What does that label mean?

Cosmetics are a part of everyone's daily grooming routine. Whether the product is a beauty preparation (make-up, perfume, skin cream, nail polish) or a grooming aid (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant), estimated sales of cosmetics in Canada alone total over four billion dollars annually.

Studies in the UK have found that many consumers do not read the ingredient labels because they are "too difficult", "too confusing", have trouble due to size of the print, or simply trust the brand so that they don't bother.

Other consumers are mislead by the terms used to market the products. Some of these common terms have been clarified by Health Canada:

Fragrance Free or Unscented

This means that there have been no fragrances added to the cosmetic product, or that a masking agent has been added in order to hide the scents from the other ingredients in the cosmetic.

Hypoallergenic

"Hypoallergenic" is neither a legal nor a scientific term. It simply means that the manufacturer has selected ingredients with the objective of producing a finished product with minimum potential for causing allergy. This does not guarantee that the product will not cause an allergic reaction in some individuals as people are allergic to a wide array of substances. There are no non-allergenic cosmetics.

Ophthalmologist Tested/Dermatologist Tested

These terms usually mean that a test on the product was conducted to ensure that the product is not (or less) irritating to eyes or skin, and that this test involved a skin or eye doctor at some point during the study. It is the safety of the product that has been tested and not the efficacy of the product. There are no regulations that standardize the type or number of tests needed to use this claim on labels.

Not Tested on Animals

The cosmetic product was not tested on animals. This does not guarantee that the individual ingredients were not tested on animals. For new ingredients, testing is sometimes essential to determine that the ingredient is safe. The scientific community is moving toward using fewer animals and is gradually producing valid tests that do not use live animals but use cell cultures instead called "in vitro testing" as well as predictive computer models, however these new methods, cannot completely replace animal testing at this time for the risk assessment of most substances.

Preservative-Free

We have all heard how preservatives are supposed to be bad for you. In most cases, they are actually good and very essential for most cosmetics. The warm and damp area of your bathroom, where people use and store many cosmetic products, can be an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow in your cosmetics. Microorganisms can also find their way into cosmetics through cross-contamination when a cosmetic or its applicator touches your skin or hair and then touches the cosmetic again. Fortunately, most cosmetics contain preservatives to keep harmful bacteria, mold and yeast from finding its way in and growing on your cosmetics.

Natural Versus Synthetic
There is a general assumption among consumers that "natural" products are better or healthier than similar ones using synthetic ingredients. Often, however, these "natural" ingredients are no different in chemical composition than their synthetic counterparts. In fact, a synthetic substance which mimics a natural one can sometimes provide a purer, more stable ingredient which gives the product a longer usable life.

Health Canada considers both natural and synthetic ingredients to be equally suitable for use in cosmetics. If you experience an allergic reaction to a cosmetic, try switching to a different brand.

Why choose handmade soap?

Soap has gotten a bad rap over the years, as people claim it's harsh or drying. This is true of many mass-produced soaps, but not all soaps are created equally. Manufactured or commercial' soaps chemically remove the glycerin and sell it as a by-product - such as lotions & body butters.

Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between an acid (fat/oil) and a base/alkali (sodium hydroxide, also known as lye). This chemical reaction also produces glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant which draws and absorbs water from the air, and helps the skin retain moisture.

Many soaps use animal fats, which can clog pores, where vegetable oils allow skin to breathe. Commercial soaps can contain synthetic colorants, fragrances and other additives. Even unscented' products contain masking' scents to cover up the other ingredients.

Handcrafted soap, usually made by the "cold process" method, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. The "cold process" simply means there is no external heat involved in the chemical reaction. This soap retains its naturally-occurring glycerin. This kind of soap is considered true glycerin soap, as opposed to the popular transparent soaps which undergo chemical processes and require alcohol to keep them clear. Many handcrafted soapmakers use better quality oils and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, as well as natural essential oils for fragrance.

So what is the myth about lye soap. All soap is made with lye or an equivalent. You cannot make soap without it. Soap needs time to cure, and in that time the chemical reaction converts the lye and oils into soap and glycerin. The lye is no longer present in the final product - only soap and glycerin.

How sweet is it!

More uses for honey

Have you tried our honey and brown sugar scrub bar? If not, you can try some of these all natural preparations at home:

For a soothing facial: Blend 2 tablespoons of honey with 1/2 cup of ground oatmeal. Add a few teaspoons of water to thin the consistency to your preference. Apply evenly to your clean face. After 30 minutes, remove with a soft, damp washcloth. Admire your glowing skin!

Enjoy a milk and honey bath: Add around 1/3 cup of honey to 2 1/4 cups of milk. Mix thoroughly. You can even add a few drops of essential oil (not too much!!) to give your honey milk bath additional scent. Place into your bath water and enjoy.

Make a soothing honey body moisturizer. Mix 1/2 cup of honey with 1 cup of cold water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix thoroughly and apply to your entire body after your shower.

Relieve sore throat pain and stop coughs - Mix honey with a little lemon juice and take several teaspoons a day when you have a sore throat. This has wonderful soothing properties for a sore throat.

Mix honey with olive oil and apply to the end of your hair to combat dryness and reduce frizz. Leave in your hair for 20 minutes with a hot towel wrapped around it. Rinse and use a mild shampoo.