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The Cocktail Effect

What is it - and what does it mean?

Many people are familiar with the saying "you are what you eat" - and often take an extra look at the ingredients in the food they buy at the store.

But what about our skin and hair care products?

Unfortunately, a shocking number of these contain harmful substances that can negatively affect our health.

The skin is our largest organ, which is why we should also pay more attention to the ingredient lists of the products on our bathroom shelves. What we put on our hair and skin is absorbed into the body - just like the food we eat.

We practically wear chemicals every single day. In fact, an average of 168 "layers" - and they are absorbed directly by the skin.

Your Sticks
Founder and chemical engineer


Too little research

Did you know that studies have shown that women, on average, “take on” 168 different chemicals every day?

These chemicals come from products we use daily, such as soap, shampoo, makeup and creams.

You might be thinking, "but such products are sold in stores, pharmacies and perfumeries, they must be safe?"

The truth is that there is too little research on the long-term effects of using these chemicals, and not least on what is called the cocktail effect.

So - what exactly is the cocktail effect?

The cocktail effect occurs when we are exposed to many environmental toxins or substances harmful to health over a long period of time, which can amplify the effects of each individual substance.

This can produce what is called the combination effect or cocktail effect.

This means that even though a substance alone may be harmless in small amounts, the combination of several different substances can have a harmful effect on our health.


Substances that contribute to the cocktail effect can be allergenic, endocrine disruptors and/or carcinogenic.

At Elm Organics, we do not understand that beauty and care products can be allowed to contain allergenic, endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic ingredients, which also harm the environment.

Your Sticks
Founder and chemical engineer

What can you do?

There are ways to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. One of the best ways is to choose products that are certified organic.

But you can get lost.

The beauty industry is unregulated, which can lead to companies marketing their products as "clean," "natural," and "organic" — without any oversight.

Therefore, pay attention to the certifications.

Elm Organics only has certified products through EcoCert Cosmos Organics, the most strictly regulated inspection and certification body globally.

With organically certified products, you are guaranteed purity and avoid the worst chemicals found in hair and skin care products. In particular, you should try to replace the products you use on a daily basis, as these products have the greatest impact on our bodies.

SIX GOOD TIPS

How to reduce exposure

1. CHOOSE CERTIFIED PRODUCTS

Cosmetic ingredient lists are often long, complex, and difficult to understand. So what can you do as a consumer?

Choose organically certified products. This will help you avoid many of the worst chemicals found in hair and skin care products. If the product is certified, you will find the certification symbol on the packaging itself.

Elm Organics has chosen Ecocert Cosmos Organic certification for all products, which is the strictest and most recognized certification in organic cosmetics and personal care, globally.

Certification is a customer guarantee for you as a consumer.

2. DON'T BE FOOLED BY VEGAN PRODUCTS

The fact that a product is vegan is great, but it doesn't mean that the product is free of harmful chemicals.

Vegan only means that it is not made with ingredients that come from animals or have been tested on animals.

Look for both certifications on the packaging – organic and vegan.

All Elm Organics products are certified vegan by PETA and certified organic.

3. REPLACE DAILY PRODUCTS

Start by replacing products like shampoo, conditioner, soap and skin creams with organic alternatives.

4. CHOOSE FRAGRANCE-FREE OR NATURALLY FRAGRANCED PRODUCTS:

Synthetic perfume is a cocktail of various synthetic chemicals, many of which are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.

In all Elm Organics products, we only use fragrance that is 100% natural in origin. The fragrance is made from molecules found in essential oils.

5. AVOID SLS AND SLES (SODIUM LAURYL AND LAURETH SULFATE)

SLS & SLES are petroleum-derived ingredients that are often used as foaming agents in cosmetic products such as shampoo and soap.

A major problem with petroleum-derived ingredients is that they can generate 1,4 dioxane - a substance that can potentially contribute to several forms of cancer.

1,4 dioxane will never appear on a product's ingredient list because it is not an ingredient, but a by-product.

Instead, choose products that are sulfate-free or that use coconut-derived sulfate. Sodium Coco Sulphate is a better and milder alternative to SLS & SLES.


6. USE FEWER PRODUCTS:

Think about how many products you actually need. Often, fewer and more natural products can be better for both your health and the environment.