To preserve or not to preserve... THAT is the question.

Today, there are many concerns about preservatives and other additives and their effects on our sensitivities, allergies and/or if they are carcinogenic. And as the season changes from summer into fall, the cooler weather contributes to the skin's dryness. So I will be ramping up production of my lotions and balms. So I thought I would give my perspective on the use of preservatives.

Since I have eczema I prefer to use products that only have ingredients that are derived from nature. But for the public, I reluctantly use a paraben-free preservative in my lotions to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. I feel that it is the proper thing to do for the safety of my customers. Since I haven't found proven data on how effective natural preservatives are, I choose not to use them.

In my research, I have concluded that I only need to use them in products that contain water. So the only product that contains a preservative is my lotion. I make my lotion under sterile conditions and I also a paraben-free preservative to prevent harmful bacteria growth and to extend the shelf life. I only use the recommended amount (0.1-0.5% by weight) and I list all of the ingredients on the label.

I believe that honesty is the best policy when running a business and wanted to be transparent about this issue so that my consumers can make informed decision about my products. As I said early, lotions are the only product at this time that contains a preservative. So my soaps, butters, lipbalms, bath fizzies, etc. are free of preservatives!

Where do you stand on the issue of preservatives in cosmetics?

My rant about the term Pure African Shea Butter

My mom told a woman that I offer shea butter and she subsequently asked me, "Where do you get YOUR shea butter from?" I responded confidently, "l order it online." She replied, smugly, "Oh! My friend gets THEIRS from AFRICA." Like that makes it more special. She proceeded to describe to me this seemingly huge amount (probably around 2lbs.) that she gets for $10! Hard for me to believe, but ok.

I tried to get over it but the more I think about it the more I become concerned that people are saying their shea butter is from Africa just as a selling point. It's all from Africa!

I believe that it is redundant to say 'african shea butter' since the karite tree that it comes from is indigenous to Africa. And to my knowledge there is no where else to get it. Furthermore, they say it's from Africa as if they know the person that got off the plane with it. Or their family lives there, harvests and ships it to them directly. If that's true I'd like to meet them so that I can order from them too!

Maybe I'm disturbed because these people can sell theirs and I can't sell mine because I am truthful about my products.

I apologize for this rant. I think I feel better now. Thanks.

"About Me"

Sensitive skin? Me too. I have eczema and can't use any scented commercial products. But I like the feeling of smelling nice and not just clean. I would go into stores looking for something I could use to no avail. I was really disappointed when I went a popular bath shop (that advertises "natural" products) and found I could not use these products either.
That's why I started making my own bath and body products. At that time I was making silk floral designs so while searching for floral supplies, I found a website that offered ingredients and other supplies for soap making. I thought, " maybe I could make something I could use" and so I did. At first, friends and family seemed very supportive. But then they started requesting the things that they like.d Since I wanted to please them (and make money) I tried to make the things they wanted.
Over the years it became overwhelming and too costly to make what each person desired. And it has been very hard to market to everyone because I'm a one woman show. I have small batches of this and that laying around plus many failed experiments and bad ideas. Needless to say I haven't been making money. It has been very discouraging.
So now I've decided to regroup and focus on something specific. I am going to stick to the natural line since it is the reason I started soapmaking. Natural bath & body products are the only ones I can use. I believe in them and plan to market to those with sensitive skin and/or eczema like me. I think this focus will be better for me and my business in the long run.