ANI FAQs

QWhere are ANI products made?
AWe create our products in the Cotswolds. Rest assured all the ingredients are sourced and blended here in the UK to our bespoke formulation and we choose our partners very carefully ensuring we maintain the highest standards
QAre your essential oils pure?
AWe use 100% pure essential oils from trusted sources. They are authentic and non-adulterated. We use high-grade essential oils and where appropriate cold pressed extracted.
QDoes ANI use preservatives?
AAt ANI we try to keep the use of preservatives to a minimum and use natural preservatives where possible to keep our products in good condition and convenient for your use. The preservative we use is Dehydroacetic acid and Benzyl alcohol (GFecosafe/Preservative Eco equivalent).
QWhat is the shelf life of ANI products?
AANI products once opened should be used within 6 to 12 months
QAre ANI product’s tested on animals?
AANI is committed to acting in a responsible, accountable and transparent manner. We do not test our products or ingredients on animals and never have done. We do not commission any external parties to test our products on our behalf.

All new products are tested for safety during our product development process using cumulative irritancy testing on human volunteers. Before our products are released to the public, formulations are also assessed for safety by a qualified external laboratory, either a chemist or toxicologist. These agencies do not test on animals.

All new ingredients are reviewed by our research and development team prior to use. We research the registration status of these ingredients in world markets, and note any past testing. No animal testing has been conducted by the suppliers of ingredients since 11 March 2009. This is the date when the European Union enforced a ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients and many of our suppliers stopped long before this time (Directive 2010/63/EU).

Before we consider entry into a new country we extensively review the regulatory requirements to ensure that compulsory animal testing on our products is not required.

QIs there any SPF in ANI moisturisers?
 Our moisturisers do not contain SPF ingredients and we would recommend the use of additional sun protection if you are outside for long periods.
QAre ANI products organic or natural?
AWe are often asked if ANI products are organic or natural.

These are words we use with great caution, along with ‘pure’, as they often breed assumptions about organisational practices. As many of our formulations contain laboratory generated ingredients, it would be cynical and deceitful to attach these words to our products: we have never done so.

The ANI product range is not exclusively organic or natural; rather, our products are formulated using a combination of high-quality botanical and synthetic ingredients.

It is important to note, however, that none of our products contain colourants, mineral oils, silicones, parabens or pearlising agents. No other formulation in the ANI range utilises synthetic fragrance compounds.

We recognise the benefits that organic and biodynamic farming have for the land and for our health, but we are practical about how realistic it would be for us to use only organic ingredients. Sometimes they are not available, sometimes there is not enough of a particular ingredient, sometimes the air miles required to import it would generate an environmental concern of its own.

We caution people to be wary of any company that labels itself organic without explaining exactly what they mean: companies can label their goods organic if they contain only a small percentage of organic ingredients.

QIs ANI organic?
AANI Skincare is not wholly organic.

ANI Skincare products are developed holistically to take on board all considerations, not just that of “organic”. Those being the quality of the product, the ethical and environmental sourcing of the ingredients and producing a product to the most effective and to the highest standard.

The term organic is predominately used for the growing and production of food. The definition and understanding is clear in this context – producing food without chemical fertilizer, GM ingredients or pesticides.

“Organic” is being used in the marketing of skincare products without substantial definition. Essential oils, vegetable oils and plant oils can be easily defined as organic whereas preservatives, stabilisers and emulsifiers (all necessary ingredients in good skincare products) are more problematic to define.

At ANI we are concerned that a focus on the word “organic” is being used to distract consumers away from the more serious issues about the ingredients contained in the skincare products they are buying.

ANI’S aim is to create honest skincare products using the best available ingredients, which have the most beneficial and enhancing effects on your skin as well as making you feel good.   We never use parabens, lanolin, beeswax, synthetic perfumes, palm oil, plastic micro beads or pore-blocking petrochemicals.

Wherever feasible, ANI uses organic ingredients.

As part of our aim to produce only honest products we believe that sourcing organic essential oils and plant oils wherever possible is worthwhile. We are already using a significant number of organic plant extracts and oils and we are working to ensure that ultimately all the plant extracts and oils we use are organic.

In summary, using organic oils is only one (relatively small) part of producing skincare products that genuinely care for the skin.

QDo ANI products contain animal-derived ingredients?   Are they suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians?
ANo animal derived ingredients (such as beeswax, honey, lanolin) are used in the ANI range of formulations. All ANI products are suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians.
QDoes ANI use Palm Oil?
AANI does not use Palm Oil, none of our suppliers stock Palm Oil, this is an environmental and ethical stand point for ANI.
QWhat is ANI’s position on sustainable packaging?
AANI’s priority is to the quality and care of the content ensuring the stability and good health of the product. ANI uses recyclable glass, plastic and cardboard wherever possible.

At present, unfortunately we do not have the facility to refill to a satisfactory standard of Health and Safety. At all times ANI is mindful of our environmental obligations.

QCan ANI be used on children?
AANI Skincare can be used sparingly on children’s skin. All of our products contain honest ingredients making them suitable for the sensitive nature of young skin. Please take this into consideration when using.

If your child has any particular allergies or skin conditions then you should first consult your GP or pharmacist.

QDoes ANI have any hair products?
ANot yet. Hopefully in the future – we’ll let you know.
QWhat if I think I have an allergic reaction from ANI products?
AAlthough allergic reactions to ANI Skincare products are very rare indeed, if you think you have suffered an allergic reaction, please stop using the product. It is possible to be allergic to pretty much anything including essential oils and other natural ingredients. If you feel you have a sensitivity we would strongly recommend that you test a small amount of any new product on the inside of your elbow. If you experience any redness or tingling you should return the product for a refund.
QCan I use ANI products whilst pregnant?
 None of our products contain ingredients at levels that should cause concern during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. However, some women choose to avoid essential oils entirely during pregnancy. A full list of ingredients can be found on our website. We advise you to consult your GP or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
QDo ANI products contain synthetic microbeads?
AWe do not use synthetic microbeads (plastic beads) in any of our products. We consider the use of such products ethically and environmentally unsound. ANI Renewal Body Polish uses sugar and our Foot Scrub uses fine pumice stone and salt.
QIs ANI Natural?
 What is natural? It is very difficult to be define the precise meaning when it comes to words like ‘”natural”. At ANI we strive to achieve a healthy balance between that of which advanced technology can provide whilst keeping the products and ingredients honest, gentle and effective by using “natural” products that gently care for your skin.

In our opinion, the ingredients should have no history of causing skin irritation or sensitivity. Our products must be effective and deliver results. If it doesn’t work, we don’t use it.

QWhat does ANI mean by honest?
 It’s about the integrity of the ingredients that we use, our ethos and approach to the products. In all areas of our business we continually strive to maintain the most sustainable and environmental approach to bring you a good and honest product.

ANI products are free from synthetic fragrance, pore-blocking petrochemicals, sulfate detergents, silicones, synthetic colours, animal ingredients and parabens. In addition, ANI products do not contain potential irritants including: glycols and diglycols (such as propylene glycol), PEG’s, PPGs, urea, D.E.A, T.E.A, PABA and other synthetic sunscreens, aliphatic alcohols/hydrocarbons, phthalates, fumarates, amines, alkanolamines, synthetic AHAs/BHAs, polyacrylamide, metacrylate, elastomer, poloxamer, styrene, vinyl, polyquaternium, synthetic chelating agents, nylon, nitriles, nitrates, nitrosamine releasers, bromates, fluor, aluminum and alumina.