Weleda Product Q&A

How does Weleda preserve its formulations?
All of our premier formulations are preserved with natural ingredients. We use organic grain alcohol, natural essential oils and pure plant extracts to maintain the life of our products. Furthermore, our unique and recyclable packaging protects each formulation and helps to prevent against oxidation. As a result of these naturally effective preservation techniques, it is not necessary to refrigerate our products. All product life information can be found on the inner and outer packaging.

Does Weleda use any synthetic ingredients?
Weleda uses only natural oils and plant extracts. All Weleda products are FREE of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants and raw materials derived from mineral oils, as well as genetically modified organisms (GMO's). Weleda products are instead FULL of the highest quality, pure and natural ingredients for your body.

How does Weleda test the efficacy of its products?
Weleda does not test its ingredients or personal care products on animals. It is unnecessary for us to do so, as the plant materials that makeup our pure formulations have been used internally and externally for countless centuries. Long before animal-testing was introduced, all “testing” was done on humans, establishing a system of trial and error. Thus, many materials were established as safe and effective. As a result, Weleda's use of raw materials has a long history of safe usage. We ensure that our biodynamically grown ingredients and those provided by our partners have not been tested on animals.

What is biodynamic® cultivation?
Biodynamic® and organic farming methods are similar to one another in that they both work to enhance the soil and cultivate plants that are free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Biodynamic® cultivation, however, goes a step further—beyond organic. Homeopathic preparations are used to enhance the vitality of the plants. Each plant is harvested by hand at its peak, according to the season, time of day, and position of the planets in the universe. At Weleda, we view the earth as an interconnected living organism. Plants, animals and human beings have an inherent and beautiful relationship with one another and their surroundings. Our philosophy, “In harmony with nature and the human being,” lies deep within the principle of biodynamics®.

Why do some Weleda products contain alcohol?
In homeopathic remedies and tinctures, alcohol is traditionally used to draw out the vital life forces of a plant to create a botanical extract in a specific concentration. Alcohol is also used as a natural preservative in our formulations. Weleda uses organic grain alcohol, which is naturally derived from fermented plant sugars. We do not use Methyl or Propyl alcohol—also known as rubbing alcohol.

What is the INCI?
The International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) is the system adopted by Weleda for labeling and declaring our ingredients. The multilingual and multinational labeling requirements implemented by the European Union require a full declaration of ingredients on personal care packaging. This labeling standard denotes all ingredients according to their Latin (Chemical / Scientific) designation. Those manufacturers following the INCI are therefore required to label their ingredients as specified by the regulatory board. All companies selling personal care products in Europe, and most recently in Canada, are required by law to list their ingredients according to the INCI.  All ingredients are listed by their quantity of presence—greatest to least—in the product. Due to its full ingredient disclosure policy, the INCI standards strive to allow the consumer to make informed and healthy purchases, helping him/her avoid any ingredients to which he/she may be allergic.

How are natural essential oils denoted on Weleda’s packaging?
According to the INCI labeling standards, all fragrances, which, for Weleda represent all natural essential oils are prefaced and denoted by* (From Natural Essential Oils).

According to the European Union Mediation Committee’s 2005 resolution, 26 fragrances—present in over 10ppm (parts per million)—found to cause allergies in sensitive individuals, must be declared on all personal care ingredient listings. These fragrances are listed by their individual components according to their chemical names. As a result, Rose Oil, for instance, which contains over 400 components, many of which have not even been discovered, is no longer listed as “Rose Oil” on the packaging, but by its individual parts, such as “Geraniol.”

While only 1-3% of the population has been found to have any allergy to a fragrance, this regulation has been implemented in order to inform those consumers will allergies of all ingredients that make up a product. Most often, a person is not allergic to the complete fragrance / essential oil, such as Rose Oil, but rather its components.

Weleda uses all natural essential oils. By EU law, these natural ingredients are listed under the same name and designations as their synthetic counterparts, regardless of their origin. Natural essential oils—particularly when blended with other essential oils, rather than in isolated form—are generally well-tolerated by the skin and provide numerous physical and psychological benefits.

What is Glycerin and why does Weleda use it?
Glycerin is a threefold alcohol found in every fat. Weleda uses Glycerin derived from Rape. Glycerin is produced through the saponification process of vegetable oil and soap. It regulates the absorption and release of water, softening and smoothing the skin.

What is Lanolin and why does Weleda use it?
Lanolin is a wax derived from the wool of sheep. The process of extracting this wool does not harm the sheep in any way, as the shearing of wool is a natural and necessary process. Weleda uses the highest-quality Lanolin from sheep in Australia and New Zealand. The Lanolin is cleaned to remove any pesticide residues. We use Lanolin to nourish and protect the skin. Lanolin contains natural fats that give it an affinity to the skin, making it an ideal moisturizer.

What is Magnesium Aluminum Silicate and why does Weleda use it?
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (Fuller’s Earth) is a naturally occurring mineral. Its name is the standard label applied to natural earth of various origins. Other commonly known names for this ingredient are Hectorite, Kaolin and White Clay. This clay serves as a natural thickener commonly used to hold ingredients together, providing a moisture-binding effect. The molecules of Magnesium Aluminum Silicate are too large to be absorbed through the skin, and it is a dermatologically well-tolerated material. This clay helps to remove impurities from the skin in Weleda’s body care formulations and works as a gentle polisher in Weleda’s toothpastes.

Does Weleda use allergy-tolerated Wheat Starch or Gluten in its products?
Weleda's personal care products, including all oral care products, are free of gluten. Some products are made with Wheat Germ Oil, which does not pose as an allergy concern, as the wheat protein, known as gluten, has been removed. Weleda does use Wheat Starch/Gluten in the production of many medicine tablets. Many Weleda tablets contain Wheat Starch in a presence of up to 25 mg per tablet. In regards to associated allergy-concerns for those suffering from Celiac Disease, according to the German Celiac Disease Society, after washing out the albumen fraction from the wheat flour, the resulting pure wheat starch—containing less than .05% residual nitrogen (the so-called primary wheat starch)—may be declared as being gluten-free.

Why does Weleda use Plastic bottles to package some of its products?
Weleda uses recyclable PET and PE/PP Plastic to package some of it products, such as baby products, body lotions and body washes to ensure safe and easy use of these products. The plastic materials are shatterproof, making them especially ideal for use in the shower and by parents for their babies.

What is the best way to store Weleda products?
The best way to store Weleda’s products is away from direct sunlight in a tepid environment that is neither extremely cold or hot. It is also important that all products be firmly sealed after each use. We recommend that you store the products under these conditions to protect the pure nature of the formulations.

What is Calendula, and why does Weleda use it in its Baby Care formulations?
Calendula, also known as Marigold, is renowned for its comforting and soothing properties. Weleda’s Calendula is biodynamically grown and harvested in the Weleda Medicinal Plant Gardens in Europe. As a result of the gently nourishing and warming properties of this flower, it is ideal for use on babies, children and all other delicate and sensitive skin types.

What skin care products are appropriate for use in the diaper area?
Use Weleda Calendula Baby Oil for cleansing the diaper area. Then, apply Calendula Baby Cream for daily care. This gentle, soothing cream helps create a protective barrier, while allowing the skin to breathe. If a rash or irritation is or has been present, use Weleda Calendula Diaper Care instead. It contains Zinc Oxide and is perfect for supporting the healing of a rash.

Why are Weleda Toothpastes free of added fluoride?
Weleda does not include fluorides in its oral care products, as an excessive quantity of fluoride can cause health risks. Fluoride is naturally taken in through mineral water and other sources. Thus, additional quantities are often not needed. However, if extra fluoride is necessary to improve health, this should be determined and prescribed by a health practitioner.

What is Weleda Ratanhia Mouthwash Concentrate, and how do I use it?
Weleda Ratanhia Mouthwash Concentrate is a refreshing pick-me-up perfect for anytime of the day and is ideal to clean and soothe your teeth and gums. To use this essential formula, shake a few drops into a glass of water and rinse or gargle. This mouthwash is highly concentrated, as one bottle makes up to one-half gallon. It is recommended that cold water be used for a refreshing mouthwash and warm water for a sore throat gargle.