The Naturalmente motto is: “…new attentive and eco-sustainable cosmetics that offer beauty without compromise!”
What sets Naturalmente apart is the use of plant based ingredients instead of synthetic substances, it is free from animal and petrochemical compounds. It also does not contain silicone, parabens, petrochemicals, artificial colours and SLS.
Shampoo: Fennel and Geranium- moisturising and normalising
First impression:
In 2014 I discovered this brand of products at a local health store while in search for organic and natural haircare alternatives. What attracted me to the brand was initially the layout and presentation of the products. The packaging is a little frustrating at first as it is not the easy glance and find type you typically have with haircare products. Some of the products have the bold print in Italian and english subtext. However, there is English text both on front and back which eased my shopping experience somewhat. I inspected every product on shelf and settled for Fennel and Geranium. I had found an all natural range and I was excited enough to try it the same day.
I brought the products home and went straight to my computer to do some research on the brand and the ingredients. I was sold on the manufacturing process all that remained was for me to try it out.
First use:
When I first used the shampoo I was very surprised to find that it did not have the usual high foam and slip that is common in other products. The second thing that jumped out at me was that the fragrance of the product seemed different. It was not the typical highly perfume in most products it was a subtle herbal scent. I was intrigued by the experience and wanted to know why this was the case.
The Ingredients:
When I researched the ingredients I found that the reason the product acted differently is because it is made up of a plant base what uses a functional but very different approach to the selection and formulation of ingredients. The cleansers in the shampoo are zinc coceth sulfate and cocamidipropyl betaine and decl glucoside- mild and non-irritating cleansers that act counter to the high volume foams in of an SLS basis. it contains several tonics, minerals, proteins and organic fragrances and some active oils. The scents are from rose geranium, fennel, clary, rosewood bark, lavender, sandalwood, orange peel oil, Citrolellol and geraniol oil blends.
The product also contains a blend of proteins: disodium capryloyl glutamate, hydrolysed soy and wheat. which are humectant, emollients and moisturising and gives a smoothness to the hair shaft. The conditioning agents are sodium loivamphoacetate, glyceryl oleate, lactic acid, polyquaternium-10. All excellent conditioning agents. It also contains several minerals with skin conditioning properties.
Things to note with essential oils and proteins are that they can cause skin irritation and or sensitivity with sun exposure. Essential oils offer many health benefits both in their active benefits as well as in their aromatherapy abilities. I do believe that there is tremendous value in scientifically formulated combinations of essential oils. Particularly the sources of these oils; workability in formulations as well as their concentrations. Think of essential oils as medicine. You want to get good quality as well as the right quantity in a product. Always check ingredients and if necessary test a product on a small part of your skin to ensure that you do not have sensitivity to any of the ingredients. The same goes for proteins. If you have a particular sensitivity to a protein it is advisable that you test a product that contains that particular item to make sure it is safe for you to use.
My overall experience of the shampoo
The shampoo did a super job of cleaning my scalp and hair. I liked the fact that while I was scared of my hair being matted due to the fact that it had such a low slip factor this was not the case at all. I found that my hair was not stripped at all. I then followed the shampoo with the Fennel and Geranium conditioner which really made a quick job of detangling. The conditioner has plenty of slip and finger combing my hair was a breeze. The combination of these two products really worked well.
This particular shampoo and conditioner are my go to products. In between everything else I try and or use this is a regular in my hair pile.
A note on using shampoo:
Shampoo is meant to be used to clean the scalp. The product then runs off the hair in the rinse and this is sufficient to clean the hair. So when using a shampoo apply it onto your scalp and massage it with your fingers focussing on the root area. Second shampoos are usually imperative when SLS has been eliminated
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The Ingredients: Fennel and Geranium shampoo.
Water
Zinc coceth sulfate- is an alkyl ether sulfate. It is a mild surfactant of alkyl ether sulfates. Dual purpose of cleansing and conditioning with basic zinc. It is a lot less harsh than the typical Sodium Laureate Sulfate (SLS) typically found in shampoos that produces high foam volumes. (www.cosmeticsinfo.org)
Cocamidopropyl betaine- a mild non-irritating cleanser. Its purpose is to thicken a product and to tone down other cleansers in a product. It also serves as a moisturiser. (tightlycurly.com)
Maris sal- mineral derived from sea water. has skin conditioning properties (cosmetic analysis.com)
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel oil)- plant based. Functions as a tonic, emollient, alleviate and skin conditioning (www.cosmeticanalysis.com)
Pelargonium graveolens oil
scented plant based oil of rose geranium. Acts as a skin tonic and astringent. Not advisable for use to those with geranium sensitivity as it can cause photo sensitivity and irritation. Caution if you are allergic to this item.
Salvia scalarea (Clary Oil) Plant based tonic and astringent
Lavendula angustifolia (lavender) oil- Fragrance derived from the lavender plant.
Amyris balsamifera bark oil -Is rosewood bark oil from the West Indies. A plant based tonic that functions as a fragrance.
Santalum album (sandalwood oil)- An oil of the Sandalwood tree that originates from India. Has emollient, moisturising, astringent, antibacterial and conditioning, anti-inflammatory, softening and calming properties.
Citris aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil- is pressed from the peel of oranges native to Italy. Citrus is acidic and can be irritating to sensitive skin. It is also a tonic with soothing, moisturising, anti-dandruff and cleansing properties.
hydrolysed soy protein- A liquid protein made from soy.
hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolysed wheat- A liquid protein made from wheat. Is an emollient and moisturiser. Functions as an anti-static and conditioner. Save for the those sensitive to wheat products this item has no other health concerns.
Protein- humectant, emollient and moisturiser. It smoothes the hair shaft and is often used in a processed form to aid absorption into the hair.
sodium loivamphoacetate- Is an amphoteric (can be a base or an acid) organic compound. In a product it is conditioning cleansing agent.
decyl glucoside- a gentle cleanser
coco- glucoside-non-ionic surfactant. Has cleansing, conditioning and thickening action. From renewable raw sources of coconut, corn and fruit sugars.
glyceryl oleate- is a binder of glycerol and oleic acid. functions to condition, is very mild and has a smooth feel on the skin.
disodium capryloyl glutamate- A multifunctional natural protein. Functions include deodorising, anti-inflammatory and anti-dandruff. Helps spread sebum on the skin.
lactic acid- is a ph adjuster and humectant. Increases the moisture in hair. Is an ok item
polyquaternium-10- conditioning, detangling, thickening function. A good ingredient.
Limonene- a combination of natural fragrances.
sodium chloride- Salt. stabiliser, thickener and ph adjuster. Can be corrosive if left in the hair. however in a rinse off product at the bottom of the list its an ok item.
Linalool-fragrance, with a Lilly scent.
Citronellol- A fragrant oil naturally found in plant oils. A sweet, rose, leather and floral smell.
Geraniol- a sweet floral scent made of rose, geranium, citronella and jasmine.
*Most essential oils and essential oil blends can cause of irritation and or sensitivity with sun exposure.
Ingredients References
(www.cosmetic analysis.com)
(www.tightlycurly.com)
(www.cosmeticanalysis)
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