Christina answers your questions

One of our guiding principles at RAW Natural Beauty is “do no harm.” Our product development process includes extensive independent testing to ensure our cosmetics are non-irritating and will not interfere with skin’s normal function. And we never test our formulas on animals.

While individual customers may be allergic to a particular ingredient and it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of an allergic reaction, we have simplified our formulas and use pure ingredients so that allergic reaction is rare. Many people with chemical sensitivities and allergies are able to use our products successfully.

Petroleum-derived products are fossil fuels. Not only are they non-renewable resources, they also can be harmful to skin. We don’t support the overuse of non-renewable resources or ingredients that are known to interfere with healthy skin function.

There are a surprising number of petroleum derivatives found in traditional cosmetics and other personal care products. Mineral oil, paraffin, and propylene glycol (the main ingredient in antifreeze) are basic ingredients in the majority of cosmetic products. These ingredients can sit on the skin’s surface and block pores, leading to breakouts.

FD&C and D&C colors are synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that can deposit toxins onto the skin and cause irritation. Studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. As a result, RAW Natural Beauty does not use FD&C or D&C dyes. Instead, we use only pure natural pigments, which are non-drying, long wearing and leave skin with a subtle, healthy glow.

Parabens are a group of chemicals including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens have been found to cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, and allergic skin reactions. RAW Natural Beauty only uses naturally-occurring preservatives such as essential oils and herbal extracts. Our products are paraben-free.

The glycerin used in RAW Natural Beauty is kosher and always derived from vegetable sources.

At Raw Natural Beauty, we avoid ingredients known to be harmful. RAW Natural Minerals and RawSkincare are 100% natural. Raw Color is composed of a mix of natural ingredients and nature-identical synthetic ingredients. Since some nature-derived ingredients can harm skin, we occasionally supplement with nature-identical synthetic ingredients to ensure your satisfaction with the product’s performance.

One of the widest misconceptions is that all synthetics are bad for us and the environment. This is simply not true. Many synthetics are produced through ecologically sound practices and are every bit as safe as natural ingredients. We only use synthetic ingredients when they are found to be the best and safest alternatives.

Our personal health and well-being and our local and global ecology are in question due to the widespread use of synthetic substances. Because we place cosmetics directly on our skin, it’s especially important to use products that are safe. The key is knowing what’s in the products you use, and making informed decisions.

It’s equally important to use products that have minimal or no negative impact on the environment. As consumers, we can help sustain a healthy earth by choosing products that support organic farming practices, intelligent waste disposal, clean manufacturing processes and biodegradeable ingredients.

• The 8 RAW Benefits
• The Active Botanical Difference
• How to Use RAW NATURAL MINERALS