FAQs
🌱Do you have a policy on Animal testing?
🌱Foxxi Foamz do not test products on animals. Furthermore we source our ingredients under the “Not tested on Animals” badge from our suppliers.
🌱Can you give us some information on your suppliers?
🌱Absolutely. Though our ingredients are sourced internationally, we buy from New Zealand owned and operated companies like Pure Nature, who take the hassle out of sourcing internationally for businesses big and small around NZ. They go that extra mile for all their customers which is why we feel the need to name drop. We highly recommend them.
🌱Are Your Products Vegan?
🌱We genuienly believe in animal welfare and being environmental friendly. We do not test our products on animals, nor use their by-product as our ingredient.
🌱What is the Expiry Date of Your Products?
🌱The shelf life of our products is 12 months but we generally suggest using any products within 6 months of opening. This ensures the freshness and quality of our ingredients.
🌱What’s the take on your skincare products?
🌱We are committed to bringing our customers a range of skincare body products that are naturally plant derived, and free of ingredients containing nasties that have proven to have long term ill effects on skin, and health.
🌱What are these ‘nasties’ you speak of?
🌱Ingredients containing petrochemicals, aluminium. Mineral oil, which is a petroleum by product, Parabens, and Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)
🌱We’ve seen the "No sulphates, parabens, silicones or phthalates" on product labels. But can you give more of a descriptive breakdown on these ingredients?
SULPHATES.
Sulphates are chemicals used as cleansing agents. They are a large group of ingredients that are used in skincare, haircare and household cleaning products. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These compounds are produced from petroleum and plant sources such as coconut and palm oil. It is most frequently used in shampoos, and skin cleansing products like soap, hand washes etc and is responsible for the foaming action.
Why we avoid them
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is sensitising and can cause skin irritation especially for sensitive skin types and eczema sufferers. It can be extremely drying as it strips the skin of its natural oils.
What we use
There are natural cleansing agents such as cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl isethionate and Sodium Laurel Sulfoacetate (SLSA) that do a great job of gently cleansing skin without stripping it of its natural oils. SLSA is not a sulfate, and therefore can be found in sulfate-free products like shampoos. Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) has a very similar sounding name to one of the most common sulfate ingredients, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - so you may be tempted to avoid it - they are completely different ingredients.
What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA)? Both Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are surfactants that can create bubbles and lather in cleansers, but that is pretty much where the similarity ends. SLS is a cheaper ingredient made in a lab while SLSA is naturally derived from Coconut or Palm Oil. SLSA molecule is too large to penetrate the skin, thus causing less irritation than sulfates like SLS.
PARABENS
Parabens are chemicals that are used as preservatives to stabilise formulas and stop the growth of mold, fungi and harmful pathogens. There are different types such as butylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, and ethylparaben.
They are commonly found in shampoos, conditioners and lotions — anything water-based needs a preservative to prevent it from growing mould.
Why we avoid them
Parabens are known to cause skin and eye irritation and have been related to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity. They can also mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to increased growth of breast cancer cells.
What we use
We use eco cert COSMOS preservatives. The COSMOS certification guarantees:
- environmentally friendly production and processing processes respecting also human health.
- development of the concept of green chemicals
- responsible use of natural resources
- respect of biodiversity
- absence of petrochemical ingredient ( except for authorized preservatives): parabens, and phenoxyethanol.
- absence of GMO
- recyclable packaging
PHTHALATES
Phthalates are chemicals that are widely used in scented products to help the fragrance linger. They are usually incorporated into "fragrance" on an ingredient list so you won't see them on the back of your products. Phthalates that were considered potentially harmful have been banned by the EU.
Why we avoid them
DEP, DBP, DEHP are not considered to be harmful and are still found in hair care products, colour cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes, nail polish and industrial products.
Phthalates have however been linked to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer. Although they have been banned from EU cosmetics, they are commonly found in products made in the United States.
What we use
Our concentrated fragrance oils are International Fragrance Association (IFRA), compliant and certified. They are made from natural, naturally derived ingredients. They are non-toxic and vegan.
They DO NOT contain UV inhibitors, phthalates nor paraffin, mineral or palm oil.
MINERAL OILS
Mineral oil for skin is a type of oil that’s colourless and odourless. But it’s when we realise where mineral oil comes from, that we begin to see how it might be less than beneficial for most skin types. Mineral oil for skin is a by-product of the petroleum industry. That is, the same industry that produces petrol, diesel and other industrial oils. Mineral oil also goes by various other names including; paraffin oil, liquid petroleum, mineral paraffins and white mineral oil. Confusingly, these ingredients are all products in their own right, but can also be used to describe mineral oil.
They’re all from a group of chemicals called hydrocarbons, chemicals that contain only atoms of hydrogen and carbon, to varying degrees. Vaseline is a classic hydrocarbon that’s used on the skin, and you’ll probably recognise its distinctive, slightly paraffin like smell.
Why we avoid them
Your skin is the body’s largest organ, and it works together with the kidneys to rid the body of toxins. However, your skin needs to be able to breathe to perform these functions. Mineral oil coats the skin like plastic wrap, disrupting the skin’s natural immune barrier and inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb the ‘natural moisture factor. Overall I t clogs the pores and suffocates the skin. Its molecular size is simply too big. As a result, mineral oil remains on the surface of skin, making it a reflector of the sun, which can lead to more sun damage and discoloration."
What we use
Plant derived, natural skin nutrient oils; Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Castor Oil, to name a few. One thing is certain. We DO NOT, and WILL NEVER use Mineral Oil in any of our products.