Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be divided in two categories: those which mix well with water and those which mix well with oil. Water and oil are not mixable (unless we add other chemicals with “bridge” function), so the separation is clear: just look at some drops of oil poured in a glass of water…
If our body absorbs – by ingestion, skin contact or inhalation – some chemicals which stay preferably in water, these chemicals will stay few time inside the body, being quickly removed by kidneys with urine. But if our body absorbs chemicals which prefer oil, these chemicals will nestle into the body fat, i.e. in adipose tissues and in mother’s milk; they are defined bioaccumulative.
Here are some examples: dioxins and PCB, DDT and other pesticides, aflatoxins, benzene and other hydrocarbons, phtalates, benzo-a-pyrene and other IPA, the surfactant sodium alkylbenzen sulfonate (LAS), the antibacterial agent Tryclosan, various essential oils components as isoeugenol, limonene, lilial, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salycilate. All aforementioned chemicals show concerning long-term toxicity, which more which fewer; however, some bioaccumulative chemicals are good for our health, such as fat-soluble vitamins, extra-virgin olive oil and so on. It’s just a question of recognising them…
Fragrances, both containing allergens and free from allergens, often have bioaccumulative ingredients inside; that’s why they must be made without phtalates and other toxic chemicals.
Natural body creams are made with butters and oils (cocoa, shea, coconut and others), so unavoidably their emollient function and bioaccumulative property occur at the same time.
Bensos particularly cares to make a fine selection of raw materials, by using when possibile only not-bioaccumulative ingredients and, when they are requested, by avoiding toxic chemicals.
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