Interview with Sanctum Chemist: Warren Taylor

Natural products are high in demand today and we can expect both better results and experiences with natural skin care.  I spoke with Sanctum’s Chemist, Warren Taylor about how the natural skincare industry has evolved and advanced.

I hope you find this interesting and we welcome further questions…

How long have you been working with natural cosmetics?

I have been a working chemist for 3 decades. The last of these has been mainly formulating and manufacturing natural based cosmetics.

Would you say that it is more challenging to work with natural skin care as compared to conventional/mainstream products?

Certainly a decade ago it was very difficult.  In fact impossible to make an organic product that would perform acceptably.

In the last few years various products have become available that allow us to make excellent quality all natural and organic products.  A downside is that these materials generally have a higher cost.  For instance, the cleansing agent in our organic shampoo is 3.5 times more expensive as that in supermarket shampoos!

Is it difficult to comply with organic certification standards?

If we speak of the Australian standard for export (a standard for products for domestic sale is final draft form now) we are speaking of a standard better than nearly every other one in the world.  So our job here is more difficult than in Europe.  Many of our products still only reach the level of ”contains organic ingredients”; so yes, it is difficult.  Improving theses to meet the “Certified Organic” level is my major project.  And if it were not secret I could give you good news!

How has natural skin care evolved over the past decades?

5 decades ago we used soap and vegetable oils.  Quite natural but with major drawbacks.  Over the next couple of decades chemistry developed a large number of products that were gentler and with a much greater range of desirable properties.  In the last decade there has been the discovery (at ever increasing rates) of specific materials both synthetic and natural that have specific benefits like antiaging.  The last half decade has given us natural based materials that perform as well as synthetics allowing us to make very desirable products that are also natural.

What are the issues you face as a Chemist with natural products and formulations?

With shampoos and conditioners we have raw materials that do an excellent job; the only issue is that they cost a lot more.  With creams we can formulate products that perform well though there are some limitations on the sensorial qualities compared to creams that use synthetic raw materials.  It is also impossible in a few cases to obtain products that are fully certifiable as organic, though they can be largely organic (and fully natural of course).

Are there any milestones / achievements in your career with Sanctum that stand out?

My first batch of 2 tonnes that failed.  That really stands out!

It has been excellent that we have been able to produce a full range of products that are certifiable organic at one level or another.  A decade ago it was not possible and given that only 3 other companies in Australia have been able to do it puts us in the front rank.  I would say too that we Australians are at least as good as anyone in the world and better than most.

This interview reflects the opinion of the individual and has been provided for your interest.