Just like in humans, a dog's skin is the largest organ on its body, but it is a lot thinner and more sensitive, regardless of coat-type, so keeping it healthy is our top priority as the skin absorbs everything it comes into contact with.
For this reason it's so important to choose wisely when picking a pet care product and ensure you read the labels and know what nasties to avoid.
The most common ones to AVOID are:
PARABENS commonly cause contact dermatitis when the product comes into contact with the dog. While this is not life threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable for your dog.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) can strip the skin of important natural oils and irritate the skin, causing redness, drying, and itching. SLS has also been linked to the development of cataracts.
SILICONE is similar to rubber or plastic and can clog pores, preventing skin from breathing.
ALCOHOL is highly drying for both fur and skin. It makes skin more porous, making it easier for other toxic ingredients to absorb into your dogs' skin.
On the flip side, these ingredients get a big GREEN LIGHT from our side for their benefits:
PROVITAMIN B5 improves elasticity, locks-in moisture and adds shine.HYDROLYSED WHEAT PROTEIN repairs damaged follicles and encourages growth.
VITAMIN E strengthen skins to promote hair growth, helps to heal wounds and locks in moisture.
ALOE VERA soothes and protects skin from irritation.
JOJOBA SEED OIL enriched with VITAMIN E strengthens skin and protects against dry hair and breakage.
SHEA BUTTER is a powerful emollient that works to soften and hydrate the skin. It is anti-inflammatory and soothing.
COCONUT OIL moisturises and nourishes.
BETAINE strengthens, protects, nourishes and hydrates.
ARGAN OIL enriched with VITAMIN E is a natural antioxidant, it nourishes, repairs and rejuvenates.
Natural soy wax melting during candle production
When it comes to candles, wax choice is also incredibly important. There are many different candle waxes on the market - soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, rapeseed wax, coconut wax, gel wax, palm wax - and then there are even more blended versions of each of the above!
Cheaper candles are generally made from paraffin wax which is a big no-no when it comes to keeping things natural because it is made from petroleum oil (a non-renewable fossil fuel) and has a tendency to soot, throwing harmful toxins into the air when burnt.
We chose soy wax for our candles, because it is derived from soybeans (a renewable resource), contains nothing artificial, throws no toxins when burnt and is a beautiful carrier for scent. Yes, it costs more than paraffin and is softer and not as easy to work with, but the benefits outweigh the negatives tenfold.