I've been a real hypocrite. How can I talk about going green with my soap ingredients when some of the fragrance oils I use contain phthalates? Phthalates are a large family of colorless, odorless (or low odor), oily compounds used in many everyday products. Phthalates are used for different purposes-to make vinyl soft and flexible, and to plasticize toys among other things. In the case of personal care products, they are used to make fragrances last longer. You can read more about phthalates here.
If you are a maker of bath and body products, you'll see some fragrances listed as being "P-free." Now you know what it means. The fragrance oil contains no phthalates. Southern Soapers carries a line of P-free fragrances, and Wholesale Supplies Plus has recently made the decision to transition all of their fragrance oils to P-free. While it may limit my choices, my conscious will be clear in knowing that I'm offering a product that really is eco-friendly and natural. Oh goodness, I just had a thought: What if they say the world's supply of olive oil is harvested by slave labor or something?
8 comments:
That is great!! Are you going to sign up for cosa verde?
It sucks doesn't it. I use only phthalate free fragrances and sometimes it means not making exactly what I want to, but in the end, it's better.
I recently read what chemicals were in perfumes-OMG it makes you wonder if it is een worth it.
It's hard when you want to be eco concious, but yet the supply world isn't quite there yet. Research is the worst part.
Pattie,
I've been checking out Cosa Verde, but I'm not yet ready to make that move. Once I build up a truly natural and eco-friendly product line, then I'm on it:-D
Tammie,
It's like being in school all over again isn't it? Do I have a term paper due or something????
Just wanted to let you know that I'm paying forward my Kreative Blogger award to ya. If ya want, stop on by to "pick it up." :)
http://BrigaBauble.blogspot.com
Good for you! I know that's a difficult decision but I think it'll pay off for you in the long run.
We changed about a year ago. You really have some beautiful soaps!
Good luck with your choice!
Ken
Good for you - and I'm with you on heart attack time if Olive Oil had an issue. =))
There's been a lot of concern about phthalates because of the plastic and additives issue. It is a serious concern with children's toys especially because of the ingestion factor. Phthalates are a whole class of chemicals (sort of like lumping say, all salts together - even though there are lots of different varieties). The phthalates that have been causing so much concern lately are:
di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), or di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
None of these particular Phthalates are used in fragrance oils.
There is one Phthalate used in fragrances: Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is used as a fragrance fixative in a few fragrances but most places, including Bramble Berry, have either completely phased out fragrances with that ingredient in it or are phasing it out.
I applaud you for taking a stand on what is acceptable to you and your customers in your products. Defining a niche like this is important.
By the way, your Snickerdoodle Whipped Soap on Etsy looks positively edible and delicious and is making me drool =)
Wow! The response has been overwhelming. I thought I was alone in this, but I'm in excellent company!
Anne-Marie: I'm a huge fan of your fragrance oils! My new fave is now Coconut Lemongrass. I can't get enough of it, and thanks for the compliment:-D
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