When looking at the new Skin Relief Shampoo label, it says 99.4% natural on the front. When you look at the back, at the list of the ingredients you may wonder: “How much of this stuff is actually natural and why can’t it be 100%?” Well, there’s a simple answer, really. The shampoo is a water-based product and must, therefore, have a preservative in it.
Water is the perfect breeding ground for mould, fungi, bacteria, and yeast. It would only be a matter of time before the shampoo would go bad without preservatives in it. The scary thing is that the shampoo could smell and look nice. But it could still be filled with all the microorganisms mentioned above.
While searching for a preservative that was as natural as possible, my manufacturer suggested Euxyl. Euxyl is GMO-free and complies with the criteria of NATRUE (The International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association) and Ecocert (an organic certification organization for natural products). It’s a highly effective preservative yet very gentle and it’s so delicate that it’s suitable for eye-area products where stinging reduction is very important.
Inspired by Skin Relief Spray
When I decided to create Skin Relief Shampoo, I knew it would have to have all the benefits of our Skin Relief Spray. Plus some extras. It needed to clean the coat and skin really well, have the correct pH and make the skin and hair stronger and healthier.
The essential oils used in Skin Relief shampoo are the same as in Skin Relief Spray:
Peppermint oil – Several clinical studies have shown that peppermint oil or menthol is helpful no matter what’s causing the itch. Peppermint relieves any kind of skin irritation or itching and its local anaesthetic action is significant.
Geranium essential oil – Geranium is an antihistamine essential oil that prevents tissue degeneration and promotes the healing of wounds. It has antiseptic properties, balances the skin’s natural oil production, and has a sedative and uplifting effect on the nervous system. It also destroys and inhibits odours!
German chamomile essential oil – One of the most popular oils used for skin inflammation.
The Natural Goodness Added
Bamboo extract – Works hard at removing build-up and delivers nutrients to the hair follicle to further improve vitality.
Oatmeal extract – Helps reduce itching and inflammation. It has rich antioxidant properties and helps undo the damage done to your skin by pollution, UV rays, and chemicals.
Neem extract – With its regenerative properties and immune-boosting compounds, neem oil enables the skin to fight pathogens present below the skin’s surface. It is an age-old natural remedy for eczema symptoms like itchy, dry skin. And also removes skin impurities and tightens the pores. Neem is also known to strengthen the hair roots and accelerates growth.
Chondrus Crispus algae extract – A red seaweed living in deep water, this algae extract has anti-pollution properties and helps release the oily activities in the skin. It also enhances shine and smoothness on hair.
And the Other Interesting Names?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a natural and biodegradable surfactant derived from coconut oil and is very effective when it comes to foaming and cleansing. But, what’s a surfactant? A surfactant , also called a surface-active agent, is a substance such as a detergent. When added to a liquid, reduces its surface tension, increasing its spreading and wetting properties.
Decyl Glucoside is another surfactant in the shampoo is. Decyl glucoside is a naturally derived, biodegradable surfactant with extensive uses and benefits because of its natural properties. It lathers easily, making it a suitable ingredient for shampoos, soaps, and cleansers, etc. Don’t ask me why they have to both be surfactants. But I can assure you that I trust my manufacturer in choosing the best ingredients and the most natural ingredients possible.
The whole process of creating the shampoo, albeit analysing, waiting, nail-biting, hyperventilating, and more waiting, is now paying off! And I can’t wait for it to help as many doggos as possible!