Palm oil is widely used as a base oil in soapmaking. It creates a hard bar of soap with a creamy stable lather, and is often used as the vegetarian equivalent to tallow because it imparts the same characteristics to the bar of soap. Because of this it is a very popular ingredient in handmade soap. You might notice that in the list of ingredients on a bar of Glynne’s Soap, palm oil is not there. We have made a conscious choice not to use palm oil because of environmental concerns. If you keep up with our blog, or know us at all, you know that we are committed to being as green as possible. We recycle, reduce and reuse. We also try to only purchase materials that are also considered environmentally friendly. Palm oil is not one of these materials. Palm oil is a basic source of income for many of the world's rural poor in South East Asia, Central and West Africa, and Central America. Because of its increasing popularity, more and more rainforests are being destroyed to create more room for the palm plantations. The destruction of the rainforests is harmful to the environment for many reasons:

Significant greenhouse gas emission. Deforestation in tropical areas accounts for 1/3 of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Destruction of the habitats of many endangered species including the Sumatran Orangutan, Sumatran Tiger and African Rhinoceros. With their habitat destroyed, these animals will suffer extinction.

Removal of the natural growth leads to loss of homes, farmland, degradation of food and water supplies and untold other environmental effects.

Because of these concerns, we have decided not to make palm oil an ingredient of our soaps. The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil is beginning to certify certain palm oil producers as sustainable. Because this is a new system, it is not certain which suppliers are truly using sustainable palm oil. Until the certification process is less confusing, we will continue to stay away from palm oil. What can you do? There are many things that individuals can do to help increase companies use of sustainable palm oil and to help ensure that the sustainable certification is authentic. Palm oil is used in many food products as well as beauty products. Write to the companies that make these products and insist that they use certified sustainable palm oil. Discontinue using any products that contain palm oil. Let all your friends and family know the destruction that is being caused by the increasing demand for palm oil. Every little bit helps. Watch this short video about an orangutan that befriends a dog. It's very cute, and has a great message! [video:youtube:QByHat2BJLs] I'd love to hear your comments about the environmental impact of the increased use of palm oil. Keep it clean! Jenn

These days, people are very interested in “going green” and not just for St. Patrick's Day. More and more we are realizing that everything we do impacts the environment in one way or another. And the things that have a harmful effect on the environment also can have a harmful effect on our health. One area that can be improved is in the area of skin care. If the products you are using have a negative effect on the earth, they probably are not the best things you could be putting on your skin. There are many reasons to go green with you skin care: To keep your skin safe. The FDA does not require safety tests before personal care products enter the market. The chemical ingredients listed on the back of your favorite soap may not be healthy for you or the environment. To keep the earth clean. Just because something is touted to clean your skin, doesn’t automatically mean it is clean for the earth as well. If you see the ingredients mercury, lead acetate, toluene or petroleum, you might want to consider something that is safer for our rivers, lakes and oceans. To support a sustainable economy. Contributing to companies that have products and services that are healthy for you and the environment goes a long way toward bettering the planet and the global economy. What are some things to look for when trying to keep your skin and the earth safe from dangerous chemicals? Research states that 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your blood stream. Be on the look out for these in the list of ingredients: • Parabens - including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben — might be associated with skin problems like irritations, dermatitis and allergic reactions • sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) • sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) • artificial fragrances • lanolin • phthalates - dibutylphthalate, diethylphthalate, and butyl ester- have been linked to birth defects • petrochemicals - petroleum-based substances like mineral oil and paraffins - petroleum products not only take hundreds of years to biodegrade, but they might be linked to skin irritation, allergies and cancer. • DMDM hydantoin - breaks down to release formaldehyde, which is classified as a probable human carcinogen There are many natural ingredients that can be used to protect, rejuvenate and soothe your skin. They are to numerous to list here, but here are a few examples of ingredients to look for when buying green skin care products. Plant Extracts: • Cucumber soothes and reduces inflammation. (try our california cool) • Green and white teas have antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radicals. (try our ZenAura) Essential Oils: • Tea tree oil is an antiseptic and also provides light hydration; it's great for acne-prone skin. (try our Misty Mountain) • Lavender oil evens skin tone and balances moisture levels. (try our Perfect Peace) Other Natural Aids: • Honey makes a nice hydrating facial mask. (try our soothing solitude) • Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that calms itching. So, as you are looking for ways to “go green”, don’t forget your daily cleaning regimen. You can find all the soaps mentioned on our website www.glynnesoaps.com Your skin and your earth will thank you. Jenn soapmaker@glynnesoaps.com