Contributed by Ruth Esteves at Sirona Springs Handmade Soap. Soapmakers often get asked about the use of lye in their soap. The fact is that lye (sodium hydroxide) is indeed used to make soap. While in many minds, “lye soap” brings up images of grandmas and washboards and red, red hands, anyone who has used […]

Recently a bill has been proposed in Colorado, the ‘Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act‘.  Hearings on the bill begin in March. The bill would prohibit the sale of “…any personal care product that contains a chemical identified as causing cancer or reproductive toxicity.”  On the face of it, that sounds logical. I mean, who […]

The Cancer Prevention Coalition and Organic Consumers Association warn of major risks to health from the great majority of cosmetics and personal care products.

The final installment of a list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

A continuation of  a list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Note: allergies may occur with the use of any chemical, essential oil, herb or spice. It is advisable to test a small area of the skin prior to using the product in the shower of bath. Many of these ingredients […]

A continuation of  a list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Note: allergies may occur with the use of any chemical, essential oil, herb or spice. It is advisable to test a small area of the skin prior to using the product in the shower of bath. Many of these ingredients […]

I’ve gotten a couple of requests, and just wanted to mention that I’ll be consolidating all of the cosmetic ingredients into one single page.  Currently A-H is available at the Cosmetic Ingredients page, and I’ll be adding to it as I post more ingredients. Thanks to everyone who’s emailed or posted!