| Ingredient Information |
Unmodified silicones stay on or near the surface of the skin. Not only are the molecules too big to physically enter past the upper living cells -- they associate
with the upper layer of drying skin -- but they also cannot penetrate cell membranes due to their large size. They also dislike both the water and proteins
inside cells.
Cyclomethicones are unmodified silicones. They evaporate quickly after helping to carry oils into the top layer of epidermis. From there, they may be
absorbed by the skin. Cyclomethicones a similar function in hair care products by helping nutrients enter the hair shaft.
Dimethicones are also unmodified silicones. They form a barrier layer on the skin which must be renewed as the skin sloughs off. Dimethicones coat the
surface of the hair and lubricate it, improving combing providing detangling, and thus, hair loss and breakage.
Silicones form a protective layer which helps prevent transdermal water loss -- a very useful characteristic for many products. Silicone gums provide instant
shine to hair. Silicones act to help seal moisture into the hair, which helps prevent many kinds of damage.
Pyrethrins vs. Permethrins
Pyrethrins are derived from the flower of the pyrethrum plant, Chrysanthemum cineraria folium. They kill fleas, ticks, mites, and other insects and are popular
among pet owners who prefer to use all-natural products.
Permethrins are synthetic pyrethroids that are more stable and last longer. The permethrins are commonly used for collars, dips, sprays, shampoos, and spot
treatment. Both the natural and the synthetic compounds work by interfering with nerve impulses which paralyze and kill the parasite.
Why We Use Pyrethrins
Pyrethrins are contact poisons which quickly penetrate the nerve system of the insect. A few minutes after application, the insect cannot move or fly away. But,
a "knockdown dose" does not mean a killing dose. The natural pyrethrins are swiftly detoxified by enzymes in the insect. Thus, some pests will recover. To
delay the enzyme action so a lethal dose is assured, organophosphates, carbonates, or synergists may be added to the pyrethrins.
Pyrethrum is a botanical insecticide produced primarily in the flowers of Tanacetum cineraria folium, a species of the chrysanthemum plant family. Pyrethrum
plants have historically been grown in commercial quantities in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Papua New Guinea. Over the past decade, Tasmania and
Uganda began producing pyrethrum. Today Kenya and Tasmania are the largest pyrethrum growing and producing countries.
In East Africa the mature pyrethrum flowers are picked by hand, sun dried to remove moisture, and sent to a processing plant for extraction of the active
ingredient-pyrethrins, a mixture of six closely related esters. In Tasmania the flowers have been bred to synchronously flower so they can be mechanically
harvested. As in Africa, the flowers are sun dried and processed to extract the insecticide pyrethrum.
Pyrethrum is an ancient insecticide. The insecticide properties of the flowers were documented in the early 1800’s but it is suspected that the flowers were
used to kill insects a considerable time earlier. The first commercially available products were powders made from ground flowers and later crude oil
extractions became popular. Today, the refining of crude pyrethrum extract to remove the plant material, waxes, etc. is a highly complex process resulting in a
very high grade product.
Pyrethrum has been used effectively to control insects for decades and is non-persistent, decomposing rapidly in the environment. This rapid degradation of
pyrethrum has resulted in little known cases of insect resistance making it an excellent choice for the control of agricultural pests.
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