Natural Latex Sponges Making A Return In The Cosmetics BusinessMore a media-generated event than a real allergy concern.
It began in the late 1980\'s with a small number of hospital workers who showed a reaction to disposable gloves and catheters. At a time of high demand for protection against infectious diseases, it was found that the market was flooded with gloves manufactured by a slew of inexperienced Third World suppliers using processes that didn\'t wash, leach, soak, process or cure the latex sufficiently to remove the excess proteins. The presence of these proteins caused the reactions experienced at the time.
For the consumer-based cosmetic industry, the resulting media attention created an opportunity for a new and much cheaper breed of cosmetic sponges made from petroleum by-products. The market quickly transitioned to polyurethane foam for cosmetic applicators, marking a departure from NATURAL LATEX that exists to this day.
NATURAL LATEX is a natural raw material and was the original material used for cosmetic applicators and makeup wedges. Rubber trees (Heave brasiliensis) produce the milky, viscous liquid that is collected much like the sap for maple syrup. \"The ultra fine pore of NATURAL LATEX, its smooth surface and elastic characteristics are what established this material as the ideal product for the category,\" says Diana Pitsolis of The Beauty Company in Toronto.
NATURAL LATEX contains between 2-3% proteins with only one protein having been identified as potentially allergenic \"TEP protein.\" As with many natural products, how much of each protein is in the sap and how much remains after production is never known, yet through processing the majority, if not all, of the TEP protein is destroyed. Furthermore, innovative methods have been developed to leach the proteins out of the latex, chiefly among them a thorough washing process at high temperatures.
NATURAL LATEX can be found in many common products such as condoms, Shea Butter creams, chewing gum, pillows, baby mattresses, elastic bands, balls, toys, rubber gloves, hot water bottles, balloons, contraceptives, bicycle handles and over 40,000 other medical and non-medical products.
NATURAL LATEX is certified healthy and ecologically friendly by strict European standards. The healthful attributes of natural latex are numerous and include anti-bacterial, biodegradable, inherently hypoallergenic, long lasting and free of carcinogenic chemicals.
With the goal of moving the cosmetic sponge industry back to more naturally-based products, Ms. Pitsolis sought experts in the industry and found the Donald Guthrie Foundation, a recognized expert in identifying natural proteins in latex. After years of using such testing methods as LEAP and ELISA, the foundation has yet to discover any research or concerns relating to latex sensitivities (TEP or other proteins) in any cosmetic sponge application.
In a world that is striving for more natural lifestyles, natural products, and the desire for fewer chemically derived products, the reintroduction of NATURAL LATEX in the cosmetics industry is long overdue.
[Data sources available upon request]
Phoenix Cosmetic Tools • 361 Gordon Street, Allentown, PA 18102 • Ph: 1•866•PHX•GLBL • 610•432•8060 • Fx: 1•610•432•8098