Products

A clear thin liquid with a pleasantly dry citrus scent, it is steam distilled from citrus rinds. This oil is very versatile, being safer to use and more effective than most commercial and industrial cleaners. At 5 - 15% of total product, it may be blended with surfactants for industrial-strength cleaners, or solubilized and added to water and vinegar bases for effective natural disinfectant surface cleaners for use in the home. It may also be used at full strength as a biodegradable solvent, without the negative impact that synthetic chemical solvents have on the user or to the environment.

Vitamin C is a highly popular antioxidant and is known as a required component in the production of collagen, which is what provides skin its suppleness and elasticity. Vitamin C has also been shown to help reduce the appearance of age spots while providing some protection from external environmental stressors. It is widely used in skin care applications.

Alcohol Free Witch Hazel Distillates (or Witch Hazel extracts) are clear, colorless botanical extracts prepared from the recently cut and partially dried, dormant twigs of the Hamamelis virginiana Linn plant. These distillates offer a variety of benefits for skin and personal care applications. Alcohol Free Distillates are particularly advantageous for applications that require the soothing natural astringent properties of Witch Hazel, and there are instances where the use of alcohol is not appropriate. Such formulations may include those with constraints in: • Processing parameters: high surfactant, multi-phase, or high temperature products • Product performance: foaming products, body washes, mousses, creams • Marketing claims: alcohol free, sting free, and sensitive skin formulations The most popular uses are for products where irritation or skin feel is of primary concern. Many customers specify distillates for treatment products including, anti-irritant products for sun care, wound care, children's sting free products and other products where skin sensitization is an issue.

Guar Gum is derived from the ground endosperm of the guar plant, Cyanmopsis tetragonolobus belonging to the family Leguminosae. The guar plant is mainly grown in India and Pakistan from the month of July to December. At harvest time, the seeds are extracted from the pod of the plant and then ground into guar gum. Guar Gum is water soluble. When adding Guar Gum to a mixture it is best to add small quantities at a time. Be sure to stir for a while after each addition. If Guar Gum is added too quickly or in large quantities, it will gel or clump together. Guar Gum works well in mixtures that freeze but not in extreme heat or in pH (above pH8 or below pH5). Do not use if your formula contains Borax or Calcium.

Witch Hazel is an alcoholic extract from the leaves, flowers and bark of the hamamelis tree. It contains a mixture of 85-86 % aqueous witch hazel extract and 14-15 % ethyl alcohol as a preservative. One of nature's best astringents, there is probably no better tonic or toner for skin care preparations. It is frequently used in products like after shave lotions, where it shows mildly styptic properties as well as helping to reduce razor burn and swelling through its cool soothing sensation. In skincare, Witch Hazel can be used as toner or in place of a cleanser. It is particularly beneficial for oil and problem skin through its more gentle properties.

Vitamin E USP Cosmetic Grade is a golden yellow to clear brown viscous liquid which will oxidize upon exposure to air and light, resulting in gradual darkening. It may add a tint of color to skincare formulations. This cosmetic-grade Vitamin E is GMO-free and gluten-free. Studies have shown that Vitamin E plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from environmental factors. The d-alpha-tocopherol in Vitamin E is also known to helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin E (USP Cosmetic Grade) will extend the shelf-life of oils (any product with water in it will require a full-spectrum preservative) at 0.5%. To add its benefits to the skin, a minimum of 2% to a maximum of 30% may be added to the formulation.

New Directions Aromatics Cetyl Alcohol is an all-purpose, non-gelling thickening agent widely used throughout the cosmetic industry for the stable consistency it gives to the products, it is comprised of 95% fatty acids derived from vegetable oils, primarily palm oil. This versatile material is also an emollient, moisturizer, viscosity stabilizer, and foam enhancer. It comes in white, odorless flakes, which are insoluble in cold water, and only very slightly soluble in hot water and alcohol.

Tara Gum is naturally derived from the seed endosperm of the Tara tree (Caesalpinia Spinosa), which grows in the Peruvian Andes. It is extracted using only a mechanical process without the use of any solvents. Its viscosity in cold water is similar to that of Guar Gum. Tara Gum fully hydrates after heating, resulting in at least 30% increase in viscosity when compared to a cold solution.

Colloidal Oatmeal is generally used in the bath as an additive to bath water, which moisturizes dry and problem skin, especially dry skin in children. This Colloidal Oatmeal is GMO-free and consists of key components such as beta glucan and avenanthramides, which acts as a natural, deep penetrating moisturizer that reduce the itching caused by dry skin.

An excellent substitute for Talc, Arrowroot Powder is a soft, white powder derived from the starchy root of the Arrowroot plant. This cosmetic-grade powder resembles the texture of cornstarch and is light and silky to the touch.

Olive Squalane is a luxurious and sophisticated moisturizing agent that is used extensively in both the pharmaceutical and the cosmetic industries. While it may be obtained from several plant sources, including Sugarcane and Ricebran, Olive Oil is the vegetable source that is most abundant in this protective “green” emollient, which results from the unsaponifiable fractions of Olive Oil. Squalane is easily absorbed by human skin, because it is a derivative of the unsaturated terpene hydrocarbon called Squalene, an oily molecule that occurs naturally in the sebum of human skin. With age, the skin’s natural Squalene production begins to decline, making products with Squalane more valuable as skin begins to lose its moisture, smoothness, and strength. These benefits make Squalane a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products. Squalene oxidizes quickly, but the hydrogenated and improved version of it – Squalane – becomes a stable and skin-loving ingredient with a lengthy shelf life. With various cosmetic applications in which it can exhibit is beneficial properties, this light, odor-free, and non-staining vegetable-based fluid has earned the nickname “Liquid Gold.”

Stearic Acid is an organic, fatty acid that is found in vegetable fats and oils. It works harmoniously with other fatty acids to support the skin and offers versatility in texture. Stearic Acid can also be used in the production of candles, cosmetics, shaving soaps, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals. When added to soap, this ingredient will produce a bar that is harder and that has a more stable lather.

Menthol Crystals are obtained by crystallizing Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint Japanese) Essential Oil. These colorless, transparent crystals exude a sharp, minty scent, which has a cooling effect that makes them ideal for diverse applications. To incorporate them in perfumes, cosmetics, balms, lotions, creams, shampoos, and conditioners, the recommended usage level is 0.5 - 8 %.