Frequently asked questions.
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Why do some of the Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products contain alcohol?
Herbs and flowers are the core of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care preparations and many are extracted in a mixture of alcohol and water. We use a certified organic food-grade ethyl alcohol (ethanol) from wheat. Many plants are extracted in alcohol because it extracts the widest variety of plant constituents. Alcohol also serves as a natural emulsifier, preservative and carrier, helping ingredients penetrate the skin. Alcohol is not drying to the skin when part of a carefully formulated Dr. Hauschka composition. Our alcohol is derived from a fermentation and distillation process and is gluten-free. Isopropyl alcohol is never used in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products.
Where does the alcohol in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products originate?
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products use organic alcohol, also known as ethanol (i.e., not petroleum-derived isopropyl alcohol). Our alcohol is made by fermenting organic grains with yeast followed by distillation—the same process used for making alcoholic beverages. The alcohol is denatured using pure essential oils.
What is the ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ listed in your ingredients?
Dr. Hauschka fragrances are carefully composed, proprietary blends of the purest, highest quality essential oils. European regulations require that we list our pure essential oil scents, as ‘Parfum’ while in the US the required declaration is ‘Fragrance’. No synthetic fragrance or perfume ingredients are ever used to scent Dr. Hauschka products.
Do your products contain gluten?
We are pleased to say that nearly all Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products for the Face, Bath, Hair and Body, including Make-up, are gluten-free. The exceptions are Soothing Cleansing Milk, which contain hydrolysed wheat gluten and lactobacillus/oat/rye/wheat seed extract ferment, which are not suitable for people with allergies to wheat. Our Apricot Day Cream also contains lactobacillus/oat/rye/wheat seed extract ferment. Those with celiac disease can safely use these products if they avoid getting the product in the mouth.
Wheat germ oil, wheat bran extract, tocopherol (Vitamin E) and alcohol are wheat-derived ingredients that do not contain gluten. We have verified to the best of our ability that no other gluten or wheat substances are used during the manufacture of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care or its ingredients.
Why is talc in your products?
Talc provides smooth application and even blending of mineral pigments in Dr. Hauschka Make-up. Talc absorbs oil, not water, and so cannot support bacteria and keeps make-up vivid and fresh throughout the day. Studies show that talc is a safe and effective ingredient for cosmetic use. It is an inert mineral with no inherent toxicity. All talc in Dr. Hauschka Make-up is certified asbestos-free.
I am allergic to peanuts. Should I be concerned about the peanut oil used in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products?
The peanut oil used in Dr. Hauschka products is treated with steam and subsequently filtered, which removes the proteins that cause allergic reaction. While the likelihood of an allergic reaction to the peanut oil used in Dr. Hauschka products is extremely low, we suggest those with peanut allergy discuss this issue with their health provider.
What is titanium dioxide and why is it used in Dr. Hauschka Make-up?
A very stable metallic mineral, titanium dioxide is extremely effective as a colour pigment. The Scientific Committee of the European Union recently completed extensive reviews of titanium dioxide as colour pigment and has found no evidence of mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or other toxicity for the non-micronised colour pigment variety used in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care.
Does Dr. Hauschka use palm oil?
At Dr. Hauschka Skin Care we attach great importance to sustainable production of our raw materials. We therefore take every care to source as many as possible of the plant oils we use from certified organic growers. This also applies to the organic palm oil used in our products, although the quantities used at Dr. Hauschka are relatively insignificant. We use about 25 kg of organic palm oil annually, and it’s only used for Dr. Hauschka Coversticks. This palm oil is not only organic but additionally certified according to RSPO (Round table for Sustainable Palm Oil), having an 'Identity Preserved' quality. That means that the palm oil can be traced back to a single identifiable certified sustainable plantation and is kept physically isolated from all other oil palm sources throughout the supply chain.As we are aware of the problems associated with oil palm monoculture in Indonesia and Malaysia we have made a conscious decision not to buy palm oil from South East Asia. Instead we have chosen an organically certified supplier from South America in whom we have a reliable partner who is genuinely concerned about sustainability and observes the criteria of environmentally sound production and takes into account various aspects of nature conservation in the production of palm oil. However, we are also aware of the problems associated with emulsifiers/tensides from conventionally produced palm kernel oil. Therefore we prefer to use emulsifying substances which do not come from palm oil (lecithin, wool fat, coconut derivatives). Moreover, in the few instances where this is not the case we constantly ask our suppliers to use palm oil from sustainable sources. So currently already about 80% of our palm oil derivatives are certified according to RSPO. Of course, we are working constantly to increase this proportion in future. In addition we are in close contact with our suppliers and continue to work towards replacing the emulsifiers currently still obtained from palm oil by emulsifiers made from other raw materials. For example, a few years ago the purchasing department of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care succeeded in persuading a glycerol manufacturer to produce glycerol from organic coconut oil instead of conventional palm oil and to supply this to WALA/Dr. Hauschka. The price we have to pay for the palm-oil-free organic raw material obtained in this manner is about ten times the world market price for the conventional product. However, as the idea of environmental protection and promotion of organic farming is firmly anchored in our company philosophy we consider this a worthwhile investment.
Why do you use lanolin?
Lanolin is a waxy oil that is nearly identical to human sebum. Lanolin is a moisturising ingredient and a natural emulsifier. The lanolin in Dr. Hauschka products is humanely obtained from New Zealand sheep and processed to the highest standards of purity to eliminate allergen concerns.
Does St. John’s wort increase sensitivity to sunlight?
St. John’s wort is a plant with a long history of topical use for skin irritation. Questions about its interaction with medications, hormones or increased sensitivity to sunlight have been raised only with internal usage of St. John’s wort as a dietary supplement. No adverse effects have ever been documented with external usage. We recommend you consult your medical practitioner should you have any concern.
Are your products vegan or vegetarian?
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care upholds holistic principals but does not ascribe to a vegetarian or vegan philosophy. Though we do not do animal testing, several humanely obtained animal ingredients: lanolin, honey, propolis, beeswax, lactose and royal jelly are included in many Dr. Hauschka products. We also employ carmine and silk, two ingredients from insects.
Do your products contain ingredients made with GMOs?
Dr. Hauschka manufacturer, WALA Heilmittel, view genetic manipulation as a dangerous practice. The consequences of tampering with nature in this way cannot be fully foreseen. WALA are firmly opposed to genetic modification of plants and animals. Since 1997 WALA has been actively working to ensure that genetically modified ingredients are not used in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products. WALA maintains a close watch on botanical raw materials and vigilantly identifies ingredients that pose a risk for GMO contamination. When conventionally grown plants with a high probability for genetic manipulation must be used, WALA insists on testing and certification from suppliers. Beginning in 1998, WALA’s supplier of soy lecithin has conducted independent genetic testing to certify their source material is GMO-free.
Which of your products contain vitamins and antioxidants?
Our holistic approach to skin care does not include ‘feeding’ the skin with isolated or synthetic vitamins. Dr. Hauschka products do however feature whole plant oils and extracts that are naturally rich sources of antioxidants including sea buckthorn, rose hip, horse chestnut, avocado, wheat germ, carrot, rosemary, argan and acerola berry.
How are your products preserved? How do you maintain product freshness?
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care is carefully formulated to be free of all synthetic preservatives. To keep products fresh and effective prior to and during use, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care uses a number of methods, including:
Use of natural ingredients with stabilising properties
Natural ingredient compositions with a resistance to spoilage
Quality control testing of raw materials and products throughout production
Pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing facilities that minimise exposure to contaminants
Packaging that supports the stability of each product
Please be assured that Dr. Hauschka’s holistic approach to formulating and manufacturing supports our commitment never to use synthetic preservatives.
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products use organic alcohol also known as ethanol (i.e., not petroleum-derived isopropyl alcohol). Our alcohol is made by fermenting organic grains with yeast then distilling - the same process used for making alcoholic beverages. The alcohol is denatured using pure essential oils.
What is the proportion of certified tropical raw materials such as palm oil in Dr. Hauschka cosmetics?
96% of our tropical raw materials, such as palm oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil and carnauba wax, come from certified sources or WALA's own organic cultivation projects where we can absolutely guarantee fair trade standards. Fair trade standards mean fair working conditions and no child labour. 100% of the aforementioned 96% of tropical raw materials are sourced from controlled organic cultivation. Furthermore, 66% are certified by the international environmental protection organisation Rainforest Alliance, 22% are Fairtrade-certified and 8% come from a close, long-standing WALA partner. We generally re-check the good and fair working conditions offered by this partner once a year by conducting on-site visits.
At Dr. Hauschka Skin Care we attach great importance to sustainable production of our raw materials. We therefore take every care to source as many as possible of the plant oils we use from certified organic growers. This also applies to the organic palm oil used in our products, although the quantities used at Dr. Hauschka are relatively insignificant.
Annually, we only use about 25 kg of organic palm oil only for the Coversticks. This palm oil is only organic but additionally certified according to RSPO (Round table for Sustainable Palm Oil), having an ‘Identity Preserved’ quality. That means that the palm oil can be traced back to a single identifiable certified sustainable plantation and is kept physically isolated from all other oil palm sources throughout the supply chain.
As we are aware of the problems associated with oil palm monoculture in Indonesia and Malaysia we have made a conscious decision not to buy palm oil from South East Asia. Instead we have chosen an organically certified supplier from South America in whom we have a reliable partner who is genuinely concerned about sustainability and observes the criteria of environmentally sound production and takes into account various aspects of nature conservation in the production of palm oil.
However, we are also aware of the problems associated with emulsifiers/tensides from conventionally produced palm kernel oil. Therefore we prefer to use emulsifying substances, which do not come from palm oil (lecithin, wool fat, coconut derivatives). Moreover, in the few instances where this is not the case we constantly ask our suppliers to use palm oil from sustainable sources. So currently already about 80% of our palm oil derivatives are certified according to RSPO. Of course, we are working constantly to increase this proportion in future.
In addition we are in close contact with our suppliers and continue to work towards replacing the emulsifiers currently still obtained from palm oil by emulsifiers made from other raw materials. For example, a few years ago the purchasing department of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care succeeded in persuading a glycerol manufacturer to produce glycerol from organic coconut oil instead of conventional palm oil and to supply this to WALA. The price we have to pay for the palm-oil-free organic raw material obtained in this manner is about ten times the world market price for the conventional product. However, as the idea of environmental protection and promotion of organic farming is firmly anchored in our company philosophy we consider this a worthwhile investment.
Do you test on animals?
We neither perform nor commission animal testing of our products or ingredients. Compliance with the European ban on animal testing of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients is verified during certification of our products as Natural and/or Organic Cosmetics according to NATRUE certification standards.
Are the Dr. Hauschka products on strawberry net genuine?
Strawberry Net is not an authorised Dr. Hauschka stockist. We cannot guarantee if the products sold on that site are genuine.
Helios Health & Beauty Pty Ltd is the official Australian distributor for Dr. Hauschka skin care and makeup. We suggest you purchase Dr. Hauschka from this official site, www.helioshealth.com.au or our dedicated Dr. Hauschka Australia’s official site www.drhauschka.com.au or from an authorised Dr. Hauschka Stockist/Esthetician.