Ingredients from Nature
Below is information on the ingredients used in our products as well as a word about preservatives and safety. Ingredients are listed for each product produced by Arcadia Aromatics. We employ many variations in our product formulations. This listing includes the base ingredients used in formulations and possible additions to the base formulation.
Soap:
Base ingredients: All of our soaps employ the same base ingredients of Saponified oils of palm, palm kernel, olive, coconut & castor bean. Some formulations may also include at least one of the following emollient oils: almond, jojoba, wheatgerm, fractioned coconut or avocado. "Saponified" means the changing of the physical property of the oils when mixed with the appropriate amount of Sodium Hydroxide (common name, lye). The resulting physical change is soap. Any soap (not detergent) is a result of saponification. A natural byproduct of the saponification of oils is glycerin. Commercial manufacturers of soap employ a process to remove the glycerin from their soap and sell it separately, or use it to make lotions, due to it's value in other industries. The glycerin is not removed from handcrafted, cold processed soap, resulting in a more naturally moisturizing product as compared to commercial products.
Additional ingredients include grains, botanicals, and herbs added for their unique properties. Grains are generally added for their ability to exfoliate. Herbs and botanicals are used for their traditional reputation of healing/therapeutic properties as well as adding color & scent, as well as their ability to exfoliate.
Fragrances/Flavoring: Essential oils and Fragrance oils come from reputable sources in the aromatherapy industry. All of our fragrances are cosmetic grade. Lip balms may contain food grade flavorings. Essential oils used are reputed to have healing/therapeutic properties.
Colorants: Many of the colors within our soaps come directly from the oils, herbs, grains, and botanicals used. Some colors are obtained by using pigments, minerals, and FD&C colorants. All colorants used are cosmetic grade, obtained from reputable suppliers in the aromatherapy industry.
Creams and Lotion:
Base ingredients: Purified water, oils of almond, avocado, jojoba, safflower, apricot, emulsifying wax (vegetable derived), citric acid (to normalize PH), and essential oil/fragrance oil.
Other ingredients: Stearic acid, glycerin, lecithin, honey, aloe vera. Vitamin E, Rosemary oil extract, or Grapefruit Seed extract may also be added as natural antioxidants.
Balms, Butters and Salves:
Base ingredients: Beeswax or other emulsifier, one or more of the following oils: almond, avocado, jojoba, cocoa butter, shea butter, and olive.
Additional ingredients: Herbs and botanicals are used for their traditional reputation of healing/soothing properties as well as adding scent.
Powders
Base Ingredients: Cornstarch, Sodium Bicarbonate, Essential )ils, Kaolin Clay, Arrowroot, Orris Root, Rice Flour, Barley Flour, Fullers Earth. Completely TALC Free.
Bath Salts & Bath Bombs:
Base ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, mineral salts, dead sea salts, epsom salts & citric acid. Coconut oil, Shea Butter or cocoa butter are also added to our bath bombs.
Additional ingredients: Vitamin E & Glycerin added as moisturizers. Bath salts and bath bombs may also include other moisturizing oils, grains, herbs, and botanicals.
Bath Teas:
Herbs, botanicals, and essential oils
Bath Oils:
Fractionated coconut oil, jojoba, avocado, sesame, glycerin, aloe vera, honey, vitamin e and essential oils.
Deodorants:
Purified water, grain alcohol, cocoa butter, coconut oil, beeswax, cornstarch, sodium bicarbonate, alum, castor oil, chlorophyll, aloe vera gel, grapefruit extract, lemon oil, witch hazel, benzoic acid, xantham gum, tea tree oil.
A word about preservatives:
Lotions and creams must be preserved against rancidity and microbial and fungal growth. This improves their shelf life and more importantly protects you, the customer from potential injury. Some products contain or may come in direct contact with water, therefore it is a protective measure for the consumer that the law requires we provide these products with an added preservative. Unfortunately, there are no known natural preservatives. Every product that contains these preservatives are clearly labeled as such. (i.e. "This product is 99% Natural and 1% synthetic preservative.") We strive to keep our products as natural as possible. We do employ citric acid, vitamin E, botanical extracts and essential oils as natural inhibitors to oxidation and spoilage. Our creams and lotions have been routinely held at room temperature (70F) for more than 3 months without evidence of bacterial growth or spoilage. Storing the products away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dry area or refrigeration will prolong the shelf life. For those customers who might only use our lotions and creams occasionally, we package these products in small portions so that they will likely be used before any danger of spoilage might occur. If you use our products daily, your supply will most certainly run out before any spoilage would occur. Furthermore, our customers always receive only freshly made products. Our lotions and creams are not made in advance of sales. They are made on the day that your order is received or on the day of shipping.
A word about safety:
These products contain essential oils, fragrance oils, pigments and colorants. Our products are formulated to be safe, however some people may experience sensitivity to certain ingredients. As with any cosmetic product, we recommend testing the product on a small portion of skin. If redness or irritation results, discontinue use. Avoid getting products into eyes. Keep out of reach of small children. Pregnant or nursing mothers should consult a physician before using products containing essential oils.