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Woodland Apothecary®

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2025 Update

by Angela Dellutri

2025 Update

Hello Everyone! We are busy with changes for 2025!  First, by February, you will see a new look to our website.  The current theme is old and no longer supported.  The new look is modern and has more features. So please pardon us while we continue to work on the new theme even after it is published. Additionally, we will be streamlining our selection of products.  Going forward, our soaps will be all plant based natural soaps with two lines.  The first will be a continuation of our natural Herbal Vegan Soaps with no palm oil.  Our second line will be all natural plant based oils and essential oils, but will include Palm Done Right® Palm Oil.  I highly encourage you to read our Palm Done Right® blog.  Palm harvesting has come a long way with no deforestation or animal habitat endangerment.  Palm Done Right® (PDR) soapers are vetted and committed to ensuring they are selecting PDR organic palm oil without endangering our planet.  You will find Woodland Apothecary® listed under Global Brand Partners on the PDR website. What does this mean for our Artisan Soap line?  It means we will be reformulating the soaps listed under this line.  For example, our Orange Spice Soap can easily be made with essential oils and natural ingredients.  Others will be discontinued.  We are still deciding on a dozen soaps that are customer favorites.  We may keep these for 2025 and try to find options to move them for 2026.  For example, it may be difficult to find an all natural almond essential oil for our Almond soap. Additionally, we are moving to classic cigar bands for our soaps to reduce the amount of plastic that we use. For our candles, our wax melts will change to Wax Melt Snap Bars in an effort to reduce the hard plastic packaging.  While candles and wax melts do better with fragrance oils versus essential oils, I have found a vendor that now has reformulated to clean fragrances free of parabens, phthalages, lyral, and lilial.  They even have a clean fragrance certified line that are formulated without the following (see below).  These are the fragrances that we will be looking at first.  However, we will still use essential oils when it makes sense and is safe. Additionally, we will be moving to more natural waxes like to a coconut apricot soy wax blend. ▪  Parabens ▪  Formaldehydes or formaldehyde-releasing agents ▪  Mercury compounds ▪  Oxybenzone and octinoxate ▪  Hydroquinone ▪  Triclosan ▪  Coal tar ▪  Nitro musk ▪  Phthalates ▪  Lyral ▪  Lilial So stay tuned.  Plenty of great changes are coming! Thank You! AngelaWoodland Apothecary®

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Palm Done Right®

by Angela Dellutri

Palm Done Right®

Palm Oil 101 There have been many horror stories about the impact of palm oil on the environment - Orphaned orangutans, rainforests destruction, smoldering fires that pollute the air, displaced communities and exploitation of workers.  However, things have changed. Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world. It can be found in everything from food and household products to biofuels and cosmetics. However, the production of palm oil has been linked to environmental and social issues such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and human rights abuses. To address these concerns, the palm oil industry has established various sustainability initiatives, certifications, and standards to ensure that palm oil is produced responsibly and sustainably. These efforts include: Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO): The RSPO is a certificate program that sets environmental and social criteria for palm oil production. To be certified, palm oil producers must adhere to strict standards that prohibit deforestation, the destruction of high conservation value areas, and the exploitation of workers. Palm Done Right (PDR): This is a sustainable palm oil initiative that goes beyond RSPO standards to promote regenerative agriculture practices. PDR seeks to protect the environment and promote the well-being of small farmers and their communities. Another PDR initiative that goes beyond RSPO standards is to promote regenerative agriculture practices. PDR seeks to protect the atmosphere and promote the well-being of small farmers and their communities. PDR-certified palm oil is produced using farming practices that help to enhance soil health, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to RSPO and PDR, there are several other sustainability initiatives and certifications for palm oil, including the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO). Consumers can play a role in promoting sustainable palm oil by choosing products that are certified by RSPO, PDR, or other sustainability initiatives. Palm oil is a widely used vegetable oil that has many different applications in the food, cosmetic, and biofuel industries. RSPO offers four levels of certification with varying degrees of traceability.  Palm Done Right goes above and beyond the highest certifications. Of these, only the Identity Preserved level is fully traceable, which means full accountability at each step of the process. Within the past decade, though, a handful of companies have chosen to go beyond RSPO Identity Preserved to create truly sustainable, organic, fair trade palm oil traceable throughout the supply chain. Their goal: to ensure wellbeing of farmers, environment, communities and consumers. Palm Done Right Farmers grow oil palms according to organic practices, either by reconditioning degraded land—often from old growth forest that had been clear cut and converted into pasture or crop lands—or by transitioning existing, conventional palm farms to organic. Oil palms are unique plants. They produce palm fruits for up to 40 years, which makes them less of a burden on the soil than annual crops that are replanted year after year, and they bear fruit year round, which means a steady source of income for small farmers. Palm Done Right farmers nurture the soil with organic methods like leguminous cover crops (which fix nitrogen in the soil naturally), mulching and application of compost, which also increases palm fruit yields. PalmDone Right® Palm Oil is certified organic by leading organic certification bodies such as USDA Organic and Control Union Certifications. This certification ensures that the palm oil produced under the PalmDone Right® movement is cultivated using organic farming practices without the use of synthetic chemicals or GMOs. Source:  https://palmdoneright.com/ At Woodland Apothecary®, we only offer soaps with Palm Oil that have the RSPO certified Organic Palm Fruit Oil and Palm Done Right® certification.      

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Common Oils and Butters Used in Soaps and Bath & Body Products

by Angela Dellutri

Common Oils and Butters Used in Soaps and Bath & Body Products

Argan Oil - Silky and moisturizing, and it’s packed with vitamins E and A.  Mainly used in leave on products.  Limited use in soap. Avocado Oil - Rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E. The high levels of fatty acids make it great for lotions, body butters, and conditioners as well. Babassu Oil - Comes from a native Brazilian palm tree.  Typically used used in place of coconut or palm oil in cold process soap.  We mix coconut oil with babassu oil. It adds the same firming and cleansing properties.  Babassu does have a lighter feeling on the skin and it absorbs quickly. Carrot Seed Oil (Carrot Soap) – Carrot Seed Oil has a silky texture. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly.  Great for those with sensitive skin. Castor Oil - This thick liquid is extracted from the castor bean plant. It draws moisture to the skin and creates wonderful lather in soap. Cocoa Butter – This butter is solid and hard.  It adds a luxurious moisturizing feeling.  Extremely expensive ingredient, but well worth it. Coconut Oil – A stable in most soaps. It is known for its super cleansing and produces large bubbles.  It can be drying so we limit how much is used. Coffee Butter (Coffee Soap, Body Butter)  – A luscious butter used in soap, and body butters.  Contains 1% natural caffeine.  Has a natural coffee scent and a creamy feeling. Coffee Seed Oil (Coffee Soap, Body Butter)  – This and luxurious extracted from freshly-roasted coffee beans.  Emu Oil – Medium weight oil that helps keep the skin hydrated. Evening Primrose Oil – lightweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. Fractionated Coconut Oil – This oil stays liquid.  More lightweight than regular coconut oil.  Green Tea Seed Oil – Lightweight, moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin.  Also rich in nutrients like vitamins A and B. Hemp Seed Oil – A great source of fatty acids.  Helps keep the skin hydrated all day long.  It also creates excellent lather Jojoba Oil – A liquid wax that contributes to a long-lasting bar of soap.  Limited use in soap.  Preferred in other products. Kokum Butter – Lightweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly.  Ligonberry Seed Oil – Silky and lightweight texture.  Also packed with fatty acids and antioxidants. Mango Seed Butter – Extracted from the fruit kernels of the mango tree.  Solid at room temperature, melts on the skin.  Meadowfoam Oil – A moisturizing and conditioning feel that is similar to jojoba oil.  Contributes a creamy and silky lather in soap.  Originally used as an alternative to sperm whale oil, but used as a more earth-friendly product. Olive Oil – Another stable in soapmaking.  Thick oil that moistures the skin and creates creamy lather.  Palm Oil – Helps to harden soap bars and it creates lather when paired with coconut oil.  We only use eco-friendly, organic, sustainable palm oil that is certified under the Palm Done Right® promise. Pumpkin Seed Oil or Butter - A lightweight oil rich in vitamin A, E, Zinc, and beta-carotene.  Pumpkin seed oil's fatty acids, like omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, has a moisturizing consistency similar to olive oil. Rice Bran Oil – Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants.  Has a thick, moisturizing consistency similar to olive oil.  Will generate small lather. Rosehip Seed Oil – Great for dry or mature skin.  Rich in vitamins A and C.  Feels hydrating on the skin.  Lightweight and non-greasy consistency. Safflower Oil – Mild and skin-loving.  Shea Butter – Luxurious and moisturing on the skin.  Help harden soap. Sweet Almond Oil  - Full of fatty acids and has a lightweight and moisturizing consistency. Used more in bath and body products versus soaps. Tamanu Oil – Lighweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. Packed with essential fatty acids.  

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2024 Update

by Angela Dellutri

2024 Update

Welcome to Woodland Apothecary®.  Our Fragrance Specialists are currently working on some new fragrances for our products.  All of our fragrances are skin-safe and Phthalate and Paraben free! Some fragrances may be limited to candles and wax melts.  Others to bath bombs or body products.  You will also see more Natural and Essential Oils going forward (see below). General Fragrance Collection A Dickens Christmas Almond Oatmeal Aloe & Green Clover Amish Harvest Ancient Apothecary (Thieves)  (EO) Apple Harvest Apple Jack & Peel (EO/FO Blend) Avocado (EO) Berry Spice Better Off Without Him Calamine (EO) Calendula (EO) Carrot, Milk & Honey (EO) Chamomile (EO/FO Blend) Cherry Mist Chose My Truck Over Her Cucumber Mint Dragon's Blood Egyptian Dragon Eucalyptus Spearmint (Breathe/Stress Relief) Elder Flower Blossom Frankincense & Myrrh (EO/FO Blend) French Vanilla Gaia Gardener's (EO) Gardenia Ginger Lime Groovy Patchouli (EO/FO Blend) Hazelnut Coffee Hiker's Soap (EO) Hippie Chick Lavender (EO) Lemongrass (EO/FO Blend) Lemon Poppy Seed (EO/FO Blend) Lilac Lick Me, Bite Me Love Spell Magnolia Blossom Mango Payapa Mechanic's (EO) Midnight Margaritas (EO/FO Blend) Midsummer Night's Dream Moonbeam Mystic (EO/FO Blend) Nag Champa Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Orange Spice (EO/FO Blend) Patchouli Rose Peace & Love Peppermint (EO) Pine Tar (EO) Pink Grapefruit (EO) Plum Rose Practical Magic Black Soap Pumpkin Spice (EO/FO Blend) Rise & Shine (EO) Root Chakra - Cedar and Clove (EO) Sandalwood (EO) Spa - Peppermint and Spearmint (EO) Spring Goddess (EO/FO Blend) Starry, Starry Night (EO/FO Blend) Strawberry Kiwi Tuberose & Oakmoss Unscented (EO/FO Free) Vanilla (see above - French Vanilla) Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow (BBW Type) Volcano Capri Blue (Type) White Roses Wild Mountain Honey Witchy Woman Woodland Forest (EO/FO Blend) Exfoliating Collection Calendula (Calendula  Petals) Hazelnut Coffee (Coffee Grounds) Gardener's Soap (Pumice) Herbal Soaps (Various Herbals) Lemon Poppy Seed (Poppy Seeds) Mechanic's Soap (Pumice, Ground Apricot Shells) Spa - Peppermint & Spearmint (Small Loofah Pieces) SPA Fragrance Collection Aloe & Green Clover Chamomile (Relaxing) Cucumber Mint Eucalyptus & Spearmint (Breathe / Stress Relief) Lavender Lemongrass Spa (Peppermint & Spearmint)

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Candle Colors

by Angela Dellutri

Candle Colors

CANDLE COLOR MEANINGS RED Energy, vitality, strength, health, passion, sex, love, romance, joy, protection, fire, fertility, fast action, potency, lust, blood, courage, warmth, attraction, magnetism, desire, action, power, willpower and endurance. ORANGE Cleanses negative attitudes, situations and places, happiness, business deals, attracting good things, success, career, goals, stimulation, attraction, power, luck, sudden changes, warmth, energy, building, enthusiasm, prosperity, emotional healing, friendship, courage and ambition. YELLOW Intellect, wisdom, honor, action, inspiration, creativity, studying, concentration, memory, logic, learning, attraction, confidence, mental powers, energy, cheerfulness, sunny disposition, changes, endurance, stability and security.  GREEN Abundance, growth, money, success, wealth, physical healing, health, marriage, fertility, employment, balance, stimulate growth, financial success, good luck, new job, good harvest and nature appreciation. BLUE Communication, truth, peace, calm, losing weight, meditation, wisdom, understanding, protection, harmony, inspiration, truth, patience, health, happiness, luck, loyalty, cooling, contentment, healing, idealism and devotion. PURPLE Ancient wisdom, the third eye, psychic powers, meditation, spirituality, strength, success, confidence, hidden knowledge, protection, divination, expansion, spiritual protection, power, wisdom, healing, recognition, contact with the spirit world.  Use with white candles to neutralize effect of karma and ego.        LAVENDER Mother consciousness, manifestations, selflessness, spirituality, compassion, understanding, inspiration, make contact with higher-self, attract spiritual assistance and calming. PINK Devotion, love, tenderness, faith, friendship, romance, honor, spiritual healing, caring, affection, forming partnerships, peace, emotional healing, universal love, purest love, unconditional love, spiritual love, raises vibrations, pleasantness, joyfulness, femininity and sensitivity.  Designed to attract attention and achieve a purpose. BROWN Earth, balance, material gain, eliminates indecisiveness, furthers powers of concentration, learning, telepathy, home, friendships, animal magic, earth magic, concentration, studying, intuition and ESP.  Said to help find lost items.  Protection for pets. WHITE Balances all colors. Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvoyance, healing, truth, truth-seeking, purity, innocence, clarity, unity, dawn, purification, peace, truth, protection, spiritual strength and repels negativity.  NOTE:  White can be used in place of any other candle color and is suitable for any riual. BLACK Protection, hex-breaking, reversing, banishing, destroying evil or negativity, binding and repelling.  Burning a black candle with any other color dissolves negative energies. SILVER Victory, stability, meditation, developing psychic abilities, removal of negative power, repelling destruction, cancellation and neutrality.  GOLD Enlightenment, protection, success, wealth, money, masculinity, playfulness, luck, divination and victory.

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