 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
If you have any other questions about our products please contact us either through email or post on our forum. All information is copyrighted and may not be used without permission.
General Product Questions:
What is the shelf life of your products? How should your products be stored?
What are the sizes of your products?
Are your products vegetarian and/or vegan? Are your products tested on animals?
Are you an eco-friendly company? How are you eco-friendly?
What is the shelf life of your products? How should your products be stored?
Because Earth Alkemie products are completely natural or as natural as possible, shelf life is much shorter than conventional products or natural products preserved with synthetic preservatives. In addition, nearly all of the oils we use are cold or expeller pressed and unrefined, which have a much shorter shelf life (but contain more nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants) than highly refined oils and solvent extracted oils. We extend shelf life using antioxidants, and for many products, preserve with a blend of natural or naturally derived preservatives (like Geogard, which is an eco-cert approved preservative).
For best results, we recommend storing most Earth Alkemie products in a cool, dark place (like a refrigerator or a cool, dark--but not damp--basement or cup board) when not in regular use. This will greatly extend shelf life. We do not recommend storing natural skin care in the bathroom (as it is usually too warm and humid, and a haven for bacterial growth). The exception to this rule is soaps (when in use. When not using, store them elsewhere) and certain liquid cleansers (if used daily and quickly, on a regular basis. Store ones that you aren't using somewhere else), and powdered mineral makeup that does not contain plant ingredients. If possible, use clean spatulas or spoons when handling some of our products. Use swirly bowls for mineral makeup (instead of the lid or jar), and clean your makeup brushes at least once or twice a week (or better yet, use a clean makeup brush every time).
Earth Alkemie products are made with natural and fresh ingredients. They are made in small batches and the products you are receiving are usually no more than a few days or weeks old (they do not sit around in storage for months). For best results, use them within a few months of purchase. The following information is only an estimate of the maximum shelf life (since shelf life is dependent on how the products are treated as well as storage conditions). Shelf life may be less or may be even longer than what is stated. Refrigerating products when not in use can greatly extend shelf life, though may slightly change the texture of some products like the balms/salves. Our powdered mineral makeup multi-purpose powders do not need to be refrigerated.
Treat your body, as well as your products with respect :)
-Mineral makeup/multipurpose powders: shelf life for powdered mineral makeup (without plant ingredients) is nearly indefinite, but it is recommended that you use it within a couple years.
-Cleansing oils: have a shelf life of at least 4 to 6 months. Refrigerate when not in use or store in a cool place.
-Bar soap: the African black soaps (plain, no additional ingredients added) will have a shelf life of 1-2 years (and if properly stored, most likely longer).
-Toners: at least 3-5 months. Our toners are preserved with an eco-cert preservative but it is highly recommended refrigerating this item when not in use since, though hydrosols have a fairly decent shelf life, they are fragile and incorrect storage and handling can greatly shorter shelf life.
-Elixirs: at least 4-6 months, depending on the oils, herbs, and essential oils used.
-Dreams, body oils and buttercremes: at least 6 months, depending on the oils and essential oils used.
--Perfumes: at least 6 months (maybe longer)
How often should your products be used? Who can use your products: can pregnant women or children use your products?
Most of our products can be used once to twice a day, though other products like the hydrosols and mineral makeup can be used on the skin several times a day if desired.
It is highly recommended that because of their potency, natural ingredients (especially essential oils and herbs) should be rotated on a regular basis to prevent potential sensitivity, sensitization, the skin getting used to certain ingredients, to prevent the buildup of chemical components in the body (herbs, especially essential oils are composed of usually hundreds of natural plant chemical components), and to meet changing skin needs (skin conditions can change rapidly due to weather, diet, health reasons, age, etc). Reasons and also frequency for rotation depends on the ingredient. Many people like to take a few day break from a product or ingredient once it is used up, others like to rotate their products more frequently.
Many natural ingredients are not recommended for pregnant women, children, elders, or people on certain medications or with certain health issues, so please be sure to research ingredients thoroughly and ask a well qualified physician (who understands plant/condition/medication interactions) before use. You may also want to consult with an herbalist/aromatherapist who specializes in that area (and not a generalist who may not be familiar with your condition).
None of the statements on this site have been evaluated or approved by the FDA, and are only provided for informational purposes.
What are the sizes of your products?
Our natural formulations are very concentrated. You do not need to use as much as cosmetics that contain fillers to get great results.
We package mostly in glass because of environmental and health issues (over time many essential oils degrade plastics, and it is thought that toxins from plastics may leach into the products). Only our mineral makeup is packaged in plastic (since minerals are inert and don't react with plastic). Please recycle or reuse the containers after use! Our soaps are packaged in biodegradable cello bags, please reuse or compost after use.
Earth Alkemie products come in a few different sizes.
Petite:
These are our sample size. When we occasionally offer free samples with orders, they will sometimes come in a special petite size (the exception will be salves, which will be sent in the xiao size). Most of our products are not available for sale in the petite size, and are only available for sale in our xiao and grande sizes (i.e. some of the free samples of products we sometimes send out with orders will be in the petite size, however, most of our products are not sold in the petite size). Below is a list of the few products we sell in the petite size. The petite size is enough for a few uses, except as noted.
-Mineral makeup (mmu) multipurpose powder samples: approximately 0.3 grams in a sample plastic jar (no shifter). Sample jar will not be full. Mmu samples will last several uses.
-Perfume: will come in a standard size sample glass perfume vial.
Xiao:
This is our small size. The xiao size will generally last a couple weeks or more of use (depending on how much and how often you use it) or as noted below.
-Cleansing oils and liquid cleansers: 2 ounces (glass with pump). It will last several weeks of use.
-Soap:
Alata Samina, Ose Dudu, Ghana soaps: 2.0 ounce in a biodegradable or reusable cellulose bag. (Bars)
Karite soap: 1.5 ounce in a biodegradable or reusable cellulose bag. (Comes in large and small pieces and chunks).
-Toners: 1 ounce (about 30 ml) plastic PET #1 bottle. (Glass mister option is available)
-Elixirs: 1/6 ounce (about 5 ml or a little more; glass with orifice reducer dropper). To use, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle to allow the drops to easily flow out.
-Dreams and Buttercremes with essential oils, absolutes, etc: about 1.7 ounces, glass jar. The old size for Tropical Dreams was 1 ounce (glass).
-Dreams and Buttercremes, unscented: approximately 2 ounce plastic PET #1 jar.
Grande:
This is our regular, full size. Grande size will generally last a couple months or more of use (depending on how much and how often you use it).
-Mineral makeup: 5 gram jar size (plastic jar, with sifter). A 5 gram jar holds about 1.5 grams of minerals in weight. This amount will last for many months.
-Cleansers (cleansing oil and liquid cleansers): 4 ounces (120 ml; glass bottle with pump)
-Soap:
Alata Samina, Ghana, Ose Dudu soaps: 3.0 ounces in a biodegradable or reusable cellulose bag. (Bars)
Karite soap: 4 ounces in a biodegradable or reusable cellulose bag. (Comes in large and small pieces and chunks).
-Toners: 4 ounces (120 ml) plastic PET #1. Comes with an optional glass mister.
-Luna and Terra Elixirs: 1/2 ounce (15 ml; glass bottle with glass dropper that has a rubber bulb top)
-Solaris Elixirs: 1 ounce (30 ml; glass bottle with glass dropper that has a rubber bulb top)
-Perfumes: 1/3 ounce (10 ml) roller ball container (glass).
-Dreams and Buttercremes with essential oils, absolutes, etc: about 4 ounces, glass jar.
-Dreams and Buttercremes, unscented: about 4 ounces, plastic PET #1 jar.
-Outdoor Oil (seasonal): about 2 oz, plastic PET #1 pumps.
Are your products vegetarian or vegan? Are your products tested on animals?
Earth Alkemie is a vegetarian and cruelty-free company. Li, Earth Alkemie's owner and formulator, is a long time vegetarian. All Earth Alkemie products are vegetarian, and most are also vegan. All of our products do not contain any ingredients made from parts of animal bodies or in which the animal was directly harmed or killed, such as carmine (from beetles), emu oil, silk (most of the time the worms die when extracting silk), natural Hyaluronic Acid (from roosters), or ingredients like elastin or collagen (which are usually from cows). The majority of our products are also vegan. Our vegan products do not contain any ingredients that come from animals, such as beeswax, honey, lanolin, pearl powder, cow/goat milk and yogurt, and cow milk derived ingredients like lactalbumin, etc. The ones that contain vegetarian but non-vegan ingredients will be clearly marked. Otherwise, unmarked products are both vegetarian and vegan. Our customers can shop with confidence that all of our products will always be vegetarian. Earth Alkemie is a cruelty-free company; we do not test on animals (aside from humans).
Click here for the link to my personal blog on vegetarian/vegan ingredients to avoid in cosmetics.
Are your products completely all natural or 100% natural? What are 'all natural', 'nearly all natural', or 'natural based' products? Why don't you use synthetic ingredients?
There is no set definition of the word 'natural' in the cosmetic industry and no federal governmental standards that define what a 'natural' product or ingredient is. So technically any company can craft products with only one drop of natural ingredients and label their product as 'natural'. To add to the confusion, people also have different definitions on what 'natural' means: what one person considers 'natural' may not be what another person considers 'natural'. For example, many people consider ultra marine blue (a pigment used in all mineral makeup lines) natural, while other people define it as naturally-derived, and others consider it completely synthetic. Most people consider 'naturally derived' ingredients to be natural, but some consider them to be 'semi-natural', and others (including Li) considers them synthetic but with some natural origin (though they were made with some natural ingredients, they are so refined or chemically changed, they no longer resemble their original natural state, so they are considered synthetic).
Earth Alkemie products are all natural or as natural as possible. Li, Earth Alkemie's owner and formulator, is allergic and sensitive to many conventional synthetic ingredients, and nearly always formulates with completely natural ingredients. She may occasionally use a naturally derived ingredient if there is no truly natural alternative and it is an absolutely necessary ingredient. For example, certain pigments in mineral makeup: many of the ingredients in mineral makeup are considered 'all natural' by most mineral makeup crafters and natural advocates, but only 'naturally-derived/semi-natural' at best or 'synthetic' by other people like chemists.
Another example of using a necessary synthetic ingredient would be using lye (an alkali) to make bar soaps. Real soap can not be made without an alkali. Though lye is used as an ingredient in crafting soaps, there is no lye in the final product (the soap). (The alkali in African black soaps is from burned plant ash).
For more information, please check out Li's Eco Living articles on 'what is natural?' and 'what is organic?'.
Li's definition of 'all natural':
I personally define 'natural' as plant or plant extracted ingredients that come directly from or exist in nature. I prefer whole plant ingredients or plant extracted ingredients (such as herbs, essential oils, herbal tinctures/extracts, hydrosols, plant waxes, and unrefined carrier oils, etc), but sometimes use ingredients or substances that are components of something that exists in nature (for example: glycerine is a natural substance, and is usually obtained during the soap making process--the alkali breaks down oils into its components which includes glycerine). Very occasionally I may use a 'naturally derived' or 'semi-natural' ingredient, which was made from a natural ingredient, but is so processed, the end product is synthetic (like some ingredients in mineral makeup). However, I never use naturally derived ingredients that are known irritants, or that are potentially toxic. Some of the newer 'natural' preservatives that I use fall under what I personally consider between 'natural' and 'naturally derived' (closer to natural than naturally derived) though most other people consider them 'all natural'.
Nearly all Earth Alkemie skin and hair products are 'all natural' (100% natural), and some are 'nearly all natural' (almost all natural except for maybe one ingredient in very low concentrations like the preservative). Currently no Earth Alkemie skin and hair care products are 'natural based' (mostly natural but with small amounts of synthetics or lab dervied ingredients; the synthetics or lab derived ingredients may or may not be non-toxic or relatively benign, depends on the ingredient. Most larger popular natural brands fall under this category). However, mineral makeup is what I personally consider 'natural based' as though many minerals exist in nature, most of the minerals used in cosmetics are lab altered in some way; also most pigments are completely synthetic or naturally derived (in other words synthetic but with natural origins). I only use relatively safe and non-toxic ingredients in my mineral makeup, and use less ingredients that are found in many other lines. Earth Alkemie mineral makeup is one of the most natural and purest mineral makeup lines available.
Though I prefer to craft and use completely natural ingredients, not all synthetic or lab derived ingredients are 'bad/toxic' and not all natural ingredients are 'good/safe'. I personally believe that using natural ingredients in products is superior to most synthetic and lab derived ingredients, because many of the synthetic ingredients used in conventional products are fillers, binders, texturizers, fragrances, emulsifiers, and preservatives. In other words, all designed to make the product look, feel, and smell good but do little for the skin. Aside from the synthetic preservatives, none of these ingredients are really necessary in my opinion, as there many natural emulsifiers, texturizers, fragrances, etc that are available, many of which also have skin benefits. While in small amounts, many synthetic ingredients are generally non-toxic and non-irritating, over long term use, or if used in a high concentration, many (but not all) of these ingredients are known to be or thought to be irritating or potentially toxic (the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cosmetic ingredients, aside from a few colorants and really toxic ingredients like mercury). In general, most of the natural ingredients that have traditionally been used in skin care for dozens to hundreds or even thousands of years are generally non-toxic and non-irritating (when used in the correct concentrations or way) and also benefit the skin, though there are of course exceptions (just because an ingredient is natural does not mean a person can't be allergic or sensitive to it, and if used in incorrect concentrations many natural ingredients can be toxic or irritating. Also highly processed natural ingredients, like solvent extracted and refined carrier oils aren't as beneficial to the skin since they are stripped of their vitamin/nutrient content). It should also be noted that there are many synthetic or lab derived ingredients used in cosmetics that greatly benefit the skin, such as lab derived vitamins like vitamin C and other synthetic and lab derived actives.
Another reason why I personally think natural is better is that many conventional products only contain small amounts of actives (natural or synthetic or lab) and large amounts of fillers, while truly natural products usually contain higher amounts of natural actives and generally contain little to no fillers. Many ingredients like unrefined carrier oils are rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients.
In addition, natural ingredients are completely biodegradable, and most are non-toxic to other life forms, once they are washed down the drain and get into our watersheds.
In some cases synthetic ingredients may be preferable to natural. One example is using a synthetic preservative to have a shelf life of one to two years. While natural preservatives can be effective (depends on formulation and which combinations of natural preservatives is used), shelf life of products with water in them made with natural preservatives simply is usually not as long as a water based product preserved with synthetic preservatives (only one month to several months and in a few very rare cases maybe a year--depends on the combination of preservatives and type of product). Please note, though I am discussing synthetic preservatives, currently all of the preservatives used in my products are ecocert approved preservatives that are completely natural or natural/naturally derived (depends on how you define them) and therefore may have a shorter shelf life than a product preserved with totally synthetic preservatives.
Are you an eco-friendly company? How are you eco-friendly?
We pride ourselves on being a truly eco-friendly company! Our owner, Li, is a long time environmentalist, who has been studying ecological issues for over sixteen years. One reason Li started Earth Alkemie was to provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional skin care.
Earth Alkemie skin and hair products are completely natural or nearly all natural, and are completely biodegradable, which reduces toxins in our water sheds and substances that are toxic to other animals and plant life.
Most Earth Alkemie skin and hair care products are packaged in glass, since glass is one of the most eco-friendly forms of packaging, and most places recycle glass (in addition, we have chosen to use glass because many ingredients like some essential oils degrade plastic over time, which leaches toxins from the plastic into the products). Please recycle or reuse the containers (sanitize before reuse).
Our bar soaps are packaged in certified biodegradable cellophane bags, which are made from wood cellulose (the wood is grown under sustainable conditions). Be sure to compose or reuse them!
We reuse clean packaging materials (like peanuts, bubble wrap, etc) to minimize waste. This not only reduces waste but keeps our packaging costs low (which saves our customers money, since we do not have to charge an additional handling fee to cover packaging supplies). Please reuse as much packaging as you can too! It is better for the planet and it will also save you money :). Many companies reuse packaging materials, if you can not reuse the packaging, please contact local small companies and see if they might be able to use it.
Though our flat rate priority mail boxes are the boxes from the post office, our boxes for first class are 100% recycled post consumer waste boxes from Globe Guard. Please reuse or recycle them.
Our invoices are printed on recycled paper.
Nearly all of our white labels are made from recycled paper.
Earth Alkemie donates to environmental and social groups (please check our blog to see when proceeds for products will be donated). (Please note: we only donate to organizations we are familiar with or that we personally support. Please do not email us asking us for donations).
The website host we use is an eco-friendly web host, which runs on solar, hydro, and air power.
In addition to using only completely natural ingredients, many ingredients are also certified organic, organic (meaning it is grown organically but is not certified yet), or ethically wild harvested (there is a difference between wild harvested and ethically wild harvest: ethically wild harvested are harvested without being destructive to the ecosystem). If an ingredient isn't organic (certified or non-certified) or ethically wild harvested, it is because we have not been able to find a source of it yet. Using organic ingredients usually cost more but they are worth it! It is our goal to use as many organic or ethically wild harvested ingredients as possible.
We do not use wild grown endangered or wild grown threatened species in our products, such as rosewood. The palm oil in our African black soaps is from organic, sustainable sources that do not exploit the environment or people. Our arnica (flowers) and cedarwood essential oil are organically grown in areas where they are not endangered. Our frankincense essential oil is a species of frankincense that is not endangered where it is grown.
We do not use certain ingredients that degrades or pollutes the environment, like ferric ferrocyanide (a pigment used in mineral makeup, which is a known water pollutant).
All of our vendors are other small businesses, many of which are also eco-friendly, organic, or fair trade businesses, or that carry ethically wild harvested goods.
Check out our blog (Earth Alkemie's blog), Li's personal Blog (Solarkat's Eco blog), and also Li’s Eco Living articles on anb (all natural beauty) mall’s website for more information on ecological issues.
In addition to eco-friendly ingredients, we also use many fair trade ingredients. Our African black soaps are made by women co-ops in Africa. Our shea butter is also made and processed by women co-ops and is fair trade. Some of our herbs (in addition to being organic or ethically wild harvested) are also fair trade like rooibos and hibiscus.
Copyright 2010 Earth Alkemie/D.L. Wong. All rights reserved.
