Why Hint of Eden is Petrolatum-Free

PETROLATUM
A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odour, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments.
Source: Websters Dictionary

Petrolatum USP is a derivative of Petroleum so refined it is actually used in food products, such as confectionary glazes. It is also for ophthalmic use in medications for the eyes. Vaseline is made 100% of White Petrolatum, also known as Petroleum Jelly. Baby Oil is made of fragrance and Mineral Oil, which is also a Petroleum derivative.

PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are common contaminants in petrolatum. Petrolatum is found in about one of every 14 products on the market, including 15 percent of all lipstick and 40 percent of al baby lotions and oils. FDA restricts petrolatum in food, and requires petrolatum used in food packaging or drugs to meet impurity restrictions for PAHs (21 CFR 178, 21 CFR 172.880).

But the agency allows any amount of petrolatum of any purity in personal care products, many of which are applied directly to the lips and swallowed.

Among the studies linking the petrolatum impurity PAHs to breast cancer is a Columbia University study in which researchers found that the breast tissue of women with breast cancer was 2.6 times more likely to contain elevated levels of PAHs bound to DNA (called DNA adducts) than the breast tissue of women without breast cancer (Rundle et al. 2000).

Petrolatum is listed as a probable human carcinogen in the European Union's Dangerous Substances Directive (UNECE 2004), and its use in cosmetics was banned in September 2004.

Product labels do not uniformly show the “USP” certification on the petrolatum listing. Some product labels include the term “skin protectant” in parentheses after the petrolatum listing, to indicate that the petrolatum has been refined and meets FDA requirements for drug applications.

But in most cases a consumer buying a product containing petrolatum has no way to know if the ingredient is low in carcinogenic PAHs or not.

Hint of Eden soaps and products are Petrolatum Free.

Coconut Oil in Soap

Coconut oil, also known as coconut butter, is a tropical oil with many applications. It is extracted from copra (the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut). Virgin coconut oil is derived from fresh coconuts (rather than dried, as in copra).

Coconut Oil nourishes the skin, keeping it soft and incredibly smooth. Coconut oil is light and not greasy, it is excellent as a skin moisturizer and softener. It prevents dry chapped skin, premature aging and wrinkling. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer

Coconut oil will not clog pores and it absorbs readily into the skin so it works very well as a carrier oil for dry, itchy or sensitive skin.

For soap making, we recommend coconut oil because of its its resistance to spoiling, good lather, lively bubbles producing a hard bar. In addition to adding hardness, it adds a fluffy lather to your soap.

Why use bath salt and fizzers?

Adding a little salt to your water can actually help improve your circulation. Bath salts also reduce tenderness. They are recommended for people with back pain, arthritis, muscle tension or spasms, and minor work and sports injuries. They're great for easing stiff, sore, muscles and aching feet and legs.

Bath salts open the pores to purify the skin, cleansing away dirt, sweat, and toxins. They aid in the healing of dry skin, making skin softer and more supple. Salts can help improve common irritations such as insect bites, minor rashes, and calluses on feet, as well as more serious skin conditions like athlete's foot, eczema, and psoriasis. High quality salts may also help improve the appearance of scars.

Salts made with essential oils offer the added benefit of aromatherapy. Pleasant, soothing scents have been shown to induce calmness and promote relaxation. The ability to relax and unwind at the end of the day is also the best way to insure sound, restful sleep at night.

Salts, such as bath salt or Epsom salt, are also good for exfoliation. Gently rub salt over feet, knees, or elbows, with a damp washcloth. Exfoliated areas should be rinsed thoroughly, before taking a bath. Fresh, newly uncovered skin will also benefit from soaking in water treated with salts.

Bath salts come in many colors, scents, and varieties from fine to coarse. You can choose several different types to try separately, or you can mix them together to create your own favorite scents and textures.

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Holiday Boutique Day
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Samuel S. Cohen Auditorium, Pavilion A
Jewish General Hospital
5750 Cote des Neiges Rd. entrance

Come see our luscious Soaps as gifts for all budgets.

Vitamin E

Overall for skin care, more benefit is obtained from topical application of Vitamin E through creams or lotions rather than taking Vitamin E orally. Skin is able to absorb natural Vitamin E effectively. However, taking Vitamin E orally is important for the good health of other areas of the body.

The recommended skin lotions and creams by many experts are those that contain the alcohol form of Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) instead of the acetate form (alpha-tocopherol acetate). The acetate form does not penetrate the skin’s surface well and provides less of the benefits of Vitamin E such as antioxidant activity for the skin.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Vitamin E
Vitamin E added to lotions, creams, and other skin care products, as well as taken orally, plays a role in the anti-aging of skin. It helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, free radicals are believed to play an important role in skin aging and therefore the antioxidant activity is quite valuable for this skin problem.

Sun Protection and Sun Burn Treatment
Vitamin E lotions provide some benefit in preventing and treating sunburns. These lotions protect the epidermis layer of the skin from early stages of ultra violet light damage. Vitamin E preparations also increase the effectiveness of sunscreens. Such lotions do not work immediately. They must be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure in order to allow the vitamin E to be absorbed deep into the epidermis layer.

Olive oil's health benefits

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

Olive oil is well suited for soap making as it has a very low pH. Popularly known as castile soap, handmade olive oil soap is popular for its rich source of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids that nourish the skin. Handmade olive oil soap is very mild, creamy and helps the skin to remain moist thereby preventing dryness of the skin. Oleic acid present in olive oil helps generate low and creamy bubbles. Olive oil is well suited for soap making as it has a very low pH.

Olive oil soaps tend to boast of deeper penetrating qualities when compared to soaps made with other vegetable oils. Olive oil soap works wonders on inflamed skin and sensitive skin. Properties such as healing of wounds, disinfecting and soothing the skin are additional benefits of olive oil soap. People with rough, extra sensitive and damaged skin would do well to use soaps enriched with olive oil.

Upcoming Fairs for HInt of Eden Soaps

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Hint of Eden Soaps today at the Mind-Body-Spirit Show. It was a great day with a great turnout. It was wonderful to meet so many new faces and old friends.

Hint of Eden will be exhibiting next at the Sustainable Holiday Fair in support of the David Suzuki Foundation's new Montreal office...

Nov. 29 & 30
Sustainable Holiday Fair
Centre Holisitque Om West
46-3 Ste Anne Street, Pointe Claire Village

Dec 3rd
Boutique Day
Jewish General Hospital

Dec 6th
Hudson Pet Fair
Hudson Community Center

Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the plant, primarily through steam distillation. The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used for making potpourris since years.

The various health benefits of lavender essential oil include:
* Nervous System: Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves and helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Its refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity.
* Sleep: Lavender essential oil induces sleep and hence it is often recommended for insomnia.
* Pain Relief: Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. Massage with lavender oil provides relief from pain in the joints.
* Respiratory Disorders: Lavender oil is extensively used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or applied on the skin of neck, chest and back. It is also added in many vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.
* Skin Care: The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is added to chamomile to treat eczema.
* Hair Care: Lavender essential oil is useful for the hair as it can be very effective on lice and lice eggs or nits.

As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender essential oil. It is also recommended that diabetics stay away from lavender oil. It may also cause allergic reactions to people having sensitive skin. Some people may also witness nausea, vomiting and headaches due to usage of lavender oil.

Wake up with Orange Sunrise

Perky sweet orange is enriched with extra shea butter to give the olive oil base a rich boost. Tinted with a swirl of paprika, this creamy bar has just the right amount of zing to give your morning ablutions a burst of energy.

The scoop on exfoliation

Exfoliation involves physically scrubbing the skin with an abrasive. Mechanical exfoliants include microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, micro-bead facial scrubs, crepe paper, crushed apricot kernel or almond shells, sugar or salt crystals, pumice, and abrasive materials such as sponges, loofahs, and brushes. Facial scrubs are available in over-the-counter products for application by the user. People with dry skin should avoid exfoliants which include a significant portion of pumice, or crushed volcanic rock. Pumice is considered a good material to exfoliate the skin of the feet.

The exfoliating ingredient in most commercial big brand body washes products, are tiny particles of polyethylene, which are a hazard to marine life.

Chemical exfoliants include scrubs containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid which may be applied in high concentrations by a dermatologist, or in lower concentrations in over-the-counter products. Chemical exfoliation may involve the use of products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or enzymes that act to loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing them to ease away.This type of exfoliation is recommended for people treating acne.

Honey & Brown Sugar Bar

Real Honey. Real Brown Sugar. This olive oil bar is a super rich sugar scrub for the tub. No need for extra fragrance, this soap is resplendent with the rich aromas of honey and brown sugar.

Pumpkin Oil Properties

Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin pulp are absolutely packed full of properties thought to be useful for skin regeneration and rejuvenating, rich in vitamins A, C, and E essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Pumpkin seed oil and Pumpkin pulp are traditionally both known to be especially well suited for their ability to soothe inflamed skin, skin sores, eczema and psoriasis.

The viscous oil is light green to dark red in colour depending on the thickness of the sample. Used together with yoghurt, the colour turns to bright green and is sometimes referred to as "green-gold".

Pumpkin seed oil has an intense nutty taste and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Brown oil has a bitter taste. Pumpkin seed oil serves as a salad dressing when combined with honey or olive oil. The typical Styrian dressing consists of pumpkin seed oil and cider vinegar. But the oil is also used for desserts, giving ordinary vanilla ice cream an exquisite nutty taste. Using it as a cooking oil, however, destroys its essential fatty acids.

Wonderful Shea Butter

Preparing the skin for the harshness of the months ahead is important. Prevention is always easier than trying to cure, so there's no point in waiting until dry skin reaches a critical point - keeping skin soft now will make the cold winter months more comfortable. Shea butter is a wonderful way to help with this.

Unrefined shea butter is very versatile, and has excellent soothing, moisturizing and anti-aging properties. It also has a characteristic "nutty" scent to it, that disappears after about twenty minutes on the skin. Shea butter has been used for dry skin by African healers centuries. It is high in non-saponifiables and has a unique fatty acid profile. Together, this makes for an incredible ability to moisturize and retain the skin's elasticity.

It also helps to protect the skin against damage done by the sun. It repairs degenerated cells, and its vitamin A content makes it a true friend to excema, dermatitis, and skin blemishes.

The unrefined butter is thick, and easily melts when rubbed between the palms. A little goes a long long way. Then almost as fast as it melted between your hands it's gone, leaving behind a soft silkiness of protection that soothes cracks and eases dryness.

Sunflower Power

It is believed that around 5,000 years ago (3,000 B.C.), in what is present day New Mexico and Arizona, the sunflower was domesticated into a single headed plant with varying seed colors including black, white, red and the familiar black and white striped.

Sunflower oil is utilized widely today in cooking, but also as a carrier oil for massage. It is chemically stable and therefore excellent as a base for natural balms, lotions and creams. It is easily absorbed and contains skin-adoring vitamins A and D, and more vitamin E than any other vegetable oil. It also has calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorous, minerals which help nourish and revitalize, while the oil moisturizes, softens, heals and protects.

Milk Chocolate Soap

Are the dark chocolate bars too rich and powdery? Try this milk chocolate version with just a hint of chocolate cocoa topping and loaded with real cocoa butter.

Sea Salt and Charcoal Detox bar

Our Salt and Sea Detox bar is packed with sea salt, clay and charcoal to help balance the skins moisture and complexion, and to help draw out toxins. Loaded with Olive Oil it is naturally rich in vitamin E. This is a luxury spa experience wrapped into a bar of soap.

Lush Lavender

This classic bar is rich with olive oil and natural Vitamin E & glycerin. Creamy smooth with shea butter, this silky bar is topped with real dried lavender flowers to enhance this aromatherapy inspired bar.

Olive Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Water, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Lavender Essential Oil, Lavender Flowers.

4 Your Paws Only

A creamy blend for your 4 legged friend. With Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E, extra vegetable glycerin, Olive oil, coconut oil. Leaves your pet's coat soft and silky with a nice fresh outdoorsy smell.

Chocolate Bubble Bar

Floating inside a real cocoa powder olive bar are pink and green bubbles for your skin to play with. The cocoa powder gently exfoliates and polishes your skin while the olive oil conditions.

Skin Care with Handmade Natural Soap

1. Cleanse
The first step in great skin care is the cleansing of skin with all natural ingredients of handmade soap that work with your skins natural oils to enhance skin rejuvenation.

2. Exfoliant
Use a soap with an exfoliant that gently scrubs away old dead skin an allows newer skin to come forward. Oatmeal, popppyseed and ground almonds are typical natural exfoliants.

3. Moisturize
The natural glycerin that remains in handmade soap is the best natural moisturizer available to your skin when cleansing. Remember, commercial soap has all of the natural glycerin removed as part of their soapmaking processes. You can then buy it back in their moisturizers.

4. Nourish
Your skin is nourished from the natural oils, minerals and nutrients that are available only in natural soaps. These ingredients remain in handmade soap as they are not removed during the harsh chemical processes of commercial soap making. Olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil and soy are typical ingredients that retain all of their natural properties in handmade soap.

5.Protection
The natural oils your skin produces are an effective protection for your skin against all the pollutants, weather, air conditioning/heating that attack our skin every day. When using commercial soap these natural oils that our own bodies produce are stripped away, leaving our skin especially susceptible to our modern day stress and environment.

Oatmeal and Lemon bars

Finely ground oatmeal gently polishes your skin without harsh scrubbing. Olive and grapeseed oils gently moisturize. The fragrance of Lemongrass adds some zing to your shower and the hint of patchouli mellows you out.

Olive Oil, Water, Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Oatmeal, Lemon Zest, Lemongrass Essential Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil.

Do You Use Natural Soap?

Remember fourth grade science class where we learned that our skin is our largest organ. How do you treat your skin? Do you go down to the local superstore and buy whatever soap is on sale? Would you bathe in petroleum products or eat sugary crispy sawdust cereal just because it was on sale? This is how most Americans treat their skin. If I could only give one piece of advice to the average soap consumer, please try a natural handmade soap. They are more expensive but usually last much longer than commercial bars. Don’t just try mine, try someone else’s. I am so convinced you will notice a tremendous difference in the feel and appearance of your skin you will never want go back to mass produced bars again.