For health and safety reasons, and to avoid microbiological contamination of some particular products, we have to include some form of preservation system in those products. Where possible, we use natural preservation systems, and ecologically certified preservatives where it is not possible. This ensures our products should not damage the environment when they are washed away after use.

None of the individual raw materials which we use contain any preservative, and we thus avoid a cocktail of preservatives which we believe to be irritant and unnecessary on the skin.

FAITH IN NATURE SKINCARE PRESERVATIVES

Effective preservation is required to provide protection from potentially harmful microbial contamination. The product needs protection from spoilage and to provide it with an adequate shelf life, and the user of the product also requires this protection.

Faith In Nature uses natural preservatives, wherever possible. Unfortunately, natural preservatives are not always effective in preserving some formulations, due the types and levels of ingredients incorporated into the formula. Faith in Nature will only use synthetic preservatives that meet strict toxicological and biodegradibility requirements . The toxicity and biodegradibility criteria ensure that the ingredient is not harmful to health and has minimum environmental impact. Although our products are not certified by the Organic and Natural European certifying bodies, such as Soil Association, Ecocert and BDIH, we only use preserves that are on their permitted lists.

Due to the incorporation of more active natural ingredients in our new skincare formulations, we have had to change our preservatives. European Organic and Natural certifying bodies allow the use of some synthetic preservatives such as Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate. The ingredient Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. In our formulations it converts to benzoic acid which is an ingredient found in nature. Potassium Sorbate is the salt of sorbic acid. In our formulations it converts to sorbic acid which is also found in nature. These ingredients are classed as nature identical. Due to the scarcity of the natural versions of these ingredients, synthetic versions are permitted.