botanicleansing body wash
Ingredients Glossary
AIM is committed to keeping every product we produce as “close to nature” as possible. We have maintained our commitment with these products. You will notice a broad range of natural, botanical components in dailyLife™ products. To preserve the purity and efficacy of the products over time, we have included a minimal amount of preservatives (less than 1 percent of any product formula).
We believe all consumers have the right to choose carefully what they put in and on their body. Therefore, we have included this information on our dailyLife™ product ingredients to allow you to make a fully informed decision when choosing to use the dailyLife™ products.
Water
Our water is taken from an Artesian well located on the property where the products are produced. The water goes through an extensive purification process, including carbon filters, reverse osmosis and UV light, to ensure absolute purity. Because our products are so effectively absorbed, we are careful that the water your skin and hair is absorbing is safe and pure.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Used in many personal care products around the globe, sodium laureth sulfate is most used as a foaming agent. There is no evidence of harm from the use of either sodium lauryl sulfate SLS or SLES as used in cosmetic products. Both ingredients were reviewed in 1983 by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and found to be safe. Also Health
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Derived primarily from coconut oil, cocamidopropyl betaine is used in many natural skin and hair care products as a surfactant – reducing the surface tension of the liquids allowing for a richer foam and deeper penetration of nutrients.
Lauryl Polyglucose
Considered an environmentally friendly component, lauryl polyglucose is derived from palm kernel oil and corn starch. It is known as a gentle antiseptic cleanser and also contributes to a pleasant foaming action.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a key ingredient in dailyLife™ skin care products. Derived from a vegetable source, our glycerin balances the water in the skin. As a humectant, it draws water from the air and has a deeply hydrating effect restoring moisture balance and smooth, soft skin. It is especially gentle for those with sensitive skin.
Note: It was once thought that the same action that causes glycerin to draw water from the air would cause it to draw water out of the skin. This has been proven to be false. Glycerin maintains balance, but does not dehydrate the skin.
Sodium Chloride
Common table salt, this is a chemical compound used in our products as a preservative. Over the years it has also been used as a disinfectant.
Polysorbate-20 (Lime Squeeze only)
Derived from sorbitol, polysorbate-20 is used as an emulsifier (suspending non-mixable substances in a liquid) and to reduce the surface tension of liquids for greater absorption and flow.
Aloe Barbardenis Leaf Juice
Historically, aloe has been used topically for burns, inflammation, and other types of wound healing. Aloe barbadensis has a unique ability to penetrate the skin’s surface deeply (up to seven layers) to bring its soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to the deepest cellular level. This intense penetration promotes restoration of tissue from the inside out while allowing hydration of the skin. Aloe’s pH is very close to our skin’s pH helping to restore or retain healthy pH in the skin and scalp.
Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract
Often called “Common Chamomile,” this extract is derived from a European variety of chamomile flower. It is valued for topical use as an anti-inflammatory soothing inflamed and irritated skin.
Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract
In use since ancient times, the golden or English Marigold is often used in gel form as an anti-inflammatory and for soothing burns, scrapes and skin irritation. It has been shown to help relieve dry and cracked skin.
Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Extract
Cornflower, sometimes known as Bluebottle, has been used as a tonic for “weak eyes” for hundreds of years. It is also known to speed healing of cuts and abrasions.
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
From the sunflower family, the matricaria flower extract has been shown to help soothe skin irritations and burns as well as speed healing of abrasions and cuts. It has proven effective for relieving dry, chapped hands.
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
This protein, also known as a phyto peptide is formed from wheat through the process of hydrolysis (the reverse of condensation). It is excellent for improving skin and hair condition, as well as serving as a moisturizer. Its deep nourishment improves the skin’s radiance.
Hypercium Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) Extract
This particular form of St. John’s wort is called Common St. John’s wort. Although most known for its use in mental health, St. John’s wort has been used since ancient times to soothe topical irritations, burns, and even insect bites.
Tilia Cordata (Lime) Flower Extract
The Lime or Linden tree has been a source of herbal constituents for hundreds of years. Used mostly for its calming effect, teas of the flower extract are used for inflammation and other lime tree extracts have been used topically to soothe and restore burned tissue.
Citric Acid
Citric acid can be derived from a number of citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, and grapefruit. Although citric acid has many purposes, we use it in dailyLife™ products as a natural preservative.
D-Panthenol or Provitamin B5
This powerful provitamin is extremely effective in ensuring proper hydration of hair and skin. As a humectant, it draws moisture from the air and into the skin. It is known to help restore collagen and skin elasticity, and becomes an enzyme which can help with wound healing. Provitamin B5 is especially helpful in hair treatment because it coats the hair and opens the follicles allowing for deeper nourishment and shinier hair.
Phenoxyethanol
This organic chemical compound is valuable as an anti-microbial component in our dailyLife™ products.
Benzophenone-4 (Lime Squeeze only)
This component absorbs UV light and is often used in both sunscreen and hair products to help protect from harmful UV rays. It also helps preserve both natural and artificial hair color.
Tetrasodium EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid)
A type of amino acid, tetrasodium EDTA is used as a stabilizer in our products. Due to its chelating action, EDTA helps to keep ingredients from binding to elements that may change the nature of their activity in the formula, thus stabilizing the product so that texture and function remain over time.
Proplyparaben (see also Parabens: General note)
Propylparaben is a part of a group of chemicals called parabens used widely as preservatives. The slightly different chemical signature for each paraben allows them to effectively combat microbial contamination in dailyLife™ products. By using several members of the paraben group, we are able to use a smaller percentage of parabens while achieving greater safety.
Methylparaben (see also Parabens: General note)
Methylparaben is a part of a group of chemicals called parabens used widely as preservatives. The slightly different chemical signature for each paraben allows them to effectively combat microbial contamination in dailyLife™ products. By using several members of the paraben group, we are able to use a smaller percentage of parabens while achieving greater safety.
Ethylparaben (also see Parabens: General note)
Ethylparaben is a part of a group of chemicals called parabens used widely as preservatives. The slightly different chemical signature for each paraben allows them to effectively combat microbial contamination in dailyLife™ products. By using several members of the paraben group, we are able to use a smaller percentage of parabens while achieving greater safety.
Butylparaben (see also Parabens: General note)
Butylparaben is a part of a group of chemicals called parabens used widely as preservatives. The slightly different chemical signature for each paraben allows them to effectively combat microbial contamination in dailyLife™ products. By using several members of the paraben group, we are able to use a smaller percentage of parabens while achieving greater safety.
Isobutylparaben (also see Parabens: General note)
Isobutylparaben is a part of a group of chemicals called parabens used widely as preservatives. The slightly different chemical signature for each paraben allows them to effectively combat microbial contamination in dailyLife™ products. By using several members of the paraben group, we are able to use a smaller percentage of parabens while achieving greater safety.
Food Colorings
Only seven artificial colorings are permitted in food in the US. In dailyLife™ products, the colorings Blue No.1, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 are recognized as safe for foods and therefore very safe in topical applications. Orange No. 4 is listed as safe for topical application.
Glycol Stearate (Mango Nectar only)
Produced from stearic acid and derived from a vegetable source, glycol stearate is used for effective flow of our liquid products giving them that pearly look and feel.
Sodium Hyaluronate (Mango Nectar only)
Often used in the treatment of ocular conditions and joint diseases, sodium hyaluronate is found naturally in the intracellular matrix (the fluid between the cells) and contributes to the hydration of tissue, including skin.
Parabens: General note
Parabens are preservatives commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products. They are especially effective against bacteria and fungi. Several varieties of parabens are used in our formulas including butylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, and isobutylparaben. While we strive to use natural products as much as is possible and safe, the use of minimal amounts of parabens has proven to be more effective in arresting microbial growth than natural sources. By using a variety of parabens, allowing for different molecular structures that address the receptors favored by a variety of microbes, we are able to use minute amounts (all preservatives – including non-parabens – in dailyLife™ products total less than 1 percent of each formula).
Controversy has arisen over parabens in recent years. A study published in 2004 (Darbre et al., in the Journal of Applied Toxicology) found parabens in breast cancer tissue and suggested that parabens may have contributed to cancer formation due to the weak estrogenic effect of parabens. However, the study did not answer several questions. Two key points should be considered. The study did not test to see if parabens were also present in healthy tissue. This lack of a control tissue does not allow for a finding of equal paraben concentration in the control or normal breast tissue. This type of finding would have negated the key findings from this study. Secondly, parabens’ estrogenic activity is very weak. For example: tests have shown butylparaben to have 100,000 times less estrogenic activity than estradiol (an estrogen replacement product). Tests in rodents have shown parabens, at the most extreme levels, did not cause cancers in those subjects.
In 2005 a review by Golden et al. published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology examined the findings of Darbre et al. In their review, they examined both dose and potency and assessed whether exposure to parabens might be associated with adverse effects. When based on conservative assumption (i.e. worst case scenario) of total daily exposures to parabens, it was found to be biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of male reproductive tract or breast cancer. The current scientific evidence does not support a direct association between the exposure to mimic estrogenic compounds (i.e. parabens) and the increased risk of breast cancer.
Our position is that our products are safer by assuring that pathogens that may find their way into daily care products are eradicated by using small amounts of parabens than if we chose to remove the paraben preservatives that protect them from microbial growth. However, we believe every consumer has the right to choose carefully what they put in and on their body. Therefore, we have included this information on parabens to allow you to make a fully informed decision when choosing to use or not use the dailyLife™ products.