Everything about our masks!

Today, we've decided to give you some more details about our eye patches. We'll explain how to apply them correctly to your eyelids, around your eyes. And why trying them means you'll love them…

Are you interested in this blog? It seems you consider organic certification for cosmetic products very important to you. That's great, because we do too! So much so, in fact, that we've planned to divide this post into several parts to cover the topic properly. It is not always easy to understand the difference between conventional cosmetics, natural cosmetics and certified organic cosmetics. Indeed, through our interactions with the Poulettes community, we have observed this. Everyone's talking about Green Beauty. Natural ingredients are being promoted more than ever. Controversies surrounding preservatives are a well-known topic among the general public… And yet, organic products remain a relatively niche category in the world of health and beauty. To date, organic cosmetics still only represent 5% of total cosmetic sales. So you are part of an elite club of female consumers (still a minority, but demanding and committed). And we thank you for that! Some basic regulations: In Europe, cosmetic products must comply with the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 (and its various amendments). Cosmetic regulations are indeed adapting to the evolution of our knowledge about health and to our ethical and environmental choices. The ban on animal testing in Europe, for example, is quite recent when you think about it: 2013. And the ban on certain parabens (such as isobutyl or phenylparaben) only dates back to 2014. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a preservative responsible for many cases of chronic allergic eczema, disappeared from the composition of leave-on products in 2017. As for D5 (also called Cyclopentasiloxane), it's a silicone that combines the status of an endocrine disruptor with the characteristic of being bioaccumulative (boo!). It is therefore non-biodegradable and damages the oceans. (Boo! Double boo!). It was banned in January of this year, 2020. The fish are thrilled, and so are we. It should be noted that Europe still has a list of 1300 prohibited ingredients. Whereas in the USA, there are only… 30. So we're not so badly off on this side of the Atlantic, all the same. That said, it's your body we're talking about. So you have the right to demand maximum safety from your products. The "no pain, no gain" mentality is completely outdated, take it from me. The precautionary principle of organic farming: never be too careful European law, however, still allows many ingredients deemed undesirable by various consumer organizations and associations. This is particularly true of many preservatives considered potential endocrine disruptors. This will undoubtedly change, but in the meantime, to avoid taking risks, it's a good idea to opt for organic products. Indeed, the organic labels that certify our products (Ecocert and Cosmos Organic) advocate the precautionary principle. They impose much stricter standards on certified organic brands, such as Les Poulettes Paris, than current regulations and therefore prohibit the following ingredients or ingredient families: This blacklist of certified green beauty products is not exhaustive but gives a good idea of ​​what organic cosmetics do not contain. For more information, see " Fact sheets on toxic molecules to avoid " on the website of Which to Choose But why do non-organic brands still use controversial ingredients? You might ask us: if these substances are potentially dangerous or polluting, why don't all brands require themselves to avoid them, regardless of the organic label? Very good question. This is due, among other things, to the difficulty of formulating an effective preservative system using only a limited range of approved organic preservatives. Furthermore, these raw materials are more expensive! For example, in conventional cosmetics, a good little dose of phenoxyethanol (easy to produce, cheap and radical against many bacteria) and the trick is -almost- done. The organic formulation prohibits the potentially irritating phenoxyethanol. A complex and precisely measured blend of 3-4 active ingredients (often salts of organic acids, sorbic, salicylic, or dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, etc.) will be required in the lab to achieve the same level of effectiveness. The use of mild preservatives, the risk of bacterial contamination, and the risk of rapid oxidation of the formula are out of the question. Note: Ethanol (the base alcohol, the same as in your favorite cocktails) is permitted in organic products. It's not dangerous, toxic, or polluting, but at Les Poulettes Paris, we consider it potentially drying for the skin, so we also prohibit it in the formulas of our certified organic and Made in France face masks . For an aperitif, however, we don't say no!

We continue the botanical beauty saga with certified organic grapefruit essential oil, a natural extract with multiple benefits that we absolutely loved. Grapefruit or Pomelo, what's the difference? First of all, we need to clarify one point! The fruit we know as grapefruit (which you will find in the list of ingredients of our formula under the Latin name Citrus x Paradisi ) is actually a Pomelo and the essential oil is a Pomelo oil! The term "grapefruit," which we use every day, is a misnomer according to botanists and agronomists. For them, the grapefruit has nothing to do with the round, pink-fleshed fruit we eat in salads or juice. It's an enormous citrus fruit that can weigh up to 8 kg (its Latin name is Citrus maxima, which says it all), and is much more bitter and acidic than its cousin, the pomelo. The "grapefruit" is actually a Pomelo. Pomelo, or Citrus x Paradisi from its Latin name Let's get back to our Pomelo. This lovely fruit comes from a hybrid tree, a cross between a grapefruit tree and a sweet orange tree, and belongs to the Rutaceae family. And since the fruit grows in clusters, that's why in English it's called grapefruit. You'll really be able to impress your friends with all this knowledge, but in the meantime, let's get down to business: its essential oil and its benefits! Grapefruits grow in clusters on their tree. A gifted essential oil Grapefruit (or rather, pomelo) essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fruit's dried peel. Approximately 250 kg of peel are needed to produce 1 kg of essential oil… This oil is particularly valued for its stimulating and astringent properties. It is also beneficial for dull complexions and blemish-prone skin thanks to its purifying and decongesting properties. Used in body care products and oils, it is also an excellent draining agent to combat water retention and cellulite. Its fruity fragrance inspires vitality and good cheer, and proves to be an excellent stress reliever. Some also say it stimulates creativity. When used in a diffuser, it also purifies the air in the home. Pure bliss… The star ingredient in our anti-fatigue mask: We have therefore selected certified organic grapefruit essential oil in the Les Poulettes Paris anti-fatigue mask for its toning properties. The formula contains revitalizing rose water rich in vitamin C, as well as moisturizing agents, of course. Because tired skin is often synonymous with dehydrated skin! Treat yourself to this concentrated burst of energy and vitality as soon as you feel the first signs of fatigue, to rediscover a rested face and a fresh complexion. This mask will quickly become your go-to remedy for busy days and short nights. Note: We recommend that pregnant women not use the anti-fatigue mask during the first 3 months of pregnancy since our star ingredient is an essential oil, and that they opt for the other masks in the range in the meantime.

You probably have a general idea of ​​what young barley shoots are. But if we talk about barley shoot hydrosol, things get more complicated. No panic, hydrosol is just the technical term used in cosmetic jargon to refer to a form of floral water or plant water.