A couple months ago, I wrote a blog entry about milling soap and what that means for a handcrafted soapmaker vs. a commercial soap manufacturer.
Huge difference. Commercial soap milling is a manufacturing process that involves removing the skin-softening, moisturizing glycerin that's a natural by-product of soapmaking so it can be used more profitably in lotions, creams, and other cosmetic and skin care products. That's why so many commercially-made soaps are harsh, drying, and even irritating to the skin.
With this in mind, it was especially interesting to stumble across this little press release from a company in Dubai that does exactly that -- removes the glycerin from soap and sells it for substantially greater profit to cosmetics manufacturers.
Makes me wonder who buys what's left over. Proctor & Gamble? Unliver? Henkel International?
Showing posts with label consumer products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consumer products. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How we make buying decisions
This is amazing. It's about how people make buying decisions. If you don't see yourself in it immediately, it's only because you -- like me -- do this all the time without being conscious of it. I guarantee that you will soon start to catch yourself doing exactly what he describes.
The first part of the video is Siamack Salari, the ethnographic researcher who analyzed and identified the buying decision process. It's a little dry when he explains the process (although it's an excellent explanation of what ethnographic research is if you're not familiar with it), but keep watching. The videtaped examples that follow are truly uncanny. If you were to see them in a different context and without the benefit of his narration, you'd say, "So what? A woman buying some hamburger buns." But she's doing more than buying hamburger buns. She's going through a very specific thought and decision-making process. The same one you and I do almost every time we buy something.
Establish a reference point. Compare to the alternatives. Make a decision. Do a final check to be sure.
If you'd like to check out his website, which is also very interesting, it's called Ethnosnacker.com
The first part of the video is Siamack Salari, the ethnographic researcher who analyzed and identified the buying decision process. It's a little dry when he explains the process (although it's an excellent explanation of what ethnographic research is if you're not familiar with it), but keep watching. The videtaped examples that follow are truly uncanny. If you were to see them in a different context and without the benefit of his narration, you'd say, "So what? A woman buying some hamburger buns." But she's doing more than buying hamburger buns. She's going through a very specific thought and decision-making process. The same one you and I do almost every time we buy something.
Establish a reference point. Compare to the alternatives. Make a decision. Do a final check to be sure.
If you'd like to check out his website, which is also very interesting, it's called Ethnosnacker.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
How to find out whether chemical ingredients pose health risks
Ever wondered or tried to find out what sodium lauryl sulfate really is? Or dipropylene glycol? Or any of the other mysterious chemical compounds on the labels of personal care products?
But there are times when I do want to know, and one of the best resources I've found is the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. You can search it for information on any and every ingredient used in cosmetic and personal care products. I have a link to it on my website's Links & Resources page. Each ingredient is rated for it's level of toxicity and potential harm, which is useful for people who are interested in reducing their level of exposure to some of the more more questionable chemicals found in everyday household products.
One caveat. Keep in mind that the toxicity ratings are often based on tests that involve substantially higher exposure rates than one would experience in normal use of whatever the product is.
But that said, I think it's a useful resource for consumers and an especially valuable resource for soap makers who use pre-made soap or lotion bases or add chemical detergents, surfactants, preservatives, and so on to anything that they make.
A
nd the site has the most beautiful soap bubble image! Isn't this gorgeous?
If not, I can hardly blame you. Researching things like this is normally pretty low on my to-do list.
But there are times when I do want to know, and one of the best resources I've found is the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. You can search it for information on any and every ingredient used in cosmetic and personal care products. I have a link to it on my website's Links & Resources page. Each ingredient is rated for it's level of toxicity and potential harm, which is useful for people who are interested in reducing their level of exposure to some of the more more questionable chemicals found in everyday household products.
One caveat. Keep in mind that the toxicity ratings are often based on tests that involve substantially higher exposure rates than one would experience in normal use of whatever the product is.
But that said, I think it's a useful resource for consumers and an especially valuable resource for soap makers who use pre-made soap or lotion bases or add chemical detergents, surfactants, preservatives, and so on to anything that they make.
A
nd the site has the most beautiful soap bubble image! Isn't this gorgeous? 
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