Happy Mid Summer!
We are so excited to share with you some information about research that's been ongoing here at Little Sugar Naturals, and unveil some new products that will be available this summer!
Our commitment to providing you with the safest natural products is something we don't take lightly. When we began this journey several years ago our goal was to create products that you could be confident were safe and as natural as possible!
First let's talk about preservatives! Be careful when you use products that claim to be "All Natural". Read your ingredients first and foremost! If the product contains water (aqua), then it should be properly preserved! In our research about preservatives we have found that there are several natural alternatives, however they don't provide broad-spectrum protection against bacteria. Some of these include vitamin e and grapefruit seed extract. While they do provide quality protection against rancidity in oil based products, water is a whole other ballgame!
Oil based products do not typically have to have a broad-spectrum preservative due to their antioxidant base and natural ability to combat bacteria on their own. That's great news for all your oil based products! These products should, however, contain an antioxidant of some sort to help provide a defense against rancidity (vitamin e or rosemary oleoresin extract are two we use here at LSN).
When water (aqua) is introduced into the formulation an entirely new host of issues present themselves. We've found two preservative systems that are currently being used in our LSN products. The first is a combination of Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol. When used in conjunction this broad-spectrum paraben and formaldehyde free formula offers protection against mold and bacteria in our water-based products. While we are confident that the extremely low percentage (1.5% MAX per batch) is safe, we went back to our research to continue to find a healthier alternative. We have found one!
We are now using a broad-spectrum preservative that is a combination of Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate. Both are naturally derived and provide the same level of protection our previous preservative provided while at the same time allowing us to continue to strive for an all natural water based formula. This broad-spectrum preservative (commercially marketed as GeogardŽ Ultra) is accepted by ECOCERT as a preservative in certified organic cosmetics. We are very excited to be including this preservative in our formulations!
Next let's talk about EMULSIFICATION!
Emulsification is a process in which oils and water are bound together to form a cream or lotion. The most familiar and natural emulsification you probably use quite often is right in your refrigerator: mayonnaise! The emulsification process of mayo requires the use of eggs. . .you probably don't want to slather eggs all over your body! Not to mention the preservation requirements to keeping this safe for skin use!
In order to create an effective emulsification in our lotions we have been tirelessly working on our formulations, while, again, maintaining that all natural commitment! The most all natural lotion emulsification is a beeswax/sodium borate (borax) combination. The sodium borate acts as the catalyst that binds the oils and water together. While sodium borate is a naturally occurring substance, it is harsh and should be used quite sparingly so as not to cause irritation or skin reaction. We currently do use this beeswax/sodium borate emulsification process in our Lemony Cricket Bug Lotion and our other newly offered body lotions (at the local farmer's market). We have been very pleased with this formulation, however, have been testing another, more gentle, alternative. To that end we have found several new naturally derived (or natural by products) we will be using to formulate our lotions and creams:
cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate (naturally derived from olives)
glyceryl stearate/cetearyl alcohol/sodium stearoyl lactylate/olive wax
While these ingredients are not naturally occuring, they are derived from natural sources and/or are a naturally occurring by-product of vegetables (olives). All of these ingredients are considered GRAS (generally regarded as safe), and will provide the safety and quality we continually strive to create in our products. Finally a natural broad-spectrum preservative system!
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Look for the following new products available SOON from Little Sugar Naturals:
Curiously Carrot Wrinkle and Eye Cream (infused with Roobios Tea)
Olive Royal Regeneration Cream for mature skin
Roobios Island Cocoa Cream Body Lotion
Green Tea & Mint Shea and Coconut Luscious Lotion
and many, many more!
Look for these new additions in the coming WEEK! We are finishing up our testing process and will be ready to offer these beautiful products to you by August 1st!
ALSO. . .do you have a scent you are dying to recreate? Let us know! We had a request last weekend for a Patchouli lotion and soap. . .so we went to work and created a Patchouli, Lavender, and Amber scent that is truly beautiful! We sold out at our last market and will have more by the July 31st market!
We do take special requests as well! If you would like a lotion or cream formulated without the use of a preservative we will do that for you! Please know that you MUST refrigerate your lotion/cream, however! It will have a shelf life of six months from time of formulation. There will be an extra charge for this request since we will have to re-formulate the batch in order to make the desired amount.
Questions/Comments? Call Meredith at 540-683-1694!
Calling all TESTIMONIALS!!! Please comment on your favorite LSN products on the website!
We wish you the happiest and healthiest of summers! Surround yourself with the people you love and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Blessings,
Meredith
