Soapy Hollow

Do Chemicals in Cosmetics Accumulate in Your Body?

DeAnne — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:39:16 +0000

Colin Sanders has posted a long and informative article on cosmetics, skin absorption and the long term effects therein over at the Personal Care site. Colin Sanders has been a formulator of cosmetic and topical pharmaceuticals for 27 years and an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists since [...]

Nanofibers – the cotton candy of cool science

DeAnne — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:07:36 +0000

You know the big difference between me and nanotech researchers? I have never once been at a carnival with a big ball of spun sugar and thought “Wow, I could make nanofibers with that cotton candy machine!” But that’s just what happened with the bioengineers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as [...]

Is there Lye in your Soap?

DeAnne — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:36:34 +0000

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 [...]

SciTechStory: Janus dendrimers and dendrimersomes

DeAnne — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:31:56 +0000

One of the groovy things about science is that obscure discoveries can suddenly become world-changing. As an example; examine the organic material called a Janus dendrimer. Janus was the dual-faced Roman god. Dendron is the Greek word for ‘tree’ or many branches. A dendrimer is a molecular sphere with many branches forming the [...]

Nanotech, vaccines and skin absorption

DeAnne — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:46:58 +0000

I’ve talked before about how lotions work, and skin absorption rates, and the claims of certain cosmetics manufacturers that they have a product which will “penetrate the skin” and do magical mystical (usually anti-aging) things. But we know, unless a product has been deliberately designed to penetrate multiple skin layers, the skin doesn’t let much [...]

Good news for organic formulators

DeAnne — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:39:43 +0000

Agrana Stärke’s has introduced a new selection of certified organic biopolymers. Agenajel 21.387, an organic native waxy corn starch suitable for both hot and cold applications. It is used for creams and lotions and as powder base. Quemina 21.257 is an organic pre-cooked corn starch used as an organic thickener in personal care emulsions. [...]

Consumer Reports agrees – “anti-aging” serums useless

DeAnne — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:51:16 +0000

For years, I’ve been saying that “anti-aging” serums were junk. I’ve read the white papers, I’ve tested the products, I’ve looked at the results…and I’ve said over and over that those bottles of hope were nothing more than modern snake-oil sold to a culture of women who have been taught to fear aging. I’ve gone [...]

Psychopaths sell copies. Science…not so much, apparently

DeAnne — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:31:06 +0000

Some science stories are echoed all over the media and quickly. Here are a couple of common headings for a recent story: “Psychopaths’ Brains Wired to Seek Rewards, No Matter What the Cost” and “Psychopaths Produce Excessive Dopamine.” The original story is in Nature Neuroscience under the website title Psychopathic [...]

Colorado legislation may derail small manufacturers

DeAnne — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:33:39 +0000

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 [...]

Creme to Powder eyeshadow formulation

DeAnne — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:21:52 +0000

Creme-to-Powder eyeshadow is a relative newcomer to the cosmetics market. It has the lasting power of previous generation’s creme shadows, but without the creasing and goopy feel. It’s a semi-solid shadow that can be applied using your finger or a foam applicator, but best results are achieved by using a brush. When [...]

More natural sanitizer formulas

DeAnne — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:28:11 +0000

Earlier I posted a formula for a quickie hand sanitizer, but a couple of folks have mentioned that they’re not too hip on the smell, or they would prefer a “spicier” or “fruity” note rather than a minty note. So, here’s a couple more formulas to keep you safe and sanitized during the cold and [...]

Risks from Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics

DeAnne — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:23 +0000

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

Cosmetic Ingredients S-Z

DeAnne — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:51:15 +0000

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

Ingredient listing

DeAnne — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:01:51 +0000

Sheesh, pulling all of this together has taking way longer, and taken up a whole lot more space than I’d anticipated. On the plus side…we’re almost through the list. Yay. Any updates will be on the Cosmetic Ingredient Page, rather than doing this list again. That said; if you have an ingredient that you’d like to [...]

Cosmetic Ingredients N-R

DeAnne — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:54:24 +0000

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 [...]

Cosmetics Ingredients I-M

DeAnne — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:03:29 +0000

Cosmetic Ingredients Consolidation

DeAnne — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:34:13 +0000

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!

Cosmetic Ingredients F-H

DeAnne — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:25:34 +0000

Cosmetic Ingredients C thru E

DeAnne — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:58:15 +0000

Cosmetic Ingredients A thru B

DeAnne — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:51:55 +0000

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 are [...]

Boys getting their glam on…

DeAnne — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:59:30 +0000

Boys Will Be Boys? – Cosmetics for men could be the next big trend. By Marshall Pearson – Assistant Editor – Happi Magazine Not long ago, the only men caught wearing eyeliner were a handful of rock stars and glam icons who used it to sell albums and promote a sexualized image. The rise of men’s cosmetics [...]

Organics gaining market share in EU

DeAnne — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:56:29 +0000

Sales of natural and organic cosmetics in Europe are continuing to grow despite the economic downturn, with revenues projected to increase 13% to €1.7bn this year, according to a new report by Organic Monitor. The 2009 edition of The European Natural Cosmetics Market has found that greater distribution and high consumer demand for ethical and natural [...]

Natural Preservatives

DeAnne — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:03 +0000

A preservative is essentially a chemical agent that will destroy or inhibit micro-organisms in finished formulations. There is ample scope for microbial contamination at the end user level. It is therefore important that the product be protected by a suitable preservative to ensure safety in use and adequate shelf life. Water activity and pH of the [...]

I are a winnah!

DeAnne — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:22:54 +0000

I submitted my “how to make bath bombs” to the Share Your Story contest on WhichBox.com…and I won! Yay! My prize, a new Wacom Bamboo just arrived. I plugged it in, and windows vista installed it without any issues. Igor is looking forward to playing with it. He says that since he had to [...]

Make your own sanitizer

DeAnne — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:38:09 +0000

With flu season coming, and H1N1 on the horizon, now is the time for hand washing and sanitizing. But sanitizers often leave your hands chapped and dry. Plus, they smell icky. But you can make your own, and modify the scent to please your own personal scent palate. This is an easy, non-emulsified sanitizer: Blend together: 2 cups [...]

Part IV Natural antibioticals

DeAnne — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:16:18 +0000

Neem oil and Neem leaf extract [INCI: Melia azadirachta] The neem tree is traditionally labelled The Village Pharmacy because of its multifaceted healing properties. These range from immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects to antimicrobial and pesticidal attributes. The leaves and seeds of neem yield limonoids with wide biological applications. These have antibacterial, antiviral, insect repellant, anti-protozoal and [...]

Part III Natural antimicrobials – Turmeric Oil

DeAnne — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:46:27 +0000

Turmeric oil [INCI: Curcuma longa] Turmeric oil is obtained by steam distillation or solvent extraction of the powdered rhizome of species of the genus Curcuma (family: Zingiberaceae). Of these species, Curcuma longa is the most well known. Curcuma longa yields 0.3-7.2% (usually 4-5%) of turmeric oil following steam distillation. The chief constituents of the essential [...]

Part II: A focus on natural antimicrobials

DeAnne — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:59:34 +0000

Kaempferia galanga [INCI: Kaempferia galanga root extract] Kaempferia is a genus in the Zingiberaceae family found in southern & southeastern Asia. These gingers grow from small globular rhizomes which grow fleshy roots. Most are low growing with colorfully marked foliage. Flowers either emerge in the spring just prior to the foliage or with the foliage [...]

A focus on natural antimicrobials

DeAnne — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:13:01 +0000

The need to control microbial activity is inherent in two major facets of personal care. The first area is that of antimicrobial care where the product helps to retard the growth of topical pathogens or eliminates them. The second is in the area of preservatives that retard the growth of microbes in product formulations. Recently there [...]

Call for Papers: Edited Volume on Neuroscience and Feminism

DeAnne — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:01:29 +0000

Call for Papers: With the recent advances in imaging and genetic technologies, the last decade has witnessed an explosion of work on human cognitive and affective functioning. Among some of the more publicized work is that on sex differences. Basing research on neuroscience lends studies particular credibility in the public mind, with the result that traditional [...]