Freshen safer

I love the pretty things in life, especially when they are natural and versatile! Take for example my room sprays. I can safely use them for a bathroom, in the shower, on my linens, in my car, pretty much anywhere and not worry if it may be harmful to my family or guests. The only complaint I have heard so far is that I do not use an emulsifier, and after some research I have concluded that for now I will continue making them just as I do, and here's why;

One of the most commonly used emulsifying agents used is Polysorbate. For such things as sprays I would need polysorbate 20. It is widely used in the cosmetic and beauty industry included natural cosmetics. Okay...so why don't I use it? Here's the low down :)
Polysorbate is derived from sorbital. Sorbital is a sugar alcohol found largely in fruits. Now the key word here is Derived. Anytime I here plant based or derived from that sends up a red flag. It is a marketing tool used to appeal to the masses. You think you are doing so well and going a little more green, but chances are not so much.
To make polysorbate well, polysorbate they add ethylene oxide.

 

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas at

temperatures above 51.3 ºF (10.7 ºC) that smells like

ether at toxic levels. EtO is found in the production of

solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives,

polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. Smaller

amounts are present in fumigants, sterilants for spices

and cosmetics, as well as during hospital sterilization of

surgical equipment.

 

This is taken from OSHA Fact Sheet. OSHA is Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

So....Sound safe to you? The higher the number behind polysorbate(20,40,60,80) the higher the amount of Ethylene oxide.

Well what does that leave me with then? I can blend the sprays with a much higher amount of alcohol, but that can cause it to be an irritant for the throat and lungs. I could use and oil base such as coconut. I do love coconut oil! The issue with that is now one has to deal with oil stains. The room spray now leaves you with  an oily residue on all your surfaces that isn't great to clean, I mean have you ever tried cleaning oil stains from clothing and linen? No thank you!

I suppose for now, I will keep my sprays just as they are, safe and soothing. Though it may seem like a rather petty thing in the grand scope, but it's the culmination of little things that make a big difference, and in the information age that we are in there is no reason not to educate yourself. I am a huge advocate for reading the Ingredients part of the label and if I am not sure what it is, then I look it up. Like I said before, it is a huge marketing ploy when they place words like Derived and Plant based. Companies spend millions on marketing so you will buy their product and it is a well known fact that making it sound sustainable and green will do the trick.

We always have a choice.

 

One Earth.

 

What the Soap!?

Anyone that knows me knows how much I enjoy making soaps and oils. For the last 8 years it has been one of my most consistent creative outlets. I always joke that my kitchen cooks more soap than meals!
My biggest question these days is 'What soap will help with my dry skin, acne, oily skin...etc.' Here's the low down.
My basic recipe is the same for most bars of soap. The oils are the same. I do play with teas, flowers and exfoliants, but essentially the recipe is fairly basic and I use these because it looks pretty!
I have been asked about adding fancy clays and oils, but I am afraid to say when it comes to soap...any skin and body care, simple is best.
When purchasing a handmade bar of soap, keep in mind the more 'luxurious and extravagant' the additives the higher the price. I like to keep the higher end oils for the after care part of ones shower, and here's why.
You need your soap to be cleansing not stripping and drying, and you want it to be moisturizing not irritating. Even though I enjoy the look and feel of tea bits and flowers in my soaps, in the end it goes down the drain! Unlike body oils that you put on after that need to have lasting moisturizing power, we literally lather up and watch our soap scoot down the drain, so why pay for overpriced ingredients?
Clays and such are beautiful when allowed to sit on the skin as a mask or a herbal astringent where the benefits have time to be absorbed, but there is little benefit in soaps. It is like buying a great herbal tea for the healing properties and quickly dipping it in your mug of hot water and tossing it. No benefit unless you steep it.

So no I won't be adding them to my soapies, but if you are concerned about acne and such, start simply. Wash with a lovely mild handmade soap as not to dry your skin. Minor exfoliation once or twice a week with Baking Soda....Yes plain old baking soda! It naturally helps balance PH and is a great way to soften our water. You can then cleanse with plain old Apple Cider vinegar, then moisturize with a simple body oil. Body oil is blended without alcohol or acids, and will absorb naturally without leaving a film of waxes or other additives that will clog up your pores and cause pimples. And the most important tip..... WATER in conjunction with a cleaner diet will do wonders! Let's face it, in the end Beauty is an inside job! :)

One Earth.