Ingredients Defined

What are these ingredients?
From SliquidOrganics.com

Plant Cellulose (made from Cotton) is a natural substance used to create the body and thickness of the lubricant.

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) & Hibiscus are plant derived and share the same properties and benefits of being healing, moisturizing and soothing.

Cyamopsis (Guar Conditioners) is a non toxic, natural additive that helps the plant cellulose fiber move and feel incredibly slippery.

Flax was added as a restorative and healing emollient.

Green Tea was added as an anti-inflammatory.

Sunflower Seed is used as a cleaning and calming tonic.

Citric Acid (Citrus Fruits) is used as a natural antiseptic/astringent cleanser and preservative. It is combined with the smallest amount of Phenoxyethanol (Rose Ether), which is a preservative that also works as an antifungal. The combination of these two keeps unwanted bacteria away and extends the shelf life, making this a safer product for women.

All of the ingredients above can be found in Sliquid Organics Personal Lubricants as well as other personal lubricants and body care items.

Ingredients to avoid & why...
From IntimateOrganics.com

PARABENS
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bacteriocidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. Previously published studies have shown that parabens are able to be absorbed through the skin and to bind to the body’s estrogen-receptors, where they can encourage breast cancer cell growth. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. The preservatives are used in many cosmetics and some foods to increase their shelf life. A number of researchers and skin care experts have discovered that this preservative normally found in skin care products such as shampoos, moisturizers, shaving creams, and lotions can be toxic. It becomes even more dangerous the longer the person is exposed to it. It can do the following:
• Alter the estrogen processes among women, increasing the
tendency of developing estrogen-dependent diseases like
breast tumors
• Heighten the existing allergic reactions experienced by the
user
• Decrease the sperm cell count among males
• Promote skin allergic reactions like contact dermatitis and
rosacea
• Spur the development of skin cancer
• Cause problems to fetal development for pregnant women
Products without parabens are considered less toxic.

Some of the better paraben free products may contain the following:

DEA
Diethanolamine, a chemical that is used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. DEA is used widely because it provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favorable consistency in lotions and creams. DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the stores shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers.
A safer and more natural choice is Cocamide DEA, or cocamide diethanolamine, is a diethanolamide made by reacting fatty acids in coconut oils with diethanolamine.

GLYCERINE
Used for sweetening and preserving food, in the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, inks, and certain glues and cements, as a solvent and automobile antifreeze, and in medicine in suppositories and skin emollients. Glycerine in internal products has been linked to yeast infections. Glycerin is a close relative of glucose, otherwise known as sugar. When used in small amounts, a woman who is not prone to yeast infections will most likely experience no problems with using a non-warming glycerin-based lubricant. However, if a woman is prone to yeast infections, inserting glycerin into the vagina gives the resident yeast extra food, bringing on another overgrowth of that yeast that results in itching and irritation. Also, glycerine in a lubricant, causes it to get sticky and tacky - which is no fun in the middle of sex!

MENTHOL
The majority of menthol in personal products is synthetic. Synthetic menthol comes in the form of l-menthol crystals that are derived from the plant’s essential oil. Synthetic menthol can be irritating and drying to a woman’s clitoris and vagina.
A safe and natural choice is Mentha Pepperita, which is natural Japanese Peppermint Oil.

ALUMINUM SULPHATE
Also known as Alum and used in many tightening products and also for pickling. This compound has astringent properties which causes the vaginal tissues to dehydrate. There is concern that aluminum may cause toxicity in the long run.
A safe and natural choice is Capsicum, derived naturally from the pepper plant. This extract causes the vaginal walls to temporarily contract.