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Sunday, December 2, 2007

MUSINGS ON DEODORANT

It's been a great week. Here in Utah we got a huge snowstorm. Last winter was very mild, so we're very happy to get the moisture. Plus it looks pretty!!!

Recently a customer e-mailed me and asked me about the difference between our deodorant and the "crystal" sticks out there. I thought others might be interested in the subject, so, for this blog entry, I'm sharing my reply:

If the crystal stick is working for you, that's great---I know it's hard to find something that works for your particular body chemistry.  I've tried the crystal but it hasn't worked out too well for me.  I know that many people swear by it, though. 

The thing that concerns me about the crystal deodorants, is that usually their ingredients are labeled as "mineral salts" or "natural mineral salts," and we don't know exactly which salts are used.  It's possible that they contain aluminum salts, the safety of which is currently being investigated for its link to Alzheimer's disease--and are probably the reason you switched to a natural deodorant in the first place! 

From what I can tell, however, the salts used in these crystal sticks are Alums, (typically Potassium Alum and Ammonium Alum) and are not linked to that disease.  At the low dose you use on your skin those salts are typically not problematic.  However--ingesting more than an ounce of Alum, would be toxic to the human body.  The FDA considers alum to be generally regarded as safe, and it's used in low doses in canned products (like pickles) to keep vegetables crisp.  There is a movement in the canning industry right now to slowly phase out the use of alum because of its concerns as a toxin. For more info on alum, you can read this article I found).

The biggest difference with our deodorants is that they are 100% Organic, meaning that every ingredient is derived from living matter (vegetable oils, beeswax, etc) and has not been treated or in contact with any synthetic chemicals in its production or processing.  We use naturally antibacterial organic essential oils to help prevent bacterial growth in the underarm.  (To read more about how the body works and how you can deodorize naturally, read my article here.) (To see our Bubble and Bee 100% Organic Deodorant, click here)

We never use synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or fillers in our deodorants, and never use toxic chemicals in our facility.  Soon our facility will be certified organic.  I hope this answers your questions!  I seriously am not out to scare anyone into using or not using a particular product.  Deodorants are a very personal choice, and I would be the last person to tell someone what to do.  My goal is to put as much information out there so people can make informed decisions. 

Yes, I know...not too exciting or outrageous...but it's something to think about. What are the exact "mineral salts" in those crystal deodorants? If salt was an effective deodorant, we'd all just be using salt water as a deodorant. So, there's got to be some sort of difference...is that difference safe? Just a thought.

We're not making a big deal out of it, but this week we've got a new deodorant...100% natural spray on deodorants! I'm sticking with the stick, but Steve loves the spray. Check it out! We're working this week on making it 100% organic. We're waiting to get the organic alcohol. It's a little difficult to get some alcohol products here in Utah...imagine that! But right now it's still chemical-free, 100% natural, and everything but the alcohol is organic. And Steve's come up with some very creative packaging! Check it out!

Tuesday, November 29, 2007

POLL RESULTS ARE IN!

We asked you what new scent of Lotion Stick you'd like to see and now the results are in. And the winner is: Coconut Lime. (Steve's excited about this one...Coconut Lime is his favorite.) Vanilla Lavender and Chai Spice tied for second place, followed by Pomegranite and Honey Pear tied for third. They all sound delicious...and we'll be coming out with more than just one. But for now, we'll be whipping up some Coconut Lime goodness. (Try not to get the "Lime in the Coconut" song in your head...woops. Too late.)

Our next poll: Which New Product Should We Come Out With?

Be sure to check it out! Every vote counts!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

ON TV!

It's been an incredibly busy week! Yesterday I shot a segment that will air on KUTV 2News in Salt Lake City. I don't know when it's going to air yet, but it will be in the next few days. We'll be sure to put it up on the site as soon as we get it. We're way excited and thankful to KUTV for helping us spread the organic word!

Monday, November 5, 2007

JUST A NOTE

No "soap box" this week, just a big THANKS to everyone who's ordered this week! We're really happy about the feedback we've received from our newsletter. We're also excited about our new lotion stick we've introduced. We're going to be making a slew of scents and we need your feedback. On the homepage take a look at our poll and vote for your favorites!

Also be on the lookout for new holiday gift items. We're adding a number of them to the store as well as to the business gifts section. If you have any ideas of products you'd like to see, let us know! Send an e-mail to feedback @ bubbleandbee.com (omit spaces). Thanks!

Monday, October 29, 2007

SUNLIGHT AND BREAST CANCER

Ingrained in our brains is the thought: sunlight is bad, sunlight is bad! Wear sunscreen! Stay indoors! Well, a new study just came out that found that exposure to sunlight actually DECREASED the risk of certain cancers! Amazing!

If you think about it, it's not really that difficult to understand. Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D—a helpful antioxidant. Humans have been exposed to sunlight since the beginning of our species—so it makes sense that sunlight would be good for you. Sunscreens are really what's bad for you! Filled with toxic chemicals that seep right into your body, sunscreens are not proven to reduce cancer risk—but merely to prevent sunburn.

Many sunscreens break down in the sun, creating harmful free-radicals. Titanium dioxide, (considered one of the more “safe” sunscreens) for example, has this side effect. Zinc oxide gives you the best synthetic-free protection, blocking both UVA and UVB rays. However, they sunscreens with this ingredient need to be used with much care. You see, zinc oxide is a very powerful skin inflammation reducer. So, you're sitting out in the sun and your skin is getting burned—but you don't know it because the zinc oxide is calming your skin. You come inside for the day, rinse off the zinc oxide and find out you've got a deep burn. It's actually been banned in some countries. And synthetic sunscreens aren't any better. Take oxybenzone for instance. It's an endocrine disruptor, affects the nervous system, has been linked to cancer, and creates harmful free-radicals when exposed to the sun.

So go out. Enjoy the sun. Go for a walk. Wear a hat and cotton clothing if you're going to be out there for a long time. The bottom line: use common sense.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

FARMER'S MARKET SEASON ENDS

Farmer's Market is finally over. Unfortunately, we missed the last three weeks due to rain. We were able to participate in a Friday night Art Market downtown, thanks to Camille at the Downtown Alliance. So, at least we got one last hurrah at an art show this season.

We are very excited to have the new website up. If you have any problems navigating it, please let us know. We'd love to hear your feedback.

I thought I'd share this photo that I took in my front yard. Although I'm much more inclined to favor Summer, I do have to admit that Autumn has its perks...

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Friday, October 19, 2007

STEPH ON STAPH INFECTIONS

I've been listening to the radio all day and have been hearing about the rise of deadly staph infections in America. Here is an excerpt from one report by Fox News:

"In New Jersey, Point Pleasant Boro High School was reopened after cleaning crews sanitized classrooms, locker rooms and other parts of the school after a student had been diagnosed with the drug-resistant bacteria infection, MRSA.

In the past week, three students have died of the communicable infection.

The next day, the American Medical Association published a report saying the number of staph-related deaths may surpass those of AIDS, with more than 90,000 Americans getting potentially deadly infections each year."

On the radio, the reporter ends the story by saying that hand sanitizer has been handed out to the students and teachers and antibacterial soap has been placed in the bathrooms.

This is their answer!?!? Hand sanitizer and antibacterial soaps?!??! What are they thinking???

Antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers are NOT the answer in this case. The reason this "superbug" is so powerful is because it's resistant to antibiotics. Attempting to get rid of it with antibacterial agents is only going to make it stronger. Antibacterial agents (like triclosan) will kill the bacteria--but only 99 % of it. The remaining 1% are resistant to the cleaner. Now, this 1% will reproduce, with an overall increased immunity to the sanitizer. The next time you use the sanitizer, maybe only 80% of the bacteria is killed. Now the remaining 20% reproduces, you use the sanitizer again, and only 50% of the bacteria dies, and so on until the entire population of bacteria is completely resistant to the sanitizer.

Plus, there's more.

Let's take a look at a common "antibacterial" agent, triclosan. According to the Environmenal Working Group, It has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor at small doses, a skin and eye irritant, a bioaccumulative toxin, a pollutant, and caused cancer in animal studies. When we use hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, we're absorbing these toxic chemicals in to our bodies through our skin. Our bodies don't know how to digest these chemicals and they end up in our livers. Our livers are burdened with these chemicals and then our immune systems are weakened, leaving us more suseptible to the infections we were trying to avoid!

So, what's a person to do?

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water.
• Keep cuts and open wounds cleaned and covered.
• Don't share towels, combs, hair stylers, or cosmetics with others.
• Wash yoga mats with liquid soap and hot water.
• Wash hands after using cell phones and computer keyboards.
• Wash hands frequently in a school setting.
• Don't stress out about it! Stress weakens the immune system!

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Friday, October 12, 2007

LEAD IN LIPSTICK

The Boston Globe reported yesterday that traces of lead have been found in numerous lipticks. Here are some exceprts from the article:

"The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is releasing today product test results that found that more than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested contained lead. The lead levels in one-third of the lipstick samples, purchased from retailers in four cities, including Boston, exceeded 0.1 parts per million, which is the federal lead limit for candy.

"These levels of lead are not likely to cause poisoning," said Tickner, a specialist on exposure to toxic chemicals. "They are likely to be cumulative to other exposures and can cause subtle neurological effects you can't trace back to a single exposure."

The testing, conducted by Bodycote Testing Group laboratory in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., found the highest levels of lead in several samples of L'Oreal and Cover Girl cosmetics. L'Oreal Colour Riche "True Red" lipstick had a lead content of 0.65 parts per million, and a sample of the makeup giant's "Classic Wine" color had a lead content of 0.58 parts per million.  

Cover Girl's Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" and ContinuousColor "CherryBrandy" had lead contents of 0.56 and 0.28 parts per million, respectively. In a statement, L'Oreal said it "proudly stands behind" its products.

It really makes you wonder how long this has been going on, and just how many other products out there are contaminated. Just like many of the other chemicals out there in our cosmetics, the effects of lead are accumulative and "you can't trace [the effects] back to a single exposure." This fact makes companies not liable for any harm caused, so they choose to turn their eyes from the cheap oversees production facilities participating in less-than-healthy procedures.

I hate to stand on a soap box (no pun intended) here, but how long are we going to let these corporations slowly poison us? How many chronic illnesses does it take until we make a change? How high do the cancer rates, the MS rates, the infertility rates have to go before we see that we're doing this to ourselves by trusting these brands that are only in the game to make money? (Okay, I'm stepping down off my soap box now.)

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Monday, October 8, 2007

FIRST BLOG ENTRY

We're so excited to launch our new website! We've been working day and night on getting it programmed, as well as filling your orders. If you see any mistakes or errors, please let us know so we can fix them. We totally want your feedback! You can keep tuned to this page for the latest news (and my opinions!) updated on at least a weekly basis. We also have some new products that we're adding to our line. We've just come out with our salt scrubs. Our favorite is the vanilla peppermint. We find excuses to take baths just to use it!

Next we're working on shampoo and conditioner. You're going to be suprised with what we've got up our sleeves. We're way excited! Right now we're in the packaging design and product testing phases, so you can look forward to those new products soon.

This week we were suprised with a September snow. The canyon in which we're nestled looks absolutely gorgeous with red and yellow leaves and pine trees covered with snow. I can't wait to get out and go hiking! The only bummer is that we couldn't set up our local Farmer's Market booth--when it rains and snows, we just turn to suds!

If you haven't checked out my article about parabens, you can read it here. I found this article to be interesting as well--in a nutshell it talks about the rising concern of the estrogenic chemical. I also want to point out that many chemical companies are using alternative preservatives like tetrasodium EDTA (made from formaldehyde and cyanide) and even diazolidinyl urea (a possible carcinogen).

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