Understanding the 3 kinds of ingredients
Because I evaluate ingredients as opposed to products, its useful to understand that there are three main types of ingredients:

1. Natural ingredients derived from natural sources which are either:
   a. untreated and unprocessed or
   b. processed with other natural ingredients.

 2. Ingredients from natural sources that are treated with synthetic ingredients and/or processes to produce the final ingredient. These ingredients are called derivatives and bear a chemical name (not latin, as is the case with herbal extracts).

3. Ingredients from synthetic sources, which may or may not be also treated with other ingredients and/or processes. These ingredients bear a chemical name.

My policy is as follows: Type 3 ingredients are not allowed. Type 1 ingredients are certainly allowed. Type 2 ingredients are examined on a case-by-case basis.
 
I should also explain that an ingredient with the exact same chemical name can fall into the type 2 or type 3 category depending on what it is derived from. In these cases, the wording on the label does not give you this answer. In such cases, we must look to the manufacturer for information on ingredient sourcing.

Understanding preservatives
Are preservatives necessary? In most cases, yes. Without proper preservatives products start to grow germs and bacteria ? not good for your skin. Im equally worried about products that contain no preservatives as I am about ones that contain damaging chemical preservatives. Natural preservative systems are effective and safe. There are a few popular methods of preserving products naturally:

1. Packaging ? metal tubes and sealed pump systems can limit the air and contamination that gets into a product 2. Certain base plant oils, essential oils and herbal extracts have natural preservative properties (i.e. are anti-microbial and anti-bacterial)

3. Plant alcohol (in concentrations of less then 15% - more then this can become drying to the skin); Amino acid-based preservative systems; and specialized processing techniques like Dr.Hauschkas rhythmical processing can all help in the preservation of a product.

Selection guidelines
 Here are some of the guidelines I follow when evaluating products:

• Plant and mineral ingredients must be used whenever possible. No plant or minerals ingredients may be used from an endangered source. No irradiation of plants is permitted. No synthetic coloring agents or fragrances, or paraffin and other petroleum products are permitted.

• Plant ingredients must be certified organic, or certified biodynamic wherever possible. In cases where none of the aforementioned are available in sufficient quality and/or quality, ingredients should be sourced in the following order of priority: organically grown, wild-crafted, and lastly conventionally grown plant ingredients as long as they do not contain any genetically modified ingredients.

• Preservatives derived from synthetic sources are not permitted. Parabens (propyl, methyl and ethyl) .and other synthetic preservatives are not allowed in any of the products represented by Saffron Rouge. Preservatives must be derived from natural sources. In cases where the source is natural, but the treatment process involves the use of synthetics, the final ingredient is considered a derivative. All derivatives (including preservatives) are examined on a case-by-case basis.

• No ingredients derived from animals may be used with the exception of: beeswax, bee pollen, propolis, honey, royal jelly, milk, and lanolin, which are considered acceptable as they do not harm the animal. In addition, a few products contain carmine and/or silk (which I have permitted within the selection criteria) ? both of which are derived from insects. Unfortunately, these two ingredients cannot be derived without harming the insects. No animal testing on ingredients contained in products or on the products by the company or on behalf of the company is permitted.

• Manufacturers must provide a certificate of organic certification from a third party agency concerning their ingredients.

• Manufacturers must provide a written guarantee that to the best of their knowledge no genetically modified ingredients are used in the products, and every reasonable effort is taken to verify with its suppliers that raw materials are not produced from GMO seed stock.

• Manufacturers must track origin of ingredients to ensure quality of ingredients.

• Manufacturers should have an environmental based mission or company philosophy.

• Manufacturers should use recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging wherever possible.

I hope youve found the above information helpful on your road to beautiful, healthy skin.