British feel misled over beauty labelling

New research by the Soil Association reveals that 76% of people feel misled by some beauty labelling. The new research, released as part of its Campaign For Clarity, also shows that 72% of people said they would lose trust in a beauty brand that made misleading claims about being organic.

The research found that 74% of people said they would feel they were choosing a product which was free from ‘nasties’ if it said organic on the label. Yet the reality is quite different. A leading independent toxicologist reviewed the ingredients found in products which say organic on the label and identified the ‘Terrible Ten’: ingredients which have been shown in wider use to cause problems such as allergies, hormone disruption, or harm to the development of unborn babies. Emeritus Professor Vyvyan Howard of the Centre for Molecular Bioscience at Ulster University, who assessed the ingredients used in the potentially misleadingly labelled products and came up with the ‘Terrible Ten’, said: “I was shocked to find ingredients which could contain human carcinogens in products with labels which could misleadingly suggest that they might be organic. Genuine organic products are independently certified and I would encourage consumers to choose those to be sure they are keeping away from ingredients included in the Terrible Ten.”

BetterYou introduces turmeric spray

The latest addition to the range at BetterYou has seen the launch of the world’s first Turmeric Oral Spray. Using molecular encapsulation, the new spray guarantees superior absorption than tablets through its unique delivery mechanism, which bypasses the digestive system (a well-documented absorption issue for curcumin). The most bioavailable on the market, the formulation ensures a greater uptake of the three active curcuminoids. Using natural ingredients, the orange flavoured formulation is suitable for vegetarians. In addition, the brand has also launched MagnesiumGel, which boasts the most concentrated gel/magnesium content on the market and is formulated for ease of use and targeted application for the customer.

Wiley’s Finest launches Vitamin K2 product at NOPE

Wiley’s Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, the Omega-3 supplement brand that uses only certified sustainable, responsibly sourced Alaskan fish, launched a new Vitamin K2 product at the Natural and Organic Europe show in April.

The new supplement combines concentrated EPA and DHA Omega-3 with another scientifically validated ingredient – MenaQ7® Vitamin K2. This clinically proven and patented form of Vitamin K2 has been shown to support bone and cardiovascular health in human clinical trials. Wiley’s Finest K2 supplement is also the first to combine K2 and Omega-3.

The new product combines both 500mg of concentrated EPA and DHA Omega-3 from Alaska Pollock Fish Oil with a meaningful dosage of 80mcg MenaQ7® K2 per serving; this is the most bioavailable and bioactive Vitamin K2, and the only form shown to be effective at just 45mcg per day.

According to Eric Anderson of NattoPharma, the leader in vitamin K2 research and development: “Clinical studies show that Vitamin K2 is an under-consumed nutrient that is very difficult to obtain from whole foods; it is an excellent combination with supplemental EPA and DHA Omega-3 to support heart and circulatory health.”

incognito features on BBC’s Rip Off Britain

Mosquito repellent, incognito, featured in a recent episode of the BBC’s Rip Off Britain. The holiday special, screened on Monday 23rd January 2017, discussed the dangers of contracting Chikungunya whilst abroad and what customers can do to help prevent getting bitten by the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

Rip Off Britain filmed a scientific experiment conducted by Dr James Logan, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who tested a range of repellents commonly found on the market as well as home remedies. He first showed a control for the experiment by placing his arm in a cage of mosquitoes. He was bitten 22 times. The home remedies actually made him slightly more attractive to mosquitoes with James receiving 31 bites. But when PMD and then DEET were used, no mosquitoes landed on his arm and he received no bites at all. Presenter Julia Somerville commented, “With DEET and PMD having such dramatic mosquito repelling success, it’s clear what you should pack if you’re going to a place where you risk being bitten.”

The programme also showed various pack shots of repellents including the PMD-based incognito Insect Repellent. Both the incognito spray and roll-on provide total protection against mosquitoes and good protection against other biting insects, protecting more effectively than DEET for the first four hours, yet the product is completely natural.

Eleven new awards for Weleda

After six months of testing entries from 38 countries, The Beauty Shortlist has announced its new International Beauty Awards, with Weleda receiving 11 accolades on 2 March. This in addition to the six Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby Awards the brand won in the summer.

This year the Beauty Shortlist assembled an international team of 18 judges from the UK, USA and Australia to put beauty products through their paces – championing in particular natural, organic and eco-luxury cosmetics. The Beauty Shortlist’s founder, Fiona Klonarides, commented on Weleda’s success in this year’s awards: “Weleda’s unwavering commitment to its three pillars of environmental, social and economic sustainability has never – ever – been more important than right now. While healing plants and natural oils are the essence of its beautiful wellbeing and beauty ranges, it’s the ethical, behind-the-scenes work Weleda does 365 days a year that’s so important, too. Such as enabling the producers of its raw ingredients in places such as Morocco (iris), Italy (sea buckthorn) and Spain (almond and rosemary) to make a decent living, while protecting our planet through socially responsible cultivation, for many generations to come.”

Weleda’s managing director, Jayn Sterland, was particularly pleased the company had been recognised again for Best Fair Trade/Sustainable Brand, commenting: “We are thrilled to win the Sustainable award for a fourth consecutive year. Ethically sourced, fairly traded ingredients are at the heart of Weleda, and we are extremely proud of our farming partnerships. Weleda is the first European beauty brand to become a member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) and sustainability remains a primary focus for us. It is really heart warming to have our efforts recognised by The Beauty Shortlist.”