But Why? The Importance of Natural Products

Jenn, the Glynne's Soaps Soapmaker May 3, 2012
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I had a woman come to our booth at the Carolina Beach Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning and say, “My daughter says I need to switch to natural soap because of the dangers of parabens in commercial soap.  Why?  And how do I know if my soap contains parabens?”

In case you are wondering the same thing, I will tell you what I told her – Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in many cosmetic and skin care products.  Parabens mimic estrogen which is thought to play a role in breast cancer.  There also is some evidence that parabens disrupt development and growth by mimicking hormones, fooling the body.  And, since there are paraben free products out there, why not avoid something that could possibly lead to cancer or other health problems.

The safe alternative is to use products that do not contain parabens; unfortunately, you can’t look at a list of ingredients and immediately see the word “paraben”, since there are many different chemicals that are types of parabens. The six most commonly found parabens are:

  1. methylparaben
  2. ethylparaben
  3. propylparaben
  4. isobutylparaben
  5. butylparaben
  6. benzylparaben

The safest thing to do for the health of your family is to avoid products that contain one or more of these ingredients, and purchase natural products, like Glynne’s Soaps whenever possible.

 

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Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid

Jenn, the Glynne's Soaps Soapmaker August 1, 2011
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I ran across this article titled “Nine Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products” a few weeks ago and thought it was worth passing along.   There are some dangerous ingredients in places you might not think to look.

So, here they are – look for them in the ingredients of your skin care products.  And remember, none of Glynne’s Soaps products will ever contain any of these toxins, or anything else that isn’t all natural and safe.

1. PARABENS: They’re in adult and baby shampoo and many other products, and they are estrogen mimickers that can lead to cancer.

2. FRAGRANCE: The FDA requires that food, drug, and body care companies list their ingredients on their products—but chemicals used to scent products can be clumped under the vague term “fragrance.” Found in everything from shampoo to deodorant, a single product’s secret fragrance mixture can contain potentially hundreds of toxic volatile organic compounds.

3. NANOPARTICLES: Found in lotions, moisturizers, make-up, and particularly sunscreen, these untested ingredients are so small, many scientists are very concerned about their potential health effects, as they can penetrate cell walls and are highly reactive. Products with nanoparticles aren’t often labeled as such, so check your conventional body care products at CosmeticDatabase.org orNanotechProject.org/inventories/consumer/.

4. FORMALDEHYDE: A common hardener in nail polish and an ingredient in bath products, this chemical is a known carcinogen. Nail polish also often contains the developmental toxicant TOLUENE.

5. PHTHALATES: These hormone disruptors have been linked to male genital abnormalities, liver and kidney lesions, and higher rates of childhood asthma and allergies. They’re often hidden in the fragrances of an array of products for men, women, and children, and listed as DIBUTYL PHTHALATE in nail polish.

6. PETROLEUM BY-PRODUCTS: Listed as mineral oil, petrolatum, liquid paraffin, toluene, or xylene, these chemicals are found in a dizzying number of products, including many shampoos and soaps. Of most concern is the fact that they are often contaminated by cancer-causing impurities like 1,4 DIOXANE, which is a probable carcinogen. Industry has done very little to prevent such contamination.

7. TRICLOSAN: A primary ingredient in anti-bacterial soaps and products, triclosan has been linked to hormone disruption and the emergence of bacteriaresistant “superbugs.”

8. LEAD: It’s a potent neurotoxicant, and it’s been found in several popular brands of lipstick and men’s hair coloring kits.

9. MERCURY: A neurotoxicant that can severely damage human health, mercury— often listed as “thimerosol”—is still used in some cosmetics like mascara.

It is important to know what you are putting on your body and on your children (both the two-legged and four-legged varieties).

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Why Our All Natural Soaps contain NO Palm Oil

Glynne's Soaps Staff September 22, 2010
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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.

We would love to hear your comments about the environmental impact of the increased use of palm oil. Keep it clean!

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No Animals Were Harmed in the Writing of this Blog

Glynne's Soaps Staff September 14, 2010
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There is much conversation around products that are all natural, safe for the environment and free from nasty dangerous chemicals.  And Glynne’s Soaps is proud to provide a quality product that fits all these characteristics.  There is one other category that we fall in that is not mentioned as often, but in our opinion is just as important.

Glynne’s Soaps is proud to say that we do not do any animal testing on our products.  Well, unless you count giving samples to friends and asking for their opinions.  Or using new products on ourselves for a while before offering them to you.

Unfortunately, there are still companies that do test their products or ingredients on animals.  Even though it is not required by law, they continue, even though there are other ways to test the safety of a product.  The only place where animal testing is required is by the EPA – they require animal toxicity testing on all pesticides.  It has just been a common practice for so long that many companies don’t even think twice about the harm they might be inflicting.  And it is not just cosmetic companies.  Companies that make personal care products, household cleaning products and even fruit juice can be included in this list.

If you would like a complete list of companies that still test their products on animals, you can check out this list.  Awareness is the first step to creating positive change.

You can also go to our website and pick out soaps, lotions, lip balms, scrubs and hand sanitizers that are cruelty free, all natural and environmentally friendly.

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Coffee – It’s Not Just for Breakfast

Glynne's Soaps Staff September 10, 2010
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For the longest time, we have kept a bar of our Java Scrub soap near the kitchen sink. The coffee soap was great for removing odors from our hands while cooking. Smells from foods like onions, fish, and garlic were gone with a quick wash. It was great! Then we learned from a friend of ours, who also does a lot of aromatherapy work with her spa clients, that the caffeine in the coffee soap can also reduce cellulite. A bar of Java Scrub soap was immediately carried to the shower.

Approximately 85% of all women have some cellulite on their bodies; that lumpy, bumpy, cottage cheese look just under the skin. It occurs more frequently in older women or larger women, but even those with low body fat can usually find some cellulite. Dr Ava Shamban, who owns the Laser Institute for Dermatology and European Skin Care in Santa Monica, Calif., states that cellulite “is a structural problem. It’s not only the fat, but it has to do with the connective tissue. The connective tissue acts as a mesh to keep the fat close to the legs, which happens for men, but not so well for women. So, in women, sometimes this connective mesh opens up and the fat bulges out. That bulging is cellulite” (http://www.cbsnews.com“Caffeine is Latest Cellulite Weapon”)

The theory behind the benefit of caffeine is that it will increase your metabolism, which will reduce fat. The caffeine also will reduce some of the swelling or edema of the fat cells by drawing out water, making your skin smoother.

Other reports suggest that the benefits of the caffeine in soaps or creams can be enhanced by massaging and rubbing the needed areas. This breaks up the fat cells and decreases the lumps and bumps even faster. Our Java Scrub soap contains real coffee grounds which, aside from being exfoliating, can aid in this massaging process.

Still one more benefit of the Java Scrub lies again with its caffeine content. Just like drinking a cup of coffee, showering with coffee soap gives you that morning pick me up. Inhaling that great coffee scent will help wake you up in the morning and also can provide the afternoon boost without having to drink a cup of coffee.

So, pick up some Java Scrub for you and all your friends. Your thighs will thank you.

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Bacteria – Friend or Foe?

Glynne's Soaps Staff June 9, 2010
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Friendly Bacteria

These days, it seems like the term “anti-bacterial” is on the labels of many of our cleaning products and soaps. Is this really necessary? What are the effects on the wider environment? We seem to be really fixated on bacteria. Without a doubt, there are bad bacteria out there, but there are also many kinds of good bacteria that we couldn’t live without. There are approximately 182 strains of bacteria that live on your skin, and most of them are helpful. Think of them as an added layer of defense against germs. Repeated washing, especially with anti-bacterial soap strips your body of this defense mechanism. For example, there is at least one type of bacteria whose job is to help moisturize the skin. Anti-bacterial soap will kill these bacteria, causing your skin to dry out.

The next time you go to use your anti-bacterial soap, read the label. Some anti-bacterial soaps contain MIT (methylisothiazolinone), which some studies have found to be allergenic and linked to nerve cell death. Another anti-bacterial chemical commonly used is triclosan. This chemical is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as being a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems. So, not only is it bad for your skin, as it runs out of your shower and into the water supply it is very dangerous to the environment, creating poisonous chlorine gas as it mixes with any water supply.

While anti-bacterial chemicals do play a role in professional health settings, they are not necessary in your home. Not only do they kill the good bacteria, but with overuse, harmful bacteria can become resistant to cleaners and necessary antibiotics.

The best thing you can do for your skin and the environment is to use a good all natural soap, like those found at Glynne’s Soaps . Not only will you be clean, but your skin will be softer and the environmental impact is very low.  If you are somewhere and don’t have access to soap and water, but need to clean up, try our new all natural hand sanitizers.  Made with only the safest all natural ingredients including therapeutic grade essential oils that are a safe way to get rid of the bad bacteria without dangers, our all natural hand sanitizers come in two refreshing scents; lemon and lavender.

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Don’t Believe the Lie about Lye

Glynne's Soaps Staff May 24, 2010
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The chemical reaction behind the soapmaking process is more than I’d like to get in to in this blog.  If you are the type of person that likes more detailed information, you can Google “saponification” or you can ask me some questions in the comment section and I’ll be happy to answer them the best I can.  There are, however, a few things concerning the use of lye in soapmaking that I would like to clear up for all our readers.

The chemical name for lye is Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH).  It is produced during a series of steps called the chloralkali process.  Basically, it involves running a current of electricity through a salt water solution.  The electrical current causes the sodium (Na) from the salt to bond with a hydrogen and oxygen from the water (OH).  The result is sodium hydroxide.

Along with soapmaking, sodium hydroxide is used for some other chemical processes and also in the production or processing of the following foods:

• chocolate processing

• soft drink processing

• thickening ice cream

• olives are often soaked in sodium hydroxide to soften them

• pretzels and German lye rolls are glazed with a sodium hydroxide solution before baking to make them crisp

Soap can not be made without lye.  The mixing of lye and any oils or fats causes a process called saponification to occur.  That is why in some soap ingredients you see the phrase “saponified oil”, the oil has been mixed with lye to create soap. The name saponification literally means “soap making”.

Soap made in earlier American times became known as “lye soap”. That term now has come to describe a harsh soap that would irritate your skin. The old soap got a bad name because it had an excessive amount of caustic. Weighing and measuring techniques were crude, and knowledge of soap chemistry was elementary or non-existent.  Now with modern advances, the lye used in soap is completely neutralized and if used correctly, no longer poses a risk to your skin.  The true fact is that modern handcrafted soap, though necessarily made with lye to get true soap, has no lye in the final product. It has all been reacted with the oils to form soap and glycerin.

However, most common soap found in the grocery store made in mass-produced factories does have a small amount of excess lye in it. Also, it has had all of its naturally-occurring glycerin removed so it can be sold as a separate commodity. Why? The companies make a greater profit if they remove the glycerin from the soap and use it to make lotions which sell for a higher profit.  Most modern handmade soap companies, including Glynne’s Soaps, leave the glycerin in the soap because it is very moisturizing to the skin.

Some people are still concerned about the presence of lye in their soap, especially if they are looking for an all natural or organic soap.  As far as organic or all natural soaps are concerned, there is currently no standard for the lye portion of the soap.  “Large-scale production of sustainable organic lye is, at this time, impossible, said Cyndi Norman of Tikvah, a Petaluma, Calif., personal care company. The percentage of lye in soap, while within “made with” organic-labeling percentages, does not meet National Organic Program standards for the organic label. David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps of Escondido, Calif., thinks that there are ways to work through the soap issue: “My personal feeling is that [lye] can be neutral in soap making.” In the meantime, he’s satisfied with a “made with” organic claim.”  (http://www.soap-wire.com/2004/04/the_organic_tra.html)  Many others agree with Bronner, since lye is a necessary part of soapmaking and it is neutralized during the process, soaps are still considered all natural or organic.

So, please don’t be afraid of lye.  It is an integral part of making soap and you should still enjoy quality handmade all natural soaps without fear.  You can purchase soaps that are all natural and high quality on our website at www.glynnesoaps.com

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Run, Not Walk

Glynne's Soaps Staff March 31, 2010
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If you are a regular reader of our blog, you probably know that our soapmaker Jenn, in addition to having her Master’s Degree in Chemistry, also aspires to be a triathlete.  So, while the name of this post is “Run, Not Walk” there are benefits to walking as well as running, especially if you are a beginner or have health or skeletal issues (aka-bad knees).  With that in mind, we encourage you to - Run, not walk, to your bathroom and read the ingredient list on the soap boxes, shampoo bottles and lotion bottles that you find.  If you see any of these words, carry the bottle to the trashcan.  All of these are alternate names for a chemical called Diethanolamine.

  • Cocamide DEA or Cocamide Diethanolamine
  • DEA Lauryl Sulfate or Diethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate
  • Lauramide DEA or Lauramide Diethanolamine
  • Linoleamide DEA or Linoleamide Diethanolamine
  • Oleamide DEA or Oleamide Diethanolamine
  • Any product containing TEA or Triethanolamine

Now I know that might be seen as a bit extreme, however I wanted to bring to your attention something that has recently caught mine. Diethanolamine (DEA) is a chemical found in most commercial soaps, shampoos and lotions.  It’s purpose is as a “wetting and thickening agent” which means that it thickens lotions and adds lather to soaps and shampoos.  Supposedly, DEA by itself is not the danger, however it will combine with other chemicals to form a compound called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) that is not so nice.  NDEA is easily absorbed by the skin and has been linked to liver, bladder and stomach cancer.  The other listed chemicals are also considered toxic.

As more research is performed, the hazards of DEA are coming to light.  A study done at UNC and reported in Science Daily showed that DEA inhibits brain development in fetuses.  It also inhibits a body’s ability to absorb the nutrient choline which is essential for cell growth.  Pregnant women who can’t absorb enough choline can’t pass this nutrient on to their babies who in turn will not be able to develop properly.  Scientists are quick to say that the amounts of DEA needed to interfere with brain development are higher than what is routinely absorbed from personal care products, but why take that risk?  Why knowingly use something on our bodies that will cause us harm when there are alternatives?

Glynne’s Soaps has the alternative.  All of our all natural soaps and lotions are free from any harsh chemicals.  The soaps are specially formulated to have a great lather, without the use of chemical “wetting agents” such as DEA.  If you had to throw out all your soap in the beginning of this blog, give us a try!

Don’t forget to comment on last week’s post “Soap on the Run” and enter to win some Soap on the Run.

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5 Reasons You Should Buy All Natural Soaps

Glynne's Soaps Staff February 3, 2010
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It is easy to just pick up some cheap soap at Wal-Mart while you are there.  But is it the best thing for you?  Most soap you can buy at big chain stores is not even soap, but chemically enhanced detergent.  And even if they say it has all natural ingredients, they are usually just a small part of the whole. All natural soaps might be a bit harder to find, but it is well worth it for many reasons.
  • It is safer for your skin

All natural soap is exactly that – all natural.  There are no harsh chemicals with names that you can’t pronounce and that you know aren’t good for you.  Even some of the ingredients found in the detergent bars that you can pronounce are dangerous.  If you see the word “paraben” in any form in an ingredient list, run the other way.  Parabens can cause cancer.  Soaps that are all natural will not contain any dangerous chemicals to harm you or your family.

  • It is safer for the environment

These same chemicals that are unsafe for you are unsafe for the environment.  Washing with them and letting them run out the drain causes a build up in the ground water which in turn affects all areas of the environment – the ground, water, air, animals, and plants.  It doesn’t take a large quantity of detergent to kill a large number of fish.

  • You will have softer, healthier skin

Commercial detergent bars have had the glycerin removed.  When an all natural soap is made, the glycerin is left as a part of the soap.  Glycerin is a humectant which means that it draws moisture to your skin, leaving it noticeably softer.  Keeping your skin away from the harsh chemicals will also keep it healthier.

  • It saves you money

Using an all natural soap will save you money.  The soap will last longer.  It also will reduce or even end your need for lotion. The makers of detergent bars remove the glycerin because they can make more money turning it into lotion.  So they sell you soap that dries out your skin just so they can sell you lotion to soften it again.  You can reduce your cost by buying a soap that will not only clean you, but will reduce your need to spend even more money on lotion.

  • It improves your community

Buying from a small business is much better for the economy than buying from a big box store.  The small company is what America is based on, the foundation of our nation.  When buying your skin care from a small business, you can be assured that it was all produced in America and that your dollars are staying closer to home.

Visit our website www.glynnesoaps.com to purchase from our wide selection of all natural soaps.  Your skin, family, pets, community and the environment will thank you.

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All Natural Germ Fighter

Glynne's Soaps Staff December 18, 2009
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I came down with a cold yesterday that has stopped me in my tracks.  I slept all yesterday afternoon and didn’t get up this morning until 11.  So, I’ve been up for two hours and it wouldn’t take much convincing to get me back in bed.  Wrigley has been a great help, snuggling me almost literally, the entire time.  Even when I’m sitting up in a chair or doing something else, he has his eye on me.  He’s very concerned…..which is super cute.  We are calling him my CMN (Cuddly Male Nurse). 

Because I’ve been sick, and haven’t wanted to pass along any germs….especially to Gayle, I have been washing my hands every chance I get.  This is a good idea anyway, and especially during the cold and flu season.  The biggest problem with washing your hands frequently is that they tend to get dry and chapped.  Well, that is not a problem with all-natural soap like Glynne’s Soaps.  Because the glycerin is left in the soap, and not removed like with commercial soaps, our soap leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, no matter how often you wash with it. 

The other benefit to all natural soaps during this time of year is that all essential oils are naturally antiseptic and antibacterial. They will help kill the germs associated with colds and flu without using any harsh chemicals that are bad for you and bad for the environment.  If you really want to protect yourself, use a soap containing tea tree oil.  Even though all essential oils have some antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is renowned for its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties.  Plus, it smells great!  Our Misty Mountain soap contains both tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil. 

So, keep yourself safe this winter season.  Buy a soap that will leave your skin soft and fight germs the all natural way!

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