Teach Soap

I don't know about this, but what about if you made little cards that list some of the ingredients you use and what their assumed(?) benefits are. It wouldn't be on the product, and you wouldn't be making any claims related to the products, but giving info cards on what EO's or different oils, etc are thought to do. Again, I don't know if this would be acceptable by the powers that be, just a thought.

Thanks for advice all. The links are helpful, but are for US, so I'm not sure I can use that information to understand what's okay here in Canada.

Appreciate the support just the same!

Here's a link to Health Canada and the regulation of pesticides

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/faq-eng.php#what

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Genny

Thanks Genny for posting that. Sorry RoCoNaturals I totally spaced that you were in Canada. My apologies.

There are number of bug repellent I heard online but, if it is made up of domestic waste then things catch more attention.
I would like to give some examples like: Orange oil( make by distillation process), Wood ash, basil plants etc.
The major question is, are all the above options work. Yes! work orange oil has some unbelievable qualities to kill bugs.

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Nelson Pitter

I've been wondering myself about how to put the *possible* benefits of essential oils on labels. I know it's not proved by science that essential oils have any aromatherapy properties, but people have seen results, and I believe that essential oils (used CORRECTLY) are, at least, good for you. I think they are different than fragrance oils, they do give you more than just scent. So, would it be legal to put something like, "lavender EO has been known to have a calming effect", instead of "lavender EO is calming". Or "tea tree oil can help acne" vs. "tea tree oil helps acne". Most certainly do not want to be misleading whatsoever at all. But since some people do want to buy natural homemade products like this for their aromatherapy properties, I would at least want to put the possible benefits on my labels, so that customers can at least look for a soap with the specific essential oils with the specific properties that they are looking for. Otherwise, someone looking for a therapeutic soap may have no idea what the difference between a bar made with rosemary vs. a bar made with lemongrass is, other than the fragrance. I know that if it was me looking for a soap that might help with acne, and were faced with the option of either a peppermint, cedarwood, or tea tree soap, I would want to know which one is most likely to help with acne. I would want to see that on the label. There must be some way to put the possible beneficial properties of EO's (or any ingredient, for that matter) on a soap label, without being misleading.

That's an implied claim and is not permitted StokedTopHat.

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

What about these descriptions I found of a various natural soaps for sale? These are the exact descriptions as stated on the websites (Bold emphasis added):

https://www.plantlife.net/aromatherapy- ... 01151.html
Chamomile is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. We include Rose, Lavender and Ylang Ylang to produce a sweet smelling soap that’s good for dry skin, rashes, sunburns and wounds. A calming and gentle soap for all skin types.

https://www.plantlife.net/aromatherapy- ... 01229.html
Enriched with organic calendula extract for silky, healing suds, this soap deep cleans, tones and revitalizes. Useful for oily or acne prone skin. Also a great soap for the kitchen!

(This one is labeled as "Pest-Off Aromatherapy Herbal Soap")
https://www.plantlife.net/aromatherapy- ... 08617.html
The first layer of natural prevention against the most troublesome pest attacks. Our Deet-free soap contains no chemicals or synthetic ingredients. For best results, follow with our Pest-Off Body Oil.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/175076720/l ... e_active_4
Lavender Mint Goatsmilk Soap | Aromatherapy Handmade Soap Scented Soap. Farm fresh goat and coconut milk combine in this all natural soap along with generous servings of Peppermint Essential Oil; a scent beloved and oh so good for you too!
For best results and to get a long life out of your soap, between use a self draining soap dish.
The best of both worlds! Calming, flowering lavender scent combined with the icy cool mint smell! What a great combination!
Interesting Fact: According to Dr. Bryan Raudenbush of Wheeling Jesuit University, smelling Peppermint Essential Oil improves mental performance, cognitive functioning, pain threshold and tolerance, digestion and digestive processes and athletic performance. For more information, go to http://www.senseofsmell.org

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69292600/ar ... e_active_7
Aromatherapy Soap. Bergamot Lemongrass. Sweet, citrus, and refreshing, with spicy floral undertones...
Bergamot: Refreshes, relaxes, and helps relieve insomnia. The aroma relaxes brain waves, very calming, balancing, antidepressant, reduces tension and hysteria, sedative, reduces fear.
This is the oil they use to flavor Earl Grey Tea which gives it the delightful bouquet renowned worldwide.

http://www.quinessence.com/products/lav ... ap-413.htm
This all-natural Lavender Soap is enriched with shea butter to bring you a truly luxurious, rich and creamy cleanser with skin-soothing and moisturising properties. To ensure you enjoy the best possible fragrant cleansing experience, this all-natural soap contains our finest organic French lavender essential oil which soothes and calms dry, flaky or sensitive skin.

Are these labels not making implied claims? These are just a few examples. Google, 'aromatherapy soap', and you'll find listing after listing of soaps being labeled with such properties. I am confused. How exactly are these companies phrasing it so that it is legal? Obviously they are and have been selling their soap like this for a long time, so in what way are they saying it that makes it legal?

Not trying to say anyone in this discussion is wrong, just a little confused on what is and is not legal here. Thanks!

They are making medical claims. It's not legal to list it this way, but they get away with it. The FDA is understaffed, underpaid and overwhelmed.

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

Oooohhh. Okay, thanks. This is rather strange.

It's not that strange. Some people genuinely misunderstand the rules, they can be hard to keep track of and interpret, and there have been a few instances documented right on this board of three different people getting three different answers from three different FDA employees. So a lot of people just don't realize what they can and can't do.

Some people know just how unlikely the FDA, understaffed and overworked as they are, coming after them is, so they knowingly blow off the rules because they won't get caught. Bigger companies know they might get caught, and build an ability to pay any resulting fines into their budgeting.

Then you have people who learn about a rule, then think it can't possibly apply because of all the people they've seen doing it. So they assume whoever told them about the rule was wrong. I think we've all been guilty of at least a flash of this kind of doubt - I'm reading Marie Gale's Soap & Cosmetic Labeling book right now, and at the section about not being allowed to use some ingredients in the product name unless you use all of them, I went to my shower, looked at the no less than four bottles of conditioner I have that break that rule, and kind of threw my hands up in despair. Some people decide that if everyone else is doing it, it's probably not breaking a rule, while others decide to follow the rules as written even if it means changing the way they'd like to do things.

Good point, Paspenka. If I was selling soap, I suppose I would simply list ingredients on the labels, not much more. If I had a website, I would probably have a separate page that told some of the possible benefits of various essential oils, but I would also say that it's not proved by science, so the consumer decides if it works or not for them. Since it's not on the label and not making an absolute claim (by saying it's not proved), this would be ok, correct?

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Olivia :)

No, you can't make the claim anywhere.