Alexami Cosmetics

Is your Mineral Makeup making you itch? Bismuth Oxychloride may be the culprit!

2011-09-07T15:27:00.002+10:00

With the growing popularity of mineral makeup, it’s only natural that lots of people are trying it out for the first time. But if you’re new to mineral makeupand find your skin reacting and breaking out in acne, turning blotchy or itching, you may be sensitive to Bismuth Oxychloride.

Being almost free of irritants, preservatives and alcohols, mineral makeup is generally a great choice for those with sentive skin. However, a lot of the lower cost mineral makeup varieties contain cheap ingredients that aren’t gentle on your skin, and are likely to be the reason why some users complain of itchy skin or have allergic reactions.

One of the main ingredients often found in lower quality mineral make up, Bismuth Oxycloride is a naturally occurring brittle metal that also produces shine or that ‘pearlescent effect’. It’s commonly found in makeup because it helps create sheen and makes the makeup glide on easier, and it’s a very cheap filler.

However it often causes itching and skin irritations on sensitive skin, and its pore clogging particles can cause breakouts. Those who suffer from acne and rosacea often find products containing Bismuth Oxycloride aggravates their condition. Bismuth Oxycloride isn’t complementary to older skin either; the shimmery look can make skin look older and drier than it actually is.

So if your mineral makeup has been making you itch, check the label! If it contains Bismuth, it’s time to switch brands.

Alexami mineral makeup is free from Bismuth Oxycloride and other known skin irritants, so it’s a great choice for those with sensitive or aging skin. After all, it’s always reassuring knowing that what you are putting on your skin isn’t doing you harm while enhancing your natural beauty.

To view the entire Alexami Cosmetics range online visit www.alexamishop.com

How To Work Out Your Skin Type

2011-08-18T17:39:00.001+10:00

How To Work Out Your Skin Type

Monday 15 August 2011 - Filed under Beauty and Health

Oily, Dry, Combination… If you’ve ever been a little unsure what category your skin type falls into, read on.

Understanding your skin type is the first step to helping you achieve a more radiant complexion by pinpointing the right beauty products to use, which can make a massive difference to your skin’s overall appearance. To help you determine your skin type, you can do a quick test by cutting out a strip of rice paper or tissue paper and lightly patting it on your face, preferably 30 minutes after you cleanse in the morning. Facial oil will show up as a damp/transparent spot, and indicate the skin types as discussed below.

Normal: The test tissue/paper won’t reveal any traces of oil at all, but your face should still feel supple, hydrated, clear and healthy. This skin type is generally the least problematic, especially if treated with a regular skincare regime. Normal skin types also benefit from the light and breathable nature of powdered mineral foundations when used in conjunction with a gentle cleansing and moisturising routine.
Product recommendation: Keep your skin looking great with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder to allow your skin to breathe while providing all-essential sun protection.

Combination: This is the most common skin type – about 70 percent of women have combination skin! If you generally feel mild dryness around your cheeks and have a slightly oily T zone (the area running from your forehead down to your nose), your skin is a combination of types. On your test paper/tissue you won’t pick up any oil on your cheeks but will notice oily patches coming from those T zone areas. This skin type has medium pores, and if kept in good condition can enjoy a smooth and even texture and healthy tone. To look after combination skin, make sure your dry zones (usually around your eyes and cheeks) are regularly moisturized with creams specifically designed for dry skin, while oily areas (usually around the T zone, nose and forehead) can benefit from more frequent thorough cleansing and a lighter moisturizer. Get the balance right and your skin will thank you for it!

Product recommendation: Even your skin tone with Alexami Mattifying Prand Alexami Mineral Foundation Powder

Dry Skin: Your test tissue/paper will be clean, but your face skin will feel a little flaky and dry after you’ve wiped it. Generally if you feel tightness on your face after cleansing and experience roughness and flaking without any oily patches, then your skin is prone to dryness – this indicates a tendency towards fine wrinkles, dullness, flaking and red patches. Make sure you enlist a regular skin care regime to suit dry skin with lots of moisturising treatments and masks. Before any makeup application, make sure you use a quality moisturizer and primer to rehydrate and ‘plump up’ your skin as much as possible. Quality mineral foundation can also assist.

Product recommendation: After moisturising, prepare your skin for makeup with Alexami Mattifying Primer and if your skin is looking dull and tired, brighten your complexion with Alexami Mineral Bronzer

Oily Skin: Oily skin tends to get shiny within a few hours of washing, and can be prone to acne and blackheads. Your test tissue/paper will show oil patches from your cheeks, nose, and/or forehead. Oily skin can look greasy, and big pores and acne can result, but on the flip side people with oily skin tend to look younger longer and their skin isn’t as delicate and prone to wrinkles as other skin types. Regular cleansing can assist, and make sure to cleanse well before any makeup application. Powdered mineral makeup is great for oily skin as it allows skin to breathe without adding an additional oily substances, and setting powder can further assist with blotting out excess oil.

Product recommendation: Loose the shine with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder in Matte, and finish withAlexami’s Mineral Setting Powder

Sensitive Skin: This won’t be picked up by the test paper/tissue, but if your skin tends to be thin and delicate with fine pores, and tends to react badly to skin products, you may have sensitive skin. Also note that all skin types can experience sensitivity too, as for most people it can also be more of a skin condition than skin type (caused by changes in environment, age, exposure to certain products etc.)

Sensitive skin often becomes red and flushed easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic or sensitive to regular beauty products and can be prone to rashing. To look after sensitive skin, seek out products marked as non hypoallergenic, or look for quality natural or organic products devoid of harsh chemical additives. It may take lots of testing to find products that don’t irritate your skin, but a low irritant and good quality mineral foundation power like Alexami’s can do wonders.

Product recommendation: Alexami’s whole range is designed for sensitive skins so take your pick – if you also have sensitive eyes try Alexami’s Herbal Mascara and Mineral Eyeshadow too!

Hold the Phone- Talcum Powder added to WHO’s Possible Carcinogen Risk List

2011-07-29T17:16:00.001+10:00

Hold the Phone- Talcum Powder added to WHO’s Possible Carcinogen Risk List

baby powder

Talcum powder.

It’s something most of us can recall as being a pretty common household item as children – it seemed nearly every personal hygiene ritual in the 60’s and 70’s involved getting doused in giant plumes of fine white dust. So it’s mind-boggling to think something so seemingly harmless and commonplace may be hazardous to our health.

You may have seen all the major news headlines in recent weeks about the World Health Organization adding cellphones to their list of “possible carcinogens” or cancer forming agents. But did you also know the same WHO list that cited mobile phones is 266 items long and also includes talcum powder?

So what is talcum powder exactly, and why should we be wary of it?

Talcum powder gets it’s name from it’s main ingredient, talc, a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate- it’s produced by the mining and processing of talc rocks. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but doesn’t separate its minute fibers, which are structurally very similar to asbestos. Various studies over the years have raised serious concerns about talc, which aside from talcum powder is also used in many everyday cosmetics and household products – baby powder too.

The recent WHO announcement was based on data by the IARC which aims to identify environmental factors that can increase the risk of human cancer. These include chemicals, complex mixtures, occupational exposures, physical agents, biological agents, and lifestyle factors. National health agencies use this information as scientific support for their actions to prevent exposure to potential carcinogens.

While the jury is still out on talc’s link to certain types of diseases, mainly cancers of the ovaries and lungs, the recent WHO announcement brings the safety of this product into question for everyday usage. Did you know many mineral cosmetics also contain talc? We have more information about talc and other ingredients you should look out for on the Alexami website

All Alexami cosmetics are Talc-FREE, and we will never use talc in any of our range.

Additional References:

WHO report:

http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php

Talc info:

www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm

Tagged: carcinogen » Talc » talc free mineral makeup » talcum powder » WHO

Carmine & Cochineal – The Reason Why Some Red Dye Bugs People

2011-07-29T17:09:00.001+10:00

Carmine & Cochineal – The Reason Why Some Red Dye Bugs People

There’s been a renaissance in the cosmetics industry for the vibrant red tones produced by Carmine. But did you know this colourant is derived from the ground up bodies of the South American cochineal beetle?

It’s a topic that particularly bugs vegans and vegetarians. Most consumers would be completely unaware that the phrases ‘cochineal extract’, ‘carmine’, ‘crimson lake’, ‘natural red 4’, ‘C.I. 75470’, ‘E120’, or even ‘natural colouring’ can refer to a dye that’s derived from an insect, which makes it very hard to avoid.

Aside from makeup and cosmetics, carmine is also used to manufacture artificial flowers, paints, and ink, and routinely added to foods like yogurt, ice cream, lollies and juice – most notably red but also shades of pink, orange and purple. Unfortunately as a food dye it has been known to cause severe allergic reactions, and even anaphylactic shock in some rare cases.

So what is Carmine exactly, and how did this bug byproduct become so ingrained in our food and cosmetics production?

Discovered by the Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America for its ability to color fabrics, the use of cochineal dye has been dated back to the15th century. The cochineal beetle, a parasite that feeds on cactus, produces bright red carminic acid to ward off predators. To extract this acid, insects are killed by immersion in hot water, exposure to sunlight, steam, or the heat of an oven, and then dried and ground up. Each method produces a different colour of cochineal powder.

To further process the dye and turn it from cochineal into carmine, the powdered insect bodies are then boiled in ammonia or a sodium carbonate solution, and alum is added to create a red aluminium salt.

Cochineal was so highly prized during the colonial period throughout Europe that its price was regularly quoted on the London and Amsterdam Commodity Exchanges. After synthetic pigments and dyes such as alizarin were invented in the late 19th century, production diminished overnight, however health fears over artificial food additives have renewed cochineal’s popularity.

While the dye is of natural origin and an alternative to artificial dyes, food products containing carmine-based food dye may prove to be a concern for people who are allergic to carmine, or people who choose not to harm any living creatures, such as vegetarians and vegans and followers of certain religions.

Because Alexami are a conscious vegan-friendly brand, we choose not to use carmine in ANY of our products. Alexami also avoids artificial dyes and synthetically enhanced FD&C colours.

For more information about Alexami ingredients, visithttp://www.alexami.com/about-ingredients.html

Did you know:

The troublesome noxious weed known in Australia as ‘Prickly Pear’ was first brought to here in an attempt to start a cochineal dye industry in 1788? Captain Arthur Phillip collected cochineal-infested Prickly Pear cactus plants from Brazil on his way to establish the first settlement at Botany Bay. At the time Spain and Portugal had a monopoly on cochineal, and the dye was integral to the British clothing industry (it was even used to dye the British soldiers’ trademark red coats!). The attempt failed in two ways: the Brazilian cochineal insects soon died out, but sub-species of Prickly Pear cactus thrived, eventually becoming a major pest weed that overrun 60 million acres of East Australian seaboard. The spread of the cactus was stalled in the 1920s by introducing a South American moth whose larvae feed on Prickly Pear, but you’ll still find the cactus across large pockets of Queensland and NSW.

Tagged: Carmine » Cochineal cosmetics » natural cosmetic dye » Vegan friendly cosmetics » Vegetarian makeup

The Story Behind Kate's Royal Wedding Makeup Look

2011-07-29T17:03:00.001+10:00

With an estimated 2-Billion viewers around the world eagerly tuning in, the royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William was one of most watched weddings in history. Yet despite being front and centre of this monumental event, the bride reportedly chose to do her own makeup for the most photographed day of her life. If you'd find it difficult to imagine having the confidence to stand in front of countless news cameras and billions of viewers after having done your own makeup, perhaps take a few cues from the newest member of the British Royal family.

It’s been reported that Kate’s confidence in creating her own look grew after she invested time in learning a few makeup tips, although there’s a bit of discrepancy about who assisted her. According to People, Kate reportedly took a series of private makeup lessons with London makeup artist Arabella Preston, while Marie Claire, quoting a statement from Clarence House, said Kate had lesson pre-wedding from make-up artist Hannah Martin.

Yet no matter who gave Kate lessons, it’s the classic & classy ‘natural look’ she sported that had the fashion mags predicting trends. Kate opted to give herself a toned-down natural look by shying away from overly bright or bold colours - neutral eye shadow, pale gloss on her lips, and bronzer and blush to highlight her cheekbones. In contrast, Kate is however a fan of dark eyeliner around her entire up and lower lids, which can look quite harsh (and is usually a beauty expert makeup no-no) but she managed to carry it off OK – we’re sure you’re agree she looked radiant and beautiful.

While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend taking Kate’s lead in overlooking the services of a great makeup artist on your wedding day, we certainly admire her confident attitude! If you’d like to gather a few helpful makeup tips to boost your confidence and beauty product knowledge too, Alexami have a series of how-to videos and makeup application technique tutorials both on the Alexami website and at the Alexami Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/alexami1
There's new videos being added all the time, so subscribe to the Alexami Channel to get free makeup tips as they are added.

Cosmetic D&C and FD&C Colours – Are They Safe For Use In Makeup?

2011-07-29T16:56:00.004+10:00

Cosmetic D&C and FD&C Colours –Are They Safe For Use In Makeup?

“Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” ~ Pablo Picasso

It’s a known fact that humans are heavily influenced by colour – it affects the way we feel and our perception of the world around us. So it stands to reason that colour is added to anything we humans want to make attractive; our clothes, our homes, our food, and even ourselves.

Our cosmetics help us brighten or lighten; many women wouldn’t leave the house without adding a spot of colour to their lips, cheeks and eyes. Some cultures bleach skin, others prefer fake tan, and it seems women the world over are obsessed with tweaking our own ‘colours’ to suit our beauty ideals.

Here at Alexami, we love the fact that women can express themselves and feel more attractive just by adding a touch of colour via their makeup, hair and clothes. But we’re not as enthusiastic about the potential hidden dangers of some colourants that are commonly added to many cosmetics.

To give you a bit of background, here’s a rundown on colourants found in makeup. Cosmetic colourants are classified as either organic or inorganic. While you’d think organic colours would be the safest, they were actually originally called “coal tar” because they were derived from coal sources. Nowadays most so-called ‘organic’ colourants are synthetic.

Confusing huh?

Inorganic colorants on the other hand are composed of insoluble metallic compounds derived from natural sources (e.g. china clay, carbon deposits), or are synthesized. Inorganic colours aren’t thought to pose the same kinds of health risks as organic colours, so don’t require certification. However inorganic colorants aren’t available in the same range of shades that organic offers, which is one of their drawbacks. In addition to inorganic colours, natural materials used to colour cosmetics, like carrot oil, beet extract and henna, are also considered ‘safe’ and are exempt from classification.

In Australia, organic colour additives are certified depending on their use. Cosmetic-grade dyes are labeled D&C, meaning they are approved for use in drugs and cosmetics. FD&C dyes are approved for food as well as drugs and cosmetics. As you’d expect, this means they are rigorously tested, however the certification of D&C and FD&C colours doesn’t always address potential effects they may have with prolonged exposure.
For example, many D&C and FD&C colours have been linked to allergic reactions, skin irritations, nervous system toxicity, reproductive system disruption and even cancer.For example coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, most commonly found in toothpaste, and FD&C Green 3, commonly found in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin. Synthetically-enhanced colours may also contain heavy metal salts which can penetrate into the skin.

It’s for this reason that many FC&C and D&C colours have been banned or withdrawn in some countries. Due to health risks only a handful of these colour additives are still permitted, but it’s still a topic of hot debate. There’s a lot of opponents who would like to see the regulators take more consideration about the fact whatever you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. For example additives like FDC red 4, FDC red 1, or food red 1 are banned in food in some countries, but can still be used in cosmetics. D&C colours are also allowed twice as much of the toxic lead and arsenic as FD&C colours.

Although many manufacturers have started phasing out FD&C and D&C colours altogether, the reason why they’re still commonly found in foods and cosmetics is because their colours are generally more stable and consistent than natural dyes, easier to source and inexpensive. So since they’re still so commonly used this means it’s a case of buyer beware.

So how do you spot whether FD&C or D&C colours are being used in your beauty products? Look for the letter FD&C or D&C followed by a number, like Red No 1. Also note that often D&C and FD&C are left off the label, so instead you’ll see the colour listed like “Blue 1 Lake.”

If you aren’t able to avoid them all, it’s best to at least steer clear of these commonly listed troublemakers:

• Orange 5• Orange 5 Lake • Red 1• Red 3• Red 4• Red 6• Red 6 Lake• Red 7 Lake• Red 21• Red 21 Lake• Red 27• Red 27 Lake• Red 30 Lake• Red 33 Lake • Blue 1 Lake• Blue 2• Green 3• Yellow 5 Lake• Yellow 6 Lake•

While most mineral cosmetics are free from FD&C and D&C colours, they are sometimes used to change the pigment of mica. Alexami DOES NOT use any mica that have been coated or mixed with FD&C or D&C colours.

To see a list of ingredients Alexami avoids visit: http://alexami.com/about-ingredients.html

To find out more about safe cosmetics, visit the Compact for Safe Cosmetics:

http://safecosmetics.org/

Rosacea

2011-04-17T21:43:00.001+10:00

What is used for treating rosacea?

There are many treatment choices for rosacea depending on the severity and extent of symptoms. Available medical treatments include antibacterial washes, topical creams, antibiotic pills, lasers, pulsed-light therapies, photodynamic therapy, and isotretinoin.

Mild rosacea may not necessarily require treatment if the individual is not bothered by the condition. More resistant cases may require a combination approach, using several of the treatments at the same time. A combination approach may include home care of washing with a prescription sulfa wash twice a day, applying an antibacterial cream morning and night, and taking an oral antibiotic for flares. A series of in-office laser, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapies may also be used in combination with the home regimen. It is advisable to seek a physician's care for the proper evaluation and treatment of rosacea.

Topical creams

With the proper treatment, rosacea symptoms can be fairly well controlled. Popular methods of treatment include topical (skin) medications applied by the patient once or twice a day. Topical antibiotic medication such as metronidazole applied one to two times a day after cleansing may significantly improve rosacea. Azelaic acid (Finacea gel 15%) is another effective treatment for patients with rosacea. Both metronidazole and azelaic acid work to control the redness and bumps in rosacea.

Some patients elect combination therapies and notice an improvement by alternating metronidazole and azelaic acid: using one in the morning and one at night. Sodium sulfacetamide (Klaron lotion) is also known to help reduce inflammation. Other topical antibiotic creams include erythromycin and clindamycin (Cleocin).

Reference:http://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/page4.htm#4howis

Product Shrinkage Trend

2010-06-08T13:29:00.009+10:00

While ‘Product Shrinkage’ seems to be on the rise thanks to commodity price fluctuations and the global financial crisis, at Alexami Cosmetics we are doing it’s part to reverse the trend.

We believe that excess packaging is both bad for the environment and misleading for consumers.

So what is product shrinkage, otherwise known as ‘packaging shrink’?

It’s when a product’s contents get smaller, yet the packaging size and price remains the same. It’s becoming more commonplace as things like commodity prices, freight and production costs have climbed. Rather than pass on another price hike to customers, some companies opt to reduce product volume, yet this can be misleading for consumers because the actual size of the packaging may look the same, yet the content’s weight has been reduced.

In Australia, widespread customer backlash has occurred when popular brands of chocolate and beer have gone under the ‘grocery shrink ray’. But price per volume comparison is becoming easier in supermarkets thanks to the recent introduction of mandatory unit pricing, which is the display of product cost according to weight or other measurements, such as cost per sheet of toilet paper, to enable customers to more easily compare different sizes of the same product type.

Yet for goods not sold in supermarkets, no such mandatory laws yet exist. This makes it increasingly hard for consumers, and also poses challenges for environmentally and socially conscious brands like Alexami Cosmetics that strive to offer a larger quantity of quality product at what may outwardly seem like a higher price.

For example, Alexami’s signature product, a professional grade natural mineral foundation powder, bronzer and setting powder is 20g Net Wt, more than double the standard size of 8g and an astounding five times bigger that the increasingly common 4g product size.

When Alexami Cosmetics initially began approaching its core target market of beauty salons and professional makeup artists to distribute the product, some expressed concerned about product pricing. Comparable products from other manufacturers seem cheaper when the packaging is compared side by side, when in reality the Alexami product is up to 60% lower in price when then price per unit volume ratio is evaluated.

As cosmetics sold outside supermarkets are not subject to mandatory unit pricing, it is up to consumers to do their homework. “It’s becoming more common for people to check labels to avoid toxic ingredients, so we’d also like to urge consumers to compare product sizing while they are shopping too,”

Alexami’s efforts to reduce packaging are just one factor that the brand has considered to become an environmentally sound choice.

“All our packaging and marketing materials are printed with soy ink on recycled paper using 100% waterless print technology, we also offer product refills and larger product volume sizes to cut back on unnecessary packaging waste, and we use renewable bamboo and synthetic hair for our cosmetic brushes which makes our products cruelty-free and eco-friendly.

Our aim is to give customers better value for money and help the environment by cutting back on things like extra jars, boxes, and labels. It’s a practice we would like to see more companies adopt. “These measures also save on labour cost, and by offering refills and great value products, you will attract loyal customers as well.”

“When shopping I am always checking grams and ingredients. Price is not necessarily always what it seems. I want value, but I also want quality of course. Consumers need to check that only the best quality ingredients have been used too, because we’d all rather pay once than twice. If you buy something cheap and it doesn’t work, you then have to go back and buy better quality to replace it. So you pay twice and waste twice as much time. It’s better to do homework, research the content, look at weight, read descriptions and labels and make a choice based on quality and value for money.”

The entire Alexami range of professional grade natural mineral make up and cosmetics offer great value and are available exclusively through select stockists across Australia.

Alenka Dirnbek

Alexami Cosmetics Founder

Ingredients explanation

2010-05-16T16:21:00.004+10:00

Alexami DOES NOT use the following ingredients in any of the products;

Talc

What is it?

Talc, also known as French chalk, is powdered hydrous magnesium silicate sometimes containing a small amount of aluminum silicate. It is a naturally occurring whitish-gray mineral. In cosmetics and personal care products, Talc is used in the formulation of makeup, baby powder, body powder and deodorizing powder.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

In body applications, Talc absorbs moisture and oil, helping skin feel soft, fresh, cool and dry. It also reduces friction and chafing that can irritate skin. In color cosmetics, Talc is used to help control shine and absorb oil.

Scientific facts: Talc occurs naturally as mineral deposits and is valued for its softness. Talc is insoluble in water.

Please note!

Talc is a mineral produced by the mining of talc rocks then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate its minute fibres, which are structurally very similar to asbestos.
Various studies have raised serious concerns about this ingredient, which is used in many everyday cosmetics and household products, including baby powders. Talc particle formations are closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos.

Bismuth Oxychloride

What is it?

Bismuth Oxychloride is a synthetically prepared white or nearly white amorphous or finely crystalline powder. In cosmetics and personal care products, Bismuth Oxychloride is used in the formulation of many products, including make-up, nail products, cleansing products, fragrances and hair coloring products.

Scientific facts: Bismuth is a naturally occurring, brittle metal. Bismuth-containing compounds can be found in a number of applications: as a pigment (Bismuth Oxychloride) in cosmetics and personal care products, and in Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicines (bismuth subnitrate) such as some used to treat gastrointestinal problems. Because bismuth compounds come from the earth they may contain trace amounts of heavy metals. The levels of heavy metals in Bismuth Oxychloride are regulated by the FDA, and the small amounts that may eventually be in cosmetic or personal care products do not pose a risk to human health.

Please note!
Bismuth Oxychloride is a naturally-occurring brittle metal, and an inorganic pigment. Bismuth Oxychloride is used as an agent to give a high shine, pearlescent look with a silky finish, rather than a natural healthy glow.
Because Bismuth compounds come from the earth, they often contain traces of heavy metals.

Bismuth Oxychloride may cause some skin irritations or itching on sensitive skin.
Why use ingredients that don't have any benefits and may be considered as inexpensive fillers or skin irritants?

Ferric Ferrocyanide

What is it?

Ferric Ferrocyanide and Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide are inorganic pigments used ascolorants. In cosmetics and personal care products, Ferric Ferrocyanide and Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide are used in the formulation of makeup, hair coloring products, bath products, nail polish and skin care products.

Scientific facts:

Ferric Ferrocyanide is a synthetic dark blue pigment, and Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide is a synthetic blue pigment. Ferric Ferrocyanide is sometimes referred to as Prussian Blue, which is used in some printing inks.
Color additives are classified as straight colors, lakes and mixtures. Straight colors are color additives that have not been mixed or chemically reacted with any other substance. Ferric Ferrocyanide and Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide are straight colors.

Please note!

It’s synthetic pigment not natural.

Kaolin

What is it?

Aluminum Silicate, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Trisilicate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Zirconium Silicate, Attapulgite, Bentonite, Fuller's Earth, Hectorite, Kaolin, Lithium Magnesium Silicate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Montmorillonite, Pyrophyllite and Zeolite are all clay-like ingredients that are based on silicates. In cosmetics and personal care products, these seventeen ingredients are used in a wide variety of product types, including bath products, makeup and skin care products.

Scientific facts:

Many silicates occur naturally and are mined; others are produced synthetically. The common aspect of all these clay-like ingredients is that they contain silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals. All silicates, especially the clays, have a great ability to absorb water.

Please note!

Can be too drying to the skin if added in foundation powders

Silica

What is it?

Silica, also called silicon dioxide, and Hydrated Silica are minerals. The only difference between the two ingredients is that Hydrated Silica is bound to water molecules. Both ingredients are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products.

About SILICA: Silica is the most common constituent of sand. Fine silica, typically used in industrial applications and inhaled by workers, is associated with a wide range of disorders. In cosmetics for skin use, regular sand presents little, if any risk to people. Because the particles might be finely ground down for use in a product that might be inhaled (such as a facial powder), the inhalation scores reflect the underlying data.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Silica and Hydrated Silica are used in cosmetics and personal care products as abrasives, absorbants, anticaking agents, bulking and opacifying agents. Silica may also be used as asuspending agent, and Hydrated Silica may also be used as an oral care agent, a skin conditioning agent, and a viscosity increasing agent.

FD&C COLOURS (food, drug and cosmetic colour pigments)
Synthetically enhanced colours made from coal tar may contain heavy metal salts which can penetrate into the skin.
They can be used sometimes to change the pigment of mica.
From PETA's Caring Consumer: Pigments from animal, plant, and synthetic sources used to color foods, cosmetics, and other products. Cochineal is from insects. Widely used FD&C and D&C colors are coaltar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. Alternatives: grapes, beets, turmeric, saffron, carrots, chlorophyll, annatto, alkanet.

Please note!

Synthetically enhanced colours not natural

Dimethicone

What is it?

Dimethicone and Methicone are silicone based polymers. The only difference between these two polymers is that the repeating unit of Dimethicone contains two methyl groups, while the repeating unit of Methicone contains one methyl group.

In cosmetics and personal care products Dimethicone and related ingredients are used in the formulation of a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products including cosmetic creams and lotions, bath soaps, shampoo and hair care products. The most widely used ingredient in this group is Dimethicone.

Scientific facts:

Silicon is ubiquitous in the earth and silicon dioxide is common sand. Silicon, like carbon, can form polymers. Dimethicone is a fluid mixture of siloxane polymers sometimes referred to as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It is optically clear, and is generally considered to be inert, non-toxic and non-flammable. Dimethicone is the most widely used silicone polymer, and is particularly known for its unusual rheological (or flow) properties.

Please note!

May clog pores

Mineral Oils

While Alexami use natural minerals, we avoid the use of Mineral Oils.
Mineral oil is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Although often used as an active ingredient in many cosmetics and over-the-counter drug products, Mineral Oil is coming under increasing scrutiny for its suspected role in causing many common health ailments.

Carmine

What is it?

Carmine is a bright red pigment made from cochineal. In cosmetics and personal care products, Carmine is used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types, including makeup and nail polish.

Scientific facts:

Carmine is the aluminum lake of the coloring agent, cochineal, a natural pigment derived from the dried female insect Coccus cacti (cochineal). In addition to its use in cosmetics and personal care products. Carmine is used as a food coloring and may often be found in juice, yogurt and candy.

About CARMINE: Carmine is the aluminum lake of the coloring agent, cochineal. Cochineal is a natural pigmentderived from the dried female insect Coccus cacti.

T o identify the colorant meeting the requirements for labelingpurposes in the US, the INCI Name Carmine must be used. To identify the colorant allowed for use in the European Union (EU), the INCI Name CI 75470 must be used, except for hair dye products.

From PETA's Caring Consumer: Pigments from animal, plant, and synthetic sources used to color foods, cosmetics, and other products. Cochineal is from insects.

Explanation of few common ingredients found in Alexami mineral makeup

Mica

What is it?

Mica is a naturally occurring group of silicate minerals. In cosmetics and personal care products, Mica, from muscovite mica is used in the formulation of a wide variety of product types, including makeup, nail products and skin care products.

Scientific facts:

Mica is a group of silicate minerals that are widely distributed in different types of rock. Mica often occurs as flakes, scraps, or sheets, and has been used by humans since prehistoric times. Because Mica come from the earth it may contain trace amounts of heavy metals. The levels of heavy metals in Mica are regulated by the FDA, and the small amounts that may eventually be in cosmetic or personal care products do not pose a risk to human health.

Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide, or the oxide of zinc, is a white water-insoluble powder found in a wide range of cosmetics and personal products, including makeup, mainly due to its amazing abilities as a natural sunscreen agent. Zinc Oxide can reduce or prevent sunburn or premature aging. Zinc oxide is also known as mild astringent, and may act as skin anti-inflammatory.

Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral derived from oxide of titanium. Titanium dioxide is used cosmetics and personal care products, but is best known for its ability to refract light. This gives Titanium Dioxide excellent UV resistant properties, and the mineral is widely used in sunscreens, especially formulations for infants and people with sensitive skin.

Magnesium Carbonate

What is it?

Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate and Zinc Carbonate are all salts of carbonic acid. All of these ingredients are white powders. These carbonate salts are used in bath products, makeup products, personal cleanliness products, shaving products, oral care products and skin and hair care products.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

The following functions have been reported for these carbonate salts.
Abrasive - Calcium Carbonate
Buffering agent - Calcium Carbonate
Bulking agent - Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate
Opacifying agent - Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Zinc Carbonate
Oral care agent - Calcium Carbonate

Scientific facts:

Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Cabonate, Potassium Carbonate and Zinc Carbonate are inorganic salts of carbonic acid. Calcium Carbonate, also called calcite, is the main component of limestone. Magnesium Carbonate, also called magnesite, is the main component of chalk used as a drying agent for hands in rock climbing, gymnastics and weight lifting. Potassium Carbonate is also called potash. Zinc Carbonate is sometimes referred to as zinc spar or smithsonite.

Tocopherol

What is it?

Tocopherol, or vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin is a naturally occuring antioxidant which can be isolated from vegetable oil. When isolated Tocopherol, is a viscous oil that varies in color from yellow to brownish red.

Scientific facts:

Tocopherol, a fat-soluble vitamin, is found in vegetable fats and oils, dairy products, meat, eggs, cereals, nuts, and leafy green and yellow vegetables. It is usually present in these foods as mixtures of different forms: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-Tocopherol. The alpha form has the same biological activity as vitamin E. Tocopherols can be produced from vegetable oils or can be synthesized. Tocopherol Acetate, made by the esterification of Tocopherol with acetic acid, is frequently the source of vitamin E in dietary supplements.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil

What is it?

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Wax, also called Jojoba Oil and Jojoba Wax, are natural ingredients derived from the seeds of the desert shrub, Simmondsia chinensis. Other ingredients made from Jojoba Oil include Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Butter, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Jojoba Esters, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Isomerized Jojoba Oil and Jojoba Alcohol. Synthetic Jojoba Oil is mixture of wax esters of fatty acids and alcohols that is indistinguishable from natural jojoba oil with regard to chemical composition and physical characteristics.

Among the ingredients made from jojoba, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil is most frequently used in cosmetics and personal care products. Product categories in which Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil may be found include bath products, eye makeup, hair care products, makeup, nail care products, personal hygiene products, shaving products and skin care products.

Scientific facts:

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil is obtained by pressing the seed kernels of an evergreen shrub native to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of Arizona, California and Mexico. This oil is different from other common plant oils in that it is composed almost completely (97%) of wax esters of monounsaturated, straight-chain acids and alcohols with high molecular weights (carbon chain lengths from 36 to 46). This makes Jojoba Oil and its derivative Jojoba Esters more similar to sebum and whale oil than to traditional vegetable oils.

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil

What is it?

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. A number of ingredients made from Castor Oil may also be used in cosmetic products. These ingredients include Cetyl Rinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE (SE stands for self-emulsifying, which means it contains a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate), Glycol Ricinoleate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate, Potassium Ricinoleate, Ricinoleic Acid, Sodium Ricinoleate and Zinc Ricinoleate.
In cosmetics and personal care products, Castor Oil and related ingredients are used in the formulation of many different cosmetic and personal care products including lipstick, skin-care products, and bath soaps.

Scientific facts:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil consists primarily of the oils of fatty acids. Ninety percent of the fatty acids in Castor Oil are ricinoleic acid which is a monounsaturated, 18-carbon fatty acid.
Castor Oil maintains its fluidity at both extremely high and low temperatures. Castor Oil and its derivatives have applications in the manufacturing of soaps, pharmaceuticals and perfumes.

Xanthan Gum

What is it?

Xanthan Gum is a cream colored, odorless powder derived from the fermentation of corn sugar. It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including makeup, skincare products and toothpaste.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Xanthan Gum is added to cosmetics and personal care products for several purposes including as a binder, an emulsion stabilizer, a skin conditioning agent, a surfactant and to increase the viscosity of liquid.

Scientific facts:

Xanthan Gum dissolves readily in water with stirring to give a highly viscous solution. Aqueoussolutions of Xanthum Gum form a clear film after the evaporation of water.

Magnesium Hydroxide

What is it?

Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide are white solids which occur in several forms, including powders.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide are used to control the pH of cosmetics and personal care products. Magnesium Hydroxide is also used as an absorbant.

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water

What is it?

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water and Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water are made from the plant Hamamelis virginiana. In cosmetics and personal care products, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water and Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water are used in the formulation of bath products, cleansing products, deodorants, hair conditioners, shampoos, skin care products, eye makeup and aftershave lotions.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

In cosmetics and personal care products, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water and Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water function as a skin conditioning agents. They enhance the appearance of dry or damaged skin and help to reduce flaking and restores the suppleness of skin.

Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax

What is it?

Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, also called Candelilla Wax, is obtained from the plant Euphorbia cerifera, which is a plant that grows in North Central Mexico and the Texas Big Bend area. Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, also called Carnauba Wax, is obtained from the leaves of the Brazilian tropical palm tree, Copernicia cerifera, and Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, also called Japan Wax, is obtained from the berries of the sumac Rhus succedanea, which grows in Japan and China.
In cosmetics and personal care products, plant waxes are used in the formulation a wide range of products including baby products, bath products, lipstick, makeup, fragrances, coloring and noncoloring hair products, nail and skin care products, personal cleanliness products, shaving products as well as suncreen and suntan products.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Beeswax and the plant waxes help 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, and keeping them solid. When used in eye makeup, the waxes stiffen but do not harden the product, and the flexibility and plasticity of the waxes facilitate application. These waxes may also function in depilatory products to remove unwanted hair mechanically.

Alexami Cosmetics Company is proudly:

· Compact Signer of 'The Compact for Safe Cosmetics' (USA)

· Registered by The Vegan Society (United Kingdom)

· Accredited by Choose Cruelty Free Organisation (Australia)

· Included on PETA’s consumer list (USA)

reference:

http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/index.php

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Not-So-Sexy Chemicals in Fragrance

2010-05-13T07:46:00.002+10:00

New Report Reveals Secret, Not-So-Sexy Chemicals in Fragrance; Ask Congress and Celebrities with Fragrance Collections to Take a Stand for Our Health!

Check out the report, and take action!

A new analysis by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group reveals that top-selling fragrance products - from Glow by JLO and Calvin Klein Eternity, to Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce and Old Spice body spray - contain multiple allergens and hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to asthma attacks, headaches and serious long-term effects such as infertility, thyroid problems and increased risk of cancer. Many of the chemicals were not listed on labels, and most have not been assessed for safety by the beauty industry's self-policing review panels.

Check out our report, "Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance," along with actions you can take, personal and political, to protect your family from toxic chemicals in fragrance.

How can so many popular perfumes - including scents endorsed by celebs like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Halle Berry and Miley Cyrus - contain toxic, untested and unlabeled chemicals? Well, in the United States, companies are allowed to put nearly any chemical into cosmetics, with no required safety assessment, and a huge loophole in federal law explicitly exempts fragrance ingredients from being listed on labels. So the public is in the dark about what's in these products, and how they are impacting our bodies.

Clearly, the system is broken. Here are two ways you can help us make change:

Our cosmetics laws must be updated to ensure cosmetics are safe. Please ask Congress to give the FDA the authority and resources it needs to ensure the safety of cosmetics and ensure full disclosure of ingredients so consumers can make informed choices; and
We have the right to know what's in the products we put on our bodies, and we expect companies to make the safest products possible. Sign on to our letter to the celebrities whose fragrances we tested - Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Halle Berry and Miley Cyrus - and ask them to show their true leadership by taking a stand against toxic chemicals in personal care products, beginning with their own fragrance lines.

Thank you for joining the movement to make our body care products safe, and please spread the word!

-Stacy, Mia, Genevieve, Marisa, Lisa and the entire Campaign for Safe Cosmetics team

What is waterless printing?

2010-05-08T17:47:00.005+10:00

Waterless Printing Technology

Alexami Cosmetics is committed to environment and we choose soy ink print using waterless printing technology on all our packaging and marketing material.

What is waterless printing?

A planar offset printing process that eliminates the water dampening system

Uses a water repellent silicone plate over the non-image area

Requires special inks with higher viscosity and modiﬁed or specially constructed printing presses

Advantages of using waterless printing
Quality can be improved

Paper waste reduced: 8-10% reduction in overall paper waste

Enhanced productivity

Environmentally friendly: Total elimination of fountain solutions (contaminated waste water), which can contribute to both water and air pollution

The interaction of raw materials with water no longer needs to be considered, so that a wider variety of materials can be used, such as vegetable and soy based inks – these are free from petroleum distillate and are even more environmentally friendly

Allows use of a greater variety of papers – whereas some are too weak to withstand the water in conventional printing, very lightweight papers can be used with waterless inks

Registration is improved because paper stretch caused by fountain solution is eliminated

50% less dot gain (spreading of printed dots) increases clarity and precision

Greater ink density means better contrast and bolder colours

Elimination of damping system makes for more consistent colour

A silicone layer covers the non image area and the silicone is removed from the image area to reveal the ink receptive photopolymer below

Additions can be made by scribing the silicone surface to reveal the layer beneath, deletions are made by replacing the silicone in areas where it has been removed with liquid silicone

Plates can give run lengths of up to 600,000 impressions, they are recyclable in the same way as conventional plate material

The ink used must have higher viscosity so that it is more attracted to itself than the silicone, thereby allowing the silicone to resist wetting by the ink

The inks have a visibly higher viscosity, higher yield value (structure), lower ﬂow but similar tack compared with conventional inks

What is Rosacea?

2010-05-01T13:47:00.003+10:00

What is ROSACEA?

Rosacea (roz-ay-sha) is a very common benign skin disorder that affects many people worldwide. As of 2008, it is estimated to affect at least 14 million people in the United States alone. The main symptoms of this facial condition include red or pink patches, visible broken blood vessels, small red bumps, red cysts, and pink or irritated eyes. Most people with the disease may not even know they have rosacea or that it is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Many patients may just assume they blush easily or have gotten sunburned.

Rosacea is considered a chronic (long-term), non-curable skin disease with periodic ups and downs. As opposed to traditional acne, most adult patients do not "outgrow" rosacea. It characteristically involves the central region of the face, causing persistent redness or transient flushing over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush -- mainly the forehead, the chin and the lower half of the nose. It is commonly seen in people with fair or light skin, and particularly in those of Irish and Scottish backgrounds. Some famous people with rosacea have included former President Bill Clinton and W.C. Fields.

What does rosacea look like?

The redness, often aggravated by flushing, may cause small blood vessels in the face to enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines (called telangiectasias). Continual or repeated episodes of flushing may promote inflammation, causing red bumps that resemble teenage acne. In fact, rosacea can frequently be mistaken for common acne. Rosacea is also referred to as acne rosacea.

Reference:http://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/article.htm#1whatis

What are NATURAL COSMETICS?

2010-04-09T20:05:00.009+10:00

Some people may equate all cosmetics with making us look like something we are not. Well, there's nothing new in that idea, because civilisations have been enhancing their appearance with plants, extracts and minerals for thousands of years. The idea of natural cosmetics today may conjure up an array of commercial products used for the purposes of cleansing, beautifying or altering one's appearance or promoting attractivness. Cosmetics are basically substances used to enhance or protect the appearance of the body, or to cover up body odour. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, powders and perfumes, as well as lipsticks, nail polishes, eye and facial makeup. Others might include permanent waves or perms, hair colour, deodorants, bath oils and bubble baths. Cosmetics can be more than that, in that they can improve self esteem, enhance mood and generally make us feel better. Who hasn't been seduced by the odd lipstick or eye shadow by advertising now and then, when feeling a bit down in the dumps?

Cosmetics, like beauty, are only skin deep, but they can really make a difference. Never mind the fact that you may be sleep deprived, hung over or ill; a bit of slap can give the appearance of health and happiness. Immersing yourself in a fragrant bath for ten minutes can be a real boost.

reference: Natural Cosmetics from the author: Margaret Briggs

It's Easter

2010-04-01T08:51:00.002+10:00

Easter is a time of springtime festivals.

Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.

More about Easter story: http://www.holidays.net/easter/story.htm

Alexami cosmetics - Product Knowledge Videos

2009-12-15T18:42:00.008+10:00

NEW! Alexami Product Knowledge Videos!

We have prepared Product Knowledge Videos for you to watch and learn about beautiful Non Toxic and Safe, Cruelty Free and All Vegan Australian made natural mineral cosmetics.

Mineral makeup application and tips for perfect coverage and natural glowing complexion.

Alexami is inspired by Australia's wild natural beauty and unique flora.
Pure, Light and Natural..........>>Because You Care<<>

Go Eco, Go Green

2009-11-10T17:13:00.009+10:00

Why is Alexami Cosmetics environmentally friendly company?

>>Because we care<<

‘Green washing’ - or the art of deceptively positioning products as natural or environmentally friendly - is rife in the cosmetics industry. Many cosmetics manufacturers are toying with terms like "organic," a word that can legally appear on personal care products containing only 1 percent certified organic contents.

Lack of regulation is a major challenge, with many pseudo-natural products competing with legitimate natural and organic cosmetic products. Differences in natural ingredient compositions and the variation in private standards could dampen consumer confidence in natural & organic products altogether. The lack of regulation could also see an overwhelming flood of products on the market all claiming to be ‘green’, which diffuses the effect of green claims from legitimate brands like Alexami.

Alexami is truly committed to the environment and we stand by our code of ethics. We choose environmentally friendly products for our brand like, Eco promotional T-shirts made of 100% bamboo, Cruelty free makeup brushes, Eco cosmetics pouches instead of plastic bags etc.

And not only that, all Alexami packaging and marketing material is printed with ECO friendly soy ink print using 100% waterless printing technology on recycled paper.

Why bamboo fabric?

As one of the fastest growing plants in the world, bamboo is an ecologically sustainable and renewable material that also offers excellent natural properties when used to manufacture clothing.
Cellulose fibers from the bamboo are extracted to create a strong-wearing woven material that offers excellent water absorption and breathability, as well as natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-odour and anti-ultraviolet properties. This gives clothing made from bamboo the ability to help regulate body temperature in both cold and humid climates, allowing the wearer to feel cool and comfortable in summer yet warm and cosy in winter.

http://www.alexami.com/

What is Mineral makeup?

2009-11-01T21:38:00.008+10:00

Made from minerals found in the earth’s crust, mineral makeup is formed when minerals are crushed into fine powders then processed and micronized to deliver a range of natural colours perfect for cosmetic use.

As mineral makeup doesn’t require artificial colouring or preservatives, it is the purest and most natural form of cosmetics available on the market today, but forms of mineral makeup have been used for many centuries.

Unlike conventional cosmetics, true mineral cosmetics shouldn’t contain any toxins or cheap fillers, such as talc, synthetic dyes, parabens, and irritants like bismuth oxychloride. Naturally preservative and irritant free, Alexami’s pure mineral cosmetics are weightless, long wearing, water resistant and provides naturally high UVA and UVB protection. (Alexami mineral foundation powder has SPF 20+)

Mineral make up is also recommended by dermatologists and cosmetologists for use on sensitive skin, and is safe to use after surgery, micro dermabrasion, laser and other beauty treatments. Mineral make up also gives complete coverage without clogging pores, so is suitable for conditions such as acne prone skin, rosacea, and eczema. Titanium Dioxide and Zinc, the two main ingredients in mineral makeup, even have anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm sensitive skin.

While some lower quality mineral makeup may still contain traces of harmful ingredients, true mineral cosmetic formulations like Alexami don’t just cover imperfections but are a ‘natural skin food’ and may improve skin tone for a lasting beautiful glow, naturally.

NANO TECHNOLOGY

2009-09-08T09:00:00.005+10:00

NANO TECHNOLOGY

There is a major concern lately about the Nano Particles used in sunscreens like zinc and titanium dioxide. As we know nanoparticles increase the effectiveness of sunscreen products but can they penetrate into the skin and cause DNA damage?
The term nanoparticle is generally used to refer to a small particle with all three dimensions less than 100 nanometres.

Alexami is using only ingredients that are proven to be safe. We do not use Micronized Zinc Oxide in our products!

For more information on Nano-Technology read an article published by the Environmental Working Group:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/nanotech.php?nothanks=1

Ingredients to AVOID in Mineral Cosmetics

2009-08-07T07:00:00.006+10:00

TALC
CARMINE
DIMETHICONE
ARTIFICAL DYES
FERRIC FERROCYANIDE
BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE
PARABEN PRESERVATIVES
MINERAL OILS AND ITS DERIVATIVES
SYNTHETICALLY ENHANCED FD&C COLOURS

No TALC - Alexami mineral cosmetics are Talc-free What is Talc?

Most of us have grown up with common talc products, like talcum powder, used in our homes, but recent studies continue to cast serious doubts about the safety of talc.

Talc is a mineral produced by the mining of talc rocks then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from talc, but does not separate talc's minute fibres, which are structurally very similar to asbestos.

Is Talc Dangerous?

Various studies have raised serious concerns about this ingredient, which is used in many everyday cosmetics and household products, including baby powders. Talc particle formations are closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos, and talc particles have been found in tumours in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. Please read labels and be careful about products containing talc. All Alexami products are Talc-free, and we will never use talc in any of our range.Say no to Talc.

Additional References: http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm

Did You Know?

2009-08-06T18:32:00.004+10:00

Did You Know?

The average woman ingests around 2 kilograms of chemicals via her skin each year from cosmetics like makeup, skin care lotions, and hair products?
This is because humans absorb up to 60% of the substances applied to our skin.
Even more alarming, researchers now believe absorption of chemicals through the skin may be more harmful than swallowing these substances.
Chemicals in cosmetics like lipsticks ingested via the mouth are partially broken down by enzymes in saliva and the digestive system, but chemicals entering out bodies via the skin aren't greeted by any line of defence - these chemicals reach the blood stream virtually intact.

That's why it's especially important to make sure the products you use on your skin are completely free from harmful ingredients, and that you read the label on all cosmetics, even those that claim to be natural.

Are your Cosmetics SAFE?

2009-08-06T17:31:00.002+10:00

ARE YOUR COSMETICS KIND TO YOUR SKIN AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

ALEXAMI believes all COSMETICS SHOULD BE SAFE, not a cocktail of unnecessary fillers and paraben preservatives!

ALEXAMI COSMETICS is an Australian-owned cosmetics company with a difference – we are dedicated to making sure you look as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside, naturally.