Shea Butter and Safe Cosmetics

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics challenges all of us as consumers and manufacturers to question the toxic chemicals in our products and to do all we can to remove them. According to this organization, the chemicals in any one consumer product alone are not likely to cause harm. However, we are repeatedly exposed to industrial chemicals in our cosmetics and personal care products from many different sources on a dialy basis.

Some of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, infertility, birth defects, and many other diseases. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is asking cosmetics companies to to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. This is a pledge to not use toxic chemicals and to make safer reformulated products readily available in the U.S. and in every market they serve. They are also pushing for smarter laws to protect our health from toxic chemicals.

Purely Shea is a proud signer of this pledge along with more than 300 other skincare companies. 100 % Pure Unrefined Certified Organic Shea Butter is one of the most effective and safest skincare products available. Please visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/index.cfm to get more information about this campaign.

Steph,
Purely Shea
http://www.purelyshea.com

Fair Trade Shea Butter

October is Fair Trade Month!

Thank you for joining us for this e-celebration of Fair Trade. Fair Trade products ensure that farmers and other workers throughout the world receive a fair price for their products. This allows them to decrease poverty in their communities and to provide for their families.

Here at Purely Shea, fair trade is extremely important to us. We deal with several women’s cooperative groups that provide high-quality, Certified Organic Shea Butter at competitive and fair prices. However, Fair Trade is much more than a fair price, it also provides:

Fair Labor Conditions

Direct Trade Opportunities

Democratic Organizations

Community Development

Environmental Sustainability

The only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. right now is TransFair USA. Currently, the only products that they certify are coffee, tea, herbs, cocoa, chocolate, fresh fruit, sugar, rice, and vanilla. At this time, they do not certify Shea Butter. They have received several requests for this certification, so hopefully we will see this in 2007.

Steph,
Purely Shea
www.purelyshea.com

PURELY SHEA BABY

Whether you are a brand new parent or grandparent or just simply a friend looking for a great baby gift, choosing all-natural, gentle products for baby’s skin is an absolute necessity since young ones are highly sensitive to chemicals.

One of the staples of baby care should be 100 % Pure Unrefined Certified Organic Shea Butter. This superior moisturizer will nourish and protect an infants delicate skin. It will also provide an excellent barrier when applied during each diaper change to prevent diaper rash.

Here are some other tips to prevent diaper rash:
Rinse baby’s bottom w/warm water as part of each diaper change
Don’t scrub, simply pat dry with a clean towel
Don’t over-tighten diapers
Use diaper liners and diaper covers
Don't forget Purely Shea shea butter!

Steph,
Purely Shea
www.purelyshea.com

Essential Oils and Shea Butter

Well I am back from a much needed vacation! One of the things I enjoyed most while getting some R & R was a truly decadent Shea Butter massage. The massage therapist used a fragrant blend of essential oils mixed with the Shea Butter. I was left feeling uplifted and energized as well as really relaxed. She informed me that the essential oils have wonderful emotional benefits. The following is just a brief list of what essential oils are good for various emotions:

ANGER
Bergamot, Orange, Rose, Neroli

ANXIETY
Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lavender, Patchouli, Vetiver

DEPRESSION
Grapefruit, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Rose, Ylang Ylang

FATIGUE
Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cypress, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Lemon, Grapefruit

IRRITABILITY
Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Chamomile, Sandalwood

STRESS
Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Rose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Just because essential oils are derived from plants does not mean they are automatically safe to use. After handling essential oils,it is "essential" to wash one's hands carefully with warm waterand soap. Avoid touching your eyes or putting your fingers inyour mouth.

Because essential oils are so concentrated, it is usually necessary to dilute them with a neutral carrier oil, such as sweet almond, jojoba, or Certified Organic Shea Butter to avoid irritating the skin.

Steph,
Purely Shea
www.purelyshea.com