This is the question we are asked most frequently!
We realized that cream has a mythical status, very misunderstood by consumers. Most people don't really know the composition of the creams they use, but are very curious to know the ingredients we use in our products!
Making cream is easy; making one that's non-greasy, super active, and smells great is another challenge! Here's a look at what goes into a cream.
What makes up a cream?
A moisturizer is simply an emulsion between an aqueous phase and an oily phase. Most of the time, a cream is composed of 80% aqueous phase and 20% oily phase. This ratio can vary depending on the desired richness.
All that remains is to decide on the ingredients that make up the two phases depending on the desired result... The possibilities are endless!
The aqueous phase
Many companies simply use water (!) for 80% of their recipe... ouch, it hurts the wallet when you realize the price paid for such a small pot! A few rare companies (like ours!) prefer to use aloe and/or hydrosols with various properties to reach the desired percentage and thus obtain a cream that is full of active ingredients and benefits.
The oily phase
When it comes to the oily phase, several types of oils can be used and selected based on their specific properties. It's important to analyze the oils used* in your cream! Unfortunately, we often discover that our favorite cream is made from esterified or mineral oils. Esterified oils are vegetable oils that have been chemically treated and combined with alcohols, while mineral oil comes from the refining of petroleum.
So try to favor organic vegetable oils (pesticides are fat-soluble, so we try to consume as little as possible), non-comedogenic and with a dry finish.
Do oil and water mix?
Are you thinking that water and oil don't mix? You're right. An emulsifier needs to be added to the recipe to make the mixture homogeneous. Emulsifiers come in many different qualities, which is why it's important to continue analyzing the ingredients in your cream .
We believe that sorbitan olivate (made from olive and sugar alcohol, 100% vegetable) is by far the best natural emulsifier available on the market.
The Conservatives
A preservative is essential for controlling the growth of fungi, yeast, and bacteria. Choosing an effective yet non-toxic preservative is a challenge in itself when producing natural skincare products, as most are harmful to both human and environmental health! This ingredient is usually listed at the end of the label. Take the opportunity to check this ingredient too!
The final touch, the assets!
It remains to complete the recipe, with natural active ingredients depending on the desired result: anti-wrinkle, repairing, moisturizing? Why not a little of all that! When we talk about active ingredients, we think for example of essential oils, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, etc. These are ingredients that are found in very small quantities, but which will make a big difference in the effectiveness of a cream... And on its price!!
We hope we have shed some light on the composition of your famous moisturizer! To choose an organic, effective and truly natural moisturizer, click here .
Did this article enlighten you about the composition of your products? Check out How to Know if Your Cosmetics Are Good Quality to learn more about the subject!
Pascale Boulé
Co-founder
Pravi natural cosmetics