Thanks so much to Suzette Bailey of Tahtahme’s Natural Care. ~ Tracey

Hi Tracey,

I would like to thank you for taking time to answer all my questions. I got my product tested, the results were negative; negative yeast and mold. Making my own products usually have me surfing the net and I came across this particular blog from someone on New Direction forum who recommended it. I went on the site and started reading all the information that is there, I must admit there’s a lot of interesting information and recipes on this blog. I went into the preservatives section because I was reading other blogs and forums that states you need a preservatives in your products especially if water is involved, this blog stated the same thing. I contacted the person of the blog and asked if grape seed extract and vitamin E can be used as a preservative? The response I got back was this:

Vitamin E isn't a preservative - it's an antioxidant that will keep your oils from going rancid. As for GSE, the only preserving power it has is from the preservatives the manufacturers put into the GSE. It will preserve your product in the sense of it not going rancid, but they will not prevent fungus, yeast, bacteria, and so on. The person who wrote that GSE and essential oils are anti-microbial enough for your products is wrong. There is no evidence to show that any essential oils can provide adequate coverage for something like a lotion. There are some preliminary studies showing that essential oils used neat or nearly neat might have some impact on microbes, but there is nothing out there to show that essential oils used at safe levels can preserve our products. The science is not there to prove that any essential oils used at 1% in our products are anti-microbial. Citric acid is not a preservative. GSE is not a preservative. Vitamin E is not a preservative. Aloe is unstable. It can spoil and become contaminated with microorganisms if not properly stored and used in combination with essentials oils, grapefruit seed extract or Vitamin E. The shelf life given is 2 to 3 years. Unpreserved aloe goes bad in a week, two weeks tops, unless preserved with a great preservative. Vitamin E is oil based and will float on top of the aloe doing nothing. The possible risks of 0.5% to 1.5% preservative in a product are only theoretical and minute compared to the confirmed cases of skin problems from unpreserved lotions - I'm quite passionate about this topic because preservatives - good, well tested, studied preservatives - are not optional in our products, and using ineffective or no preservatives can result in a lot of pain for those we love. And if you are selling products without preservatives, that's dangerous. (And if someone sues you, really destructive to your wellbeing.)

I don't read the EWG. Their science is suspect and their writing is inflammatory. They don't have a good reputation in scientific circles, and their conclusions are faulty if you consider the data gaps. How can you consider something hazardous with a data gap of 100% (meaning they are missing 100% of the data necessary to come to any conclusions!)? I would never use them as a source for information. If you read enough of my blog and other scientifically based cosmetic blogs, you'll see that the Skin Deep website and EWG is not respected in any way. They are perceived as fear mongers and spreaders of misinformation. I think every single one of us goes into making products because we want to make something that is "all natural" - the problem is that you learn very quickly that this is impossible. You can't make something that has a natural preservative or a natural emulsifier, so you're stuck with anhydrous products. . Make sure whatever you are reading is based on science and facts not fear mongering”.

Imagine my shock and confusion after reading that email response. Being a vegan I certainly don’t believe in using chemicals or animal by-products on myself or my family, and If I can’t use it on myself I certainly would not sell it to others. Not that I didn’t trust what Tracey taught me, to be on the safe side I had my products tested. I made a lotion I learnt from Tracey (I let sit for 8wks), a facial toner (kept in the fridge for 12wks) and a few other products. Two weeks later I was over joyed when I received the report informing me the tests came back negative and all my products pass the test, mold and yeast free.

I personally chose to be taught by Tracey Teif because not only does she have a wealth of knowledge in regards to natural products; she’s very helpful and most of all she cares not only for the wellbeing of everyone she also cares about the environment.

Don’t get me wrong am not condemning anyone who choose to use chemicals in their products, am saying the choice is yours. The only way to truly know is to experiment and have a role model with similar values as you. I choose to build my company on natural products meaning no chemicals or animal by- products, if I can continue to make products without chemicals this is what I will do.

Tracey you will forever be my mentor! My family and I will forever be grateful to have a teacher such as you. Thank you!

Good health & prosperity,

Tahtahme’s Natural Care
Suzette Bailey