Teach Soap

Hi all. I have been lurking here for several weeks, learning tons from everyone! Thanks

I am very close to launching my Etsy site with my products. Still need to get a lot done, but I am getting there finally

I wanted to ask this group if there are any federal rules and regs I need to be concerned with? I will be selling lotion, soaps, scrubs, creams, bombs, salts, etc - the usual array of bath and body products.

I have been so busy with the starting business basics and I have seen some mention of the FDA cosmetics act and have not really had time to research that yet.

Thanks for any info you can share with a newbie!

Jan Kelley
Pamper Pantry

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

Welcome!
You need to have a liability insurance before you do any selling.
You need to label your products with all the ingredients used.
Are you using a base, or are you making your own?

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks Soapbuddy - I knew you would be helpful!

I am the insurance thing covered. I have the labeling figured out - I have lists of all the INCI names.

I am making my own from scratch, so I am listing each ingredient seperately for each thing.

Sorry I was not to clear on the first post with what I did have in place.

I just want to be sure I'm not missing any important pieces before I open the doors for business.

Thanks for all your help. Reading all your other posts on here has been so helpful and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge here.

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

You're welcome.
How long have you been making lotions or creams? Are they properly preserved?
Have you ever had any of your cream or lotion products tested for any contaminants?

As far as labels...just as long as you don't make any medical claims ie: heals blah, blah, blah, cures such & such, you should be ok.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I've been making the lotions, salts, scrubs and bombs for about 3 months. I purchased the home tester kit and so far so good. I am makin no claims of any kind on my labels, I use to sell medical supplies (hand braces and such) so I already had the knowledge about not making claims fortunately. Only thing I am putting on the label besides product name, ingredients, logo and contact info - is maybe a blurb about it being soft and non greasy, smells like heaven that sort of thing.

I have made one batch of CP soap that is curing, not real pretty - but it worked and we will see how it comes out in a couple more weeks. Then I will try some more of that and see how it comes along.

I have been using the Germaben II, I got from Brambleberry. I just ordered the Optiphen, some people have said they won't use anything with Parabens, so I thought I would offer a Paraben free choice.

The Germaben is being used at .2 oz for a recipe with total volume of 23.1 (not including the Germaben). I actually learned a lot on this forum about the preservative and how much to use and etc. So hopefully I have that down.

Thanks!

_________________
Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

Be aware that Optiphen will not work in some formulas. I can't use it as it makes my lotion curdle.
The test strips will give you a general idea. I wish they were more accurate, but only a testing facility will be able to do that. If you need a recommendation, let me know. I would be happy to suggest places where you can get your lotion or cream tested.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I'd appreciate the recommendations. I would like to be able to advertise that the lotions have been tested, blah blah.

I live in Georgia if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

_________________
Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

I don't see anyone in Georgia, but that does not mean they do not exist. Here is a few companies that might work for you: http://www.scconline.org/website/referr ... labs.shtml

You might also want to contact The SageScript Insitute. http://www.sagescript.com/microbiologyservices.htm

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks so much for all the info.

Not sure why I didn't think of it before, my husband works for a research company - he is a materials manager - but there are a bunch of Biochemists in his company. They are working on cloning hair cells, so that bald folks can regrow their own hair. I bet one of his friends could test for me. They check for bactria, virus and all sorts of stuff in what they do.

Thanks for getting my brian activity flowing!

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com

Good idea! I bet you could find someone there that could do the testing for you.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I would love to be able to claim that my lotions have been tested, but I can't. They have been tested and at what may be considered to be the top lab in the country but I have a family member on the inside and can't take a chance of getting them in trouble. It was free for me and the bottle of lotion sent there for testing has generated many sales for me.

Have a great day!

Bruce

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www.homebrewsoaps.etsy.com

Big moose -

I never even thought of the side benefits to having my husbands lab buddies do the testing for me!

And most of them are females, so I will have to let ya'll know how it goes.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all the info and sharing, it has been so helpful to me as I begin this adventure.

Thanks!

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Pamper Pantry
www.pamperpantry.com
sales@pamperpantry.com