How Do I Define 'Natural'?
The products made in my workshops and online courses contain only natural and plant-based ingredients. Although I may teach about how to use other ingredients (that are synthetic or non-vegan), the actual recipes given to students are natural and vegan-friendly. For example, I may speak about fragrance oils, animal fats, glycerine, honey and bees wax, because there are many people who want to learn about these ingredients. However, the course recipe that you will make in my class will only contain essential oils, plant-based fats, and vegetable glycerine.
Sometimes chemicals are unavoidable though. Where chemicals are involved, they will be part of a chemical reaction in which the final byproduct is completely safe and natural. For example, soap-making requires sodium hydroxide as a raw ingredient, but after the soap-making process the final product is salt, soap and glycerine, which are non-toxic, natural, biodegradable and grey-water friendly. Where preservatives and emulsifiers are necessary, I only use those that are ECOCERT approved or COSMOS compliant for use in certified organic products.
In the spirit of transparency, the recipes made in my classes contain the following ingredients:
Soap bar:
Final soap bar contains the following ingredients: saponified coconut oil & sunflower oil, water, salt, glycerine, pure essential oil (optional).
Raw ingredients: coconut oil (refined and odourless), sunflower oil, sodium hydroxide, distilled water, pure essential oil (optional)
Optional additives may include: oats, coffee grounds, turmeric, spirulina, fruit and flower powders (eg. acai, blueberry, hibiscus), dried herbs, natural clays, zinc oxide, iron oxides.
Liquid soap:
Final liquid soap contains the following ingredients: saponified coconut oil, distilled water, salt, glycerine, pure essential oil (optional).
Raw ingredients: coconut oil (refined and odourless), potassium hydroxide (also called potash), distilled water, pure essential oil (optional).
Balms:
Ingredients: coconut oil (refined and odourless), sunflower oil, refined shea butter, carnauba wax, pure essential oil (optional).
Creams & Lotions:
Ingredients: coconut oil (refined and odourless), olive oil, refined shea butter, distilled water, OliveM or Eco E wax (emulsifier), Geogard 221 (preservative), xanthan gum, vegetable glycerine, pure essential oils (optional).
What is Eco-E Wax?
Eco-E Wax is also called Glycerol MonoStearate. It is an vegetable-based emulsifying wax that is Ecocert approved for use in organic cosmetic products.
What is OliveM?
OliveM is a natural-based, PEG-free, non-ionic, water-in-oil emulsifier developed from natural olive chemistry. It is Ecocert approved. In simple terms, it is an emulsifying wax that is based on the chemistry of olives. It is biodegradable.
What is Geogard 221?
Geogard 221 is a globally approved synthetic preservative that is Ecocert approved for use in certified organic cosmetic products. It is also Soil Association approved. It provides both bacterial and fungal control. Dehydroacetic acid is the primary active ingredient, which is diluted in benzyl alcohol.