Goat Milk Lotion, post 7

Last but not least! In this 7^th lotion post we will cover the 7 additives in the goat milk lotion. I will first cover our simple yet controversial preservative. I believe your lotion is only as good as your preservative! Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is a byproduct of the seeds and pulp of grapefruit. It acts as a natural antibacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and antiviral inhibitor. I want to look at the word natural for a moment before going on. Some years ago I heard it said, “He who defines your terms forms your theology.” I have never forgotten that nugget. As I am sure you have found there are many definitions for the word “natural”. In the Webster’s 1828 dictionary it states: …natural, pertaining to nature; produced or affected by nature, or by the laws of growth… Rick and I believe natural would and should be void of any chemicals, free of synthetic parabens and simple in nature. Therefore it was our desire to formulate a lotion that would be preserved naturally. However in the past few years there has been much controversy over GSE as a preservative for cosmetics. Some have stated that the by product is chemically changed through the process of extraction. That the reason it has antibacterial properties is because of the ammonium compounds left as well the synthetic compound benzethonium chloride and acts as an antimicrobial agent.

We take our research very seriously here at AFF, and that’s the reason when looking for a supplier we wanted to make sure they had lab work on the GSE they were selling. I love our supplier; they have been in business for decades. They also make spec sheets available to us on their lab work, stating that our GSE does not use any artificial or chemical additives. Our GSE is GMO-free. This product uses water and glycerin to extract from the citric rind. Our GSE does NOT contain benzethonium chloride. It is also a food grade product, and contains no known allergens.  One thing our microbiologist shared with me in the beginning of formulating was that our goal should be that our product could be eaten. While I don’t recommend this, all parts are edible.:} GSE is useful in preserving the product line as well as protecting the skin from bacterial infections. Thus proving very beneficial in the treatment of acne, rashes, athlete’s feet, eczema, bug bits and so on. It has tests results effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral organisms and 100 strains of fungus, amazing! GSE contains a very high level of antioxidant strength and is very rich in vitamins and minerals, vitamin C being very high. GSE is biodegradable and does not pollute the environment.

It is non toxic as well. Studies have shown the GSE is a wonderful alternative to conventional antibiotics in a diluted form to treat fungal and minor bacterial infections as well as candida diaper rashes caused from antibiotics. It was important to us at AFF to have our products tested. We are proud and very grateful to tell you that Dr. Michael Donaldson does our testing on our products that have our fresh pasteurized goat milk in them. Michael has a PhD in microbiology from Cornell U. We maintain continued testing and are delighted to say the proof here is in the pudding, or shall we say goat milk lotion. Our formula is very stable and your vegetables and fruits from the market have more of a bacteria load than our lotion. With this in mind I will conclude that Rick and I have come down on the side of GSE being a very effective natural way to preserve our goat milk lotion without resorting to conventional chemical preservatives. This I believe is a great benefit to you, the consumer.

We will move onto the other 6 additives. {Note that the additives are not presented in order of ingredients on the bottle}

• Stearic Acid: This is produced from vegetable fats and oils and has been triple pressed. It helps to thicken our goat milk lotion.

• Emulsifying Wax: This raw product is a mix of nonparaben waxes used to hold oils and water together. It is very gentle to skin and NF approved. {National Formulary}

• Vitamin E: {tocopherol} This is a natural antioxidant that  helps to slow down the oxidation, keeping the oils from going rancid. Vitamin E sooths the skin and prevents wrinkles.

• Vinegar: This contributes to balancing my ph naturally.

• Sodium Bicarbonate: This also contributes to balancing my ph naturally.

• Essential Oils (EO): We use maximum therapeutic grade oils. Lavender EO is from France, Peppermint EO is from France, Rose Geranium EO is from France, Bergamot EO is from Italy, Lemon EO is from Argentina, and Rosemary EO is from France. Our Vanilla Bean is a fragrance oil in which I formulate it at a very small percentage of the recommendation. Each of these EO has many benefits which I will cover in a later post.

One thing you need to know about me {just in case you haven’t picked up on it yet:} is that I am a detail nut! I love a challenge and believe me the goat milk lotion was a challenge! I love to tweak, and tweak again until might I say we come to a place I call perfection.:} I am fastidious about sterilization. Meaning I start sterile, so the product will end sterile! This is a great bonus to you the consumer as well! So if you are looking for a natural alternative to commercial lotions that are green, eco friendly and made in the USA; and if you like the idea of an artisan goat milk lotion that is hand milked, hand formulated, hand bottled, hand labeled, and hand shipped with love from our farm to your home, we think you will be delighted with our goat milk lotion! Why not try a bottle today?  You can review them all that this link. Blessings upon you, and thank you for joining me in our 7 goat milk lotion posts that took a wee bit {as Grace would say:} more than 7 weeks.