Why Pomegranate Fruit Extract?

Topically, pomegranate extract is especially effective in protecting cells from free radical damage by inhibiting the formation harmful enzymes that cause cells to grow out of control. The ellagic acid, found within pomegranate extract is also thought to strengthen the cell membrane, making it less susceptible to free radical damage and preventing water loss. Such properties have important implications in terms of cancer prevention, as out-of-control cell division is a hallmark of cancer. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, evaluated pomegranate's anti-skin tumor effects by comparing topical application of pomegranate extract on neonatal mice against TPA-induced markers (12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), a strong promoter of chemically induced skin cancer. Applying pomegranate extract onto the skin of neonatal mice 30 minutes prior to TPA application significantly inhibited TPA-mediated increases in skin edema and hyperplasia, they said. They also tested the pomegranate extract on TPA-induced skin tumor promotion. The animals pretreated with pomegranate extract showed substantially reduced tumor incidence and lower tumor body burden. In the TPA treated group, all mice developed tumors at 16 weeks, whereas only 30 per cent of the mice treated with pomegranate extract exhibited tumors at that point. The protective and healing properties of the pomegranate are extremely important today, as the rate of skin cancer is increasing faster than any other cancer among Western countries. Applying sunscreen alone isn't enough. The challenge is to teach our clients to apply enough and re-apply to cover all areas of the skin from head to toe. Note: To take full advantage of the benefits of PFE's SPF boosting capabilities, it should also be taken orally (Food-Grade PFE that is, not Summer Survivor!).

Q: Why should I not use the pet spray on myself, it seems to work well?

A: There are a number of reasons. It contains a higher percentage of EO's that would affect persons who suffer from Fragrance allergies (see above) and lead to allergic contact dermatitus and therefore it could lead to quicker sensitization for vulnerable individuals. While only 1-2% of the population fits this profile, there are better reasons that affect everyone: It does not contain the same humectants as the human formulas so its use would lead to the skin drying more. It does not contain many of the agents that are very beneficial for human skin such as Pomegranate, Noni, Rhodiola, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, etc. One place however humans could use it if they are not worried about fabric stains or bleaching would be on their clothing, where it would be very cost effective, however it could ruin certain fabrics* so it should not be used on your best tuxedo or gown that you plan to wear to the gala opening of the three tenors. (*We have noticed that Summer Survivor XS will bleach out dyed cotton ball caps very quickly when they are subsequently exposed to UV).

Are there sulphides in your product?

We sterilize all our equipment and our rubber gloves with sodium metabisulphide before we handle anything, and then rinse. Therefore, although we do not directly add sulphides as a preservative, a GC analysis of this product may show trace amounts of sulphides due to our sterilization procedures. The EO's in the formulas supply a lot of inherent anti-bacterial properties and the end user is not sticking their fingers in it as they would a balm or salve, therefore there is limited opportunity for contamination. We also purge the containers with a food grade inert gas to displace the O2 before capping to reduce the effects oxidization would have on degrading the efficacy of the EO's.

How hazardous is it to get in eyes?

Mint oils contain carvone which are irritating to eyes. Carvone can denude the protective oil of your mucosa. That's why you should flush eyes or affected mucosal cells with water for 15 minutes if sprayed into these areas. The worst case we know of this product being sprayed into eyes and mouth happened to us. John was "batching" 23 litres in a glass carboy in the shop by himself. He did not notice that he infused too much sodium bicarbonate all at once and applied power to the agitator. The repellant concentrate exploded out through the small neck of the carboy in much the same way champagne would spew out of a 23 litre bottle straight into his face, eyes, and mouth. Blinded by the stinging concentrate, he groped his way back to the office across the lot tripping over various items and "felt" his way to the back door. Summoning help, 2 staffers came to his aid, and upon seeing him drooling (he didn't want to swallow) promptly assumed he was having a stroke. Crying out "take me to the shower" they bemusedly guided the hunched, muttering and drooling figure to the shower and watched with dismay as he started to disrobe, promptly flinging his fleece jacket through the air into the toilet. Ever helpful, Sharon, (who had given John a real fancy pair of safety glasses just the day before), started to try and get his pants off while the teenagers discussed why someone with advanced first aid training and apparently having a stroke would be so intent on having a shower before he went to the hospital. Face into the shower, previously receeding but reclaimed pants still on, and a few minutes later all was well again, 5 minutes in the shower seemed to suffice. 30 minutes later there was no discomfort at all except for a lot of embarrasment and a jacket that well, lets just say, had been known to smell better when covered with minty concentrate. Luckily no-one had gotten around to calling 911 yet. The moral of the story, it really smarts to get it into your eyes and mouth, especially in its concentrated form, and we've been there, (at least one of us has anyway). And while there was no apparant damage to his eyes and skin, there is an ongoing debate as to whether any further brain damage would be possible in John's case.

So make sure that your kids don't have it on their hands, because we all know where they put their hands next, especially very young children, and of course, don't spray it around their face.

Q: Why does you label state not to use it if I have allergies? Are their any ingredients in Summer Survivor to be cautious of?

A: Yes (the following information excerpted from New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated website), if you have a fragrance allergy the EO's in the formulations can trigger your allergy. Fragrance allergies can cause dermatitis.

Q: What should I do to avoid fragrance allergy?

A: If you have a fragrance allergy the best way to avoid any problems is by avoiding all products that contain fragrances of any sort. Unfortunately, fragrance allergy is usually life-long and gets worse with continued exposure.

There are more than 5000 different fragrances that are in use today. In any one product the number of fragrances used can be many. Fortunately only a small number of fragrances are actually common sensitisers and cause allergy in sensitive individuals.

Often products are only labeled as containing fragrance and do not identify the individual chemicals used to make up the fragrance. You should avoid all products that contain essential oils, including Summer Survivor.

Q: Am I allergic to fragrances?

A: Sensitivity to a perfume, cream or lotion is usually the first indicator of an allergy to fragrance. Patch testing using fragrance mix and Balsam of Peru detects approximately 75% of fragrance allergy cases. A positive patch to fragrance mix indicates that you are allergic to one or more fragrance chemicals. An estimated 1-2% of the general population is allergic to fragrance.

Self-testing a product for fragrance allergy is possible but should be done only after first talking with your doctor. This should be done only with products that are designed to stay on the skin such as cosmetics and lotions. Apply a small amount (50 cent sized area) of the product to a small tender area of skin such as the bend of your arm or neck for several days in a row. Examine the area each day and if no reaction occurs, it is unlikely you are allergic to it. However, it may still not be suitable for you as it can still cause an irritant reaction. Products such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cleansers should not be tested in this way as they frequently cause an irritant dermatitis, which is not allergic, if they are covered or overused on tender areas.

Q: What are the reactions to fragrance mix allergy?

A: Typical allergic contact dermatitis reactions may occur in individuals allergic to fragrance mix or any other chemically related substances. The rash is characteristically located on the face, hands and arms. There may be intense swelling and redness of the affected area within a few hours or the rash may appear after a day or two of the product being used. Sometimes symptoms may only be redness, dryness and itching.

Flare-ups of dermatitis in fragrance-sensitive individuals may occur if they use or consume products containing fragrance allergens.

Q: Are both formulas suscepible to this?

A: Yes, they both have fragrance EO's in them, and it is reported that 1-2% of the population could have sensitivity to different fragrances.

Q: What if I don't have fragrance allergies but have had anaphylactic reactions due to other causes in the past?

A: Then the avoidance of Summer Survivor is also required due to yet unknown effects that essential oils used in the formulations could have in contributing to the exacerbation of anaphlaxis even if the individual does not react directly to the EO's used in the formula because these effects could be tangental in nature.

Q: I've read on some other sites that you have to shake their product because emulsifying it would cause the Essential Oils not to work as well. Why is that?

A: Those claims are usually made by smaller entities who do not have the resources to achieve emulsion so it is used as an excuse. In fact the opposite may be true. The worst enemy of the main ingredients, the EO's, is oxidization. When the EO is mixed evenly with the carrier oils and bound with the water it is probable that it does not evaporate or oxidize as quickly, and therefore lasts longer and is more effective. Think in terms of if a product separates quickly in the bottle, it will once again, separate very quickly as soon as it is on your skin. The heat from the skin is akin to dropping a low flashpoint cooking oil onto a hot frying pan. Catnip is especialy vulnerable to this and catnip oil should always be dispersed in an emulsion.

It is not necessary to have a perfect emulsion, for example, if a product separates after a few hours, then at least it stays together long enough to be sprayed out of the bottle evenly and stay that way on the skin through its rated effective time window. Products with no emulsion whatsoever separate so quickly that they do so while you are spraying them, meaning that when the bottle is half full you probably have sprayed mostly water on your skin and you will soon be spraying a much denser oil mixture as the water gets drawn off. And, a very high percentage of users simply forget to shake a bottle prior to use.

To achieve the properties described above using a sustainable material is difficult, especially since it is desirable that chemical modification is kept to a minimum. Summer Survivor is emulsified but can separate over time because it uses a natural amino acid to adjust Ph and fix an emulsion, so that's why the instructions say to shake. However once shaken, the emulsion should last for a considerable period.