UVA AND UVB

• What is the difference between UVA and UVB?

   The rays of the sun that are damaging to both skin and eyes are the invisible UVA and UVB, both with wavelengths ≤ 400nm.  

  UVB causes initial damage to the skin’s outer layer or epidermis, resulting in sunburn.  However, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermal layers of the skin and can destroy skin fibres, damaging the skin’s elasticity which can cause long-term effects such as premature ageing, wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation. 

  Oriflame Cosmetics has a comprehensive sun care range, formulated using a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB protection.  Our products comply with the latest EU recommendations regarding SPF and UV protection and consumer labeling requirements.

  Oriflame Cosmetics sunglasses are been tested to ensure 100% UV protection in accordance to EN 1836 : 1997 (280nm – 780nm) and have full CE approval.

• What is “period after opening” symbol?

  One of the provisions of the 7^th amendment of the EU Cosmetics Directive was the addition of the "Period After Opening" (PAO) symbol to product packaging. 

  The information provided by the symbol gives the consumer a guideline of how long (in months) the product will remain safe to use after its first opening.

  A product with an expiry date of May 10 and a PAO of 12M must be opened, at the latest, in May 09. Products which are hostile to microbial contamination e.g. nail polish, lipstick, EDT, and sealed products that are not opened during use e.g. aerosols do not require this information.

• Do any Oriflame Cosmetics formulations contain animal ingredients?

  Oriflame incorporates the concept of ‘Natural Swedish’ and wisdom of nature into the formulation of our products.  To this effect, it is the policy of Oriflame not to use any ingredients derived from dead animals or sourced while causing harm to animals in our cosmetic formulations.

  Ingredients such as beeswax and honey, lanolin derivatives, and dairy products, which are sourced without causing death or injury to animals, will continue to be used because of the unique properties these materials confer to cosmetic formulations.

  Furthermore, accessory (non-cosmetic) products do not contain animal materials sourced while causing harm to the animal, such as skin, fur or feathers of animals bred primarily for that purpose (e.g mink, rabbit, snake).  In addition, animal hair used is sourced from a live animal without causing injury.

  In our Wellness food supplements range fish oil is used as the source of the Omega 3 fatty acids because of its superior quality and documented benefits. The fish oil used is a by-product of the food fishing industry, from wild sustainable stocks which meet the United Nations Food and Agriculture norms on responsible fisheries and the marine ecosystem. The capsules do not contain bovine gelatine. The capsule shell is of marine origin and derived from fish gelatine.

  
  

• Are Oriflame Cosmetics products suitable for vegetarians/vegans?

  It is the policy of Oriflame Cosmetics not to use any ingredients derived from dead animals in our cosmetic formulations.

  All Oriflame cosmetic products are suitable for vegetarians, and many are suitable for vegans.

  
  A limited number of ingredients - namely beeswax, lanolin derivatives and dairy products - which are derived from living animals without causing discomfort, injury or death, may be found in a number of formulations because of their unique cosmetic properties.
  

• What regulations does Oriflame Cosmetics adhere to?

  It is Oriflame Cosmetics’ company policy that all ingredients and formulations are globally compliant with the latest amendments to the EU Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC and in line with US FDA safety requirements.   

  International regulations apply to raw materials, safety assessments, good manufacturing practices, ingredient listings and labeling requirements, product claims and control of the Product Information File (PIF) which is stored in R&D, Dublin, Ireland.

• I have a nickel allergy, can I use Oriflame Cosmetics products?

  All Oriflame accessory and packaging items designed to be in contact with the skin (including all jewellery items) are tested during development to ensure compliance with EN1811 - prolonged contact with the skin will not exceed 0.5 mg/cm²/week, and are classed as “Nickel free”. One cosmetic ingredient used in our mascara, eye pencil, eye liner, some eye-shadows and foundation formulations (black iron oxide - CI 77499) contains low levels of nickel.  The material we source contains the lowest nickel content possible, less than 10 parts per million which is significantly lower than industry guidelines, and is of the highest grade.

• Do any Oriflame products contain animal ingredients?

  We only use ingredients which can be sourced without causing any injuries to animals, such as beeswax, lanolin derivatives and dairy products. In our Wellness food supplements we use fish oil and fish gelatine.

• What is the Oriflame policy on animal testing?

  Oriflame has never tested, nor commissioned the testing of, cosmetic ingredients on animals.

• What is the shelf life of Oriflame products?

  Most Oriflame products have a shelf life of 36 months (3 years), with some exceptions including nail polishes with a shelf life of 30 months (2.5 years).  The expiry date of all Oriflame products is visible on the outer packaging, the date given is 36 months after the date of manufacture of that product.

• Does Oriflame use any dangerous ingredients?

  Oriflame is proud of its Natural Swedish origins.  To this effect, for safety, environmental and ethical reasons, a number of legally accepted ingredients are not included in Oriflame formulations.  

  Furthermore, we do not use any ingredients that are classified as CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Dangerous to Reproduction).  

  Oriflame takes a proactive approach regarding the use of ingredients and continuously monitors scientific reports and consumer concerns.  We discontinue the use of any ingredient that may cause concern or risk to our consumers.

  Oriflame customers can be assured that all ingredients used in our products are fully compliant with the relevant European and international cosmetic regulations.  Our products are formulated are in line with the strictest safety guidelines, and therefore pose no risk to human health.

• What SPF level is sufficient for most skin types?

  Skin that is exposed to the sun on a daily basis should use a day skincare product that contains SPF (Sun Protection Factor).  SPF 8 is adequate for low exposure, SPF 15 is sufficient for medium exposure. For higher exposure SPF 30 is recommended. All of our Skincare products contain UVA and UVB protection.   

  For periods of longer term exposure (e.g. holidays, beach, outdoor sports), we recommend use of our sun care range of products which includes products up to SPF 40, and products specifically formulated for children.  For most skin types SPF 15 to 30 should be adequate, for children’s and adults with sensitive skin SPF of 30 or higher is recommended. 

  It is important to apply SPF products regularly, and to use the recommended dosage for an average adult (5 - 6 teaspoons for a full body application).  Direct sun exposure should be avoided between 11am and 3pm as the sun’s rays are at their strongest at this time. 

• How do I understand the ingredient listing?

  In line with the EU Cosmetic Directive all cosmetic products must display an ingredient list.  

  Ingredients present at a level of 1% or greater are listed in descending order, while ingredients of less than 1% can be listed in any order at the end of the list.  

  The names listed must be those assigned by the European Commission: International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI).  For some common ingredients this may be the Latin translation (e.g. aqua for water and cera alba for beeswax) or the internationally accepted abbreviated chemical name (e.g. sodium laureth sulfate for sodium lauryl ether sulphate). 

• What is Astaxanthin?

  Astaxanthin (pronounced as-tuh-zan'-thin) is an antioxidant. It is a red pigment and part of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids are organic pigments that are naturally occurring in chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants, bacteria, algae, fungi and in the birds and fish that eat them (salmon, shrimp, flamingos). They serve two key roles in plants and algae: they absorb light (energy) for use in photosynthesis, and they protect chlorophyll from photodamage.  Carotenoids that we consume through our diets accumulate in our skin and have a photoprotective effect on us as well.

  Studies show that astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant - more than 500 times stronger than Vitamin E in scavenging free radicals generated in the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen species with unpaired electrons that "steal" electrons from other atoms. When a free radical reacts with a stable molecule, it turns the stable molecule into a free radical. This can set in motion a chain reaction of free radical formation. Many scientists believe that one of the root causes of aging is cell damage caused by the uncontrolled chain reaction of free radicals. Astaxanthin has a unique molecular structure that gives it its superior capacity as an antioxidant.