If you’ve purchased our products, you may have noticed some textural or even occasional scent and color variations from one batch to another – and that is completely normal. Natural skincare products “naturally” vary – they may not look, smell, or even feel like the conventional skincare products you’re used to - and after all, that’s why you are going natural!
These small differences serve as your proof of purchase - evidence that you’ve purchased a natural, organic product, not a jar or bottle full of fillers or chemicals. Reasons for these variations? Read on…
Fragrance
If you scanned through the ingredients of a traditional mass market skincare product, you might see the word “fragrance” listed as an ingredient. That’s it - no mention of what ingredients comprise the “fragrance” in question, no further explanation, no nothing.
That’s because the FDA does not require brands to disclose what their fragrances are made of; legally, fragrances can be considered “trade secrets,” and can remain secret from consumers without consequence. So, although an ingredient list might appear simple and straightforward, the word “fragrance” could be camouflaging any number of chemicals or additives. Though these probably aren’t the types of ingredients you want to rub into your skin, “fragrances” do allow your conventional products to smell great consistently.
In comparison, the earthier scents of natural skincare products are a result of being formulated without any “fragrances” at all. Natural products might not smell like a typical, artificially-scented concoction, but at least you know every single ingredient in the bottle.
At Essentially Haitos, our version of a “fragrance” consists of small amounts of plant-based essential oils. These oils are always selected because of their primary benefits, whether they are antioxidant, aromatherapeutic, anti-inflammatory, etc. We’ll never formulate with an ingredient for its scent and its scent alone!
Color
As we’ve mentioned, when it comes to natural skincare products, minor variances in color are completely normal, and in fact, to be expected. For example, the next time you open a new Pretty in Pink Soothing Clay Mask only to find it a few shades darker or lighter than your last jar, don’t be alarmed. Here’s why – the clay and infused oils used in Pretty in Pink vary from time to time.
The white and rose kaolin clay we use derive their color from the mineral content and plant-based materials found in the earth – no two batches are ever identical. And honestly, a slight difference in the clay blend in our manufacturing process will also result in some color variation.
The color and scent of the Meadowfoam oil infused with lavender also changes with each batch based on the color and scent intensity of the lavender buds. We consistently follow the same infusing process, but the natural ingredients themselves cause the end product to differ slightly.
And that’s just the nature (pun intended) of natural skincare – we create formulas based on something that occurs in nature, which means that its color can’t (and shouldn’t} be regulated or controlled.
At Essentially Haitos, we don’t (overly) worry about factors as minor as color consistency - we’re much more concerned with bringing you a great, effective product than we are about serving you a skin care product that looks exactly the same every time.
Texture
Conventional skincare products offer consistently smooth, attractive textures. They’re typically formulated with ingredients that contribute only to their texture, without offering additional skin benefits.
A perfect example of this is carbomer, a synthetic chemical commonly used to thicken cosmetic products and keep ingredients from separating. A conventional skincare brand may choose to formulate with carbomer, but a natural skincare brand will choose something like xantham gum, a natural ingredient that stabilizes formulas, keeps ingredients from separating, improves the texture of formulas, and helps hydrate the skin.
As another example, we use natural raw honey from a local beekeeper in some of our products. It is the main ingredient in our Bright, Tight and Smooth Honey Mask, and it is also included in all our other masks at various levels. Just like the clay, the honey is never the same consistency or color from batch to batch. We can’t control the honeybees! The result – the same great products that look or feel slightly different each time you buy a new jar.
No Compromises
When it comes to skincare, you should never have to compromise - natural differences in color or fragrance are just too minor to really matter. What does matter (in our opinion) is that you’re treating your skin with good, nourishing skincare products, made with real, whole ingredients.