I was doing some research again on products that are unsafe for my children (AGAIN!), and if you had any idea what is lurking in that bottle of baby shampoo or bubble bath, you'd definately think twice before putting it in your shopping cart.
As a mother of three children with sensative skin, I am constantly flipping the containers over to see what is in the ingredients. Not just for them, but for myself. Just like when I'm shopping for groceries, I check the nutrion table on the food we purchase to ensure I am getting the healthiest food for my family. If it's to high in fat or empty calories, carbohydrates etc. we stear clear of those foods. We know they can, over time and consuming to much can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholestrol etc. We are a society who is health concious because we are the most obese country in the world and have the highest rate of heart desease from what we consume.
But what about skin health? Not everyone has sensative skin, but at some point in our lives we have experienced an uncomfortable and unexplainable rash. Any product that is used on your skin, ie, lotion, make-up, perfume, soap etc. is considered a cosmetic and the FDA requires that all cosmetics and skin care products have an ingredients label. Grab a bottle of your favorite bottle of lotion and your shower gel, and do a comparison. Do you see ingredients you cannot pronounce? Of course you do! The question is, what are those ingredients and what do they cause? I will go into that further momentarily, first I want to share an article I read that will make you wonder WTHeck is in your baby care products as well as your goodies!
As many know I am a member of the campaign for safe cosmetics. This organization tests products on the market to see what they are made of and how many ingredients are in the products but not listed on the labels, and they let you know how safe they are for your skin and what reactions or deseases specific ingredients within the product maybe or are linked to. I update on that website often and run my own products through their skin deep data system. I am proud to say that Soaps 'N Suds has some of the safest products on the market!
When I was reading on some new research from March 2009 via the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics studies, one that caught my attention was contaminants in bath products. This is important to me because 90% of my product line is bath and body. Here an sample from that article:
"Does baby shampoo need to contain cancer-causing chemicals? No – but it often does. Product tests released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in March 2009 found two known carcinogens, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, in dozens of bath products for babies and kids, including Sesame Street character brands and even the iconic "pure and gentle" Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo.
This report followed up on test results released in February 2007, which found the chemical 1,4-dioxane in 18 popular baby soaps, bubble baths and shampoos. None of the products tested in either round listed 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde on the label.
Both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known animal carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Formaldehyde can also cause skin rashes in sensitive children."
You can read the remainder of this article here.
I became aware that my youngest daughter, Neena, was unable to use Johnson & Johnson's baby products when she was an infant due to the rash she recieved from head to toe after a bath. I began bathing her with other products, which were a hit and miss with most, but after a while, even with using a product that did well for her at first, she would get the same rash. Tired of my little Neena getting red itchy bumps that seemed to settle on her arms and legs and across her bottom, I started bathing her with my goat's milk soap and pine tar soap. I started with the pine tar soap to help sooth and clear the rash and once it was gone I bathed her from then on out with goat's milk soap. She hasn't had that rash in over a year now. She is almost 3 years old.
What disturbed me about this article, is all baby products claim "Gentle" "Tear Free", etc. How can any product be gentle if it contains carcinogens like formaldehyde? Not to mention, when you dig a little deeper into the ingredients they contain Parabens and Phthalates!!! Granted, formaldehyde may not be added directly into the ingredients to create the product, but read further on into the article and see that it is formed by none other than a chemical reaction between other ingredients over time.
We decided that going without these ingredients would be best for our family. Considering many cosmetics contain ingredients that raise estrogen levels and contribute to breast cancer, skin cancer, wrinkles AND rashes, irritation, migrains. If you don't have a pre-exsisting skin disorder, chances are you can get one by using harsh products.
My main concern for so long was Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Parabens and Phthalates, so I designed products that do not contain those ingredients, I made something natural and pure. Now , I am concerned about other ingredients and my research and product design continues to ensure my family and customers have options to buy safe products they know are healthy and they can see the label and KNOW what the ingredients are in my products!
Here is a little inside information that major manfactures don't tell people, the definition of the ingredients on their packaging. Next time your shopping around, look at the back of the bottle. Do you want to know if they contain Paraben? They aren't going to put a sticker on the front of the bottle that says "NOW! WITH MORE PARABENS!". Here's the words to look for to know if your products contain Parabens right from the chemists mouth ( they won't always say paraben):
Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216) and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. The general chemical structure of a paraben is, where R symbolizes an alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.
Why do they use paraben? Paraben is an ingredient added to products that contain water to extend their shelf life by two years or more. This saves the manufacturer alot of money. It is also very cheap and in abundance. To keep the cost of manufacturing down and increase money in their pockets. Unfortunately it is as the risk of consumers health. Parabens are proven to increase estrogen levels in women, men and children and in turn linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.
I make my products in small qauntities to ensure qaulity and quick sale. Soaps 'N Suds products never sit on the shelf long at all due to the rising demand for the products. I am currently formulating liquid lotions and body yogurts that are healthy and rich for the skin and with a paraben free preservative to prevent bacteria growth in products containing water. The new preservative is more expensive to obtain, but well worth my cost to produce a wonderful natural product without paraben! I am currently testing the lotions and creams and they will not be ready for public launch for another two months or longer. If you're still leary of using a lotion with a paraben free preservative, I encourage you to try our lotion bars, which are all natural solid lotion without water or preservatives.
Beauty truly is skin deep -
Rachel
I am happy to announce our new fall fragrance line for our candles and soon Room and Linen Spray. All fragrances are Phthalate Free!
Cinnamon Frosting - Spicy cinnamon with sweet notes of creamy buttercream frosting. Our customers who have already tried this fragrance adores it!
Pecan Pie - True to life pecan pie filling with a light and flaky pie crust.
Pumpkin Crunch - Better than pumpkin pie!! Creamy pumpkin puree with a spicey cinnamon and allspice background, just like the holiday dessert.
Blueberry Cheesecake - This one is as strong as the blueberry muffin, but with a wonderfully rich creamcheese filling oozing with blueberry topping.
Wine and Roses - The perfect blend of a dry merlot and a dozen fresh cut roses.
Vanilla Crunch - FANTASTIC EXCLAMATION POINT!! The perfect strong vanilla drenched in buttercreme and hints of nuts. The very best vanilla out there.
Indian Harvest - Imagine a cornicopia bursting in dried fruits, fall spices and hints of caramel. This has become our most popular fall candle.
As many of my customer know, I used to be a skin care consultant and examine skin and determining the type was a daily routine for me. Learning what your skin type maybe will help guide you to proper skin care for healthier and more youthful looking skin.
In this blog post I will be explaining the differant skin types and sharing some fun and helpful information for natural exfoliation and skin rejuvination. There are 5 skin types I will be discussing. Which one classifies your skin?
The first skin type and the most rare to have is classified as Normal Skin. The skin is soft, supple and smooth. It is fine-textured and free of blemishes (with the exception of periodic blemishes). It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. Less than twenty percent of women have this skin type. If this is your skin type you are fortunate; however, this does not mean that you shouldn’t take care of it. Caring for your skin on a daily regimen will maintane it's natural beauty and prolong it's "Normal" skin health.
The second is Dry Skin. This type of skin has a fine texture and is transparent looking. It feels tight and drawn without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. This type of skin needs proper care because it shows signs of aging early.
The third is Oily Skin and the most common skin problem. The oily complexion is greasy, sallow and course. It has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Within hours of washing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly.
The fourth is Combination Skin. This type of skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The T zone is the forehead, nose and chin. The extent to which both areas are dry and oily may vary; however, both areas require a separate cleaning routine to restore them to balance.
Last but not least, the first skin type is Problem skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a dermatologist.
There are also 2 skin conditions that may occur either together or separately and may occur with any skin type. These are sensitive and allergic conditions. If when applying skin care products you begin to sneeze, wheeze, itch or breakout you are probably allergic. Skin that appears thin, pale and flushes easily and may be sensitive and be subject to allergies. If this is the case, treat your skin gently and use hypoallergenic products. I recommend before using a new skin care product all over your face is to do a "patch test". Use a small amount of the product on your skin behind your ear where it isn't visiable. Do the "patch test" for two or three days before deciding it's safe for your face. Some allergies do not show signs for a few days. I became concerned when my sister used a very well known acne skin care system and she used it all over her face and after two or three days of use her skin was red, swollen and bumpy and her eyes nearly swoll shut.
Now that I've finished with the learning part of this blog, on to the fun part of creating an at home spa in your own bath room. Why not pamper your skin by exfoliating and rejuvinating the delicate tissues with something wonderful from mother nature. Chances are you already have it in your kitchen and your skin will love you for it.
Here are some simple recipes for natural facial masks that work beautifully.
Normal Skin Mask:
1 Banana
1 Chamomile Soaked Chamomile Tea Bag
Steep the chamomile tea bag and set the tea aside. Mash 1 ripe banana and empty the contents of the tea bag into the banana and blend well. Apply to facial skin and allow to set for 20 minutes. Rinse with the chamomile tea you set aside and pat dry. This helps to maintane moisture and balance of the skin and can be applies 1 - 2 times a week. The banana helps maintane elsaticity of the skin and gives it a nice fresh perky appearance. I have heard of super models taking an old bra and placing mashed bananas in each cup and sleeping with it for the maintance of perky breasts. I have never tried it, but it's an interesting idea to say the least. lol
Dry Skin Mask:
1 cup of unflavored yogurt
1 tbs. finely ground almonds
1 tbs. honey
2 tbs. olive oil
Mix all ingredients into a bowl and apply to face, massaging gentle. Allow to rest on your skin until it feels dry, then rince thoroughly.
Oily Skin Mask:
1 cup unflavored yogurt
1 drop of menthol oil
1 tbs. fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. inacticve yeast
1 potato
Peel a potato and place it in a bowl of water. Let it stay there for a couple of hours. You will need 2 teaspoons of this water. Mix in all the ingredients and add those 2 tablespoon of "potato water". Apply to skin, let it rest for 20-30 min and rinse with luke warm water.
Combination Skin Mask:
1 potato
Peel the potato and cut it into thin slices. Place it on the face and let it rest for about 15 minutes Rince off with camomille tea.
Problem Skin Mask:
1 tablespoon of active brewer's yeast
Heat up yeast over steam. You can put it on your skin up to 3 times a day.
Now, you're probably wondering, "WHY YEAST?".
Did you know that brewers yeast promotes a diet rich in B vitamins, which are essential for healthy skin. Brewers yeast can aid in prevention and treatment of acne. Consult a dermatologist for information about brewers yeast for acne and for any concerns that may apply. Where as I am not a dermatologist, merely a skin care consultant I am not laying any medical claim on this information, but from research and hours or reading and learning to help my customers promote healthy balanced skin, it's a little FYI I wanted to share with you.
In addition, always drink plenty of water and maintane a healthy diet rich in fruits and veggies for a clearer more supple complextion.
This is me playing with my camera. For years my skin has remained pretty much the same. I am classified as having "Normal" Skin, however, now that I am 31, I don't have the exact same texture I did when I was in my late teens. I am determined to age graceful and naturally. So what do I used on my face? Well, Soaps 'N Suds buttermilk soap for a cleanser every day, unless I get that periodical blemish from a hormone imbalance, then I cleanse with Soaps 'N Suds Pine tar Liquid Soap. Once a week I slather on Soaps 'N Suds brown sugar honey scrub and two slices of cucumber over my eyes "to reduce puffiness". I rince with Chamomile tea. I have always been blessed to have "good" skin and I do my best to keep it healthy.
Love, Peace and Soap Bubbles,
Rachel
Pioneer Soap Gal
I am offering two new products to my natural product line this fall. The first is Triple Scented Tart Melts. I've done tarts for a while, but I don't like the way they get banged up and melted in the current packaging, so I have started packaging them in clamshells. The clamshell will have 6 break away tarts. The clamshells are reclosable for convienat storage and are made with soy wax. The soy wax is softer than paraffin so it slices like butter. Tart Melts - $4.00 ea. 3.75 oz. clamshell.
The next product and the one I am the most excited about, is our natural, earth friendly, aerosol & phthalate free Room and Linen Spray! I have been working this formula for a year now and finally got it just right where it won't clog a fine mist sprayer and is long lasting. The room/linen spray has been passed around all week and been tested by about five differant people and already, before it's even marketed I am getting orders. HOW EXCITING!!!!
I am waiting on bottles and sprayers to arrive, and then I will launch the room and Linen Spray at Back Porch Antiques and Farmer's Market. This stuff is AMAZING!! Try the downy fresh fragrance in your linen closet and on your bed sheets for a freshly cleaned laundry smell. Very nice! Room & Linen Spray - $6.50 ea. 6 oz. bottle
Ladies and Gentlmen, I am happy to announce my official Grand Opening of my booth at Back Porch Antiques September 16, 2009! I am currently there stocking the booth and decorating it up. I am starting simple and working on growing there, I have to share my stock with 4 other stores and myself right now, so the inventory will grow as I go.
I had been stocking for a couple of hours today when I looked up and who was it? My first customer and none other than Mrs. New Mexico. I am glad she was my first customer, she really appreciates what I have and she enjoys the products. So before I was even set up I had a customer today, and you have no idea how that made me feel my time and effort was worth it.
For my grand opening sale I will be offering buy 4 bath bombs get 1 free! For October all pink candles will be 10% off in honor of breast cancer awareness month and listen for "Soaps 'N Suds at back porch antiques" on the radio next month. I will be a featured vendor for my move in and I am so excited!! Purchases can be made now, but the official grand opening will be next week. Chances are, if you come down there friday and tuesday will you catch me there working on the booth. I am so excited, I am finally there and two weeks earlier than scheduled!
Wow! What a busy season this has been for me! Summer has just flown past for me this year. I am happy to see Soaps 'N Suds handmade soaps and candles making their way into more homes and helping families with their allergy issues.
Fair and Rodeo was amazing! It was busy, there were alot of people, a ton of fun carnival food, but lots of customers for me. I even had the pleasure of catching up with some of my out of town customers that missed me at the Midland Farmer's Market.
The Fair and Rodeo lasted a week and that week I put in 80 hours. Special Thanks are in order for my sister, Melissa Gilcrease, my dear friend Junior Pulliam and my other dear friend Trina Collopy for their help with the booth that week. We made alot of sales and made new customer aqauntances that have come back for more Soap and Candles since the fairs end.
After such a long week and almost two years of butt busting work on the business my family and I took a vacation to Dallas. We sure needed it and it was nice to finally get out and have a good time. Back home, it was back to the grind stone pouring candles and soaps and working on new products to introduce on my fall fragrance line for this year.
Farmer's Market in Hobbs has come and gone again. The last farmer's market I had the honor of meeting our own home town celebrity Mrs. New Mexico 2007, Mrs. Courtney Whitley. Mrs. New Mexico has frequented my booth at farmer's market since we first opened shop here in June. She was even kind enough to write and lovely email and send her picture along to Soaps 'N Suds to let other potential customers know how much she enjoys the products and how they have helped her husband. You can read her email on the Soaps 'N Suds Junkies page. Thank you Courtney for the lovely email and your continued support of Soaps 'N Suds and my efforts to grow my business.
I have really enjoyed this last summer. I have met a few neat people that I never would have imagined may buy one of my products, and have had the pleasure of hearing directly from my customers on their needs and preferances. I pray that this year continues to be wonderul and my success will continue to grow through out the holiday season and into the next year.
Speaking of success, I got a nifty little fortune cookie today. The fortune read "You will be unusually success with your business". I thought it was cool to say the least. I do not usually take alot of thought into those things, but I did save that one for my scrap book!!