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Being Vegetarian / Vegan
Yes, I know emu oil salve is amazing, but NO, I will not make it. Just as what we eat is a choice that we have, so is what we apply to our bodies. I do not come from a vegetarian family, and I know full well that this is not a choice for everyone. I also know better than to be mean about animal-based products because I know that if you don't happen to care where it comes from, tallow and lard-based soaps are very effective and very affordable, and some animal & petroleum-based oils really are amazing in what they can do for human skin. However: My products, my choice. Every product I ever make and offer here will be 100% vegetarian, and I will always have a few vegan selections available as well. I know it's not important to everyone, but it's important to me. |
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Packaging with a Conscience
I believe in the reduction of waste, and I want to avoid contributing to the waste/landfill problem where possible. Because Sweet June is my creative baby, I have spent a lot of time evaluating my packaging choices in terms of ecological impact. As of Spring 2005, Sweet June packaging is 99% recyclable (the one exception is the black phenolic caps on the milk bath bottles and plastic-lined paper bags-- when I can find appropriate substitutes, I will). The kraft soap boxes are recyclable. The plastic and aluminum lids on those plastic bottles and jars are also recyclable. The stainless steel tins are reusable and recyclable (I encourage you to reuse them-- they make attractive containers for all kinds of things-- kitchen spices, bobby pins, paper clips, etc). And the glass bottles are also, obviously, reuseable and recyclable as well (enjoy them while they last-- I'm phasing them out because they're heavy & tricky to ship). The packing peanuts and paper stuffing I use to cushion your packages are, ahem, vintage, having first graced my own mailbox at one time. Reduce, reuse, recyle. Really. |
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Sustainability
The problem with encouraging people to take advantage of natural resources
instead of relying heavily on synthetics and petroleum-based ingredients
(natural, but non-renewable) --whether for toiletries or technology--
is that natural resources take a beating. Sometimes they take such
a beating in such a short amount of time that they have a hard
time recuperating and begin to become more and more rare.
Unless they are sustainably managed, they become extinct. In fact, some plants once considered common are now in
danger of becoming extinct-- and this saddens responsible soapers
considerably and affects what we do. Our beloved palm, our
sandalwood, our rosewood and even our atlantic cedar are on their
way out, to name a few. If someone tells you theirs is "responsibly
harvested," it is unfortunately untrue. I've made a decision to
phase out palm oil, palm kernel oil, sandalwood, rosewood and atlantic
cedar from the Sweet June line-- not because I don't love them,
but because I don't want to be a part of their demise any more than
I already have been. So. There will continue to be some changes at Sweet
June while I reformulate to achieve the same ends with more sustainable
ingredients. For more information, you can surf google, or start here. |
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Preservation
Finally, no one I know enjoys rubbing themselves in mold, or bathing in
bacteria-laden water, so I don't want to offer you things that will
bring these experiences into your world. But molds, bacteria, viruses
and all manner of Yuck love to be born in anything containing water--
so in formulas that include water, some kind of preservation system
is required. I wanted to keep things as natural as possible, but
the truth is, in all my reading and inquiry, I have yet to
find a natural preservative that is reliable in a range of water/oil
proportions and at a variety of preparation temperatures, affordable,
and has a shelf-life of over 3 months. I discard GSE as an option--
email me for details if you're perplexed by this choice. I have
had to make a very tough call, and have settled, for the time being,
on a paraben-based preservative and a non-paraben but still synthetic preservative, depending on the particular emulsion. This is not ideal, because I know
many people are worried about the long-term safety of paraben ingredients,
but I have chosen to go with this option because the particular
paraben ingredients (parabens are a whole family of compounds, and
like every family, has its angels and devils) in my chosen preservation
system have been "generally regarded as safe" by the food,
drug and medical industry not just in your topical skin applications,
but in your food and medical devices/IV fluids as well. Additionally,
I use them at less than 1% of a formulation, so the likelihood of build-up in your system is slim. I believe that my products
are of excellent quality, and safe to use. I would not offer them
otherwise. But I fully respect the views of those who prefer paraben-free
products, and offer them my anhydrous, non-emulsified products,
such as my salves, lotion sticks and balms instead of my lotions
and creams. As always, you may email me with any questions. |
