Natural Base Products

Essential Therapeutics offers a range of unique and natural base products designed to be used either ‘as is’, or in the creation of customised Aromatherapy preparations.

As you will see, our base products are truly natural and of real professional quality – standing above the cosmetic products or base products commonly available.

Our base products are designed with the professional therapist in mind. Essential oils and other active ingredients can simply be mixed into a base without heating to prepare effective Aromatherapy formulae or cosmeceutical products for regenerative skin care.

Creams & Lotions

Essential Base Cream    
This cream is formulated as a ‘skin friendly’ alternative to the common Sorbolene  and ‘aqueous’ creams. These products are based on petrochemicals – mineral oil, paraffin and petroleum jelly – along with strong synthetic emulsifiers and preservatives. They are a poor base for preparations, being neither skin-compatible nor offering any regenerative benefits for the skin.

Instead of mineral oil and other synthetic ingredients, Essential Base Cream is based on the pure vegetable oils of Sweet Almond, Macadamia and Coconut. The full ingredient list includes pure Cocoa Butter, vegetable oil-derived emulsifying wax, distilled water, vegetable oil-derived glycerine, Rosemary antioxidant and grapefruit seed extract as a natural preservative – nothing more and nothing less!

Essential Base Cream is our “general purpose” base cream and is an excellent carrier base for all types of topical applications. In fact, we considered naming it Not Sorbolene Cream!

Essential Base Cream is very versatile. You can add up to an additional 10% of essential oils, our Therapeutic Massage Concentrates, Skin Synergy Blends or other oily ingredients. All you need to do is to stir in any additional ingredients until fully mixed.

In summary, Essential Base Cream is the perfect base cream for all types of skin care applications, including non-oily massage, reflexology treatments and more.

Essential Base Lotion
Essential Therapeutics also offers you a lotion form of our popular Essential Base Cream. Containing the same ingredients, Essential Base Lotion is a lighter, less oily version of the cream.

Essential Base Lotion makes an excellent carrier base for all types of applications, including Aromatherapy preparations, massage, reflexology, podiatry and general skin care.

Like Essential Base Cream, Essential Base Lotion can be used as a general moisturiser for the body, face and hands as is, or for creating customised preparations.

Up to a 10% dilution of pure essential oils, Massage Concentrates or Skin Synergies can be added. Simply add the extra ingredients and mix in well.

Essential Base Lotion is available in pump bottles to enable the lotion to be easily dispensed without mess. This makes Essential Base Lotion especially useful where more than one person uses the lotion, preventing any cross contamination in health care settings.

Ultimate Base Cream
This is the créme de la créme of base creams - truly natural, highly rejuvenating and suitable for serving a variety of skin complaints – all without being ridiculously expensive!

Ultimate Base Cream contains a wealth of skin rejuvenating ingredients:

Essential Fatty Acid vegetable oils of Evening Primrose, Rose Hip, Hemp Seed and Shea Butter. Centella Infused Oil. The skin serving Vitamins - D, E, B6 and Panthenol. All in a natural base of palm oil monoglyceride emulsifier, sclerotium gel, coconut oil-derived phospholipids, distilled water, vegetable glycerine, Rosemary antioxidant and grapefruit seed preservative.

Consequently, Ultimate Base Cream is excellent to use for any common skin condition, for its healing, revitalising and moisturising qualities.

Ultimate Base Cream is a perfect companion for our Skin Synergy Blends - blends of pure essential oils and aromatic extracts for specific skin conditions. Ultimate Base Cream can accept up to an additional 10% of essential oils, herbal extracts, etc., without separating. Generally, the addition of 0.5% to 1.5% of Skin Synergy Blends or other pure essential oils is sufficient for treating most skin conditions. Simply add the essential oils and stir in well.

Most cosmetic creams do not use these very useful essential fatty acids, because these highly polyunsaturated oils go rancid (oxidise) relatively quickly. Rancid oils are not good for the skin. Since large cosmetic companies want at least a three year “shelf life” for their products, highly stable synthesised oils, mineral oils, etc., are generally used.

Companies who produce products with EFA oils like Rose Hip, generally fail to give consumers a realistic “use by” date, meaning that such products can be quite rancid.

In contrast, we produce Ultimate Base Cream in small batches, with a full complement of our natural Rosemary antioxidant and we give you a realistic use by date on each jar.

We recommend that Ultimate Base Cream be kept in a cool dark place; the refrigerator is best.

Natural Gels

The most common gelling agent used today in cosmetic products is methacrylate polymer. This is a gel form of ‘bullet proof glass’ - plexiglass or Lexan. Not exactly what you would call natural. Methacrylate gels are benign enough – they are not toxic – but they are simply a gel form of synthetic plastic! All hair setting gels, many aloe vera gels and more are based on this gelling agent. It is also a very common stabilising agent in many cosmetic creams and lotions.

In contrast, Essential Therapeutics offers two natural gels that can be used to create a wide variety of beneficial preparations for topical application.

There are other natural vegetable-derived gelling agents, such as xanthan gum and guar gum. However, these products do not make a suitable base gel, as they cannot accept the addition of much additional ingredients without thinning and separating. They unfortunately have a rather “slimy” consistency as well.

Amigel
Amigel is our unique gelling agent derived from the yeast Sclerotium rolfsii grown on a glucose sugar culture. Known as a polysaccharide gel (meaning “many sugars”), Amigel has the highest capacity to absorb water than any other vegetable gelling agent and will accept a large amount of additional ingredients.

We offer our prepared Amigel at a 2% concentration in distilled water, with the addition of grapefruit seed extract and neutral cane spirits as preservatives.

With prepared Amigel, you can add up to an additional 25% of oily ingredients to create a stable, cream-like preparation. This means that you can fully customise the preparation you desire. Hence, you can add any essential oil or blend, pure vegetable oil, Essential Fatty Acid oils, Herbal InfusedOils, vitamins and on.

Amigel can also be diluted to an almost water-like consistency. At a concentration of only 0.2% (this would be one part Amigel to nine parts water), up to 10% of additional ingredients can be added, to create a sprayable or pumpable preparation.

Or, you can create a pumpable ‘serum’ preparation (treatment serums are very expensive cosmetic products) by using a 1% concentration of Amigel (this would be one part Amigel to one part water). Remember to add more preservative to the water when diluting Amigel, for example 0.3% Citricidal (8 to 10 drops per 100mL of additional water).

In making your own creams and lotions, Amigel can be added to help stabilise and emulsify oily ingredients, and gives a beautiful “skin feel” to your creams as well.

Amigel is totally non-toxic, non-allergenic and as gelled water, very hydrating for the skin. And since we have been asked, Amigel is perfectly fine for use by those intolerant to yeast in foods.

Amigel Powder
If you wish to create preparations using Amigel from scratch, we offer Amigel Powder as well. By using 2% of the powder, you will create a thick stable gel. You can choose other ingredients besides water to further customise your own preparation – this could be Aromatic Hydrosols, Aloe VeraConcentrate, herbal extracts and on. Or create thinner preparations, like pumpable serums. It is all up to your own creative genius!

Sample formula  -  Super Liposome Night Gel  -  for 120mL total
Amigel Powder  -  2 grams  *  Damask Rose Hydrosol or Spring Water  -  96mL
Vegetable Glycerine  -  2mL  *  Centella Infused Oil – 10mL *  Liposomes 33% - 10mL  
Citricidal (preservative)  -  0.5mL or grams

Mix the glycerine into the Rose Hydrosol. Heat to 70° C.  Slowly add Amigel Powder while blending. Continue blending until the mixture begins to thicken. Wait 10 minutes and then mix in the Centella oil, Liposomes and then Citricidal.

Laponite Gel
Laponite is a unique clay-based gelling agent. It is a mixture of natural earth oxides that have been milled to a fine particle size. When added to warm water at a 3% to 4% concentration a stiff, a clear “ringing” gel is produced. As with Amigel, you can add additional oily ingredients – essential oils and blends, vegetable oils and on, to create customised preparations.

With Laponite Gel, you can add up to an additional 15% of oily ingredients and still have a stable, cream-like product. Laponite Gel is designed to be used as the stiff gel. It cannot be thinned down and then accept a large quantity of additional ingredients, as is the case with Amigel. It has an excellent ‘skin feel’ when applied.

Laponite Powder
For those who want to create preparations from scratch, we also offer Laponite Powder. By using 3% to 4% of the powder, you will create a thick stable gel. You can choose other ingredients besides water to further customise your own preparation – this could be Aromatic Hydrosols, herbal extracts and on. However, some liquids, such as Aloe juice and some herbal extracts contain compounds that prevent Laponite from gelling properly. When in doubt, always start with a small experimental batch.

Sample formula  -  Peppermint Foot Gel  -  for 500mL total 

A soothing, cooling preparation for tired feet and legs.

Laponite Powder – 15 grams  *  Spring water – 275mL  *  Vegetable glycerine – 10mL

Vodka (alcohol as the preservative) – 200mL  *  Peppermint oil – 5mL

Mix the water, vodka and glycerine together. Heat gently to 35° C. While blending, slowly add the Laponite Powder and keep blending until the powder is fully dispersed. Once the mixture has begun to thicken significantly, blend in the Peppermint essential oil.

Amigel vs. Laponite Gel
Which gel is better to use? Laponite or Amigel? It is often just a matter of personal preference. Amigel will accept the highest amount (25% extra) of additional ingredients, if this is required. It can also be thinned down to a more water-like consistency, to make pumpable ‘serums’ and the like. Amigel has a relatively ‘slippery’ feel on the skin. It is translucent in appearance.

Laponite creates a stiff clear ‘ringing’ gel with a pleasant astringent feel when applied. If 15% or less of additional ingredients will be added, Laponite is an excellent choice. Try experimenting with both gels!

Dispersing Agents

We all know that oil and water do not mix. Essential oils, like vegetable oils, will not dissolve in water, except to a very small degree. In order to create stable solutions of essential oils in water and other liquids, we need to use dispersing agents that will emulsify the oils into very fine droplets and hold them in solution.

By using our natural dispersing agents, you can create any number of preparations, for bath treatments, sprayable formulations and on.

Disper
Disper is the natural emulsifier for essential oils. It consists of special soy lecithin fractions (food grade and non-GMO) added to pure neutral cane spirit (pure ethanol from cane sugar, charcoal filtered). In France, the major use for Disper has been to create essential oil preparations for ingestion. Disper is useful to create liquid preparations of any variety – for sprays, gargles, bath preparations, douches and on – and is perfectly compatible with the skin and mucous membranes.

To use, mix 10 drops (or parts) of Disper to each drop (or part) of essential oil used. Always mix essential oil and Disper together first, before adding to water. When added to water, a milky emulsion forms that remains stable over time.

Sample formula  -  Hydrating Mist Spray  -  for 100mL total
Dry Skin Synergy – 16 drops (0.5mL)  *  Disper – 160 drops (5mL)  *  Glycerine – 3mL
Aloe 10x concentrate – 10mL  *  Spring water – 82 mL  *  Citricidal (preservative) – 10 drops (0.3mL)  Mix Dry Skin Synergy oil blend into Disper. Mix all other ingredients together, add Disper mixture and blend well. Pour into a cobalt blue 100mL spray bottle…

Essential Solubiliser

Turkey Red Oil (sulfated castor oil – the first man-made detergent) is one older product that has been used for creating essential oil emulsions. Essential Solubiliser is a modern improvement on Turkey Red Oil, colourless, odourless and is a more effective emulsifier. Essential Solubiliser is based onmild emulsifiers derived from pure Almond and Coconut oils. These emulsifiers are non-toxic, non-allergenic and fully compatible with the skin. Such emulsifiers are the basis for a number of natural cosmetic products, such as essential oil-based “skin conditioning” sprays.

Essential Solubiliser is generally used in the ratio of 3 to 5 parts Solubiliser to 1 part essential oil. Lower amounts of Solubiliser will create a milky emulsion; higher amounts will create a clear solution. Some essential oils, such as citrus oils, require a higher amount of Solubiliser in order to create a clear solution (you can use up to 10 parts Solubiliser to 1 part essential oil).

Sample formula  -  Muscle Relief Bath Treatment  -  for 100mL total
Essential Solubiliser – 90mL  *  Muscle Relief Massage Concentrate – 10mL

To help relieve muscular pain and stiffness, aromatic baths are a useful and effective form of treatment. Simply mix the ingredients together and bottle. To a full hot bath, 5mL to 10mL of the preparation is added and mixed into the water to disperse. As the essential oils are fully emulsified in the bath water, there will be no possible skin irritation – as can be the case if essential oils are simply floated on the surface of the bath.

Disper vs. Essential Solubiliser

When should you use Disper or Essential Solubiliser? It is partly a matter of personal preference. Disper is most suited for application to mucous membranes (preparations for eye and throat complaints can be made with Disper, for example). It is a totally natural emulsifier made from soy lecithin that specifically works with essential oils. It makes a cloudy emulsion that can be of use in any type of application.

Essential Solubiliser is a naturally-derived emulsifier that is quite benign & non-toxic and is used in numerous products with a natural stance. Using essential oils you can create a totally clear solution. Essential Solubiliser stands out more for its use in creating bath treatments, spray preparations and the like – but it is not recommended for use in the eyes nor for ingestion.

Did you know…     We are often asked if our products contain “chemicals”.

Yes, our products contain nothing but chemicals! Even plain old water is a chemical and can be appropriately named dihydrogen monoxide. The real question is whether they are “bad” chemicals or “good” chemicals.

 “Bad” chemicals are compounds that can be toxic, cause skin irritation or allergic sensitisation, cause damage to the epidermis of the skin and on.

One example would be a cheap grade of sodium lauryl sulfate. Used as a cleansing agent, it can be quite “aggressive” - drying to the skin and scalp.

One natural “bad” compound is Elecampane (Inula helenium) essential oil. Although the whole herb is excellent when ingested for respiratory complaints, the essential oil is well known to create allergic skin reactions in many people.

“Good” chemicals are compounds that are at least completely benign to the skin, and best yet, have real benefits when applied to the skin or hair. One natural example would be Rose Hip vegetable oil. Rose Hip oil is rich in the

beneficial essential fatty acid known by the common name of alpha-linolenic acid. That already sounds like a “chemical” name. In the chemical naming system known as IUPAC, the accepted name is octadecatrienoic acid, 18:3. This sounds perhaps even more like a “nasty” chemical name!

One example of a man-made “good” chemical is Vitamin E acetate. Although fully synthesized, it is useable just like Vitamin E extracted from Soy bean residues, and contains no toxic by-products. Another is lauryl polyglucoside. This is a new gentle cleansing agent used in our Essential Shampoo Base. Lauryl means lauric fatty acid from coconut oil and polyglucoside means many glucose sugars linked together. In short, a coconut and sugar cleanser!

So, we do hope that you are not put off by “chemical” names on our product ingredient listings. This is how ingredients should be listed, not trying to fool people with made-up names that sound more “natural”.

And be assured, we only use benign, “good” chemicals in all our products.

Hair & Body Base Products

Essential Therapeutics offers a full range of base products for skin and hair care. All are designed to be either used “as is” or for the addition of pure essential oils and other raw materials for creation of your own customised preparations.

All our base products are:

Made from premium natural and naturally derived plant materials  *  No animal or petrochemical products are used  *  Environmentally friendly  *   Cruelty free – never tested on animals  *  Non-toxic and hypoallergenic

Essential Shampoo Base  -  Sulfate & PEG-free

Our Essential Shampoo Base contains only skin and hair-friendly ingredients, with no lauryl sulfate or PEG detergents. The result is a shampoo for all hair types, with gentle but effective cleansing power and conditioning agents. It is concentrated, so a little will go a long way.

Essential Shampoo Base is based on mild vegetable oil-derived cleansing agents including lauryl polyglucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine and glyceryl oleate.

We chose our ingredients because we wanted to offer an excellent shampoo free of problematic lauryl sulfate and PEG (polyethylene glycol) detergents. All the cleansing agents used are all vegetable oil-derived, free of any toxic residues (such as dioxanes and nitrosamines) and are very gentle on the hair – yet effective and conditioning.

Excellent to use as is, or you can customise Essential Shampoo Base by the addition of essential oils to suit different conditions. From 0.5% to 2% additional essential oils can be used. The most effective way to add oils to the shampoo is to mix one part of essential oil with four parts of our Essential Solubiliser first. Then, simply mix into the shampoo. There may be a change to the consistency and colour of the shampoo based on the essential oils and dosages used.

Essential Conditioner Base    

The companion to our Shampoo Base, Essential Conditioner Base is a light, nourishing conditioner for all hair types, containing only natural coconut and palmoil conditioning agents.

For dealing with hair and scalp complaints, Essential Conditioner Base is a more effective base to use than shampoo, as you can leave it on for just a few minutes or even overnight. This allows beneficial ingredients to penetrate fully into the hair and scalp for best effect.

Sample formula  -  Nourishing Panthenol Conditioner  -  for 260mL total
An excellent formula for dry and damaged hair
Essential Conditioner Base – 250mL  *  Jojoba oil -5 mL  *  Panthenol (Vitamin B5)- 5 mL

Essential oils of: True Lavender – 10 drops  *  Geranium, Egypt – 10 drops  *  Australian Sandalwood – 10 drops (approximately 1mL total)

Although the ingredients can simply be blended into the conditioner base, to allow you to pour the finished conditioner back into a bottle, warm the Conditioner Base to about 50° C (until liquid) and then blend in additional ingredients, using a conventional or a ‘stick’ blender. Pour into the bottle and the conditioner will thicken upon cooling.

Essential Shower Gel

An excellent “all-over” cleanser for the bath or shower, based on mild, coconut oil-derived cleansing agents of ammonium laureth sulfate and cocomidopropyl betaine. Contrary to many books and websites that detail the ‘hazards’ of laureth sulfates, ammonium laureth sulfate is actually a very mild cleansing agent (milder than lauryl sulfates), especially when combined with cocomidopropyl betaine (very mild) and it contains no toxic by-products. Essential Shower Gel is suitable both as a body wash and as a mild shampoo.

Essential Shower Gel is suited to be used as is or with the addition of pure essential oils. From 0.5% to 2% additional essential oils can be added. The most effective way to add oils to the shower gel is to mix one part of essential oil with four parts of our Essential Solubiliser first. Then, simply mix into the shower gel. There may be a change to the consistency and colour of the shower gel based on the essential oils and dosages used.

Castile Soap
Castile Soap is a mild traditional soap made only from the pure vegetable oils of coconut and olive. Using caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) instead of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), as used in making hard bar soaps, Castile Soap is light and liquid. It is suitable for all types of cleansing needs – baths, showers, shaving and on – and is suitable for all skin types and ages. Castile Soap also serves as an excellent shampoo. Just remember to use a slightly acid rinse after shampooing, as any minerals in ‘hard’ tap water can leave a slight soap film on the hair after rinsing. A teaspoon or more of vinegar or lemon juice in 100mL of water makes an effective rinse. Add essential oils as desired.

Essential Exfoliant Base
A natural vegetable oil-based cream with gently exfoliating Agra fruit shell grains added. Perfect for use on the face, or as a gentle body scrub for the feet, hands, etc. Add essential oils as desired.

Essential Body Scrub 
For an invigorating  “whole body” (or any part you wish!) cleanse and exfoliation, we offer Essential Body Scrub, based on fine radiata pine powder, crushed Rose petals and pure Lavender essential oil.

Simply moisten the skin, apply Essential Body Scrub, work in well and rinse. Perfect for either home or spa treatments. Excellent for specific foot and hand treatments as well.

Natural Raw Materials

Essential Therapeutics offers a range of natural raw materials to be used in the creation of preparations for therapeutic or cosmetic use.

Further information is available from our dedicated distributors or you are welcome to contact us directly.

We offer comprehensive training courses on a variety of topics, including seminars detailing how to manufacture finished preparations, as in our Aromatherapy & Regenerative Skin Care and Aromatherapy Prescription Bases seminars. Please contact us or your nearest Essential Therapeutics distributor for more details.

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are compounds that serve to hold oil and water together, most useful to create creams and lotions. Emulsifying products range from very mild oil-like products, such as glyceryl monostearate to very active detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate – which can dry out the epidermis of the skin.

For application to the skin, we look to use the mildest, more oil-like emulsifiers that will produce a cream and are perfectly benign to the skin.

Emulsifying Wax
Emulsifying Wax is a benign and effective emulsifier that allows you to easily create stable creams and lotions.

There a number of emulsifying waxes available on the market. Some companies attempt to promote their emulsifying wax as “100% natural”, which is simply not true. All emulsifying waxes currently in the market use one type or other of a semi-synthetic emulsifier. One popular wax uses the problematic sodium lauryl sulfate as the primary emulsifier. It works well as an emulsifier – but it is too strong and drying to the skin and is best avoided.

Essential Therapeutics offers the most benign Emulsifying Wax available. It is a mixture of 90% cetyl alcohol (a natural fatty alcohol – like a fatty acid – extracted from palm oil) and 10% PEG - 25 stearate. This is a naturally-derived emulsifier, again made from palm oil (not animals) that is effective but very mild on the skin. Our emulsifying wax is guaranteed to be free of any toxic by-products and is suitable for both for Kosher and Hallal use.

Glyceryl Monostearate
This is a fully natural emulsifier, simply made from palm oil, with one (mono) instead of three (tri) fatty acids as in all vegetable oils. Glyceryl Monostearate is commonly used in foods (chocolate, bread, etc.) and is found naturally in our skin sebum.

Glyceryl Monostearate can be used by itself to create thick creams, but it is best used in conjunction with products such as Amigel and Lecithin Emulsifier to make truly natural creams and lotions.

Lecithin Emulsifier
Another fully natural emulsifier, Lecithin Emulsifier consists of natural soy lecithin fractions dispersed in Xanthan gum and Amigel.  Used in the water phase of creams and lotions, it works well with Glyceryl Monostearate or other emulsifiers to make natural creams with the excellent skin benefits of lecithin. Natural soy lecithin is an excellent hydrating compound for the skin, and is rich in beneficial essential fatty acids.

Preservatives & Antioxidants

Preservatives are compounds that prevent the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts in any product that contains water. There are many synthetic preservatives on the market used in cosmetics – and such products can pose some potential problems with toxicity and allergic reactions with long-term use.

Essential Therapeutics offers two natural-sourced preservatives that are benign and without problems, for use in making creams, lotions, sprays, etc.

Antioxidants are compounds that strongly attract oxygen. Oxidation (also known as rancidity in vegetable oils) of compounds in products, such as vegetable and essential oils, is the major reason for the loss of activity of a product. Antioxidants capture reactive oxygen before they damage other compounds, extending the active life of products significantly. As with preservatives, there any many synthetic antioxidants in common use. We offer a potent natural antioxidant – Amiox - that also has real anti-aging benefits for the skin. Also see both NaturalVitamin E and Ester C under Vitamins for Cosmetics, as these products also have good antioxidant properties.

Preservatives Vs Antioxidants: People can get confused about preservatives, as this heading can also include antioxidants. We specifically mean: preservatives stop microbial & fungal growth and antioxidants slow down oxidation or rancidity. We have seen more than one hand made cream turn fuzzy and green (mouldy!) because an antioxidant was added as the “preservative”.

Citricidal
This is a naturally derived preservative from grapefruit seeds and pulp that has been in use since the 1970’s. Citricidal works as a benign, hypoallergenic and wide-spectrum preservative in many formulations. The recommended use level is from 0.2% to 1.0% in the water portion of creams, lotions, etc.

This is an unadulterated grapefruit seed extract, it does not contain added synthetic parabens or triclosan, that have been found in some grapefruit and citrus seed extracts.

Phospholipid PTC
This preservative is a man-made version of compounds found in soy lecithin known as a phospholipid.  Food-grade lecithin from soy beans is a complex mixture of different phospholipids and does not work well as an emulsifier by itself.  Research was undertaken to create new emulsifiers from vegetable oils using natural phospholipids as a model.  Phospholipid PTC is made from coconut oil Not only is it a good emulsifier, it also has strong anti-microbial properties against a wide range of common bacteria and moulds. Phospholipid PTC has been tested on humans (patch test for irritation) and with new non-animal tests for eye irritation and it proves to be very mild and non-toxic - which is not something to be said for many synthetic preservatives.

Phospholipid PTC can be used in most formulae for both its emulsifying and preservative action ?] from a 0.25% to a 1.0% concentration.  It is best used as a co-emulsifier (used with other emulsifiers) and as a co-preservative (it works well together with Citricidal).

Amiox
Amiox is our unique Rosemary extract that is a potentnatural antioxidant.

By adding only two to four drops (or 0.05% to 0.1%) of Amiox to every 100mL ofvegetable oil or the oil portion of creams and lotions, etc., the ‘shelf life’ of the oil can be extended for another 30% to 40% longer.

Amiox can also be added to natural creams and lotions for its beneficial antioxidant or free radical scavenging properties. Up to 1.0% (or 32 drops per 100mL) can be added for excellent “anti-aging” effects.                              

Vitamins for Regenerative Skin Care

Specific vitamins have well documented benefits when used topically on the skin. With the exception of natural source Vitamin E, all these vitamins are “man made”, as they cannot be readily extracted in a concentrated form from natural sources. Are they “bad” any way? No! They have the same biological activity as the natural vitamins and are totally free of any contaminants. The vitamins that we offer are of pharmaceutical quality – they are the same vitamins as used in vitamin supplements and the like.

Vitamin E Acetate
This is “man made” Vitamin E acetate (dl-tocopheryl acetate). It is useable just like natural source Vitamin E (it is commonly used in vitamin supplements) and is completely pure. As the acetate form, Vitamin E acetate is very stable, as it will not react with oxygen. Hence, it will last for years in cosmetic preparations. Vitamin E acetate is metabolized back to active Vitamin E once it is absorbed by cells in the epidermis.

Vitamin E acetate is an excellent moisturising and hydrating agent. It penetrates into the epidermis and serves to bind water in the skin. From 0.5% to 5% (or more) can be used in the oily portion of creams, etc.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is a useful vitamin for skin repair and skin inflammation. Vitamin D works well in synergy with essential fatty acids, as in Rose Hip and Hemp Seed oils.

It is heat sensitive, so it is recommended to be added to creams and other products after they have cooled. From 0.02% to 0.05% is all that is needed. Best stored in refrigerator after opening.

Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)  
Panthenol or pro-vitamin B5 can be used in hair conditioners from 0.5% to 2%. Panthenol readily absorbs into the hair, being deposited onto the cuticle and penetrating into the cortex of the hair.  This is even more so for bleached or permed hair.  It provides benefits such as long lasting moisturisation, it imparts lustre, and it has a conditioning effect resulting in easily manageable hair.  It reduces considerably the formation of split ends.  It serves to repair damaged hair and can thicken undamaged hair by up to 10%.

In skin care, Panthenol has the following effects: moisturising, anti-inflammatory and promotes skin elasticity and repair. 

Panthenol as a water soluble vitamin can be used in a number of different preparations including creams and lotions, toners, after shave lotions and mouth wash and gargle preparations.

Vitamin B6
There is a good deal of evidence that certain skin diseases are directly associated with Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency.  Many researchers have described the dermatological (skin) symptoms caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B6, particularly in relation to the body’s use or metabolism of essential fatty acids.  People suffering from toxic and allergic skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema often show a deficiency of Vitamin B6.  A deficiency of Vitamin B6 causes atrophy or wasting of the epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.  It appears that Vitamin B6 will act directly on the sebaceous glands and is involved in the correction of defective fatty acid metabolism. 

Given the role of Vitamin B6 in the metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body it appears that the combined use of Vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids such as in Rosehip Oil and Evening Primrose Oil have a good synergistic effect on various skin complaints. Its use level is from 1% to 2%, added to the water portion of creams, sprays, etc. 

Summary of Vitamin Benefits

Using Vitamins in preparations

Miscellaneous Raw Materials

Vegetable Glycerine    
Natural glycerine can be extracted either from animal fats (the usual source) or from vegetable oils. We offer the pure, vegetable oil-extracted glycerine. Use from 2% to 5% in the water portion of any formulation, to enjoy the humectant benefits of glycerine – it makes water “wetter” allowing water to absorb into the skin more easily and keeps absorbing moisture from the atmosphere for long lasting hydration. Natural and totally non-toxic, glycerine is a superior choice over the problematic propylene and butylene glycols routinely used in cosmetics.

Soy Liposomes
Liposomes are extremely small spheres of natural phospholipids from soy lecithin. They are popular in expensive cosmetic ranges (and in medical applications), because of the ability of liposomes to easily penetrate the epidermis of the skin. Liposomes can be “loaded” with other active ingredients enclosed within the liposome spheres or they can be used “unloaded”.

We provide pure soy unloaded liposomes because the phospholipids are extremely active by themselves. Our liposomes are primarily made of the phospholipid, phosphatidyl choline, which contains a high content of essential fatty acids. These liposomes are far superior to hydrogenated liposomes or animal-derived ceramides.

Soy Liposomes offer many skin benefits, real improvement in skin hydration, improvement in wrinkles and general skin texture, help prevent blackhead and pimple formation and on.

Soy Liposomes can easily be added to our natural gels or our Ultimate Base Cream. We recommend adding from 10% to 33% Soy Liposomes for best results.

Sample formula  -  Ultimate Liposome Cream  -  for 100mL total
Ultimate Base Cream – 90mL  *  Soy Liposomes – 10mL  
Mature Skin Synergy – 24 drops (0.75mL)

Simply mix all ingredients together well. A superior hydrating and rejuvenating formulation.

Looking for more natural raw materials?

Through our extended company, we can supply a further range of natural raw materials, including:

White Beeswax
Benzoin Tincture
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol
Menthol Crystals
Xanthan Gum
Ecol Natural Soap Powder
And more…

Contact your nearest distributor or Essential Therapeutics for further details.

Argiletz Active Clays

The use of natural clay for its healing properties predates recorded history. We find mention of sedimentary clays being used for healing and cosmetic purposes in many ancient cultures, including ancient Egypt and Rome.

In the present day we find that France remains at the forefront of using clay for naturopathic treatments both externally and internally. 

Argiletz of France is the world’s leading producer of the finest therapeutic quality clays. Unlike commonly available clays (generally used for pottery and other industrial uses), Argiletz Active Clays are produced only for therapeutic use, never treated nor heated.

These superfine clays have been only sun dried and then processed under exacting conditions to ensure that their active mineral content is retained.

The active minerals in Argiletz Active Clays work in synergy to cleanse, tone and revitalise your skin and body.

Therapeutic clays are excellent to use in regenerative skin care because sedimentary clays have a very strong affinity to water.  Because of this, a clay masque will produce excess heat under the masque.  This stimulation of the clay increases blood circulation and induces perspiration, helping toxins and other wastes to be eliminated.  Clay is endowed with very active surfaces which easily absorbs toxins which are eliminated from the skin.

These clays are excellent for treating a wide variety of skin conditions and other common complaints, especially utilised as masques and poultices.

Essential Therapeutics offers a range of five active clays – Green, Yellow, Red, Pink and White. The variety of colours is due to the location and depth from which the clay is extracted and reflects a variation in trace mineral composition.

Due to these variations in mineral content, each colour of active clay has its particular applications.

All of the Argiletz Active Clays are packed in natural cellulose-derived packaging that preserves the clay’s activity.

Enclosed with every package is a useful instruction brochure.

Green Clay
The most absorbent (or ‘drawing’) and detoxifying of the clays, Green Clay is generally used for face masques in cases of acneic, oily and neglected skin. Applied as a face or body masque, Green Clay cleanses, exfoliates, smoothes and softens the skin. Green Clay is ideal for poultices to relieve and soothe a variety of skin conditions; useful for skin regeneration. Green clay is a good ‘first aid’ product. Try applying a small poultice to insect bites & stings; minor wounds and burns. Add essential oils for further benefits.

Yellow Clay
Yellow Clay is generally used for face and body masques, particularly in cases where the condition of the skin and body needs revitalising. Yellow Clay is recommended for most skin types to restore tired and neglected or devitalised skin.

Red Clay
A more oily and mildly absorbent clay, Red Clay is preferred for face and body masques in cases of dry, sensitive or couperose skin. Toning in nature, with a high iron oxide content, Red Clay is useful to help with fragile & broken capillaries, “sagging” skin and for muscle toning.

Pink Clay
This clay is intended for use in a maintenance programme for the face and body. The softening effect of Pink Clay refines the skin's texture while toning the epidermis. It is suited for fragile, dehydrated and sensitive skin. Pink Clay has tissue firming properties, particularly for the bust, thighs, stomach and arms. It is also highly recommended as a hair conditioner.

White Clay
A gentle clay suitable for face and body masques for young and sensitive or mature and delicate skins. White Clay is an excellent body deodorant and a natural alternative to talcum powder. White Clay is the clay of choice for use as a hand masque to soothe and soften dry hands. It can be used for reflexology treatments and prior to waxing treatment. This is the least ‘drawing’ of the clays.

Sample formula - Acneic Skin Facial Masque - for single application
Argiletz Green Clay -15 grams (or 2 metric teaspoons) Spring water -15 ml
Acneic Skin Synergy - 5 drops
Hemp Seed Oil - 6 drops

Procedure:
Measure out Green Clay into a clean mixing bowl (preferably porcelain). Add spring water and wait until the water has absorbed.

Then mix in with a wooden or porcelain spoon the Acneic Synergy and Hemp Seed Oil until fully dispersed.

Apply a thick film of the masque to clean skin, leaving on for 15 to 20 minutes.  Use a spray of either spring water or aromatic hydrosol, if the masque begins to dry too quickly.

Active Clay Aromatherapy Bath Salts
Superfine clay and pure essential oils have been combined with natural mineral salts for luxurious and therapeutic baths. The bath salts come packaged in a designer canister.

Green Clay Bath Salts – with pure essential oils of Mandarin, Lemon and Bergamot.

Pink Clay Bath Salts – with pure essential oils of True Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot.

Handmade Clay & Aromatherapy Cleansing Bars

These handmade soaps are made only from pure vegetable oils, with active clay and pure essential oils added.

Gently cleansing and exfoliating, these cleansing bars are suitable for all skin types.

Green Clay Cleansing Bar – with pure essential oils of Mandarin, Lemon and Bergamot.

Pink Clay Cleansing Bar – with pure essential oils of True Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot.

Aromatic Hydrosols    

Aromatic Hydrosols are genuine floral waters or “waters of distillation”, derived from the steam distillation of aromatic plants and flowers. The most soothing water soluble aromatic compounds found in the plant are naturally contained in the hydrosols. The hydrosols are calming, toning and astringent hydrating agents that can be used in a variety of ways.

As a refreshing mist spray: 

On the face:  As a soothing & hydrating facial toner or after shave. 
On the hair: To renew body and lustre and to impart a beautiful but subtle fragrance. 
On the body: To refresh, hydrate, and cool as well as to lightly fragrance the skin with these natural perfumes.
In facial masques: Aromatic hydrosols are an excellent addition to active clay masques, imparting their balancing, therapeutic properties to the treatment.
After masque treatment:  Spray mist the face after treatment to tone and soothe the skin.

You can also add hydrosols to the water portion of creams and gels

Chamomile Flower Blend
A blend of Roman Chamomile, Damask Rose and True Lavender hydrosols.

This soothing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory blend is an excellent remedy on an eye-pad for tired and red eyes due to strain, allergy or airborne pollution. Also for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin.

Damask Rose    Rosa damascena   

The true water of distillation from the finest Bulgarian roses. Properties: Refreshing, anti-inflammatory and soothing.  Good for dry, dehydrated skins and sensitive, couperose conditions.

Jasmine    Jasminum officinalis 

Since Jasmine flowers are not steam distilled, but is available as an absolute, there is no water of distillation available.  But because it is so exquisite, we’ve done our steam distillation of Jasmine concrete to produce a beautiful aromatic hydrosol. Properties: soothing and hydrating.  Excellent for mature skin or as a subtle perfume.

Orange Blossom    Citrus aurantium ssp amara    

Properties:  Soothing.  Skin rejuvenating, mild antiseptic, uplifting.  Good for normal and combination skin.

Rosemary    Rosmarinus officinalis CT verbenone

This hydrosol is produced from the valuable Verbenone chemotype of Rosemary, highly regarded by French physicians who practice aromatic medicine. Rosemary Hydrosol is locally produced from Rosemary grown in western Victoria.

[TOP OF PAGE]