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What quality control and testing methods are used by the manufacturer to ensure the products you are buying are clean and not contaminated?
Each batch that is produced of a particular skin care product needs to go through microbial testing to ensure no excessive growth over allowed amounts of bacteria’s, molds and yeasts exist. Preservative challenge testing is also a very important part of the initial Research & Development stage of any new product to ensure adequate shelf life, no use of excessive preservatives but with a wide spectrum of coverage to ensure products are safe. The right balanced formula with clean, stable and safe active sources of ingredients are also a key part of the overall products safety and in turn effectiveness.
In addition to in house testing a lab will conduct on a finished skin care product, third party testing should also be used by a lab for further cross check of any contaminants.
If you are buying skin care products that use natural raw ingredients such as seaweed, clays, Fruit , vegetables, essential oils etc ask your supplier what regulatory testing and research is conducted to ensure sustainable harvesting practices that are licensed and also that the raw ingredients used in the products are clean and not contaminated.
It is critical for ingredients such as seaweed, that are exposed to fish residues and water contaminates are properly harvested, cleaned and the right methods are used to protect the plant and maintain its full integrity. Issues like an off smell to the product, discoloration on the surface, skin irritations caused from use of the product and product separation can be signs of possible contamination or high bacterial growth.
Your supplier should be able to tell you what type of methods and testing have been used to maintain the integrity of the raw ingredient while still making sure it is clean and safe to use. If they cannot answer this or get the answer for you, or tell you its “confidential” this is a RED FLAG
Remember the more natural and “green” a product claims to be the more important quality control and quality assurance management and testing is when it comes to the manufacturing process. If a product is made oversees and important these methods of quality manufacturing are often not disclosed to buyers.
Media has created fear amongst the public over chemicals in cosmetics some of which are not substantiated by scientific fact. While use of natural alternatives to harsh cosmetic chemicals is an important part of creating a greener product, equally important is to ensure that a product being sold to the public with a shelf life is safe, stable, manufactured according to strict standards and that you are confident that the products you use and sell are not contaminated. Knowledge is the key so ask your supplier these key questions above if they don’t know the answer they should be able to find out.
Doing your due diligence will ensure you are supporting quality product made with integrity.
For any comments or questions please contact us admin@beautythroughbalance.ca Written by Sherina Jamal, founder of Ancient Secrets Inc. and creator of the Beauty Through Balance spa line of products.
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