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Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty

  Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty

Nanotechnology Update

On the 29th of November 2011, we presented an Introduction to Nanotechnology to Year 11 students at Oakdale Comprehensive. In the presentation the students were warned of the dangers posed by Zinc Oxide in sunscreens.

On the very next day, the 30th November, we received the following report issued by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore.

Is Green Chemistry Consulting Services up-to-date or what?!

Approximately one year ago I wrote a post on this blog highlighting the dangers of sunscreen, in particular the use of Nanoparticles like Zinc Oxide and TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide). Here’s the post.

Excerpt from SpecialChem.

‘A study led by a group of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) researchers has found that a chemical commonly used in consumer products can potentially cause cancer.

The chemical, Zinc Oxide, is used to absorb harmful ultra violet light. But when it is turned into nano-sized particles, they are able to enter human cells and may damage the user’s DNA. This in turn activates a protein called p53, whose duty is to prevent damaged cells from multiplying and becoming cancerous. However, cells that lack p53 or do not produce enough functional p53 may instead develop into cancerous cells when they come into contact with Zinc Oxide nanoparticles.

The findings suggest that companies may need to reassess the health impact of nano-sized Zinc Oxide particles used in everyday products. More studies are also needed on the use and concentration levels of nanomaterials in consumer products, how often a consumer uses them and in what quantities.

“Currently there is a lack of information about the risks of the nanomaterials used in consumer products and what they can pose to the human body. This study points to the need for further research in this area and we hope to work with the relevant authorities on this,” said Asst Prof Loo.

The groundbreaking research findings were published in this month’s edition of Biomaterials, one of the world’s top journals in the field of biomaterials research. The breakthrough also validated efforts by Asst Prof Loo and Asst Prof Ng to pioneer a research group in the emerging field of nanotoxicology, which is still very much in its infancy throughout the world. Nanotoxicology studies materials to see if they are toxic or harmful when they are turned into nano-sized particles. This is because nanomaterials usually have very different properties when compared to when the materials are of a larger size.

Asst Prof Ng said the team will carry out further research as the DNA damage brought about by nano-sized Zinc Oxide particles is currently a result of an unknown mechanism. But what is clear is that besides causing DNA damage, nanoparticles can also cause other harmful effects when used in high doses.

“From our studies, we found that nanoparticles can also increase stress levels in cells, cause inflammation or simply kill cells,” said Asst Prof Ng who added that apart from finding out the cellular mechanism, more focused research is also expected to ascertain the physiological effects and damage that nano-sized Zinc Oxide particles can cause.’

Source: Special Chem

What’s in YOUR sunscreen?

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Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Oakdale Comprehensive

This week we enjoyed a fabulous mixed day of Green Chemistry Soap Science and Nanotechnology.

Big thanks to Sandra and Angela for making us so welcome.

Four very attentive classes of Year 7 and Year 8 students learned all about the reactions involved in the soap making process and each pupil crafted their own unique green soap to take home. Whilst there was a very high standard of designs, a few were exceptional, photographs were taken and these may well appear here in the near future as well as get featured on our Learn Naturally educational website.

Many of the soap science students were surprised to learn that human skin is slightly acidic when they tested their skin with litmus paper.  We got the distinct impression that a few students were disappointed that they weren’t acidic enough to out perform Alien.

We were privileged to introduce 30 Year 11 students to a whole new field, Nanotechnology. (Yes, there are still a few Year 11 students who don’t know it all!)

Nanotechnology, new to these students is also a relative newcomer to the National Curriculum and these students had a brief vision of the exciting future that Nanotechnology promises.

Unfortunately, every new technology brings its own set of dangers and students were shocked to learn that these dangers already lurk in the market place, innocuously labelled, sun protection.

From the Year 11 students, some quotes…”I feel like a child again, this is such fun!” and “At University I was going to study Forensic Science but I think Nano Science might have more opportunities”.

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Green Chemistry Abersychan Comprehensive

Last week we had a monumental day at Abersychan Comprehensive with mixed workshops comprising our Green Chemistry Soap Science and an Intro to Nanotechnology with Year 11 students.

The Year 11 students summed up the experience concisely with the word “Awesome”. The experiments we provided with the Hydrophobic Sand were a huge hit and we discovered something too. All it takes to amuse a 15 year old is to encourage them to challenge what they thought they knew. For a taste of what they learned, watch this space!

Yes, yes, after all the requests, we will stock our educational website Learn Naturally with Hydrophobic Sand. Let me know if anyone tried out the spoon experiment.

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Help Our Charity

A few weeks ago I spent an entire Sunday lending a hand at the Shua open day, helping to raise awareness of the charity’s work and to raise funds.

SHUA is an acronym for Safe House for Unwanted Animals. Started in September 2001, it is a small animal welfare charity staffed by volunteers. They operate a 24 hour emergency helpline when possible, a website for advice and also an emergency rescue and rehabilitation service for stray, sick, injured & unidentified cats & kittens, providing any necessary vet treatment until each animal can be successfully rehomed.

I enjoyed the day behind the scenes seeing how a small, busy charity performs miracles on a daily basis but I came away with a slightly guilty feeling knowing that the two brave women who have taken on this daunting task singlehandedly (well, if two people can be singlehanded) are each holding down full time jobs and yet still make tremendous sacrifices to make a difference for these abandoned and at times mistreated animals. So in the office the next morning the Elixir team discussed what we could do to help.

Shua do get help from willing volunteers but funds are always short. So we designed ‘The Cat’s Whiskers’ and agreed to donate 80% of the profits to help Shua in their tireless efforts to redress the harm and neglect visited upon our feline friends.

Have a look at ‘The Cat’s Whiskers’, Cat’s Whiskersread about the charity on our website, search through your list of friends and I’m certain you will find a cat loving friend who will appreciate what this gift will mean for them and the Shua cats this Christmas.

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Green Chemistry Cwmcarn High

I apologise, I’ve been behind with my posts. It’s a manic time of year, Christmas orders to fulfill, consulting in schools, helping a friend move, helping out a charity, whew!

Two weeks ago we enjoyed a fabulous, if not slightly crazy day at Cwmcarn High. Our favourite school I might add. It was a Green Chemistry Soap Workshop and the students did us proud.

135 Year 9 students, each crafted their own soap to take home and there were some brilliant designs and the teachers didn’t do a bad job either.

We love Elizabeth (thank you for the vino) and this Cat’s Whiskers(we call it The Cat’s Whiskers) will be winging its way to you soon as our way of saying thanks for looking after us on the day. It’s a little package we designed for the charity we’re supporting and 80% of the profits from sales benefit the charity.

Thanks also to Miss Roberts who entertained us in the staff room at lunch time. What happens in the staff room stays in the staff room or maybe not. I expect to see women transformed into goddesses when I return in 12 months and yes, I’ll put it on YouTube.

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An Allsorts Innovation from the Most Unlikely Place

You just never know when inspiration is going to hit. I was doing the weekly shopping and then I saw them. Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts. I’ve seen them hundreds if not thousands of times before, nothing new but on this occasion I saw them in a completely new light.

How cool would it be to create fun body scrubs that looked just like Liquorice Allsorts? Very cool came back the answer in my head. So the next day I couldn’t wait to start formulating and designing what would become Elixir’s original Allsorts Scrubbies™.

After several flops (the scrub wouldn’t hold together), we got the perfect “smoosh”,  our technical term for a great scrub that holds together till the very end.  Designing was a whole other thing, I knew exactly how I wanted it to look in my mind but manifesting that into the physical realm proved quite a challenge but nothing is impossible especially when you’re determined enough.

Elixir Allsorts Scrubbies

Introducing the original Elixir™ Allsorts Scrubbies™.  Check them out here

(Design Registration Pending)

Hygienic, colourful and fun to use. The most fun you’ll experience getting your body smooth and silky soft.

There are six fabulous scents in your Allsorts Box:

Black - Liquorice (pure liquorice extract for liquorice lovers)

Blue - Berry

Orange and Black - Citrus

Yellow and Black - Lemon Ginger

Pink and Black - Musk Orchid

Gold Foiled - Vanilla Caramel (we foil this one as we use pure vanillin which is simply delicious smelling but it also turns everything brown that it’s in close proximity to, not good when you’re aiming for blues, pinks and oranges)

They really do look and smell good enough to eat but DON’T. We had them drying out on racks and we all had to tell ourselves “not food, not food…”.

Hope you enjoy!

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LUSH Update

In the best tradition of even-handed reporting, I’m pleased to confirm that the information on the Lush website is now more in line with the truth.

You will notice if you browse their site, that reference to “safe” synthetic fragrance has been replaced with the term synthetic fragrance. Many of us in the cosmetic industry have to occasionally resort to synthetic fragrances and Lush are no different but by no means should any company ever blatantly make unfounded claims that these fragrances are “safe”. Therefore we are pleased to see that Lush have chosen to take the moral high road in this case.

We made reference to their use of “safe” synthetic fragrances here.

These are the opinions of the author.

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Green Chemistry Hawthorn High School

It was another green day for us at Hawthorn High School last week with a Green Chemistry Soap Workshop. The students thoroughly enjoyed their workshop with us but one thing really stood out about the day for us.

There was a chasm of difference between the Year 7 students and the Year 8 students, with the Year 8’s standing out as tactile learners.

All of the students produced outstanding results but it was not until the Year 8 students began the practical component in our workshop that their natural learning abilities began to shine.

What we find so frustrating and is so pervasively limiting for these students, is that these children need to conform within the structured, checkbox system imposed by the national curriculum, that gives no leeway for allowing students to learn within a flexible framework that can be either academically or practically led.

Interestingly, when we came to package their finished work, it was impossible to tell which came from which group.

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Easy Halloween Nails

Painting your own Halloween nail design free hand doesn’t have to be daunting nor do you have to be a nail artist to create a unique look.

Recreate our funky fun Halloween nail design by using micas to create your own array of eerie colours and for a step-by-step nail design tutorial, visit our YouTube channel to see how easily you can create your own Halloween designs.

Halloween Nail Design

Be a monster hit at your party and wow your friends with this easy inspired design.

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Tinting Nail Polish with Mica

Buying a multitude of coloured nail polishes can be expensive and sometimes you just can’t find the shade that you want.

This video shows you how to customise your nail polish to create a myriad of colours to suit your tastes, wardrobe, accessories, mood and more importantly….your budget!

fuschia-polka-dot-nail-art-using-mica.jpg

If you find this tutorial helpful, please subscribe to our channel for more.

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Active discussions

Sunscreens - Health or Hazard?
[...] Approximately one year ago I wrote a post on this blog highlighting the dangers of sunscreen, in particular the... (Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty » Blog Archive » Nanotechnology Update)
[...] Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty » Blog Archive » Sunscreens - Health or Ha...... (Twitter Trackbacks for Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty » Blog Archive » Sunscreens - Health or Hazard? [naturallybeautiful.info] on Topsy.com)
SAFE Synthetic Fragrances
[...] We made reference to their use of “safe” synthetic fragrances here. [...] (Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty » Blog Archive » LUSH Update)
Many thanks! (Yola)
A Meladerm Assessment And More... I found your entry interesting thus I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)... (Vector Electrolysis Removal System)
Green Chemistry Soap Workshop Competition
[...] article: Green Chemistry Soap Workshop … – Elixir's Natural Body Care Posted in Natural Soap... (Green Chemistry Soap Workshop … – Elixir's Natural Body Care | Soap)
The Story of Cosmetics
The Story of Cosmetics that I posted here, was originally inspired by the video that I found on YouTube and in... (Yola)
Titanium Dioxide
[...] a regular reader of this blog, you would know my stance on using Titanium Dioxide, click here for a [...] (Elixir’s Natural Body Care - Your Blueprint To Beauty » Blog Archive » Lush Bubbles)
Coding aaarrrgggh
Thank you so much Anais but crazy is probably more apt lol. Will update this blog very soon. Watch out for "Safe... (Yola)
Well you are a brave woman (or very smart)! Glad to see you are FINALLY back in action. Can't wait to see all the... (Anais)
Stem Organics
Hi David, Thank you for your comment. No, I have not heard from Stem Organics since. Cosmetics as we know, are... (Yola)
Thanks Yola for doing thorough research on the topic. Just curious, have they tried to defend themselves again? Many... (David-Skin Roller Expert)



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