AMAZONIA PRECIOSA BODY CARE The Amazon Forest is a giant laboratory within nature, which affords Brazil the title, "the country with the world's largest biodiversity". In order to preserve and protect this valuable aspect of nature, each of us must become aware of his/her part in this biodiversity, as well as value this birthright as a precious asset.

One option we have is to help preserve the earth's valuable resources through conscientious consumption. As the awareness of environmental issues increases, a new type of consumer appears -- even more aware of the impact that each gesture causes to the environment. The conscious purchase and use of natural products made without impact to the environment is an important way by which people concerned about the ecosystem can collaborate to break old industrial practices that ignore the importance of preserving the natural resources.

Amazônia Preciosa is a line of cosmetics developed in this context. Natural cosmetics preserve the health of consumers and the health of the environment.

Amazônia Preciosa was developed under the most stringent guidelines for the natural products industry, a highly sophisticated and mature market in the United States. We took the best of this industry's understanding and development and then far exceeded these standards to produce pure and ecologically correct body care products.

Surya developed the formulation for the Amazônia Preciosa line seeking Ecocert certification, a prestigious organic certification from Europe.

For this certification, Ecocert requires that a minimum of 10% of the composition of a cosmetic must be organic ingredients and that 95% of all the plant ingredients be organic.

The face and body products of the Amazônia Preciosa line have in their composition organic ingredients which range from 10% to 99% of the formulation - ingredients certified by Ecocert and IBD (Instituto Biodinâmico, a Brazilian organism that certifies organic products. To reach this high level of concentration of organic ingredients, the cost (compared with conventional cosmetics or even natural cosmetics without organic ingredients) is very high because of the organic raw materials from our suppliers and the technological costs necessary for the development of cosmetics with this level of sophistication.

As opposed to conventional cosmetics, the active ingredients of the Amazônia Preciosa line are all natural derived (vegetable extracts and oils). Preciosa products are free of artificial colouring, synthetic fragrance, SLS/SLES, parabens, silicon, DEA and mineral oil and other ingredients considered harmful by the natural products industry.

All these characteristics result in high performance and unique differentials, making the Amazônia Preciosa line the most advanced concept in natural cosmetics fully justifying its pricing structure in relation to its full range of benefits to both people and planet.

Each of the gentle formulas of Amazônia Preciosa contains essential oil from the bark of the Preciosa tree that provides a unique experience that doesn't occur with other plants in nature: its natural fragrance is incapable of being reproduced even in the most sophisticated laboratories. Surya has created a totally new sensory experience through this line. In addition, the Preciosa essential oil is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure environmental responsibility.

 

We say that Amazônia Preciosa formulas are gentle because the line is free of many substances widely used in cosmetics, such as:

• Mineral oil: it is an effective moisturizer, but this substance can harm the skin by forming an oil film and interfering with skin's ability to eliminate toxins
• Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben: preservatives which inhibits microbial growth and extend life of products in the shelf. Causes allergic reactions and skin rashes
• Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA): emulsifier/foaming agent, can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. They are ammonia compounds that can form nitrosamines responsible for causing cancer (when in contact with nitrates). Considered toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time
• Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate: SLS is a strong and harsh detergent used in industry as a degreaser and a powerful wetting and foaming agent. When in contact with human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. When SLS is ethoxylated, it forms Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is less abrasive. However, this process creates another harmful compound associated with cancer.
• Propylene glycol (PEG / PPG): A synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Provokes allergic reactions, hives and eczemas. Penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. In contact with eyes, causes irritation.
• PVP / VA Copolymer (Polyvinylpyrrolidone): A petrochemical plastic product that flakes off the hair when dried. Can be considered toxic when its particles are inhaled, damaging the lungs of sensitive persons.
• Stearalkonium chloride: A compound used in creams and conditioners. Toxic, causes allergic reactions.
• Synthetic colours: Used to make cosmetics look more attractive. Many artificial colours have been linked to allergic reactions, skin rashes, hyperactivity and asthma. Some of them have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
• Synthetic fragrances: They have great potential to cause skin irritation, allergic skin reactions and headaches. Some problems caused by fragrance include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin irritation, violent coughing and vomiting.
• Phthalates: These substances are associated with fragrances and help to stabilize the scent in shampoos and lotions, therefore can cause irritation in contact with skin. While high doses of phthalates do constitute risks in the sense of traditional toxicology, some studies indicate that low doses change the stakes dramatically: prenatal exposure to phthalates - a group of chemicals commonly used in personal care products - strongly correlated with abnormalities in male genital development, according a study published by Environmental Health Perspectives.

These ingredients have caused adverse or toxic effects as documented by researchers and physicians around the world. By avoiding these ingredients you will have healthier skin and hair and avoid potential health risks due to long term exposure to problem-causing compounds.

Ecologically correct packaging

As a further commitment to the earth and her people, Surya has chosen packaging that is either recyclable or biodegradable. By doing this, we are doing our share to minimize or eliminate harmful impact to the world.

The use of recycled paper in our packages and printed instructions was our first step. Now, we have opted for flasks in PET* plastic used in the Amazônia Preciosa hair line and in the new products of the body care line. Also, in the Amazônia Preciosa Face line, three of the packages are 100% biodegradable flasks**.

*PET plastic bottles

PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) is a thermoplastic resin of the polyester family, with polymer chains, considered the most resistent and safe material used in the manufacturing of packages for many products such as beverage, food and other liquid containers. PET can be semi-rigid to rigid, depending on its thickness and is very lightweight. It makes a good gas barrier and a fair moisture barrier. It is strong and impact-resistant.

The main virtue of PET is that it is fully recyclable and its chemical composition doesn't produce any toxic products. The beauty of a PET bottle also must be considered, since it looks very similar to glass, given its transparency and brightness.

Because of this, PET plastic is the most accepted material for packaging within the natural products industry.

**100% biodegradable flask

The pots for the face products were developed from a high quality thermoplastic composed of 100% renewable raw material originated from LIGNIN, a by-product of the process of fabrication of the pulp from cellulose, added with natural fibers, with no chemical ingredients in its composition.

As long as the product is in use, the pot keeps its resistance, but if it is discarded, say for example, in a landfill, it degrades naturally in 8 months. It doesn't pollute the environment and is totally biodegradable. Surya is the first company in Brazil to launch cosmetics with packages within this context.

Results to be achieved

The objective of the Amazônia Preciosa line is to offer consumers cosmetics that preserve the environment through the responsible use of natural resources, without using ingredients or substances which cause harm to the health of the consumer or to the environment.

This is possible when we use raw materials directly harvested from nature that do not pass through the great chemical transformations used in industrialized processes that add "unnatural" substances to the formulation. These truly natural products exemplify better performance and are more easily "digested" by nature.

In a similar way, the packaging, printed instructions, brochures and even our business cards are made of recycled or recyclable materials helping to save natural resources including water and energy. Plus, recycled materials can be used and reused over and over again. Whenever a raw material is chosen to be part of our products, we require that it has a minimal impact on the environment in its use and with its discarding.

Concept of natural cosmetics

Surya uses vegetable oils and butters in the composition of its products. By using the seeds, we help not only preserve the forests but also the very survival of the inhabitants of the Amazon Forest who make their living collecting. Due to the nature of the seeds and plants taken from the Amazon, the company has entered into a special cooperative venture that supports the mandatory sustainable harvesting of all Brazilian raw materials. This relationship with the Amazon residents preserves not only the forests but also the survival of its inhabitants who make their living collecting in a sustainable manner.

The Amazon Rain Forest is part of Surya's soul. Because of this, we are passionate about maintaining these natural resources by not only creating conscious products but by socially integrating action that radiates intelligence and harmony. For Surya, this is not a marketing claim but a vital and exciting part of our company's mission and vision.

Our commitment is to keep seeking ecologically correct production methods with the use of natural ingredients in a sustainable manner. We want to show consumers that this is a valid way of caring for his or her health and the preservation of the planet.