Kayla The Nurturing Naturopath

26/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Zea mays starch (corn starch, derived from corn grain, might be GM).

Functions
Abrasive (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that removes materials from various body surfaces or aids mechanical tooth cleaning or improves gloss), absorbent (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that takes up water and/or oil soluble dissolved or finely dispersed substances), anticaking (the function attributed to a food additive or cosmetic ingredient that allows free flow of solid particles and thus avoids agglomeration into lumps or hard masses).

Potential Effects
Allergic reactions (an adverse immune system response involving unusual sensitivity to the action of various environmental stimuli. These stimuli do not normally cause symptoms in the majority of the population) are rare, safe as used up to 99% (CIR: the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: blush, facial powder.
Other: foods.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.

25/01/2026

Today (26th January) is: Australia Day!

Today we reflect on our complete and complex history and understand that acknowledging and reconciling our past helps lay a path to a stronger future. We respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ survival, resilience and over 65,000 years of continuous culture. We respect the stories of others. We celebrate our nation, its achievements and most of all, its people. We pay respect to the stories, histories and contributions of the Australians who lived, worked and fought for the values and freedoms we sometimes forget and/or take for granted. Today means different things to different people. We are all shaped by our own experiences and we celebrate living in a dynamic, multicultural nation where everyone’s views, beliefs and contributions are valued. Over 16,000 new Australians become citizens on Australia Day.https://www.australiaday.org.au/

25/01/2026

Today (25th January) is: World Leprosy Day!

Today is an opportunity to raise awareness about leprosy and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. This years theme is: Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/01/25/default-calendar/world-leprosy-day-2026

22/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Zea mays oil (corn oil, might be GM).

Functions
Antistatic (a substance used to reduce static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on a surface), emollient (a substance used to soften and smooth the skin), emulsifying (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that promotes the formation of intimate mixtures of non-miscible (incapable of mixing) liquids by altering the interfacial tension).

Potential Effects
Some animal studies show adverse effects, safe as used up to 14% (CIR: the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: moisturiser, antiaging, shampoo, lipstick.
Other: pharmaceuticals for veterinary use.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.

21/01/2026

Today (22nd January) is: National Day of Mourning!

Today we honour the victims and all those impacted by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The theme that the Chabad Community in Bondi has chosen is ‘Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance’. Australians are invited to observe a minute of silence at 7:01pm AEDT and to leave a candle on their doorstep or window. Condolence messages can be shared online through the Bondi Beach condolence book. https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/premiers-department/about-us/bondi-beach-condolence-book https://www.pmc.gov.au/news/national-day-mourning-victims-bondi-beach-terrorist-attack

21/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Yucca aloifolia extract (extract of the aloe yucca).

Functions
Masking (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that reduces or inhibits the basic odour or taste of the product), skin protection.

Potential Effect
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by CIR (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: shampoo, conditioner.
Other: dietary supplements.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.

21/01/2026

Hi Everyone, here is today's Webinar on Asthma! I hope you find it interesting and informative :)

19/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Xylitol (might be derived from corn, might be GM).

Functions
Humectant (a substance used to hold and retain moisture to prevent a food or product from drying out), skin conditioning (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that maintains the skin in good condition).

Potential Effect
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by CIR (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: toothpaste, mouthwash.
Other: foods.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.

18/01/2026

Hi Everyone, here is my inaugural Minute Monday about what's something you can do today that your future self-you in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months years will thank you for. Please feel free to post below :)

18/01/2026

Hi Everyone, starting tomorrow and Monday's going forward I will be talking for a minute (give or take) about a subject and therefore it will be called Minute Monday! If you have any topics you would like me to talk about please let me know :)

Send a message to learn more

15/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Xanthan gum (produced by fermentation of glucose; might be from corn, soy or wheat; might be GM).

Functions
Binding (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that provides cohesion in a cosmetic product), emulsion stabilising (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that helps the process of emulsification and improves emulsion stability and shelf life), gel forming (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that gives the consistency of gel to a liquid preparation), viscosity controlling (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that increases or decreases the viscosity (flowability) of the finished product).

Potential Effect
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by CIR (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: toothpaste, anti-aging, facial cleanser, hand cream.
Other: food additive.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.

14/01/2026

Cosmetic Ingredient of the Day!

INCI or Common Name
Wild yam extract (extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea villosa).

Function
Skin conditioning (the function attributed to a cosmetic ingredient that maintains the skin in good condition).

Potential Effect
Safe as used within concentration limits (CIR: the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is a body set up in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. It uses an Expert Panel (CIREP) to review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics).

Possible Uses
Cosmetic: shampoo, cleanser, moisturiser.
Other: herbal.

The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, Bill Statham.