a few may have modest benefits.  Here are six things to know if youContinue reading “Nutritional Approaches for Musculoskeletal Inflammation”

Butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA, CAS No 80-54-6), sometimes referred to by its trade name Lilial®, is a fragrance ingredient used in cosmetic products. From 1 March 2022, butylphenyl methylpropional will be classified as a Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic (CMR) category 1B substance under the EU and UK Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations. Article 15 ofContinue reading “Butylphenyl methylpropional”

It’s sometimes difficult to tell the difference between health facts and myths, particularly around complementary and integrative health. Becoming familiar with scientific topics related to health research can help you better understand what you hear and read and so make well-informed health decisions. These 10 facts can give you a start in learning about theContinue reading “10 Things to Know About the Science of Health”

The above Act went into effect on 1 January 2022 and requires companies selling beauty or personal care products to report the presence of hazardous ingredients. Companies are required to report products via the California Safe Cosmetics Reporting Portal (CSCP), if they sell cosmetic and personal care products in California that contain fragrance and/or flavour ingredientsContinue reading “CALIFORNIA SAFE COSMETICS PROGRAM: The Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2020 (SB 312)”

The answer to this perfect example of double talk is –when it is “ISO 16128 – Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products“ Background The above guidelines are specific to the cosmetics sector, taking into account that most existing approaches are written for the agricultural and food sectorsContinue reading “When is ‘natural’ not really natural, even if it says so on the label?”

When developing a fragrance, it’s important to look beyond the simple ‘smell’ – ask yourself just what it is you are seeking to achieve and create a description that fits. The style you use may vary. You might try to tantalise the senses: A sunshiny Sicilian summer… The luminous, bright and sparkling aroma of lemonContinue reading “It’s all in the name”

Once upon a time, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), followed by the EU, decreed that there should be 26 fragrance chemicals that were so allergenic they could only be present in cosmetics at a designated maximum concentration and that their names should be printed on the label of any cosmetic that contained them.Continue reading “The Amazing World of Allergens”

In these days of social media and the internet, it seems to me that the more people believe something to be true, the more likely it is considered to be true. It doesn’t matter how preposterous or inaccurate a statement is – it’s there on my tablet, laptop or smart phone so it must beContinue reading “The Chicken Licken approach to scientific reasoning”

When looking to purchase essential oils this is what comes leaping out at you: ‘Highest quality’: ‘100% pure’: ‘Finest natural ingredients…’: ‘100% natural pure essential oils’ and so on. At times there almost appears to be competition as to which company carries out not just the most tests but the most rigorous tests. Claims areContinue reading “How pure is pure?”