Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I posted a message for the first time a couple of days ago but haven't heard anything back from anybody so I'll try it again. I am new here and am just starting out making my own products. I am very grateful for finding this group because I believe in using all natural products and I have lots of questions. I have been reading all of the posts here and there is lots of information and I am excited to be a part of it. I am starting a business selling all natural products. But after reading all of the posts about natural preservatives in creams and lotions I think I'll stick to soap, balms, salves, etc. I do have some questions, though, about preservatives. 1) When do you use rosemary oil extract and when do you use grapefruit seed extract? What is the differenece? 2) When should you use potassium sorbate and is this natural? 3) I am wanting to make a facial cleanser containing castille soap, hydrosol and essential oils. Do I need a preservative? Thank you. Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I'd suggest you do a lot of experimentation before you start selling items. If you have no knowledge about your ingredients, then you need to do some studying... you're on the right path by joining a list like this, but I suggest you do more research before you create something substandard and cause your customers problems or get confronted with questions from educated customers that ask challenging questions. Rosemary oil extract is an antioxidant to help extend the shelf life of oils. Grapefruit seed extract is a totally different ingredient. And neither are really preservatives. I can't help you with potassium sorbate. For any product that you are going to sell that contains water and has the potential to be dipped into by dirty fingers, I would suggest a preservative if you sell it in any real quantity. You could make a two part system in which your customer adds the liquid to the powdered blend. You will get lots more answers from others that have more experience, but I wanted to say that I did see your original post... I just haven't had time to answer and figured that someone with more knowledge about preservatives and toiletry/beauty products would answer... I do suggest that you do a lot more research and testing before you sell all natural products. I also suggest you look into insurance, if you haven't already. Steph }) www.foxesdensoap.com Above all else you do in a day, make at least one person smile On Behalf Of Mara Grigsby I posted a message for the first time a couple of days ago but haven't heard anything back from anybody so I'll try it again. I am new here and am just starting out making my own products. I am very grateful for finding this group because I believe in using all natural products and I have lots of questions. I have been reading all of the posts here and there is lots of information and I am excited to be a part of it. I am starting a business selling all natural products. But after reading all of the posts about natural preservatives in creams and lotions I think I'll stick to soap, balms, salves, etc. I do have some questions, though, about preservatives. 1) When do you use rosemary oil extract and when do you use grapefruit seed extract? What is the differenece? 2) When should you use potassium sorbate and is this natural? 3) I am wanting to make a facial cleanser containing castille soap, hydrosol and essential oils. Do I need a preservative? Thank you. Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 1) neither one is a preservative 2) I don't use it 3)yes - hydrosol is mainly water Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away I posted a message for the first time a couple of days ago but haven't heard anything back from anybody so I'll try it again. I am new here and am just starting out making my own products. I am very grateful for finding this group because I believe in using all natural products and I have lots of questions. I have been reading all of the posts here and there is lots of information and I am excited to be a part of it. I am starting a business selling all natural products. But after reading all of the posts about natural preservatives in creams and lotions I think I'll stick to soap, balms, salves, etc. I do have some questions, though, about preservatives. 1) When do you use rosemary oil extract and when do you use grapefruit seed extract? What is the differenece? 2) When should you use potassium sorbate and is this natural? 3) I am wanting to make a facial cleanser containing castille soap, hydrosol and essential oils. Do I need a preservative? Thank you. Mara The information contained in these e-mails is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional. Step By Step Instructions For Making Herbal Labna Cheese! So easy, SO yummy! http://www.aromaticsage.com/cz.htm To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following link: /join Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Okay - You should use a preservative when making any skin-care product that has water as part of the base (not soap though). It's true that rosemary oleoresin extract and grapefruit seed extracts are not technically preservatives. They are anti-oxidants. Namaste, Lynette Terralyn - Bath, Body, Spirit Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia, PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 From reading the bottom post ., let me ask this- if you are using a hydrosol in place of water- does this then mean no preservative required? Blessings, Laura http://www.purrinlot.com Persians that Purr! <http://www.castlebaths.com> http://www.castlebaths.com Spending Time with Castle Baths makes SCENTS! P.S. Love the smell of roses? try the Bathsheba Special at Castle Baths! On Behalf Of LYNETTE MANTEAU Monday, January 23, 2006 12:09 PM Re: I'll try again Okay - You should use a preservative when making any skin-care product that has water as part of the base (not soap though). It's true that rosemary oleoresin extract and grapefruit seed extracts are not technically preservatives. They are anti-oxidants. _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Hi Mara, >I am new here and am just starting out making my own products. I am >very grateful for finding this group because I believe in using all >natural products and I have lots of questions. I have been reading >all of the posts here and there is lots of information and I am >excited to be a part of it. Good to have you here! And congrats on making your products. > >I am starting a business selling all natural products. But after >reading all of the posts about natural preservatives in creams and >lotions I think I'll stick to soap, balms, salves, etc. I felt that way too at first. I love making and using creams and lotions though so had to do it. > >I do have some questions, though, about preservatives. > >1) When do you use rosemary oil extract and when do you use >grapefruit seed extract? What is the differenece? Rosemary Extract is an anti oxidant. It is used in the oil phase of any formulation. It helps to prevent rancidity of oils and butters. GSE is used in the water phase of a formulation and would act as a " preservative " meaning it would discourage mold and bacteria from growing. >2) When should you use potassium sorbate and is this natural? Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It is produced synthetically, though when it originated it was made naturally by the berries of the mountain ash tree. It is GRAS and food safe and my preservative of choice in water based products. I read a response a while back from a producer of p. sorbate and he explained that is NO natural p. sorbate produced anymore. The trees would be endanged if they did. He likened it to the ethics of taking ivory tusks from elephants. >3) I am wanting to make a facial cleanser containing castille soap, >hydrosol and essential oils. Do I need a preservative? I'd say that's up to you. There are plenty of reasons to not use one, and plenty of reasons to do it. Some essential oils have preservative effects and perhaps that paired with the alkalinity of the soap, you wouldn't really need it. But if it were me I'd probably add some p. sorbate to the hydrosol. It only takes a tiny amount. Another option would be to add citric acid or other acid to the blend to make it more on the acidic side which makes if very hard for any beasties to grow. Good luck to you, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 hydrosols are mainly water - I'd use a preservative Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away From reading the bottom post ., let me ask this- if you are using a hydrosol in place of water- does this then mean no preservative required? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 There are many soap, lotion, and cosmetic lists on , and other places on the internet. There is much to learn; you will find that a list like this is only one of many, many tools available for you. Join some of the other lists directly related to the products you are hoping to sell. Listen and study what the others are saying who are already in business. Sift through all the chatter, and filter out what's important for you. There are also websites with detailed and specific instructions on what is needed for a particular type of lotion/potion/salve. You will be using " Google " a lot! By doing that, not only will you get a TON of ideas and tips (and many recipes!), but they will discuss marketing strategies, where to go, what to do, how to package your product, what to charge. My first books on soapmaking were those constantly referred to on a soap list I was on. It was very helpful, but only a stepping stone. You will eventually go on to create your own recipes to make a product tailored to your skin or that of your customers. The same is true for salves, lotions, creams, makeup, whatever. If you get really really lucky, there could be some very generous folks on some of those lists. One of the gentleman on a toiletries list a few years ago was a gov't employee who had worked with cosmetic testing....as I recall anyway....and he was a source of much information for the rest of us in terms of what was required both in a product and its labeling. Having a business selling all natural products is an admirable goal. Have you been doing this for your family and friends? They will be your best testers, you know! Good luck to you! Jeanne > > > On Behalf Of Mara Grigsby >I posted a message for the first time a couple of days ago but >haven't heard anything back from anybody so I'll try it again. > >I am new here and am just starting out making my own products. I am >very grateful for finding this group because I believe in using all >natural products and I have lots of questions. I have been reading >all of the posts here and there is lots of information and I am >excited to be a part of it. > >I am starting a business selling all natural products. But after >reading all of the posts about natural preservatives in creams and >lotions I think I'll stick to soap, balms, salves, etc. > >Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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