Sophyto Organics - Professional Certified Organic Skin Care Products - about us

SOPHYTO’s formulas contain literally hundreds and hundreds of naturally occurring bioactives from complete, whole food nutrients. Whole foods contain an interwoven “complex” of naturally balanced nutrients and helper-nutrients which act in complete harmony with our body and offer therapeutic properties that are key in any anti-aging, regenerative and protective skincare program.

nutrients derived form whole foods are best as they mimic the natural occurrence of vitamins in food
using specific methods of working with complete nutrients from whole foods and botanicals provides multiple biological effects that have scientifically been proven to be more potent than just one element, based upon the fact that nutrients can and do influence each other
the combined presence of these high percentages of bioactive ingredients are successful in delivering optimal efficacy within a topically applied formula and are particularly key in addressing anti aging issues
ingredients of this nature are referred to by Chinese and Western Integrative Doctors as ‘energized’ whereas processed nutrients and synthetic chemicals are described as ‘de-energized’

The small percentage of safe synthetics Sophyto use are approved by the UK Soil Association. The UK organic standards organization who certify Sophyto's formulas permit their use in organic products (Section 50.3.16) as does the new EU organic standard COSMOS. (App V) Requirements for toxicity and biodegradeability (Section 50.5.8) states one must be able to demonstrate that each chemically processed ingredient meets all of the following requirements:

aquatic toxicity – the EC50 and LC50 for algae, crustaceans and fish must be at least 1mg/kg
aerobic bio-degradability – must be ‘easily degradable’, as defined in OECD document 301A-F
anaerobic bio-degradability – must be ‘easily degradable’ as defined in ISO 11734
bio-accumulation – the log Pow value must be no more than 3.

Ingredient descriptions and origins

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Beeswax
Cera Alba
• Organic beeswax is produced by bees kept according to organic standards. According to the UK organic Soil Association standards this means they are kept within a 4 mile radius of organic crops or wild uncultivated land minimizing contact with pesticides. Bees are left with some of their own honey to feed on during the winter and when harvesting wax or honey from the hive bees, eggs or larvae must not be destroyed.
• This natural wax has multifunctional properties. Along with aiding the emulsion of the creams it has great skin benefits. By forming a thin film it protects the skin from external environmental stresses and helps internal hydration by inhibiting water loss. Using organic beeswax ensures no toxic chemicals such as may be found in conventional farming are going on the skin.

Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol
• Solvent, antimicrobial and flavour/perfume product . Found in nature eg edible fruit and tea. At present only petrochemical sources are available.
• Sophyto's primary concern is the health and safety of those using our products. With that in mind we must balance producing the most natural/organic product with producing a microbially safe/stable product. For this reason it has been necessary in some of the products to add a synthetic antimicrobial. Benzyl alcohol, which is an antimicrobial, is found in nature in plants (eg green/black tea) and some edible fruits. The metabolism of benzyl alcohol by human/animal body is well established. It is known to be metabolised to benzoic acid then further modified and excreted in the urine. Extensive research has been done to examine toxicity of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid giving data for acute, short-term and long-term toxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and developmental toxicity. In the light of this data the European Commission (SCF/CS/ADD/FLAV/78) considered benzyl alcohol acceptable as a food ingredient when used at low doses. EU cosmetic directive allow it in cosmetic products with no restrictions in the type of use nor any conditions or warnings that need go on the product label, there is just a maximum authorized concentration of 1%. Soil Association, the UK organic standards organization, permit it's use in organic products (50.3.16) as does the new EU organic standard COSMOS. (App V). Hence in the absence of a suitable, nature derived antimicrobial Sophyto has chosen to use benzyl alcohol and at a concentration much lower than the maximum authorized concentration.

Beta Glucan
Beta glucan
• Isolated from an extract of edible mushroom.
• A powerful bioactive that aids the skin’s own defense system. Sophyto chose this completely natural form of betaglucan. Beta glucan plays and important role in activating immune cells and promoting cell regeneration and hence acting as and anti-aging active. It has also been shown in clinical studies to exert a protective and soothing effect on the skin along with increasing the moisture level.

Burdock Root Extract
Articum lappa
• Extracted from organically grown plant.
• Used for its healing properties on acne and congested skin conditions. Excellent on oily skin conditions and extremely effective for refining and clearing the skin.