Support the campaign to end cruel animal tests

This week saw the launch of an important campaign by BUAV. As you know, BUAV operate the internationally recognised scheme which enables consumers to identify cruelty-free cosmetics. The Natural Soapworks and Natroma aromatherapy skincare are part of this scheme, and that's why our products display the Leaping Bunny on their packaging. We are strongly opposed to any form of animal testing.

On 11th March 2009, all animal testing of cosmetics in the EU was stopped (largely due to two decades of campaigning by the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments - ECEAE). But this ban had a catch since it's currently still permitted for three types of animal tests to be carried out in non-EU countries for cosmetics sold in Europe. This arrangement is permitted until March 2013, to to allow non-animal tests (‘alternatives’) to be developed and approved.

However EU officials are currently considering whether to extend the ban for another 10 years, due to pressure from some cosmetics companies. If this is agreed it could mean 10 more years of animal cruelty, where animals are needlessly injected, gassed, force-fed and killed worldwide for cosmetics products sold in the EU.

So we're supporting BUAV's campaign to try to ensure this doesn't happen. We'd encourage all of our customers to visit the campaign website and sign the petition to say NO to cruel cosmetics in Europe! We hope you visit the campaign website, read the facts and show your opposition too.

PS: A belated Happy New Year everyone! (We've had a busy start to the year, so unfortunately there hasn't been enough time to add to the blog until now). More soon!

NEW! Palm Free Coconut Milk Soaps for Natroma

Phew...it's been a busy week! We attended the Attingham Park Summer Fair last weekend, and met lots of new customers who seemed to love our handmade skincare and soap products. It was lovely having a chat about the benefits of aromatherapy and natural skincare, and we're looking forward to seeing everyone again with our Christmas Gift Hampers at the Frost Fair at the end of the year.

We've also been busy with press interest in our Humane Cosmetics Standard accreditation from BUAV . It's been lovely to receive so much positive support for our efforts and we're very proud that our products now bear the Leaping Bunny logo, an internationally recognised symbol of cruelty free cosmetics. We'll continue to bring you news of the the valuable work that BUAV does to eradicate the practice of animal testing - which we feel is cruel and unnecessary.
So to celebrate a fantastic week, we're launching some new products - a new range of Natroma soaps! We've listened to customer requests and we think these are pretty special - formulated without palm oil (so they're environmentally friendly) and containing coconut milk (so they're perfect for vegan customers), with pretty natural colours and essential oil fragrances. We felt it was important to introduce this range, since quite a few vegan customers felt left out when we specialised in goats milk soaps. Well we think the Natroma soaps feel lovely on the skin, and have a really bubbly, creamy lather that's every bit as good as one of our goats milk varieties.

We've also specially formulated each of these soaps, enriching them with specific oils and botanicals to support the skin. There's an antibacterial soap (which we admit is a bit smelly!) that contains tea tree, rosemary, lavender and neem oils. We've included two very gentle soaps in the range - Carrot & Rhassoul (top of the soap pile in the picture) and Hemp & Oatmeal (bottom of the pile) both of which have gentle essential oil blends so they could be used as facial bars and will suit sensitive skin. For lovers of floral soaps, there's Exotic Rose which has a delicate blend of rose, geranium and ylang ylang essential oils (middle of the pile) and we've splurged with this one including evening primrose oil in the formulation.

Customers also asked us for simple recyclable soap wrappers, so these soaps are hand wrapped in recycled kraft paper but we couldn't resist adding a little organza ribbon trim! Better still, some of these soaps will be available with hand decorated tops, so they'll make perfect stand alone gifts too.

We hope you enjoy using these palm-free Natroma soaps.....and watch this space since we have several more of these soaps on the way!

The Natural Soapworks is awarded BUAV’s Humane Cosmetics Standard

Today we have received some fantastic news – The Natural Soapworks and Natroma product ranges have achieved the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS)!

The HCS is the only internationally recognised scheme that enables consumers to easily identify and purchase cosmetic and toiletry products that have not been tested on animals. The standard is managed by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), and the ultimate aim is to end all cosmetics and household products testing on animals.

From now on, our products will be able to bear the Leaping Bunny Logo, since we have never conducted or commissioned animal testing on our products or their ingredients.

We are very proud to be a member of this standard and you’ll soon see our details in the BUAV’s Little Book of Cruelty Free. In the coming weeks we’ll be issuing further information, but for now if you’d like to read more on the standard, please visit: Go Cruelty Free