Those of you who use Safari, Firefox and Opera at work or home, or use a mobile device to access the internet, will be pleased to know that we have launched a secondary, simpler site that is fully compatible with these browsers and is easier to look at on smaller screens. You can access it at https://id307.securedata.net/samantharoma.com/merchantmanager/. If you forget to bookmark the site, just go to www.samantharoma.com and follow the link. You should not have difficulty accessing the link even with the above browsers. Should you experience any problems with the site, please let us know webmaster@samantharoma.com.
The site carries most of the information available at samantharoma.com but if you have any questions, please drop us a line customerservice@samantharoma.com. The graphics are smaller and in a format more suited to mobile use. We appreciate your patience as we strive to keep up with ever-changing technology!
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Problem with Packing Peanuts
We recently received a message on our voicemail from a customer who had received Samantharoma as a gift. She was delighted with her products...but not so happy with the styrofoam peanuts her order was packed with.
Please be assured that Samantharoma does not BUY non-biodegradable packing material - however - we DO reuse such material. In fact sometimes we go out of our way to rescue it! So where do we get our packing material? Well, our first source is delivered to us by way of the raw materials that we order to produce and package our products. Most of these are shipped in large boxes just full of packing peanuts! Some are nasty little styrofoam ones and others are the more earth-friendly biodegradable kind. Either way, we save and reuse these peanuts in our packages to you. When we run out of those, we poll friends, neighbors and other local businesses for peanuts that we can recycle. Failing that we keep a watchful eye on freecycle.org for anyone wishing to get rid of packing material. That way we are saving those nasty styrofoam peanuts from the landfill!
So now you know where we get our peanuts, you may be wondering how you can recycle those that you receive. A really easy option is to join and post on your local Freecycle site. People who are moving often need peanuts and they are expensive to buy. You will probably want to save your peanuts until you have a worthwhile quantity before you post. You could also try local moving companies or shipping stores as many will happily recycle them for you!
In the light of recent Craigslist events, please exercise caution when posting items to be picked up from your residence ;-) Samantha
Please be assured that Samantharoma does not BUY non-biodegradable packing material - however - we DO reuse such material. In fact sometimes we go out of our way to rescue it! So where do we get our packing material? Well, our first source is delivered to us by way of the raw materials that we order to produce and package our products. Most of these are shipped in large boxes just full of packing peanuts! Some are nasty little styrofoam ones and others are the more earth-friendly biodegradable kind. Either way, we save and reuse these peanuts in our packages to you. When we run out of those, we poll friends, neighbors and other local businesses for peanuts that we can recycle. Failing that we keep a watchful eye on freecycle.org for anyone wishing to get rid of packing material. That way we are saving those nasty styrofoam peanuts from the landfill!
So now you know where we get our peanuts, you may be wondering how you can recycle those that you receive. A really easy option is to join and post on your local Freecycle site. People who are moving often need peanuts and they are expensive to buy. You will probably want to save your peanuts until you have a worthwhile quantity before you post. You could also try local moving companies or shipping stores as many will happily recycle them for you!
In the light of recent Craigslist events, please exercise caution when posting items to be picked up from your residence ;-) Samantha
Thursday, April 9, 2009
FIND US @ Kiawah's Greenival
If you’re in the Charleston area, come out to beautiful Kiawah Island for Earth Day. What a perfect setting and loads to do. We will be there along with fellow local green businesses like: DwellSmart, Bamboosa and BreatheSoy Candles. We are proud to be in such good company!
There are lots of activities all day long. Check out the link below for more details. Family friendly and free!
There is no admission charge but you are encouraged to bring donations to help support green initiatives. Items like canned goods, gently used books, magazines, or clothing are welcome. An E-waste collection site will also be available at the Park, where you can drop off any broken/unwanted electronics!
Where: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
When: Sunday 19 April, 10am-3pm
Cost: FREE
More info: Greenival at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
There are lots of activities all day long. Check out the link below for more details. Family friendly and free!
There is no admission charge but you are encouraged to bring donations to help support green initiatives. Items like canned goods, gently used books, magazines, or clothing are welcome. An E-waste collection site will also be available at the Park, where you can drop off any broken/unwanted electronics!
Where: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
When: Sunday 19 April, 10am-3pm
Cost: FREE
More info: Greenival at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
A nod to Earth Day (Sunday April 19)
Here at Samanatharoma we are constantly on and off the computer so it is impractical for us to turn it off inbetween uses. It may be the same at your house/place of work too. However, according a recent article pulished in Greenzine by GenGreen, there are many other small appliances around your home or work that you can unplug. Think: shredder, coffee maker, tea kettle, toaster, toaster oven. In fact any small appliances that are used maybe once or twice a day (or less). There are many benefits to unplugging including: aesthetic (anyone who has sold a house knows it’s better to get the clutter off the counter) and safety. Even if you can’t remove items from eyesight you can still unplug them. Greenzine says unplugging an electric shaver can save 135lb carbon a year. That’s better for the planet and for your electric bill!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Gifts Galore!
If you received a Samantharoma gift for Christmas, like our wonderful Beaded Cremes (right), you may be wondering where they are on our website! Several products were new for Christmas and will appear on the website soon. If you received a gift which you cannot find on the web, please email us for reorder information.
Speaking of the Beaded Cremes, they make wonderful gifts for girls of all ages. The gorgeous hand beaded tins contain delicately scented solid perfume. When the perfume is gone the insert drops out and the container can be used for jewelry, gifts or knick-knacks. $14, find them here>
If you're looking for other Valentine's gifts you might consider one of our Gift Sets, Bongers or Massage Oil. If you or your loved one loves our Body Butter, you'll be pleased to know that it's available for a limited time in our sensual "Love" blend. Perfect for massage.
Indulge. Enjoy. Be Kind.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Moisturizer use linked to skin cancer
A study conducted at Rutgers University discovered some alarming results when they applied four commercially available moisturizers to the skin of mice pre-exposed to large doses of UVB.
After several months of daily monitoring, the researchers found that the number of mice with tumors was not statistically different in the treated groups in comparison to the control groups (most likely due to the UVB exposure). However, there was a significant increase in the rate of tumor formation and the overall number of tumors. The scientists also prepared a custom blend moisturizer without certain ingredients and found that the melanoma rates were significantly lower.
One of the suspect ingredients was Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is found in many skin and body care ingredients as well as shampoo and toothpaste. You’ll be pleased to know that our facial moisturizer (becoming of Age Wrinkle Repair Complex) and our Body Butter do NOT contain harmful SLS. In fact NONE of our products do!
Of the four creams, Eucerin fared the best, however there was still a 24% increase in tumor rates. The other creams tested were Dermabase, Dermovan and Vanicream. Industry experts agree that further studies will be needed to conclude that the creams would have the same effect on humans exposed to regular sunlight.
Sources:
“Moisturizer use linked to skin cancer,” by Guy Montague-Jones, 18 Aug 2008
"Tumorigenic Effect of Some Commonly Used Moisturizing Creams when Applied Topically to UVB-Pretreated High-Risk Mice." Study by Yao-Ping Lu, You-Rong Lou, Jian-Guo Xie, Qingyun Peng, Weichung J. Shih, Yong Lin and Allan H. Conney. Published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2009 Vol. 129
After several months of daily monitoring, the researchers found that the number of mice with tumors was not statistically different in the treated groups in comparison to the control groups (most likely due to the UVB exposure). However, there was a significant increase in the rate of tumor formation and the overall number of tumors. The scientists also prepared a custom blend moisturizer without certain ingredients and found that the melanoma rates were significantly lower.
One of the suspect ingredients was Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is found in many skin and body care ingredients as well as shampoo and toothpaste. You’ll be pleased to know that our facial moisturizer (becoming of Age Wrinkle Repair Complex) and our Body Butter do NOT contain harmful SLS. In fact NONE of our products do!
Of the four creams, Eucerin fared the best, however there was still a 24% increase in tumor rates. The other creams tested were Dermabase, Dermovan and Vanicream. Industry experts agree that further studies will be needed to conclude that the creams would have the same effect on humans exposed to regular sunlight.
Sources:
“Moisturizer use linked to skin cancer,” by Guy Montague-Jones, 18 Aug 2008
"Tumorigenic Effect of Some Commonly Used Moisturizing Creams when Applied Topically to UVB-Pretreated High-Risk Mice." Study by Yao-Ping Lu, You-Rong Lou, Jian-Guo Xie, Qingyun Peng, Weichung J. Shih, Yong Lin and Allan H. Conney. Published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2009 Vol. 129
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Need a New Year’s Resolution?
How about making a commitment to eliminating as many toxic chemicals from your personal care regime as possible? A large swell of opinion is moving toward the reality that we are bombarded from multiple sources with small (legal) amounts of toxic chemicals in everything from our deodorant to our toothpaste. No ONE chemical can be blamed, rather it is the cumulative effect of breathing in, ingesting and absorbing (through our skin) NUMEROUS chemicals which build up in our system. A few years ago that meant maybe foregoing deodorant and using baking soda as toothpaste. Not so any more! Samantharoma is one of many small (and a few large) businesses that are living proof that it IS possible to Live Clean AND Go Green. It’s better for you, it’s better for your planet. So this year consider taking the plunge (not the polar bear kind) and begin eliminating toxins from your body wash, deodorant, lip balm, lotion and skin care. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how much better you’ll feel!
The article excerpted below highlights three worrisome ingredients that dominated the headlines in 2008 but remember it’s not just one product or one ingredient. That’s a great start but many – MOST – drug or grocery store products contain all of the ingredients below – and more…Read the article. Read labels. Make a safer choice.
Earlier in the spring, researchers at the University of Washington suggested there was a link between the presence of the phthalates MEP, MMP and MiBP in the urine of infants and the use of baby care products.
In the summer, questions focused on another angle: the effect of phthalates on the environment.
In August, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would be expanding its fish tissues pilot study in order to determine the effects of both personal care and pharmaceutical products on the waterways.
The National Research Council has been the most recent to follow up the issue, recommending that research takes into account the cumulative effect that these compounds, and their relatives with similar properties, may have on the body.
As the ingredients are found in a disparate range of products, from cosmetics to building materials, the NRC has advised the EPA to look into the effects of widespread exposure.
Parabens
Used as preservatives, parabens have received significant criticism of late in the European arena, particularly in France.
A campaign from a French health association focusing on the ‘toxic cocktail’ of baby cosmetics distributed in maternity wards led to calls from the health minister for further research and even a label marking certain products as unsafe for pregnant women and young children.
Triclosan
Criticism of the use of this antimicrobial ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products has come from both sides of the Atlantic this year.
In July, a number of public health and environment groups banded together to lobby against all non-medical uses of triclosan and triclocarbon.
The lobby groups claimed scientific studies have linked the chemical and its degradates to endocrine system disruption, cancer and increased dermal sensitization in addition to noting its ability to persist in aquatic environments.
Industry again supported the use of this ingredient, stating there is no conclusive evidence to suggest it is harmful to humans as well as pointing out that it can play an invaluable role in protecting against potentially pathogenic organisms.
In Europe, in response to research suggesting the ingredient can be toxic to laboratory rats, Ciba argues that the levels used in personal care products are much smaller than those used in the study.
Even the cumulative effect of using multiple triclosan-containing products as part of a beauty regime will lead to blood triclosan levels 200 – 300 times smaller than those shown to have an effect in the animal study.
Source: "Triclosan, phthalates and parabens repeatedly criticised in 2008" by Katie Bird,
The article excerpted below highlights three worrisome ingredients that dominated the headlines in 2008 but remember it’s not just one product or one ingredient. That’s a great start but many – MOST – drug or grocery store products contain all of the ingredients below – and more…Read the article. Read labels. Make a safer choice.
If you would like to read more please visit www.safecosmetics.org
-Samantha
Phthalates
The use of a number of members of this family as plasticizers and perfume fixatives has attracted criticism this year, rounding off with the National Research Council’s call for more research last week.
Earlier in the spring, researchers at the University of Washington suggested there was a link between the presence of the phthalates MEP, MMP and MiBP in the urine of infants and the use of baby care products.
In the summer, questions focused on another angle: the effect of phthalates on the environment.
In August, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would be expanding its fish tissues pilot study in order to determine the effects of both personal care and pharmaceutical products on the waterways.
The National Research Council has been the most recent to follow up the issue, recommending that research takes into account the cumulative effect that these compounds, and their relatives with similar properties, may have on the body.
As the ingredients are found in a disparate range of products, from cosmetics to building materials, the NRC has advised the EPA to look into the effects of widespread exposure.
Parabens
Used as preservatives, parabens have received significant criticism of late in the European arena, particularly in France.
A campaign from a French health association focusing on the ‘toxic cocktail’ of baby cosmetics distributed in maternity wards led to calls from the health minister for further research and even a label marking certain products as unsafe for pregnant women and young children.
Triclosan
Criticism of the use of this antimicrobial ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products has come from both sides of the Atlantic this year.
In July, a number of public health and environment groups banded together to lobby against all non-medical uses of triclosan and triclocarbon.
The lobby groups claimed scientific studies have linked the chemical and its degradates to endocrine system disruption, cancer and increased dermal sensitization in addition to noting its ability to persist in aquatic environments.
Industry again supported the use of this ingredient, stating there is no conclusive evidence to suggest it is harmful to humans as well as pointing out that it can play an invaluable role in protecting against potentially pathogenic organisms.
In Europe, in response to research suggesting the ingredient can be toxic to laboratory rats, Ciba argues that the levels used in personal care products are much smaller than those used in the study.
Even the cumulative effect of using multiple triclosan-containing products as part of a beauty regime will lead to blood triclosan levels 200 – 300 times smaller than those shown to have an effect in the animal study.
Source: "Triclosan, phthalates and parabens repeatedly criticised in 2008" by Katie Bird,
22-Dec-2008. www.cosmeticsdesign.com
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