What is potassium sorbate and why do you use it in your XyliWhite™ toothpastes?

Potassium sorbate is a polyunsaturated fat created by combining sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. While it is found in nature, most potassium sorbate in use today is synthetic. Potassium sorbate is a preservative with powerful antimicrobial properties. Most of the commercially available toothpastes today include some sort of preservative to prevent unwanted microbes from contaminating the tube. Most toothpaste users contaminate their toothpaste tube when applying the product to a used toothbrush, making the growth of microbes in the packaging a major concern.

Potassium sorbate is Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS), a designation used by the Food and Drug Administration to denote foods and ingredients that are widely deemed safe for human consumption. Potassium sorbate breaks down harmlessly into water and carbon dioxide in the body. Less than 1% potassium sorbate is used in XyliWhite™ toothpastes.

NOW® Solutions offers a complete line of fluoride-free toothpastes and mouthwashes that are formulated with only the highest quality ingredients. The oral care products are non-GMO, vegetarian/vegan, and feature xylitol as the main ingredient. Flavors for adults include cinnamon and mint and feature additional innovative ingredients such as coconut oil, neem, tea tree, and baking soda. Flavors for kids include orange, bubblegum, and strawberry. All NOW® Solutions oral care products are formulated to clean and whiten teeth and freshen breath.

Why do you use carrageenan? Isn’t it considered unsafe?

Carrageenan is used in XyliWhite toothpastes as a natural thickening agent. We use less than 1% carrageenan, and very little if any is ingested when the product is used as directed. Carrageenan in its undenatured state, as well as the seaweed it’s derived from, have repeatedly been shown to be safe. Denatured, heavily processed carrageenan may pose potential health risks. NOW uses only undenatured carrageenan.

Does XyliWhite™ contain artificial surfactants, detergents, or foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)?

Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a fatty acid synthetically derived from petroleum. Its overall, long-term safety has never been confirmed, so we choose not to use it in any of our formulations, including XyliWhite. In fact, even if we wanted to use it (and we don’t), the Natural Products Association (NPA) doesn’t allow the use of SLS in natural products. In addition, we choose not to use any artificial surfactants, detergents or foaming agents.

Sodium coco sulfate is the preferred cleansing surfactant for natural products, including toothpastes. Extracted from coconut oil, sodium coco sulfate provides a wider spectrum of naturally occurring fatty acids and isn’t considered to have the same origin and safety issues associated with sodium lauryl sulfate.

Is XyliWhite™ a non-GMO product?

Yes, all XyliWhite™ toothpaste formulas are made with non-GMO ingredients.

Has XyliWhite™ ever won any awards?

XyliWhite™ RefreshMint Toothpaste was honored by Clean Eating Magazine with a 2015 Clean Choice Award in the Household Goods category.

XyliWhite™ Neem & Tea Tree Toothpaste Gel was recognized by Taste for Life Magazine as a 2016 Essentials Award Winner in the Personal Care category. Taste for Life also awarded XyliWhite™ Strawberry Splash Toothpaste Gel for Kids with a 2016 Essentials Award in the Back to School Essentials category.

Delicious Living Magazine awarded XyliWhite Neem & Tea Tree Toothpaste Gel a 2015 Beauty & Body Award in the Best Oral Care category, and honored our XyliWhite™ Bubblegum Splash Toothpaste Gel for Kids as the 2016 Best Kid’s Product.

RELATED NOWLEDGE