Frequently asked Questions

General

Are Aubrey Ingredients from sustainable sources?

Aubrey source only the purest natural and organic ingredients in all of their products. Aubrey source from reputable vendors who get the ingredient from fair trade and sustainable areas. The ingredient is obtained globally depending on the crop and season.

What is Aubrey's preservative?

Aubrey has been using this proprietary blend of grapefruit seed extract and antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) since the mid-1970s to preserve our natural products. The remarkable powers of grapefruit seed extract as an antimicrobial and anti-fungal were first discovered by Dr. Jakob Harich.

Aubrey's formula is a safe, reliable, all-natural preservation system. Aubreys products also stay fresh because they manufacture in small batches of 50 gallons or less and refrain from warehousing.

Why are different bottles of the same product sometimes different in colour, scent or texture?

Natural ingredients are not standardised and uniformly mass-produced the way synthetic ones can be. Herbs and other ingredients harvested from different farms at different times will look or feel different when used in a product.

Heat or cold conditions during shipping can cause products to become thicker or thinner, and temperature can also affect colour or scent. Aubrey Organics formulates in small batches to ensure product purity and stability, and we offer a 100% money-back guarantee that their products will perform to your satisfaction.

I've noticed that some of the products separate. Is this a problem?

Aubrey Organics uses no synthetic emulsifiers to bind the oil and water phases of the products. Occasionally some separation does occur; you'll open the product and see an oily or watery layer at the top. This does not mean the product is spoiled, nor does separation lessen the product's effectiveness. The problem is easily corrected by following the instructions you see on the label: Shake Well Before Using.

What is the shelf life of Aubrey products?

The shelf life of products varies. Products are sealed to help prevent contamination and leakage. Small batches and quick shipment ensure freshness; however, opened products should be used within a year for best results.

Short-term exposure to extreme temperature changes can affect the thickness and texture of products, resulting in possible separation; however, the freshness of the product is not compromised. Shaking and/or refrigerating products can restore consistency. Long-term exposure of products to sunlight and/or heat should be avoided because the resulting oxidation may affect freshness.

Do Aubrey make any products that are hypoallergenic?

Hypoallergenic is a marketing term that refers to products formulated without the use of known allergens. Aubrey formulations are 100% natural and leave out many known allergens. they do not claim that their products are hypoallergenic because not every person will react the same way to the same product.

However, the Calming Skin Therapy range is excellent for people with sensitive skin.

Do Aubrey offer any fragrance-free products?

They add no artificial fragrances or colours to their products. What your nose and eyes perceive when you open a bottle of shampoo or moisturiser is the natural scent and colour of the plant and essential oil extracts used in it.

Synthetic fragrances and colours often added to cosmetics can be powerful allergens. That's why most people with strong sensitivities fare better with Aubreys all-natural products. Even essential oils and herbs can cause sensitivities, but if you are prone to allergic reactions, try the Calming Skin Therapy range for sensitive skin. These very simple formulas are formulated with low-scent herbals and are specially created for persons with sensitivities. The mildest, lightest-scented hair care formulas they make are the Swimmer's Normalising Shampoo and Conditioner.

Why do Aubrey use natural grain alcohol (NGA) in their products? What is the source? Will it dry out my hair and skin?

Natural grain alcohol (ethanol), a liquid solvent alcohol, is naturally obtained through the fermenting of carbohydrates from grain (corn) and does not contain gluten (a common allergen). NGA has antiseptic, sedative and blood vessel dilation properties, and acts as an effective preservative booster and binding agent, as well as an astringent in toners.

NGA, emollients and herbal extracts used proportionately in formulation ensure that products will not cause dryness or sensitivity to the user. NGA is gentle on the skin, hair and scalp, unlike isopropyl alcohol, which is produced from petrochemicals.

What is a proprietary blend?

This is a combination of ingredients - a recipe, if you will - that a company owns and uses under exclusive legal right of the inventor. It can be protected by patent or copyright as to name, product, composition or process of manufacture.

What is Aubreys coconut fatty acid cream base?

This natural absorption base is a proprietary blend invented by Aubrey Hampton in 1968 to deliver conditioning nutrients to the skin, hair and scalp. It is made with coconut fatty alcohol, essential fatty acids and organic aloe vera, and is sometimes referred to as essential fatty acid cream base.

What are essential fatty acids?

Fatty acids and glycerin are the building blocks of fats and oils from both plants and animals. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as linoleic and linolenic acids cannot be manufactured by the body and must be consumed in the diet. EFAs are utilised by the body in practically every biochemical function, including the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil.

Applied topically, EFAs are readily absorbed by the skin. They are excellent emollients that not only improve the absorption of our moisturisers and conditioners, but also have antibacterial properties that help protect the skin, hair and scalp. They are found in many unprocessed oils, especially safflower and flax seed oils.

What is a fatty alcohol?

Some of the most common fatty alcohols are cetyl, lauryl, oleyl and stearyl fatty alcohols. Solid alcohols are made from fatty acids. They are superb natural emollients, not to be confused with liquid solvent-type alcohols.

Cetyl and stearyl alcohols help keep the hair and scalp's natural moisture from evaporating. Cetyl alcohol was first derived from the oil of sperm whales; it is also widely produced from petroleum oil. Aubrey Organics only uses cetyl alcohol from natural vegetable sources - coconut and palm oils.

What are fatty acids esters?

Esterification of a fatty acid is a condensation reaction in which a molecule of acid unites with a molecule of alcohol with the elimination of water. Fatty acid esters can be very beneficial in cosmetic formulas. Two examples in nature of substances rich in fatty acid esters are jojoba oil and human sebum.

Are Aubrey Organic's products vegan?

Most Aubrey products are vegan: that is, they contain no ingredients derived from animals. They mark these products with a vegan label so concerned customers will know. A few of their hair care products contain lactalbumin (a milk protein), glycoprotein (derived from oyster shells), lanolin or egg protein. These ingredients work well in hair care, but they also offer vegan alternatives using plant-derived proteins in most of their hair care products. In their skin care line, SPF 15 Defense Moisturiser is a vegetable collagen moisturiser formulated as a vegan alternative to Collagen Restorative Moisturiser, a dermal protein moisturiser.

Why do they make creams with animal byproducts such as collagen and elastin?

Collagen and elastin are dermal proteins that make up 70 percent of the body's connective tissue. Applied topically, pure soluble dermal proteins form a smooth, elastic layer on the skin. This helps skin retain moisture and increases softness and elasticity. Their moisturiser Collagen TCM, which contains dermal proteins, was formulated in 1972, before there were concerns about the use of animal byproducts, and enjoys a loyal following. Both dermal proteins (soluble collagen and hydrolysed animal elastin) are from sources within the U.S.

Do Aubrey products have expiration dates?

As required by the FDA, they put an expiration date on all products containing an SPF. The SPF products are given an expiration date of two years from the date of manufacture. They recommend that an SPF product be used within six months of opening and exposing to light and heat. Personal care products without an SPF do not need to have an expiration date.

Is Aubrey's packaging recyclable?

Most of their packaging is easily recyclable. The bottles and tubes are made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a widely recyclable plastic, and are coded on the bottom.

They aim for minimal packaging whenever possible using outside packaging (such as boxes) only when extra protection is needed. The boxes, too, are made from recyclable cardboard.

What if I am not 100% happy with my purchase?

We are sorry that you are not satisfied with your purchase.
Aubrey Organics is among the oldest manufacturers of Natural Cosmetics and has a many fans worldwide. However Aubrey recognise that each individual has different preferences.

If you are not 100% satisfied please return the merchandise and we will issue a full refund (excludes p&p;).

Hair Care

Some natural shampoos don't seem to lather a great deal. How can a shampoo clean the hair without a lot of lather?

Shampoos don't need to generate lots of suds to clean hair effectively.

Here's what happens when you shampoo - detergent and soap molecules have two ends: a hydrophilic (water-loving) 'head' and a lipophilic (oil-loving) 'tail.' The oil-loving tails attach to the oil and dirt in your hair. When you rinse, the water-loving heads attach to the rinse water, so the oil and dirt are pulled out of your hair. When detergent molecules mix with water and align in a spherical shape, suds, or lather, are formed. Lather doesn't really assist the cleansing process, except that it might make it easier for you to feel that your shampoo has been evenly distributed.

We've been conditioned to like lather. But many shampoos rely on inexpensive, petrochemically derived detergents such as sodium lauryl / laureth sulfate, olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine for their foam-building properties. These chemicals can dry out the hair and scalp, and may cause allergic reactions as well as environmental problems.

Aubrey Organics shampoos are made with natural cleansing agents such as coconut oil-corn oil soap (coconut fatty alcohols reacted with cornstarch glucose) and quillaya bark (saponins), which clean the hair effectively with a quick, modest lather.

Do I need to use a conditioner with my shampoo? What's the difference between a conditioner and a cream rinse?

Not everyone needs to use a conditioner after shampooing. For most people with dry or chemically treated hair, using a conditioner is important. It keeps the hair and scalp hydrated, balances the oil content, restores elasticity and strength to the hair, and detangles (to avoid breakage).

A cream rinse is a light conditioner typically made with a higher percentage of hydrating ingredients (such as aloe vera, witch hazel or glycerin) than emollients (like oils or shea butter). If your hair is oily or fine, a cream rinse used on the ends of the hair to detangle and smooth frizzies is all you'll need.

What is deionized water? Doesn't it water down your shampoos?

Water is essential to the proper formulation of a shampoo base. It acts as a suspension agent for herbs and other ingredients, and combines with the soap component to form a lather. Without water, your shampoo will be too thick and the pH too high.

While impure, hard water can inhibit the performance of shampoos, deionized water boosts performance by increasing lathering, spreadability and clean rinsing. The deionization process removes mineral salts such as calcium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfide and sodium chloride from water.

In addition, the deionized water they use also goes through three other purification processes' carbon filtering, reverse osmosis and UV treatment. This ensures the removal of nitrates, heavy metals and bacteria.

What is coconut oil-corn oil soap?

A natural cleansing and foaming agent made from coconut oil fatty alcohols and glucose (obtained from corn), this gentle, natural detergent has a similar composition to saponins (plant glycosides) derived from soap bark (quillaya) and yucca root. Combined with triple-purified, deionized water and hydrolyzed soy protein, it makes up the soap base for all our natural shampoos.

Aubrey's coconut oil-corn oil shampoo base provides a richer, thicker lather, strengthens hair fibre and rinses clean for softer, shinier, more manageable hair.

Are Aubrey shampoos safe for colour-treated hair?

Aubrey shampoos contain natural cleansing and conditioning agents that are mild enough to use on colour-treated hair and will actually improve the look and feel of your hair and scalp, especially when used with one of their conditioners.

Antioxidant vitamins, emollients, natural sun filters and chelating (mineral-removing) agents are important features of colour-protective formulas, whether you have colour-treated hair, or just want to keep your natural colour from fading or becoming altered by sun, chlorine or salt.

We recommend Rosa Mosqueta Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner for the special care of colour-treated hair. If your hair is highlighted or bleached, you may prefer Honeysuckle Rose Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner. The Swimmer's line is also great for bleached or natural blondes, and for people with grey hair who want to avoid discolouration.

Do you have a shampoo that will help my perm last longer?

Perms are supposed to be permanent. In hair that's chemically straightened, sometimes a curl pattern can start to reform; usually, this is due to lack of sufficient processing. The same goes for permanent waves, where the curl appears to relax or 'fall out.' Gentle, reparative shampoos and conditioners are a must for permed or straightened hair.

For dry hair with straightened or curly styles, try White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, or Island Naturals line. If your hair is fine, normal-to-oily, and permed, try GPB Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner.

Do you have any products for the treatment of dandruff, eczema and other scalp conditions?

Aubrey cannot make medical claims for their products, as we are not licensed to diagnose or prescribe treatments for skin or scalp disorders.

However, if you suffer from any of these conditions, you'll probably see improvement simply from NOT using products made with petrochemical ingredients. Many people with hair and scalp problems have benefited from using specific Aubrey products.

Calaguala Fern Treatment Shampoo is best suited for cleansing oily, waxy scalp buildup, and Calaguala Fern Conditioner soothes and normalises the scalp. Tea Tree & Primrose Shampoo can help calm sensitive scalp and may be alternated with Calaguala line for good results.

Do you make any deep-conditioning treatments?

All Aubrey cream-based conditioners work great for deep-conditioning! Simply apply the conditioner to DRY hair, distributing from scalp to ends, leave it on for 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Emollients dissolve buildup of styling aids on dry hair better than on wet hair; applying treatments to dry hair also helps the nutrients to penetrate better. Aubrey offers protein-rich Blue Green Algae Hair Conditioning Mask for deep-conditioning.

Why don't Aubrey use hydrosols in your products?

They do. Hydrosols are found in many of their formulas - witch hazel and lavender water are two examples.

A hydrosol (also known as floral water) is the condensation collected after an essential oil is extracted from plant materials through the use of steam. While many hydrosols are very beneficial, they are mostly water with a small amount of plant material. There's nothing wrong with water; water is an excellent hydrator, and is essential to the proper formulating of shampoos and conditioners. The problem arises when manufacturers add 'organic hydrosols' - 'hydrosols made from the distillation of organic plant materials' as a main ingredient in their products.

Using these organic hydrosols allows manufacturers to claim that their product has a high percentage of organic ingredients, when in reality one of the main 'organic' ingredients is mostly water with an undetermined amount of organic plant material. Unfortunately, there are no standards as to how much plant material an 'organic hydrosol' should contain.

Aubrey chooses to use hydrosols widely, but NOT to boost the organic percentage of an organic product. Instead they use organic whole-plant liquids such as aloe vera and orange pith juice, which preserve the synergy of the whole plant.

Skin Care

What does 'certified organic' mean?

'Certified organic' means that an independent agency accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has verified that products labeled as 'organic' meet strictly defined organic standards, as specified by the National Organic Program (NOP).

Both individual products and manufacturing facilities must be certified organic to allow labelling of products as organic or containing organic ingredients. Aubrey was certified as an organic processor in October 1994 by Quality Assurance International of San Diego, California, the first cosmetic manufacturer to be certified organic.

They are also a member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The NOP was scrupulously crafted to have jurisdiction over agricultural products used in foods, and has stringent standards for processed foods. The NOP also has jurisdiction over agricultural ingredients (such as jojoba oil and aloe vera) used in personal care products, assuring consumers that those ingredients are produced without pesticides or herbicides and are processed without chemicals.

Aubrey is a founding member of the OTA's Personal Care Task Force, which was formed to review the NOP Standards as they apply to the manufacturing of personal care products. Aubrey advocates strong standards for organic cosmetics including no petrochemicals, no synthetic colours, fragrances or preservatives, and no water-added ingredients.

Why is the three-step skin care method important?

A three-step method - 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' - is important because nothing is more essential to skin health than a good skin care regimen.

These simple steps work together to keep the complexion clear and youthful. A cleanser removes excess oil and impurities and helps keep pores clear; a toner wipes away cellular debris and improves absorption of a moisturiser; and a moisturiser restores softness and elasticity to the skin. Aubrey also recommends the weekly use of a mask, which encourages skin cell turnover and helps keep pores clear.

How long will I have to use one of Aubreys skin care lines before I can tell if it's the right type for me? My skin looks worse now than when I started. What's wrong?

The skin goes through a regeneration cycle every 21-28 days (about a month). During this time period your visible layers of skin are completely exfoliated and new layers of skin begin to surface.

During the 1st and 2nd weeks of using a new facial care regimen, your skin is detoxifying. It may appear blotchy or you may experience breakouts or mild acne. Not to worry this is normal. This tells you that your skin is being properly cleansed and that your products are working.

The 3rd and 4th weeks of using your new facial care regimen you will find your complexion becoming balanced and visibly clear.

What is exfoliation?

Exfoliation is a natural process of the skin. Every 21-28 days skin cells are sloughed off and replaced with newer cells. Masks and scrubs containing exfoliants assist this natural process.

There are several different types of exfoliants that are utilised in masks and scrubs. Manual exfoliants include ground nuts, meals and spherical jojoba wax beads. Fruit acid exfoliants dissolve the cellular glue that holds skin cells together to reveal newer, fresher cells.

Enzymatic exfoliants actually digest dead skin cells and offer the most gentle form of exfoliation.

Does Aubrey make anything I can use for rosacea?

Aubrey cannot make medical claims for our products, as they are not licensed to diagnose or prescribe treatments for skin disorders. However, many people with stressed skin have benefited from using Calming skin therapy line.

Do Aubrey make anything I can use for acne?

They cannot diagnose or prescribe treatments for acne or other skin conditions and do not make medical claims for their products. However, we have found that many people with oily skin have benefited from using the newly formulated Clarifying Skin Therapy range. The Clarifying Therapy Clear Skin Complex works well on trouble spots.

Sun Care

When do I need sun protection?

The real answer is: any time you're outside. It's important to remember that sun protection isn't just for days at the beach. Sun damage can happen whenever you come in contact with harmful UV rays—that includes when you are out walking the dog or driving in your car, early or late in the day when the sun is low, or even on overcast days. Remember: when you are fully dressed, your hands and face are still exposed, so a little daily sun protection is a good idea.

The most dangerous time to be outdoors without proper protection is between 10 AM and 3 PM, when the sun is at its peak. It is safest to stay indoors during those hours, but if you go outside, be sure to wear protective clothing or use a high SPF sunscreen and reapply it frequently and liberally. (One ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill a shotglass, should cover most exposed skin.)

What is an SPF?

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a rating system that determines how long a sunscreen protects your skin from the sun's UVB rays. The SPF number is a measure of how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning while using a sunscreen versus how long you can stay without burning while wearing NO sun protection.

Say that your skin normally begins to turn red after 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. If you use a product rated SPF 2, your skin would not begin to burn for twice that amount of time: 20 minutes. If you use a sun product rated SPF 25, you could stay in the sun for 250 minutes, a little over 4 hours (25 x 10 minutes) before your skin would start to turn red. Remember, though, that SPF numbers are not absolute. It all depends on how fast or how slowly YOU start to burn. If your unprotected skin burns in 5 minutes, an SPF 25 product might let you stay in the sun a little over 2 hours without burning (25 x 5 minutes = 125 minutes).

Here's something else to keep in mind: The SPF measures only the level of protection from UVB rays, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn, and does not measure levels for the far more dangerous UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply and can cause damage at the cellular level. When choosing a sunscreen, it's important to look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

What are UV rays?

Rays of light from the sun are different lengths. Some of those lengths result in the different colors you see. UV rays are shorter than the shortest rays in the visible-light spectrum, which are the ones your eyes perceive as the color violet. (UV stands for "ultraviolet.") There are 3 types of UV rays:

UVC rays are the shortest, so short that they usually don't make it through the Earth's ozone layer to reach your skin. When it comes to sun protection, UVC rays are not a concern.
UVB rays are a little longer, and can penetrate the skin, but not too deeply, reaching only the outer layers (epidermis). UVB rays are responsible for causing your skin to tan and/or burn. Longterm exposure to UVB rays can rapidly age your skin, making it look leathery and wrinkled.
UVA rays are the longest UV rays, and can penetrate more deeply, into the dermis, the second layer of your skin. They can do serious damage at the cellular level, causing cellular changes that can lead to skin cancers. They are a primary cause for photo aging, wrinkles and skin discoloration.

"Critical wavelength" is the international rating system for UVA protection, defined as the point at which a sunscreen allows 10% of UVA rays to penetrate the skin. The FDA has determined sunscreens with a critical wavelength of over 370 nanometers provide excellent protection. (For information on what constitutes a nanometer, see "What are nanoparticles?" question below.) Aubrey's Natural Sun SPF 30+ sunscreens have a critical wavelength of 375 nm.

How do Aubrey's sun protection products work?

There are two main types of sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays before they have a chance to penetrate and damage the skin. (These types of sunscreens are more controversial because they are easily absorbed by the skin and can cause allergic reactions, irritation and other more serious concerns.) Physical barrier sunscreens form a protective layer on top of your skin that blocks and reflects the sun's harmful rays.

Aubrey's Natural Sun sunscreens are physical barrier sunscreens, formulated with micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the active ingredients. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are naturally occurring minerals, and are among the 17 ingredients approved for sun protection by the FDA. Since both are white in color, the larger the particles of these ingredients, the more of a whitish film they leave on your skin. "Micronized" simply means they are ground into a very thin powder made up of particles so small, they are measured in either microns or nanometers (nm). The smaller the particles, the less visible the ingredients.

Aubrey are very confident in the track record of safety and effectiveness of these ingredients, which is backed by many clinical studies.

What are nanoparticles? Should I be concerned?

A nanoparticle is a very tiny piece of a solid substance. "Nano" means "billion," and a nanoparticle is defined as a particle smaller than one billionth of a meter (a nanometer, or nm). Nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are often used in sun products to minimize the white film these ingredients can leave on the skin.

Some consumer groups have raised concerns about nanoparticles, fearing that something so small could penetrate the skin, get into deeper tissues, and have adverse health effects. This issue has been studied extensively over the past five years. The overwhelming number of current studies indicates that nanoparticulate titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do not get past the epidermis. The FDA has determined nanoparticles are safe when used in cosmetics and sunscreens.

That said, Their testing has shown that the average particle of micronized titanium dioxide in Aubrey sunscreens has an average size of 202 nm, or twice the largest size considered a nanoparticle, while the average zinc oxide particle is more than 1,000 nm, or ten times the size of a nanoparticle.

How do the zinc oxide & titanium dioxide percentages related to the SPF ratings, when comparing different products?

Different formulations require different dispersion ratios. Sometimes we can achieve higher SPF with lower concentrations of titanium and/or zinc and vice versa.

This is why each batch is tested to make sure SPF claims are met – as required by US FDA. Also if the products main function is sun protection vs. facial cream their formulations have to make sure that the application, feel, colour and consistency will meet customer expectatition. For instance a facial cream is expected to be a different viscosity compared to a sun cream.

Generally speaking the more the zinc oxide and titanium oxide – the whiter the product.

Does the addition of titanium dioxide boost the SPF rating?

Yes and No.

As explained in the answer above, it is the combination of the actual formula and then the actives that can make a difference in SPF levels. For instance, Aubreys SPF45 uses only Zinc Oxide but at a concentration of 25%. It then becomes the art/science of formulating and what actives to use in the sun screen product.

Which ingredient gives the sunscreen greater ‘whiteness’ on the skin: the zinc oxide or the titanium dioxide?

Titanium Dioxode is definitely white hence it is used in many toothpastes to give the white look. But also zinc, having larger particle sizes, can stay on the skin surface giving a chalky, whitish appearance. Remember skin type, the climate (if more dry, easier absorbed) etc. will impact the ultimate look of any sunscreen. Expect to have a little whitishness in all mineral sunscreens as the idea is to create a mineral shield that will reflect the sun’s rays.

When i try the sunscreens i find that the higher zinc products remain the whitest but all the sunscreens will be white and will require some rubbing to spread on skin surface.

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