Packaging that does more than look pretty

Moisturiser is a beautiful mix of water, oils, plant extracts and added nutrients, all stewed together like a big broth. While Quintessential uses natural ingredients, even chemical based cosmetics need to consider how to stop the product going off.  There are two problems facing cosmetics in the real water - separation and bacteria.

Oil and water are not meant to mix, over time these ingredients separate, active ingredients will react with anything possible and become less active, some will oxidise if air gets in, others will break down if presented with light.  Companies put additives in that stop active ingredients reacting and the oil and water from separating.

The other problem that cosmetics face is bacteria. When you open a jar and put your fingers in to get some out, you are transferring bacteria into the pot.  Once in, the bacteria has moisture, air and nutrients, everything it needs to multiply.  To counter this, companies have to put preservatives in that will stop them growing.  

You’ll see on the back of your containers is a symbol of an open jar with a number in.  This shows you long you have to use a product once it’s opened. This is done through clinical trials that test how long before bacteria can grow and the oil separates (which ever happens first)

We opted not to use preservative so that every ingredient could be active, which presented us with some issues - how do we stop things living in our moisturiser?  Well if we can make sure no bacteria can get in, by having a sealed product that is dispensed, coupled with no air getting in, there’s no need for preservative.

Our airless pump has a base inside that moves up with every pump, creating a vacuum.  This means that you get it dispensed onto your fingers instead of sticking your fingers in and no air gets into the container for anything to grow. 

Light proves another issue - some of our active ingredients (vitamin A and C) are photosensitive, so they break down under light.  We chose an opaque container meaning these ingredients remain intact until they touch your skin.

Our pumps are 100% recyclable and sourced from inside the EU.  This helps us keep a small carbon footprint and care for the planet.  Please recycle yours when done.