Samantharoma

Want the best girl shave ever?

2010-07-29T17:32:00.002-04:00

Then shave like a man baby! Sometimes we get asked, what is the best way to use our shaving oil? Well, we have found that the best way to get a good girl-shave is to take note of how guys shave.

Here's what you need:
Samantharoma Smooth Shaving Oil;
Mirror, preferably the magnifying kind;
Good lighting (over the bathroom sink is usually perfect);
A bathroom sink!
A nice new sharp razor.

Take your smooth shaving oil and apply it to the area to be shaved. You can wet the skin first - or not. Take your razor and looking in the mirror, pull the skin taught with one hand. Shave in small strokes going against the direction of hair growth. Under your arms you will keep changing the direction - up, down, even diagonal. Keep rinsing your blade and tapping the blade in the sink to clear it of debris. When you have finished shaving, clean the blade thoroughly. Hop in the shower and rinse. You can skip this step if you like - however - we do recommend washing off the shaving oil under your arms so that your deodorant works properly. This method is great for getting ALL the armpit hair, but it also works well on bikini line and legs. For legs and bikini we recommend closing the bathroom door, throwing out the kids, husband and dogs. Put your leg up on the bathroom counter so you can actually see what you are doing. If this is inaccessible to you, try sitting on the toilet seat as long as this area is well lit. Serious shaving from Samantharoma!

New lower prices!

2010-07-23T11:11:00.002-04:00

Yes! We have reduced the price on our top selling product!

2oz Unscented Deodorant is now $6.95,
2oz Tea Tree Deodorant is only $9.95,
4oz Unscented Deodorant is $9.95, and
4oz Tea Tree Deodorant (our most popular) is just $12.95.

Enjoy and save!

Aromatherapy Beneficial in Complementary Cancer Care

2010-07-09T14:48:00.001-04:00

Guest blog post by Jack Bleeker

Nearly all of us have been touched at one time or another by a personal or loved one’s battle with cancer. In recent years, trends in cancer management have increased the utilization of what is known as integrative oncology. This practice stresses the use of alternative influences, such as aromatherapy, in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments. In many cases, the most debilitating effects of cancer are those side effects of traditional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Those patients who are best able to manage symptoms of traditional treatments are those who are most likely to experience overall efficacy in their specific treatment regimens.

Aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma, are among those most commonly treated using the techniques of integrative oncology. These types of malignancies often require extremely toxic dosages of chemotherapy and radiation to effectively manage the tumor. A diagnosis of mesothelioma involves a typically bleak mesothelioma prognosis, but patients enduring the stress of such treatment will often find comfort and solace in aromatherapy and other alternative therapies. That which can induce a sense of calm and relaxation can effectively assist the patient in their battle against cancer.

What’s important to remember is that no alternative therapy, including aromatherapy, can be used as a curative treatment for mesothelioma disease or other malignancy. What has been encouraging however, is an extended mesothelioma survival rate in patients practicing integrative oncology techniques while undergoing treatment. For patients battling restlessness and nausea, essential oils like Lavender Highland (Lavandula Vera) can be utilized to create a peaceful, calming setting to encourage a good night’s sleep.

For patient’s battling immune system deficiencies associated with cancer care, including those battling the mesothelioma disease, essential oils like Bergamot and Eucalyptus can boost the body’s internal organ’s ability to defend and strengthen immune responses. Some patients will couple aromatherapy with massage or other therapy to make their own personal experience more complete and comprehensive. As with all integrative therapy techniques, personal preference is unique to each patient and nearly everyone’s experience will be unique to them.

It is important to remember that each patient’s needs and comfort levels are different with alternative therapies, but that all patients are encouraged to consider their utilization within their greater treatment plan. Patients undergoing cancer treatment should not commence the use of external or alternative therapies without first clearing their use with their oncologist or cancer specialist. While therapies such as meditation or aromatherapy will likely not be harmful to the patient, more aggressive integrative techniques like yoga or exercise may not be in their best interest. The practice of alternative treatment depends entirely on the patient’s overall health and their willingness to explore these non-traditional areas.

References:
American Cancer Society: Aromatherapy Overview
National Cancer Institute: Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Web status, 5/16

2010-05-16T09:02:00.003-04:00

We apologize for the technical difficulties we have been experiencing over the last 36 hours. On Friday, we moved samantharoma to a new server, and in the process lost our emails for about 12hrs. On Saturday, we discovered that the website was down. We are working on resolving those issues and should be back to full speed on Monday. If you have sent an email or placed an order and have not received a reply or confirmation, please email us again. Email is now functional even though the website is not. If you are trying to place an order, please accept our apologies for the delay. You can check back during the day on Monday, or email us and we will let you know when it is back up. Thank you for your patience while we work on improving our service to you.
-samantha moore
Owner, designer
samantharoma@samantharoma.com

Gas Money! Earth Day.

2010-04-22T08:42:00.005-04:00

Don't forget to bring the family out to Kiawah this Saturday for Earth Fest; lots of local vendors and artists. Let us pay for the Gas! Mention this post to receive $10 off your order of $50 or more. It's our way of saying Thank you and Happy Earth Day!
Visit http://www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/kiawah-earth-day.php for more details. 11am-3pm.

2010-04-16T10:46:00.009-04:00

A new study shows that the soy lecithin in our # selling Wrinkle Repair Complex helps deliver the powerful antioxidant CoQ10 where in needs to go. What does that mean for you?

Katie Bird writes: "Using a nano-lipid carrier to deliver the antioxidant CoQ10 can significantly enhance its topical skin delivery and protective effect on the skin."

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 – or CoQ10 – is known to have powerful antioxidant effects, and it is the coenzyme’s potential to protect the skin against the UVA-mediated oxidative stress that led researchers to investigate different delivery mechanisms of the ingredient. CoQ10 is synthesized in humans but our capacity to make it decreases with age, and rapidly drops after we pass the age of 40.

Scott Peters and Charles Brain report: “The pharmaceutical industry has embraced nanotechnology to improve drug solubility and increase drug uptake. A recent study has shown a seven-fold increase in intestinal cell uptake of CoQ10 in nanodispersions versus traditional powder formulations.”

According to research led by Yang Yue at Tsinghua University in Beijing, this same nanotechnology is becoming increasing popular in cosmetic delivery systems as they have high substance solubility, powerful skin penetration and low skin irritation.

The scientists in China looked at the ability of the coenzyme to protect fibroblasts from UVA damage, and compared the behavior of CoQ10 in an emulsion to that of CoQ10 that had been nanoencapsulated. The study found that the nanoencapsulated CoQ10 (CoQ10-NLC) had a stronger antioxidative capacity than the CoQ10 in the emulsion form. They also noted that after UVA radiation the fibroblasts that had been treated with CoQ10 NLC had a higher cell viability than those that had received the emulsion treatment.

Improved skin penetration

In addition, the team tested the penetration of the coenzyme in vivo using rat skin.

The skin penetration capability of the nanoencapsulated form of the coenzyme was significantly higher than the emulsion form, which the scientists put down to the soybean lecithin nano carrier.

Soybean lecithin’s ability to bind to lipid cell membranes and to enhance the permeability of these membranes, helped enhance the skin penetration of the ingredient, the researchers argued.

“Because the CoQ10 – NLC displayed such powerful antioxidative ability compared to the general CoQ10 emulsion…the NLC formulation is considered to be the key to the efficient delivery of CoQ10,” they concluded in the study.

Sources:

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com

http://pubs.acs.org

Life's a Beach!

2010-04-15T14:37:00.002-04:00

It's a tough job but someone has to do it! We have two great events coming up at wonderful locations.

On April17th - this Saturday - come on out to Folly Beach for the Sea and Sand festival. Center St is closed off and transformed into a street carnival, featuring musicians, artists and local vendors. It's a family friendly event with lots of fun for everyone! Get more details.

To celebrate Earth Day we will return to Kiawah Island on Saturday 24 April for their Earth Fest. Again lots of activities for the kids, a beautiful setting and a green-themed market. Get more details.

Find us at either of these 2 events, mention this blog and receive $10 off your $50 order!

Has this ever happened to you?

2010-04-06T09:05:00.004-04:00

The other day, I was trying to place an order to replace raw materials that we use to create your wonderful Samantharoma products...but every website I went to, I couldn't get the forms too function properly. Wondering if this was some weird cyber coincidence, I checked our website...and sure enough couldn't place an order. In fact, the buy now buttons didn't even show up! After checking with Kendra, our super smart web-guru, she advised me to empty my cache. Now I didn't have a clue what a cache was but apparently it needs emptying periodically! It was very simple and fixed the problem right away.

Each time you access a file through your web browser, the browser caches (i.e., stores) it. In this way, the files (including any images on the page) do not have to be newly retrieved from the remote web site each time you click the Back or Forward buttons. You should periodically clear the cache to allow your browser to function more efficiently. Go here to get instructions on how to clear your browser's cache...and do it!

Thank you! Thank you!

2010-03-30T16:55:00.003-04:00

Thank you to editor Margaret Pilarski and photographer Marni Rothschild for doing such a great job on the 2nd Starts feature in April's Skirt magazine (Charleston edition)... featuring Samantha (that's me)! I was very nervous about the photo shoot but the two ladies at Skirt! did a great job putting me at my ease. A shout out also goes to Mary Gatch for letting us shoot at DwellSmart (where you can find Samantharoma and other eco-friendly products). Thanks also to Nanette for the words of encouragement... and the tea!

Also happening April 1st... look for Samantharoma products at a new boutique opening on Sullivan's Island. The fabulous little gift shop, called Island Treasures is owned by Joanna and Everett White who also own Island Gallery next door. Next door to that is Poe's, so if you've been looking for an excuse to do a little shopping, get some lunch and maybe stroll on the beach...get yourself over to Sullivan's Island, pronto!

The store is located at 2214 Middle Street, Sullivans Island. Please call Jo, on (843) 882-8005, for opening hours or more information.

DwellSmart is located at 615 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mt Pleasant. (843) 856-2282.

It doesn't get greener than this!

2010-03-17T14:10:00.000-04:00

To celebrate St Patrick's Day, we're offering you $7 off any order of $20 or more. Just use coupon code LUCKY7 at checkout...but hurry! Offer expires at 2pm (EST) TOMORROW!

Website Maintenance

2010-01-16T13:14:00.001-05:00

Our website will be down for scheduled maintenance on Monday 18 January from 8pm (EST) for approx 12 hours. We thank you for your patience as we make this upgrade.

Calling all iPhone junkies!

2010-01-13T15:21:00.002-05:00

Here is a cool new app we just came across for your iPhone. Just type in the name of a cosmetic ingredient and see its rating by colored dots.

You will finally know if the cosmetics that you have bought or those you are going to buy are dangerous for your health or for environment! When you look for ingredients Cosmetifique will show you bubbles of different colors (green for good, yellow for acceptable, orange for not good and red for awful) that will enable you to check the safety of the ingredient.

Watch the video and download the app for $1.99. We're not scared!!

HELP4urHANDS!

2010-01-12T11:36:00.002-05:00

If your hands feel like sandpaper and your nose like tree bark, order some Body Butter today! With extreme temperatures from Florida to Fargo, we all could use a little relief. Our whipped olive butter with the soothing scent of Lavender will nurture, smooth and protect your skin from the harsh elements. Usually we apply Body Butter to parched parts once or twice a day but if your skin is exposed to drying heat indoors and strong wind and cold outdoors you should use as frequently as your skin demands. Our concentrated olive butter contains 0% water and 100% nourishing ingredients.

If your skincare regime needs a little mositurizing boost...look no further than our Wrinkle Repair Complex. Loaded with coq10 and natural antioxidants it's designed to smooth wrinkles and increase elasticity. When your skin is less dry you can target key areas but with record lows across most of the country you can apply this powerful serum all over. A little goes a long way, be sure to wipe away any excess before applying makeup. BTW did you know that skin starts to decrease collagen production from age 25? It's never really too early to start giving it a helping hand.

Enjoy either of these products (Body Butter, $13.95 for 120ml and Wrinkle Repair Complex, $16.50 for 30ml) and get $5 off your order! Use coupon code SKINRESCUE at checkout. Offer expires Midnight EST on January 31st.

Christmas Closing

2009-12-09T13:39:00.003-05:00

Our last date to process orders in time for christmas delivery is Thursday 17 December. All orders received by that date will ship on Friday the 18th or Saturday 19th. Please don't leave it too late as we cannot be responsible for delays caused by our shipping carriers!

We would also like to let you know that our offices will be closed, in observance of Christmas, from December 24 to December 27. All orders received during this time will ship on December 29th. Thank you for your understanding. Happy Holidays!

Web error message?

2009-12-02T07:48:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Kendra Haskins Design, we have completely recoded our website. Why is that good news? Well, before you couldn't access Samantharoma on your mac or your mobile phone...but now you can! We are still making a few final adjustments but we are up and working on IE, Opera, Firefox and Safari browsers! If you have our homepage, or another page, bookmarked (saved as a shortcut), then you may need to refresh or reload to get the new page. If this still doesn't work, please check that the final suffix reads: ".html". The old pages end in ".htm", so just add the "L". Thanks!

Kendra offers print, media and website design solutions, and we thoroughly recommend her expertise!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T17:33:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

If you're on our mailing list, check your email for a great FREE SHIPPING offer and a FREE GIFT with purchase!

Not on our email list? Shame on you! Join now, we'll email you the offer! Email us at admin@samantharoma.com

If you're using your coupon code, don't worry if your free gift doesn't appear in your cart...it will appear in your pacakge!!

Gifts for the holidays, $25 or less!

2009-11-24T15:20:00.005-05:00

We know times are hard this Christmas...that's why we have come up with three great Gift sets, beautifully packaged and ready to go. Just put in a Gift Bag and you're all set! As we are working on our website...we might not have the new page up in time for your order but just drop us an email and we can do business!!

Butter Me Up - $25

Full size Lavender and Rosemary Body Butter,
Bamboo Washcloth
Peace Bath Salts (2.5oz foil pack)

Packaged in an elegant Lavender box with shred and cello.

Wash Me Down - $20

Balance Bath Salts (2.5oz foil pack)
Citrus Soap
Genuine Pumice Stone

Packaged in a festive Holiday stripe Box with shred and cello

Scrub Me Clean - $25

Washing Grains (new), mineral clay scrub for face and body
Bamboo Washcloth
Herbal Tea Bags (x3)
Mint Soap

Packaged in a festive Holiday stripe Box with shred and cello

Browser update

2009-11-24T15:11:00.003-05:00

Just to let you know...we are currently working on fixing the browser issues. Most everything is up and running on : Firefox, Opera and Safari. There are a few glitches, mostly misaligned pages but please let us know if you come across something more serious. Thanks for your patience and enjoy your holiday shopping!

Bamboosaled?

2009-10-28T17:07:00.002-04:00

Fellow South Carolinian business partner Bamboosa have been under scrutiny recently with regards to the labeling of their bamboo products. Bamboosa make an awesome line of clothing and accessories with bamboo fiber. I am a big fan and wearer of their bamboo clothing and Samantharoma sells their awesome washcloths. Since the beginning of our business relationship, I was pleased to be using a crop that is renewable and, in Bamboosa’s case, ethically produced and organic. Their bamboo is organically cultivated and harvested in China and made into bamboo “fiber.” According to Morris Saintsing (Mo), one of the owners of Bamboosa, this process involves the use of caustic soda (the same lye we use in our soaps) which acts as a catalyst that produces the yarn. Just like our soap, there is no remaining chemical left in the finished product – it burns off in the process.

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has decided to take action against Bamboosa and three other small textile companies accusing them of “green washing.’ This is highly offensive to a company like Bamboosa who are actually taking a renewable resource and turning into a replacement for its synthetic counterparts. Not so, say the FTC. They mandate that Bamboosa must label their product “viscose made from bamboo”. If you have bought a washcloth in the last year, it will bear the new label. Not so terrible except it doesn’t end there. The FTC have also demanded that Bamboosa prove their “antibacterial” claim stating that although bamboo is naturally antibacterial, the chemical change caused in producing the yarn negates the antibacterial affect. Kind of like cooking all the good stuff out of fruit and veggies.

However…if you have ever worn bamboo socks or clothing you will be able to vouch for the fact that they help reduce body odor. They are very effective at wicking moisture and regulating temperature. Both of those help with body odor but we can no longer say that our washcloths are antibacterial. Bamboosa has conducted testing that shows that bacteria is less likely to grow on bamboo (sorry viscose MADE from bamboo) compared to cotton and synthetic counterparts but this was inconclusive as far as the FTC were concerned. Mo has assured me that they will continue to fight on but this where you can come in. If you have used our (Bamboosa’s washcloths) and would like to post a comment to the FTC, please follow this link: https://public.commentworks.com/ftc/D9340/
You can read the FTC press release here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/bamboosa.shtm
You can also visit Bamboosa blog at: http://bamboosa.com/blog/
We will continue to sell our Bamboo Washcloths – without the claim that they are antibacterial even though bacteria cultures did not grow on them – and we’ll keep you posted on any updates!
-Samantha

Enjoy and Share

2009-09-30T17:24:00.013-04:00

Become a fan at Facebook.

Get $10 off your next order. $10 minimum purchase. Free shipping on orders $70 or more.

Your coupon code will be emailed once you sign up on Twitter or facebook. One coupon per customer, thank you.

Bug Spray 50% off!

2009-09-24T10:15:00.002-04:00

Up North maybe the bugs have retreated but here in the hot, humid South - it's Mosquito Central! Keep the little buggers OFF with our Bug Spray and enjoy half off! Please remember, we do NOT recommend storing Bug Spray until next season so only order as much as you need.
Get one for you, get one for a friend!

Tampons – Aisle 9 – next to the bleach...what?

2009-08-17T15:01:00.004-04:00

I was talking to a friend recently and was shocked to learn that she was unaware that tampons are routinely bleached. The manufacturers of such tampons and the FDA insist that it is not a cause for concern. But some doctor’s and other groups are concerned about the cumulative effect of toxins coming in to contact, month after month, with a very delicate part of our body. So who is right?

Bleached tampons contain two things with which we should be concerned:

1. Dioxin

According to the National Research Center for Women and Families, dioxin was found in several brands of tampons and at least one 100% cotton brand (see Organic vs. Non-organic, below).

The tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white products - they seem to think that we view the product as pure and clean. Dioxins are a by-product of the bleaching and manufacturing process of tampons and other feminine hygiene products.

Dioxin has been identified as potentially carcinogenic (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune and reproductive systems. It has been linked to endometriosis in women and lower sperm counts in men. For both men and women, it breaks down the immune system.

In the mid-90’s, tampon manufacturers switched to chlorine-free bleaching in an effort to reduce the levels of dioxin in tampons. However, the FDA acknowledges that the alternative process can still generate dioxins at “extremely low levels.” The Environmental Protection Agency reports that there really is no "acceptable" level of exposure to dioxin. When you consider the average woman likely uses over 10,000 tampons in her lifetime, even small traces of dioxin may add up.

2. Rayon

Most tampons are made from cotton or a rayon-cotton blend. Rayon is a highly absorbent synthetic fiber that is made from wood pulp. The good news is that Rayon is great for absorbency but the not-so-good news is that when fibers from the tampons are left behind in the vagina (as usually occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin, and stays in a lot longer than it would with all cotton tampons (which do not shed). This can also lead to the occurrence of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).

Still need convincing? Take one of your tampons and soak it in a glass of water overnight. Remove the tampon and observe the remaining fibers floating in the water.

So…WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE?

If you are freaked out by the thought of bleach and fibers in your uterus then you’ll want to switch to a safer tampon. The key words to look for are 100% cotton, organic and unbleached.

Unfortunately, there are only a few companies that make such tampons. I have been using Natracare organic tampons for a few years after reading that they help reduce cramping. They work just as well as regular tampons. They are a little more expensive and they are not likely to be available at your local discount warehouse, grocery or drug store. You can find them at most health stores and online.

ORGANIC vs. NON-ORGANIC

In the U.S., more than one billion tons of pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on cotton crops every year; and residues may taint tampons. Many of these pesticides can damage the nervous system, lead to cancer or function as hormone disruptors.

Much of the cotton crop in the U.S. is now also genetically engineered, a fact that has some health advocates worried over long-term effects. The London-based Institute for Science in Society has warned that genetically engineered cotton in tampons could give rise to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. So, definitely look for 100% organic cotton.

What about pads and personal wipes? Well they do contain dioxin as well but since they are not in direct contact with the vagina, the risk is lower. There are other reasons to switch but we will cover those in a future blog!

Countries all over the world (like Japan, Sweden, Germany and Britain) have demanded a switch to safer tampons, while the U.S. continues to endorse the use of bleached tampons. The FDA has not called for testing of potential dioxin levels in tampons, and currently does not require package warnings.

Regardless of the law, the choice of which tampon you buy is still yours to make!

Please let us know what you think by completing the poll to the top right. Samantharoma is currently taking orders for Natracare tampons, please email for details.

The following sources were used in compiling this article:
http://forums.obgyn.net/womens-health/WHF.9810/0511.html
http://www.natural-living-for-women.com/organic-tampons.html
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/tampons090704.cfm

Browser Issues

2009-06-24T12:48:00.002-04:00

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!

Problem with Packing Peanuts

2009-04-27T10:35:00.003-04:00

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

FIND US @ Kiawah's Greenival

2009-04-09T09:03:00.003-04:00

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

A nod to Earth Day (Sunday April 19)

2009-04-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

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!

Gifts Galore!

2009-02-04T15:21:00.006-05:00

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.

Moisturizer use linked to skin cancer

2009-01-22T10:52:00.005-05:00

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

Need a New Year’s Resolution?

2008-12-31T13:44:00.002-05:00

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.

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

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2008-12-24T09:18:00.002-05:00

Samantharoma will be closed from Dec 25 to Dec 28th. Orders will resume shipping on Monday 29 December. From our house to yours - Merry Christmas!

Last chance to shop in person!

2008-12-10T09:10:00.002-05:00

Come out and see us this Saturday at Mt. Pleasant's Holiday Farmer's Market. This is our fourth year at this event and Carol and I are looking forward to seeing some familiar faces! If you mention this blog, you can receive 10% off your total order (except previously discounted merchanise). We have some wonderful gift sets ready to go, or mix and match to create your own. We also have lots of stocking stuffers for $10 or less! You don't have to shop at Walmart to get some great deals!

What: Mount Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
Where: Moultrie Middle School
When: 10am-3pm, Saturday 13 Dec
Why? Unique crafts, local vendors, fresh air!

See you there!

-Samantha

Support Local Vendors!

2008-11-25T12:28:00.002-05:00

Come visit us at the old Navy Yard in North Charleston and support local business during Low Country First's first "Buy Local Week"! Skip the crowds and the mad rush at the Mall and shop for unique gifts that will be appreciated and remembered. For details go to:

http://lowcountrylocalfirst.org.

When: Dec 2nd, 3-8pm
Where: 10 Storehouse Row
What: yummy food, live music and shopping

Be there (we will)!

Rediscovering Henna

2008-11-17T09:22:00.004-05:00

Do you ever look back on an event or time in your life thinking it was maybe 10 years ago, then you do the math and realize it was more like 25 or 30? Well, somewhere between My Sharona and Like a Virgin, I was big into dyeing my hair. One of my phases was henna - bright, orange henna. It definitely made a statement! Well hair color for me has been my last bastion to becoming chemical-free and I thought it was about time to reconsider my not-quite-a-blonde anymore roots! Maintaining blonde is costly and I don't even want to know how many toxic chemicals are in hair color. So on a recent trip to Whole Foods, I rediscovered Henna. I went with "Light Mountain Natural Hair Color and Conditioner" in Chestnut. It doesn't say henna on the box but that's what it is. The mixture smells awful and looks much like a cow patty but after a strand test and an hour of cow poop on my head, I had glorious, shining, chestnut hair! So, if you're having trouble letting go of hair color or deodorant or body wash (laden with harmful chemicals), I recommend taking another look at the natural alternatives. You might be pleasantly surprised! -Samantha

Start enjoying our chemical-free products and enjoy a 10% discount now through Nov 26. Enter coupon code: BLOGNOV at checkout.

Help for Rosacea

2008-11-05T13:39:00.002-05:00

Excerpted from Natural Awakenings, Charleston edition, November 2008:

A tiny berry may offer big benefits to people suffering from rosacea. Sea-buckthorn oil appears to ease the facial redness, itching and inflammation of rosacea by eliminating microscopic mites that may contribute to the skin disorder.

According to the National Roseacea Society, an estimated 14 million Americans suffer from the disorder. Research funded by the society demonstrates a possible link between bacteria associated with mites (demodex folliculrum) that inhabit hair follicles and the development of rosacea.

Recent findings by Chinese and Russian researchers and the University of Turku, in Finland, indicate that the oil extracted from sea-buckthorn berries may help protect and regenerate mucous membranes and skin. The oil is high in vitamins a, B1, B12, C and K as well as carotenes, essential fatty acids and tocopherols, or vtamin E-type antioxidants.

Research into the demodex-rosacea link indicates that while the mite does not cause adverse symptoms in most people, it is more prevalent and active in rosacea patients. Sea-buckthorn oil's anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits work to help eliminate the mites, reduce inflammation under the skin, and provide relief from the mechanisms causing rosacea symptoms.

If you would be interested in purchasing this product, please email us.

Do you know what is in your deodorant?

2008-10-07T13:51:00.005-04:00

An environmental activist group “Beyond Pesticides” is once again lobbying against a common and controversial anti-bacterial called “Triclosan.”

Triclosan is regulated in the US and found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes and an increasing number of consumer products.

Do you use any of these?

Clearasil Daily Face Wash

Dentyl mouthwash, Mentadent

the Colgate Total range, Crest Cavity Protection, Sensodyne Total Care

Softsoap, Dial

Right Guard deodorant.

If you do then you should confirm whether Triclosan is listed as an ingredient. By law, US manufacturers of products containing triclosan must say so somewhere on the label.

Why should you be concerned? Triclosan scores a 7 on EWG’s Cosmetic Database (10 being the most harmful) and is restricted in Canada and Japan.

Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides believes that,

"The nonmedical uses of Triclosan are frivolous and dangerous, creating serious direct health and environmental hazards and long-term health problems associated with the creation of resistant strains of bacteria."

Reports have suggested that triclosan can combine with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform gas, which the EPA classifies as a probable human carcinogen. As a result, triclosan was the target of a UK cancer alert, even though the study showed that the amount of chloroform generated was less than amounts often present in chlorinated drinking waters.

A 2006 study concluded that low doses of triclosan act as an endocrine disruptor in the North American bullfrog. The hypothesis proposed is that triclosan blocks the metabolism of thyroid hormone, because it chemically mimics thyroid hormone, and binds to the hormone receptor sites, blocking them, so that normal hormones cannot be utilized. Triclosan has also been found in both the bile of fish living downstream from waste water processing plants and in human breast milk.

Despite the lobbying, personal care industry groups have continued to use Triclosan, claiming that there is no conclusive evidence that it is harmful to humans.

As always – caveat emptor – let the buyer beware. Be assured that our soaps, deodorants, or any of our products for that matter, do not contain this controversial ingredient!

Read reviews of Samantharoma’s Deodorant Mist at:
Thegreenguide.com
Lesstoxicbeauty.com

Sources:
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulation-Science/Anti-bacterial-chemical-back-in-the-spotlight
http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=706623
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/Triclosan%20cited.pdf

Samantharoma in Cyberspace

2008-09-28T20:00:00.006-04:00

Here's what they are saying about us this week:

Julie the wonderful blogger at Less Toxic Beauty, reviewed our Unscented Facial Soap. She loved it and we love her because she placed a link to our fundraising efforts for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Click here to support Samantha and the Dragon Boat Charleston Team in raising money to fight Breast Cancer.

Body Sense went live this week. We are proud to be associated with this e-retailer mutually commited to selling chemical-free personal care products. Look for our Unscented Facial Soap featured in one of their "Starter Sets."

Bisphenol-A (BPA) in plastic bottles

2008-09-23T13:21:00.003-04:00

Plastic bottles have been in the news again. Some of you may have already gone through your cupboards getting rid of bottles & containers marked with a #7 on the bottom when a report released in 2003 exposed research conducted in 1998, linking the use of a controversial chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA) to cell mutation in mice.

Depending who you talk to, BPA is either perfectly safe or a dangerous health risk. The plastics industry says it is harmless, but a growing number of scientists are concluding, from some animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity.

If you consume canned soups, beans and soft drinks, you also may be inadvertently swallowing residues of a BPA that can leak out of the can linings into your food. BPA has also been found to migrate, under some conditions, from polycarbonate plastic water bottles.

Concerned about BPA leaching into our food & drinks, some of you have already asked what about the products I use on my skin? At Samantharoma, our plastic bottles are made from PET - or polyethylene terephthalate - a form of polyester. PET is the type of plastic labeled with the #1 code on the bottom. PET does not contain BPA nor is BPA used in its manufacture.

Why is PET good?
PET acts much like glass & resists absorbing light, heat & other external sources. Whilst chemicals are undoubtedly used in its production, we believe that PET’s ability to act as a barrier helps protect your product from chemical leaching. PET is also recyclable, more economical than glass & lighter to ship (requiring less gas in transit). Of course fuel is used in its manufacture but if we all recycle (and we DO recycle) we can help lower our carbon footprint ;-)

So what should you do about BPA exposure?
Some scientists urge that action be taken now, "Science is not in the business of demonstrating anything beyond a shadow of a doubt," says Ana Soto, M.D., a professor and researcher at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, who has found that BPA alters mammary-gland development in mice. "We cannot wait that long to discover whether this chemical is harming human reproduction and development." However, because government agencies remain unconcerned, it is unlikely that BPA will disappear from consumer products anytime soon.

So yet again it us up to each individual consumer to decide if they wish to avoid or limit exposure to this chemical. I for one, feel like we are bombarded daily with chemical exposure from all different sources. If there is something simple that I can do to reduce my exposure, then I’m going to follow my heart. You should follow yours.

If you need help determining what action to take, read National Geographic’s The Green Guide report. While you’re at this great website, check out what they had to say about deodorant. They even reviewed ours!

Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_terephthalate
www.napcor.com/plastic/bottles/whatispet.html
thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa
www.petresin.org/key_facts.asp

What's up with the Website????????

2008-09-12T15:46:00.001-04:00

Well, we're still working on it! We know it's very frustrating to you Mac users & you super-trendies who MUST use the latest browsers but we promise we don't wish to exclude you! We are still working on some challenges but we are doing our utmost to bring you a modern, fully functional and easy to use format. Please follow the blog posts for the latest, or join or our email list admin@samantharoma.com, type "add me to your list" in the subject headline. Your name, address & phone number are all optional but much appreciated!

Welcome!

2008-09-12T15:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our blog, please check back often for product news, special offers, industry developments and random musings somehow related to Samantharoma and our products!