Talking to your teen about personal hygiene
Talking about personal hygiene can be awkward, so it’s important to be sensitive to your teenager’s feelings. You may want to approach the conversation gently, and let your teenager know that...
Education
Sam Farmer is a trusted source of cosmetic science information and specialises in teenage personal care
Teenage Personal Care Advice, Cosmetic industry articles and for those interested in a career in Cosmetic Science please see the links listed at the bottom of this page
Latest News
Helping your teen to manage their exam stress
Exams can be a significant source of stress for young adults. As they approach GCSE’s, A-Levels or simply mock exams, teens may start to feel overwhelmed. Stress is a normal...
Natural Cosmetics are marketing nonsense
No commercially available cosmetic product is Natural – NONE
Customer's Cosmetic Science Questions
I want to learn more about Cosmetic Science. What are the educational resources you would recommend?
There are many routes into a career in Cosmetic Science. Here are some suggestions which will all depend on the level of education you currently have.
Introduction to Cosmetic Science
Degree Level
De Monfort University (Leicester)
John Moores University (Liverpool)
Postgrauate
I'd like to know if the fragrance you use is artificial? Generally I keep away from artificial smells as they irritate my skin but would love to try your product.
Yes, my fragrance is synthetic (All Classic fragrances including Channel No 5 use synthetic fragrance) I'm surprised to read that you have irritation issues with synthetics as they are usually included to avoid this exact issue.
Essential oils are are far higher in allergenic compounds such as limonene, citral, cinnamyl alcohol, geraniol and eugenol. In fact, more than half of the allergens that need to be listed in the INCI list are naturals. I do not think that essential oils are in anyway better for my range, in fact, I would be wary of using essential oils on teenage skin.
Using synthetics allows for a more controlled chemical compound and a reliability in quality and fragrance stability. Also, from a sustainability angle, fragrance from rare or protected raw materials, such as Sandalwood, can be reproduced without the risk of extinction! It also keeps the cost at an affordable level.
I suffer from excessive sweating and I'm keen not to use a deodorant that alters body chemical make up by using harsh chemicals. Can you help?
There are no 'harsh' chemicals in UK or EU Cosmetics.
It might be useful to just clarify an important distinction. In the UK, we are regulated by the Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, there is a clear distinction here between what is a cosmetic and what is a medicine. A cosmetic is defined as (I'm summarising here) 'any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the body to clean, perfume, protect and/or correct body odours.' However, any product that 'restores, corrects or modifies physiological functions' is a medicine and is regulated by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority). As cosmetic chemists, we can only produce products that fit in to the first definition.
Sweat is secreted through the Eccrine and Apocrine sweat glands in the skin. However, it is only the Apocrine sweat that releases a thicker secretion containing molecules that are broken down by our skin bacteria and cause body odour. These glands are mainly found under the armpits and in the groin area.
The term 'Harsh Chemicals' is rather emotive language based largely on misinformation. If cosmetics or personal care products were harsh on the skin, they simply will not sell. Every product has to go through various complex processes to determine their safety, including a Toxicologist's report. In my opinion, the most successful, safe and proven cosmetic active to counter Apocrine sweat is Aluminium Chlorohydrate. The Aluminium salts form a gel like structure on the skin, blocking the pore. They sit on the skin, are designed to go no further and are simply washed off the next time we bath/shower.
My 10 year old has started to get get a few spots, will your products be helpful or is this too young?
Ten is a bit too young for my formulations.
Please see the SAMFARMER products recomended age FAQ
If someone has skin that is prone to spots, there isn't a cosmetic product on the planet that will prevent it 100%. However, start with a gentle face washing routine that will minimise outbreaks and help to reduce the 'redness' associated with these outbreaks.
The SAMFARMER face wash is extremely mild but I would reccommend other brands that deal with this 'tween' age group. SAMFARMER formulations are created for teenagers in the full throws of adolescence, oily skin and breakouts being the most common skin issues.