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There is considerable controversy about Palm and Palm Kernel Oil. I did research into this and found some helpful information from the supplier I buy the majority of my bulk oils from. This information follows below.
"Regarding your question of sustainable palm production, our Organic palm is from South America, grown in a mixed species environment with legume under story to provide nitrogen specific plants to host, and feed beneficial insects. Residue from the oil pressings is also returned to the groves to provide nutrients. The farm is in a region of the Amazon that was cleared by previous owners 30-40 years ago, and the reestablishment of a forest crop has brought back many species of birds and other plants and animals. While not as diverse as native Rain forest, it is a vast improvement over grasslands. All our conventional Palm suppliers are members of RSPO as well.
We are conscious of where we purchase our oils, and will continue to seek conscientious growers, and producers."
The organic palm had certification of its sustainability in addition to its membership with RSPO, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
Colors and Scents
Natural body care products may not contain all natural ingredients. The majority of scents and colors used in natural products are not natural. Our intent is not to alarm you but to educate you and allow you to make choices if you want to reduce your overall chemical exposure. Why should we do this when we have natural alternatives?
Fragrances and fragrance oils are synthetically produced in a lab. These oils are petroleum based and are isolates of a single plant molecule. Exposure to these chemicals are believed to be the basis for afflictions like asthma, migraine headaches, and allergies to name a few. Some components for scents are hormone disrupters. These perfumes and fragrances can enter the body either through the skin or by inhalation and these toxins are easily absorbed. It is believed that more than 15 per cent of the population has some sort of chemical sensitivity. This is why we do not use any of these fragrances in our products. We feel it adds to the chemical overload and choose natural alternatives.
Victoria H. Edwards author of THE AROMATHERAPY COMPANION has this to say about fragrance oils: "A synthetic fragrance is a dead product and has no place in holistic aromatherapy. Synthetics should never be used for healing, strengthening, or health-promoting purposes. On the contrary, they may endanger your health. Synthetics can set off allergic reactions and tax your immune system. Synthetics are listed as 'fragrances' on most labels. Fragrances lack the vital energy that is responsible for the positive, healing effect of pure essential oils on the mind and body."
At With Nature In Mind, we use only essential oils to scent our products. Essential oils are pressed, steam distilled or extracted from the plant leaves, stems, seeds or roots. As a result, essential oils are a blend of the naturally occurring plant constituents rather than a particular isolate that is manufactured in a lab. Be mindful that some people do react to essential oils. This may be true if you know that you are allergic to a particular plant or nut. If that is the case, do not use a product that contains an essential oil of that plant or nut or of a close relative.
Why do we need a soap to be a beautiful, deep lavender color in order to enjoy it? Does it improve the quality of the soap? No, it does not affect the quality. We have become a society that responds and reacts to color. Those beautiful colors that claim to be natural, may not be. Even some natural color ingredients, minerals and clays for example, are mined and can have impurities. I loo for the safest clean types out there. Even some dye plants are sensitizers and can cause mild to serious reactions. The bulk of other colorants are made of coal tar and these have been known to be carcinogenic. These are colors or dyes that you will find labeled as F&C Red No. 40, or Yellow No. 5. Usually a 'dye' is a chemical compound, often of coal tar origin. This is why I use minimal amounts of coloring in my soaps and products. I keep the colors muted and as natural and as safe as possible.
As you can see, there are conflicts when it comes to using all types colorants. Therefore, as a natural soap crafter, I choose to stay away from most colors and not use them. I know that I may lose a sale to that bright, beautifully colored bar nearby but I remain true to my goal of producing the most natural soap and body care products that I can. Any and all colorants that I use are from botanically derived sources that are known to be safe and proven to have no toxicity.
The standard commercially made bar of soap is actually a detergent and not a pure soap. These soaps contain tallow-based oils. Tallow is the fat from the fatty tissue of animals and you may find it listed as listing Sodium Tallowate. Tallow clogs the skin's natural breathing-system, not allowing for toxins to escape easily. Vegetable oil based soaps allow the skin to release wastes and prevent the skin's internal moisture from evaporating too quickly. Commercially manufactured soap lather is a result of detergents which dry the skin. They also contain synthetic fragrances which we have already addressed. Glycerin, a humectant that attracts and holds moisture to your skin, is removed from these soaps and sold as a by-product. With Nature In Mind's vegetable oil based soaps are formulated to lather well, are naturally scented, and cleanse the skin, all without using detergents or fragrances. The glycerin remains in the soap and leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, and supple.
With Nature In Mind soaps are cruelty-free with minimal impact on the environment. Naturally colored and scented and some contain oils that I infuse from botanicals. These infused oils add even more beneficial properties to the soap. Only natural preservatives like Grapefruit Seed Extract, Rosemary Oil Extract or Vitamin E are used. No hidden chemicals or dyes are used. As a result of this traditional soap making process, these bars benefit from special handling. Since a large percentage of the ingredients are oils, some of the bars are less firm than commercially made soaps. This could allow the bars to soften if kept in the bottom of a soap dish that collects and holds water. For a longer lasting bar, keep the bar in a dish that has an open bottom to allow the bar to breathe and dry.
Try a bar of this luxurious soap made from natural and plant based ingredients. This soap will thoroughly cleanse yet be gentle to your skin. I know that my bars best on the market and I believe that once you have tried a bar, you will be delighted with the results. So please give us try.
With Nature In Mind soaps are handcrafted by Kristina Laszlo. The emphasis of my entire product line is to provide an herbal-based approach for gentle skincare. Why should you choose soaps and personal care products from With Nature In Mind? Because you can personally benefit from the careful research and knowledge used to make these products. Your skin will feel softer, smoother. These products are made with a conscious, careful intent and energy, prepared in a quiet, loving environment mindful of nature and the Earth. Before incorporating an ingredient, a careful study of the properties and traits and how each benefits skincare, is applied. Long before we began to manufacture synthetic chemicals, scents and colors, Mother Nature provided us with what was needed to keep our skin clean and healthy. This is the basis of With Nature In Mind's product line.
As a gardener, soap maker, and lover of Nature, part of the process for me is to sit quietly and observe nature and her cycles in the garden. There is struggle and hard work in the garden but out of the struggle, the natural world lives. We have struggles as well but hopefully that struggle transforms into something that we can utilize and learn from.
The Earth gives us soil to grow plants; add air, water, and sun we have what is needed for plants to grow and thrive. These plants and gifts that Nature gives us, nourish and feed our bodies, minds, spirits, and our souls.
All human beings have an innate sense of wanting to be part of the natural world. I can connect each of you to the natural through these products . You can be a part of the Universe and the gifts it has to offer us. Let me help you relax and be a part of the circle of life.
To help the environment and your local community grow and thrive, support a small, locally owned business. You will be doing your part to help our local economy grow and not be supporting a global mega-corporation that has ideals and practices that you may not agree with.
Foundations of Herbalism certificate, Healing Heart Herbals, Cindy Parker, 2000
Master Gardener, Franklin County Extension Service, Ohio State University, 2000
Aromatherapy Intensive, Level 1 certificate, Jeanne Rose Aromatherapy, Jeanne Rose, 2002
The Botanical Elements Trade Association (BETA)
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild
Further Reading
Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Protecting Yourself from the Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics by Kim Erickson
A Consumer's Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter
Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care by Aubrey Hampton