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Click here to visit our past issues.
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"Coyote Cove products are all natural. We don't use any artificial scents, colors, or preservatives."
I made the above statement probably a thousand times over the last five weeks during our spring craft show season. I believe in all-natural products, and probably you do too, or you wouldn't be reading this. But making all natural bath and body products comes at a price. It means that my products won't come in cool neon colors, or exciting modern scents. Which is absolutely fine with me because I prefer the subtle natural colors and fresh scents of real herbs. But it also means that my products don't provide sun protection, and that shelf life is a real issue with which I have to deal.
Commercial skin care products are loaded with chemical preservatives to allow them to remain fresh during the long span of time between manufacture and purchase. These preservatives do extend the shelf life of the products, but they themselves are often toxic or dangerous. A few years ago I saw a news report by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, where he stated that we are now using so many products on our skin, starting at such a young age, that blood samples from teenage girls show an accumulation of seventeen different toxic substances. The levels were low, it is true, but where will the levels be by the time these girls are thirty years old?
The problem is that creams and other skin care products can easily become contaminated by microbes. They are actually a very good medium for microbial growth, because they contain water and oils. The shelf life of an "unpreserved" jar of cream is very short, probably only a few days. Equally discouraging, there is really no such thing as a truly broad spectrum natural preservative. Many small skin care companies similar to Coyote Cove turn to parabens, an artificial preservative that is considered relatively safe and is readily available. They agree with Beth Ann Browne from Dow Microbial Control when she says, "Green aspirations must be tempered with practical realities. An environmentally preferable product is not a success if the formulation is overrun with microorganisms due to the lack of an effective preservative."
But don't give up hope! There are natural ingredients that reduce microbial activity and have preservative qualities. While not true preservatives, they do extend shelf life. There are two broad categories of "natural preservatives" and I use one of each category in Coyote Cove products (and no parabens.)
Anti-oxidants: Oxidation is the process that occurs when oils are exposed to light and air, and turn rancid. Anti-oxidants extend shelf life by reducing the rate of oxidation. The anti-oxidant I use is vitamin E, which I add to all my oils except jojoba, which has a nearly indefinite shelf life.
Anti-microbials: Any ingredient that helps to destroy unwanted microorganisms such as bacteria is classed as an anti-microbial. I use grapefruit seed extract (GSE) as an anti-microbial. GSE is made from extracts of citrus seeds and pulp, blended with vegetable glycerin. GSE is effective against more than 800 bacteria and viruses, and more than 100 types of fungus. It is even safe enough to use to disinfect drinking water!
Mechanical and functional preservatives: In addition to adding vitamin E and GSE to my products, there are a few additional steps I take to extend their shelf life. Cleanliness is very important, and I sterilize all my containers before use. My workshop is in my basement, where it is cool and dark most of the time. I don't do craft shows in the heat of the summer, because my products don't like to sit out in the sun and heat any more than I do! I use dark or opaque containers. And I make all my products in small batches, only making as much as I plan to sell, so that they don't sit on my shelves very long before they come to your house.
There are a few steps you can take, too, to retain the freshness of your all-natural products. You should continue to keep them out of light and heat. You could even refrigerate products you won't be using right away. (Take them out before use, or you will have a literal "cold cream"!) Wash your hands before you dip your finger into the jar, or use a spoon or spatula.
It is important to remember that all-natural, preservative-free products will not stay fresh for as long as commercial products do. You can't put them into your closet and pull them out a year later. But I think this is a good thing. I live by the philosophy that I don't put anything on my body that I wouldn't want to put into my body. I want to use, fresh, real, plant-based products, nature's medicine cabinet. And nature's products for both food and skincare have a shorter shelf life than their chemically preserved counterparts. But having said that, Coyote Cove products when properly stored, will last on your home shelves for many months.
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Our spring craft show season is over, and we are now planning for the fall season. I will spend my summer filling your internet orders, tending my overgrown and weedy herb garden, planning for the fall craft shows and cackling like a mad scientist as I work to develop new products. I hope to do lots of kayaking and camping as well. Stay cool and spend time doing what you love to do.
Sincerely, Kathy Stephens
Coyote Cove |
Coyote Cove
PO Box 304
South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380
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