We’ve been seeing more and more in the news about heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium and more in lipstick and other cosmetics products from major global manufacturers. It’s scary stuff.

But it’s nothing new:
“Concern about metals in cosmetics came to the forefront of American media in 2007, when an analysis of 33 popular brands of lipstick by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics showed that 61 percent of them contained lead. The report eventually led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which doesn’t regulate cosmetics, to look into the issue, and what it found wasn’t any better: it found lead in all of the samples tested, with levels four times higher than the earlier study, ranging from 0.09 parts per million to 3.06 parts per million. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead for humans.”

And keep in mind that since these heavy metals are not ingredients but rather contaminants from the industrial manufacturing process, cosmetics conglomerates can get away without listing any of these poisons on the label.

Does “poison” sound too strong? Not when you realize that “minor exposure to cadmium … can result in flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills and achy muscles. In the worst cases, the metal is linked to cancer, attacking the cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems in the body. Chromium is a carcinogen linked to stomach ulcers and lung cancer, and aluminum can be toxic to the lungs. Long-term exposure to manganese in high doses is associated with problems in the nervous system. There are no safe levels of chromium … ”

At JOBOMAX we have always been champions of natural, traditional production processes that keep industrial heavy metals out of your skin care products, and create greater economic opportunity for the women who work so hard to gather and process cosmetics raw materials. Whether you source from us or another sustainable import competitor, please think about the impact of your purchase on supplier groups, and on your own body.

I started using shea butter as a moisturizer about two years ago and I have never looked back nor have I ever sought out an alternative.  Shea butter is natural, kind to your skin and has amazing moisturizing properties; it ticks all the boxes for me!

Take –

• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets

Yes, it’s the same list as I used for foot balm and lip balm – it’s so good I decided to use it everywhere!

For this recipe I added

• a little bit of glitter.  Always use a glitter that is suitable for skin – one that is used for making soap or bath bombs is perfect.

• A few drops of a fragrance oil

Melt all the ingredients together and stir gently.  Do not let the mixture boil. Pour into a jug then into the mold of your choice.

I used a silicone tray – I always use silicone molds for all my balm and soap making, they are just so easy to work with.

The liquid should set after a few hours and be ready to use.

I find this balm lovely after a hard day at work or when I’ve spent too long washing and scrubbing trying to get the house clean.  I rub the balm around in my hands as if I was washing with soap.  When my hands feel good and soft I pop the balm back in its dish and carry on moisturizing up my arms and over my elbows.  It feels so luxurious it almost makes doing all that housework feel worthwhile!  I can also recommend it on hard working knees too.

By Emma Evans

Most store bought soaps contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which whilst great for creating a lather can also be an irritant, especially on young skin. An SLS free soap is great for children, for adults with sensitive skin or for me – someone who wants to limit the number of chemicals my body absorbs through my skin, and someone who likes to play – because - making soap is fun!

Today I decided to use the excuse of making soap for children to have a good play.  I always like to add shea butter to the soaps I make. It’s full of wonderful moisturizing properties and its kind to skin, young and old.  You can make soap without shea butter but it always seems better with – who doesn’t want healthier, smoother, happier skin?

I used -

• SLS free soap base
• shea butter (size wise – a knob of butter about 5%-10% of the size of the soap base you use)
• a few drops of blue soap coloring

Melt the soap base and shea butter together in a pan over a low heat.  Add a few drops of colour and stir gently.  Do not allow the mix to boil.  Transfer into a jug and then pour into your mold.

I used a fish ice cube tray that I found in a thift store last month.  I’ve been looking for an excuse to use it ever since!

Leave to set on a flat surface.

In a few hours you can remove the soap from the mold and admire your handy work.

 Beautiful shea butter fishes

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Shea Butter Fishes in the Sea

If you want to carry on playing you could try embedding some of your fishes in their very own sea.

Melt some more SLS free soap base. We want this base to remain as clear as possible so don’t add any color or shea butter this time (we’ve already got plenty of lovely moisturizing properties in our fishes so it will be ok).  I did add a few calendula petals (marigold) to the mix, these will be my water weed!

Pour the liquid soap base into a mold about twice the size of your fishes.  Leave the base to cool slightly then, whilst its still liquid and warm lower in a fish.

The edges of the fishes might melt a bit and the colour could bleed but it will still look great.  Leave to set for approximately 3-4 hours (these will take longer to set then the fishes as they are larger)

Remove from mold and enjoy

Shea Butter Fishes in the Sea

By Emma Evans

As part of our celebrating Fair Trade Month we thought this would be a great opportunity to share this infographic with you.  Want to know more about Fair Trade USA then check up their website here.