Whipped Squalane Face & Eye Cream

What is Squalane?

Squalane is a natural compound that is derived from squalene, which is produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin. Squalene is a lipid that helps to hydrate and protect the skin, but it can oxidize quickly. Squalane, on the other hand, is a more stable form of squalene that is used in skincare products for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties.

Benefits of Squalane

Squalane is a lightweight and non-greasy oil that is easily absorbed by the skin, making it an excellent moisturizer for all skin types. It helps to improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and protect the skin from environmental damage. Additionally, squalane has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe irritated skin.

How to Use Squalane

Squalane can be found in a variety of skincare products, including serums, moisturizers, and facial oils. It can be used on its own or mixed with other skincare ingredients. Simply apply a few drops of squalane to your skin after cleansing and toning, and follow up with your regular skincare routine. Squalane is gentle enough for daily use and can be used both in the morning and at night.

In conclusion, squalane is a versatile skincare ingredient that offers a wide range of benefits for the skin. Whether you're looking to hydrate, protect, or rejuvenate your skin, squalane is a great addition to your skincare routine. 

Key Benefits of Squalane:

1. Hydrates and moisturizes the skin

2. Improves skin elasticity

3. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

4. Enhances skin texture

5. Non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types

When it comes to skincare and health supplements, there are many ingredients that can be confusing. One common question that often arises is whether Cod Liver Oil is the same as Squalane. Let's delve into the differences between these two substances to gain a better understanding.

What is Cod Liver Oil?

Cod Liver Oil is a type of fish oil that is extracted from the livers of cod fish. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and other nutrients that are beneficial for overall health. Cod Liver Oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments, including joint pain, inflammation, and skin conditions.

What is Squalane?

Squalane, on the other hand, is a lipid that is naturally produced by the skin. It is a hydrogenated version of squalene, which is found in plants and animals. Squalane is commonly used in skincare products for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. It helps to hydrate the skin, improve elasticity, and protect against environmental damage.

Are Cod Liver Oil and Squalane the Same?

While both Cod Liver Oil and Squalane offer benefits for the skin and overall health, they are not the same. Cod Liver Oil is primarily used as a dietary supplement, while Squalane is a skincare ingredient. Cod Liver Oil is taken internally to support health, while Squalane is applied topically to the skin.

Additionally, Cod Liver Oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins that are not present in Squalane. On the other hand, Squalane is a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that is easily absorbed by the skin, making it ideal for all skin types.

In Conclusion

In summary, Cod Liver Oil and Squalane are two distinct substances with different uses and benefits. Cod Liver Oil is a dietary supplement rich in nutrients, while Squalane is a skincare ingredient known for its moisturizing properties. Both can play a role in promoting overall health and skincare, but they serve different purposes and should not be considered interchangeable.

USDA Organic Certification was created for food production (not the personal care industry) and as a result is based on organic farming and agriculture standards. 

The list of allowable non-agricultural ingredients (like clay, salts, mud, etc) is based on raw materials used in farming. Agricultural ingredients have a biological origin and are made up of carbon. Non-agricultural ingredients have a non-biological origin.

For example, ingredients that come from plants and animals are agricultural, whereas salts, clays, baking soda, pumice, and water are non-agricultural.

Since clays like kaolin and bentonite have farming/agricultural uses, they appear on the list. Unfortunately, ingredients like Pumice, Dead Sea Mud, and Bamboo Charcoal are not used in farming or food production and thus do not appear on the list. Sometimes an ingredient, such as Magnesium Hydroxide, appears on the list but can only be under certain circumstances. Magesium hydroxide can only be used as a nutrient supplement for animals. 

Products that contain these ingredients like our Sensitive Skin Deodorants, Clay Facial Masks, and Bamboo Charcoal, Loofah Pumice Foot, and Dead Sea Mud soaps, as well as our Mud & Clay and Rosemary Mint Charcoal Shampoo Bars cannot display any organic symbol or even state that they are organic.

Since we are a certified organic company, we must follow the rules of the USDA. Even though these products are made with certified organic ingredients that meet the same rigorous standards as those required for our "Organic" products, we cannot call them "organic." Sadly if you are not a USDA Certified Organic company, you can do whatever you want :-(

For more detailed information, please read our blog, "What Do All of the Organic Labels Mean?"

All of Chagrin Valley's natural soap, shampoo bars, and personal care products are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

 Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve has been Leaping Bunny Certified since 2013. 

The Leaping Bunny Program was developed in 1996, by The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), to identify and support companies that are doing their part to help eliminate the unnecessary use and mistreatment of animals to test cosmetic products and ingredients. The CCIC is made up of eight animal protection groups including the Humane Society of the U.S., as well as groups from Canada and Europe.

At Chagrin Valley we do not test our finished products on animals (other than human volunteers). But what about the raw materials, the ingredients we use?

Many products display labels claiming that their finished product is ‘not tested on animals’ but this does not guarantee that the product ingredients are actually free from animal testing. 

The CCIC Standard is a pledge that a company makes to remove animal testing from all stages of product development. Our pledge to buy ingredients that are cruelty-free is integrated into the purchase agreement for all of our suppliers.

Personal care products displaying the “real” Leaping Bunny logo are certified ‘cruelty-free' using the internationally recognized Humane Cosmetics Standards. These rigorous standards require that no animal testing is performed or authorized for finished products or any of the ingredients in any stage of product development by the company, its laboratories or its suppliers after a fixed cut-off date. All Leaping Bunny companies are subject to independent audits and pledge commitments that are renewed on an annual basis.

This annual renewal is a key requirement that sets the Leaping Bunny Program apart from other cruelty-free certification programs. Companies that manufacture products, as well as their ingredient suppliers, must annually recommit to upholding their promise to not conduct animal testing on any finished products, ingredients, or formulations.

Why is this annual commitment renewal important? "Because product formulations change, suppliers come and go, and manufacturers develop innovative lines to meet consumer needs. But we know that compassionate consumers need to be confident that no animal testing is involved in the products they use."

At Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve . . .

• we do NOT test our products on animals
• we do NOT use ingredients tested on animals
• we do NOT sell into markets that require animal testing
  
  

The Leaping Bunny Program provides
the best assurance to consumers
that they are making compassionate shopping choices
by purchasing Cruelty-Free skin care!

Are Your Products Vegan?

All of our products are made with simple, natural, and organic ingredients. They are never tested on animals (except our human volunteers). We are certified Cruelty-Free by Leaping Bunny!

However, not all of our products are vegan because some are made with goat milk, yogurt, honey, eggs, or beeswax.

Our soaps and body care products contain no animal fats; we use a vegan base of natural plant oils and butters.

At Chagrin Valley Soap, we provide a full list of ingredients for each of our products. In this way, you can make an informed choice about a product that is right for your lifestyle.

Look for the symbol (shown on the right) on our packaging and on the product pages of our website to indicate vegan products.

Please check out this page for a list of our vegan products.

Product Expiration Dates

We hand make all of our own products in small batches to ensure freshness, consistency, and perfection.

Our products are not made to sit on store shelves for years and years.

Although there are natural preservatives within the chemical structure of many natural ingredients, they not as potent as the synthetic preservatives used in commercial products to prolong shelf-life.

Other than soap, our products are remade every few weeks and none are very old when they are sold. Our non-soap products should be opened within 6 months of purchase.

Since we use no preservatives or chemical stabilizers, the more important question is, "how long will the product last once it has been opened?

Once opened, skin care products become exposed to dirt and microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and molds) that are found in the air and on the skin.

As soon as you open and begin to use any product, simply the way in which you use it will affect its lifespan.

So, we use the PAO (period-after-opening) symbol. These symbols are already available on the product pages of our website and we are in the process of adding them to all of our labels.

The POA symbol is a standard symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a skin care product after it has been opened for the first time.

As you can see from the picture, the symbol is an open jar with a written number and the letter "M" for the word "months."

A product with a "9M" would mean that it is good for 9 months after opening.

Tip: write the date you open a product for the first time on its label so you can keep track of the period after opening.

Our POA number represents our best suggestion. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a product. If a product is discolored, has an unpleasant smell or looks odd, the product should not be used and should be discarded.

• Each time you place your warm fingers into a tin or jar, you melt some of the butter which can change the consistency of the product.
• Fingers also introduce bacteria and other contaminants into the product.
• If a product has not been stored properly, for example, if the lid has been left off for long periods of time, the product may ‘go off’ before the period after opening has passed.
• As scented products age, some of the natural essential oil scent may be lost. Pure essential oils just do not have the staying power of synthetic fragrance oils.
• Over time, natural colors may also fade.

If you’re like me, and you find an old dusty product hiding in a drawer, makeup bag, or even a suitcase from your last trip, you can call us with the lot number and we can verify its age. Obviously, if it seems off in any way, toss it!

Please note: This PAO symbol is widely used in Europe to recommend the length of time a product remains usable after opening, for products that have a shelf-life of at least 30 months. Our products do NOT have a shelf-life of 30 months before opening.

Why Do Some Products Melt in Warm Weather?

We do not use synthetic stabilizers or waxes, so our delicate natural products packaged in glass jars and metal tins are sensitive to temperature changes.

While shipping during warm weather seasons presents a real challenge to our natural skin care company, we accept the challenge in order to maintain our standard of natural and nourishing skin care. We hope you agree.

During warm weather, products may soften or even melt as they sit in warm mail trucks, mailboxes, or on front porches.

The quality and healing properties of our products are not affected by melting.

On very sunny or warm days, BEFORE opening the jars or tins, place the items in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow them to harden, just in case they have melted in transit. If you open items, especially those in tins, to check if melting has occurred, they may spill and make a mess!

What To Do About Melting

Cream Deodorants

If you think that your balm-like deodorant is melted or runny, BEFORE opening the jar, pop it in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes. As it begins to harden give it a stir (so that the solids do not sink to the bottom) and place it back in the freezer until firm!

Sometimes a cream deodorant can melt during warm transit and then slowly re-solidify before you receive it. This melting and slow cooling can result in a grainy feeling. If your deodorant feels grainy, simply melt it, mix thoroughly, and place it in the refrigerator until solid.

Since the stick deodorant are made with more beeswax, they are less sensitive to an increase in outside temperature.

Whipped Body Butters

Place a melted body butter in the refrigerator until firm.

Our hand-whipped process adds tiny air bubbles that increase the volume, just like whipping cream. If a whipped product melts, the air bubbles collapse and the volume is decreased.

So, although the jar was filled to the top initially, there will be less volume in the container (since it has deflated) and the container may actually look half full.

After cooling a melted Whipped Butter will be the consistency of our body balm and is still a great moisturizer.

Sugar Scrubs

If a Sugar Scrub melts, the oil may separate out a bit. Give it a good mix and place it in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes. As it begins to harden up give it another stir to disperse the sugars and place it back in the refrigerator. Once it's solidified and mixed it will be great to use! Again because it is a whipped product, the container may have less volume when the whipped butters melt.

Read more about melting products and what to do in our blog "Natural Skin Care Products Melt In Hot Weather."

Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve is a USDA Certified Organic company.

We are required to submit documentation that ALL of our ingredients, even our "non-organic ingredients," were produced without the use GMOs.

Since the U.S. National Organics Program forbids the use of genetic modification in products to be certified as organic, purchasing organic is a great way to lower your exposure to GMO’s.

Genetically Modified Organisms refers to any animal, plant or microorganism that has been changed in a lab at the gene level. It is also known as “genetic engineering."

Read more about "Non-GMO Skin Care Ingredients"