Mucous membranes are the moist layer of semi-permeable
tissue lining the mouth, nose, eyes, vagina and anus.
Because they do not have the protective layer (Stratum
corneum) found on the surface of the outer skin,
mucous membranes can be damaged, irritated and penetrated
by synthetic chemicals much more easily.
Most old style lubricants are primarily made of synthetic
chemicals, some with known or suspected safety issues,
such as skin irritants, penetration enhancers or
estrogen mimicking properties. A few lubricant manufacturers
do not even declare their ingredients; have a look
next time you are shopping.
The ingredients used in all
Yes® products
are selected with the needs of the mucous membranes
in mind. The criteria that ingredients have to meet
to be used in a Yes® product include:
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1. |
Certified
and guaranteed purity and quality – organically
produced wherever possible, as this ensures
product integrity and no hidden chemicals
carried over from the production processes,
such as the recent FDA alert for Diethylene
glycol (anti-freeze) in glycerin (1). |
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2. |
A solid
pedigree of safety and performance – for
example, flax has been cultivated by man for
over 6000 years and the ancient Greeks and
Romans used it to heal, moisturise and nourish
skin(2). |
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3. |
No known skin irritants:
| (a) |
No Menthol / Peppermint
oil – skin irritants and
can damage mucous membranes (3,4) |
| (b) |
No Grapefruit seed
extract – see below in sections
7 & 8 |
| (c) |
No Glycerin – can
be a skin irritant in some people and in
concentrated solutions can damage the mucous
membranes (5,6) |
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4. |
No
natural or synthetic products that have health
issues or concerns:
| (a) |
No Parabens – (Parabens,
i.e. Methylparaben, are a range of synthetic
preservatives that mimic estrogen and are
potentially linked to breast cancer) (7) |
| (b) |
No Glycerin – A
sugar that can feed Candida albicans and
so cause a bout of Thrush in women |
| (c) |
No Propylene glycol – a
penetration enhancer used in cosmetics,
as well as lubricants, to “pull” other
chemicals into the skin (8,9) |
| (d) |
No L-Arginine – an
amino acid that can initiate a Herpes outbreak
in people with genital Herpes (10) |
| (e) |
No Petroleum by-products such
as Mineral Oil (Liquidum Paraffinum), Petrolatum
(petroleum jelly), Paraffin oil (lamp oil
or premium Kerosine) or Paraffin wax. Two
concerns, firstly they coat the skin preventing
its normal functions (11) and
secondly they are potentially contaminated
with impurities linked to cancer or other
significant health problems. The EU has
restricted the use of Petrolatum in cosmetic
manufacture (12) |
| (f) |
No Silicone oils such
as Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone or Dimethicone
Copolyol. Much like Petroleum by-products
they coat the skin, not allowing it to
breathe. There is so much breast implant
(these were / are Silicone oils) side effect
information and controversy that we recommend
you search for “silicone toxicity” in
Google and take a view yourself. |
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5. |
Never
tested on animals. No animal ingredients. Yes® oil-based contains Bees Wax which
is approved by the Vegetarian Society. |
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6. |
Only
plant based ingredients unless there
is no effective or safe natural option |
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7. |
Preservation
and product cleanliness are critical.
We tested all commercially available natural
and “natural” preservation
systems and found that none were secure,
reliable and safe enough to meet our criteria. For
instance Grapefruit seed extract is a known
eye irritant at low concentrations (13).
If you know of one that works, please
let us know. We finally chose a combination
of natural and synthetic preservatives for
Yes® water-based
to deliver the performance required. |
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8. |
Grapefruit
Seed Extract (also called Citrus seed extract
and Citrus grandis). Independent
research has shown that Grapefruit Seed
Extract’s antimicrobial properties
are exclusively due to adulterants:
undeclared synthetic chemicals; commercially
available preservatives and disinfectants
such as Methylparaben. Some of which are
classified as poisons (14). Yes® products
will never contain Grapefruit
Seed Extract. |
Yes® water-based
ingredients:
Organic Aloe Vera, a renowned skin food; organic
Flax extract which is particularly beneficial for
the mucous membranes and three synergistic plant based
gums – Guar, Locust Bean and Xanthan, all of
which contribute to the deep velvety texture. Food
quality preservatives are included and citric acid
to buffer the pH.
Yes® oil-based
ingredients:
Two rich organic butters – Cocoa butter and
Shea butter – more skin food, which impart
smoothness and body; two fine emollient oils - sweet
almond oil and sunflower oil, both organic, which
confer a silky texture and skin moisturising benefits;
a little white organic bees wax, and lastly some
Vitamin E which as well as benefiting the skin, acts
as a preservative.
International Patent Pending
© The Luberation Laboratory Ltd 2006
References:
- FDA Import Alert IA5502, www.fda.gov
- Flax: Ancient Herb and Modern Medicine By William
J. Haggerty, Ph.D., HerbalGram, 1999; 45:51-57
- A consumer’s dictionary
of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter
- Cosmetics Unmasked, Dr.
Stephen & Gina Antczak
- A consumer’s dictionary
of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter
- View any MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for
Glycerol / Glycerine / Glycerin
- Cosmetic chemicals found in breast tumours, 12
January 2004 www.NewScientist.com
- Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep, Ingredient
Report: Propylene glycol, www.ewg.org
- Cosmetics Unmasked, Dr.
Stephen & Gina Antczak
- The herpes prevention and treatment website, www.herpes.com
- Toxic Chemical Ingredients in
Cosmetics Directory,
www.health-report.co.uk/ingredients-directory.htm
- Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep, Ingredient
Report: Petrolatum www.ewg.org
- The website of a company selling Grapefruit seed
extract www.biochemresearch.com/citricidal.htm
- Independent research findings:
Grapefruit Seed Extract www.yesyesyes.org/GSE
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