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See Karen's Botanicals High Ratings at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

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Karen’s Botanicals Ingredient and Product Information

Animal Testing:
Karen's Botanicals is certified by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as a Cruelty Free Company and is a member of their Caring Consumer Program.

We do not use any animal testing whatsoever and never have. Our products are developed with the cooperation of friends, family and customers who work with me to test and refine formulas. That said, I would like to offer some thoughts:

- While consensual human testing of potentially dangerous materials may be necessary in medical research, we simply do not need to take risks with daily skin care. Fabulous products can be made with the most safe, basic and ancient of materials. Our products are made with plant derived, unadulterated raw materials that human beings and animals have been living with and using safely for thousands of years (olive oil, beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and herbs, for example.) You could eat most of them safely, although they might not all taste very good:)

- Many products at Karen's Botanicals are excellent for use on animals! Pennyroyal Ginger Oil is a safe and effectice flea repellent. Other oils, such as Deepease Oil, can help with muscular pain. Repair Balm is good for a dry nose. Friends of mine use Stimulating Rosemary Cream on cracked footpads.

Ingredients:
I am continuously examining the ingredients with which our products are formulated. Companies striving to create effective natural skin and body care products with truly clean ingredients must do continuous research to insure the purity and quality of raw materials. While we do not test our raw materials independently, most of our suppliers, such as Mountains Rose Herbs and Essential Wholesale do; this is one reason that we support them.

Vegetable Emulsifying Wax: Our creams used to be emulsified with the ancient and wonderful combination of organic beeswax and borax (sodium borate.) This made for a very thick, rich cream. However, the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database gave poor ratings to borax. The main concern with borax is when it's inhaled, so even though it would not present a risk in a cream or lotion, we decided to eliminate it. Now we use Vegetable Emulsifying Wax. This is a fatty alcohol derived from natural plant oils and fats. Ours is made of Cetearyl Alcohol and Sorbitan Ester. We are in the process of eliminating the Sorbitan to use Cetearyl Alcohol alone.

Zinc: We use micronized zinc oxide with particle sizes larger than 240nm. For more information about the zinc oxide used in our sunscreens, please click here: Zinc Oxide Information

Preservation System: Our products are naturally preserved with a synergetic blend of botanical extracts, rosemary oleoresin, vitamin E oil (as mixed tocoperols) and other anti-oxidants, and essential oils. All items have a specific shelf life which is noted on website listings and on labels.

Essential Oils: All of our essential oils are steam-distilled from whole plants except Citrus oils which are cold pressed. We buy only 100% pure Therepeutic Grade oils, and we buy only from suppliers who use Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectometry Purity Testing on all essential oils that they sell.

Gluten: Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that our products are gluten free. While many of our raw materials are Certified Gluten Free, most of my suppliers have this kind of stock response: "We are sorry but unfortunately we are not a certified gluten-free facility. The majority of our products (including the butters, oils and waxes) do not contain gluten, but are processed in the same facility where we do have gluten stored for making some body care products. This can create the possibility of cross-contamination."

One of my best friends developed Celiac Disease very early on, before it was well known, so I am fully aware of the problems that infinitesimal traces of gluten can cause. I can say that she and many others use my products regularly. To my the best of my knowledge, my products do not contain gluten (except for possibly Exfoliating Cleansing Grains, which contains oats. The question of whether oats contain gluten is a matter of debate.)

Our Vitamin E Oil is Mixed Tocopherols, certified GMO-free, and certified Kosher.

Shelf Life from date of Purchase:
Cleansers: 18 months
Toners: 2 years
All creams and lotions (except for Perfect Lotion): 1 year
Perfect Lotion: 6 months
Serums: 18 months
Balms: 1-2 years
Therapeutic Oils: 2 years
Aromatic Mists: 3 years

Karen has endorsed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, The Truth in Labeling Pledge, and the Coming Clean Campaign. Please see more about these programs through links on

A note about product labels: While it is easy to update website information, labels and printed material take more time. Some orders will arrive with updated ingredient information printed on a separate label or enclosure.

Thanks for your interest,
Karen

~ Luxurious and natural skin and body care
~ Plant based nutrition and therapy
~ Handcrafted attention to detail and quality
~ Exquisite and effective formulas that are fairly priced
~ Approximately 90% of our ingredients are certified organic

We create natural personal care products such as facial creams, body lotions, cleansers and toners, aromatherapy mists, massage and body oils, healing salves and balms, natural cough syrup, Love Potion, organic hot sauce, Ester C Rejuvenating Facial Serum and more.

Contact Karen's Botanicals
Email
Telephone: 678-463-6811
1225 Canton Road, Suite 205, Marietta, GA 30066