Product Versatility

When I was in the city recently, I had some spare time to wander around the shops. I love the fact that I can spend time in the beauty counters and not want to buy anything. Instead, I spend hours reading labels on beauty products.

I'm constantly amused at the similarity between products claiming to be so different from each other.
Shower Gel and Hand Soap, for example. They're exactly the same. They have the same types of surfactants and additives etc. and perform in exactly the same way. One should be able to buy a large bottle of whichever is cheapest and just refill the bottles! (beware when looking for the cheapest, though and make sure the ingredients all plant based. and there's no parabens used.)

Oils - Massage oil, Cuticle oil, Baby oil, Solar oil, Facial oil, Bio-oil, Moroccan oil - there's so many varieties of oil around that claim amazing properties when really they're much the same as any other oil.
Moroccan oil, for example is a type of oil called Argan oil, which is certainly an excellent oil for the skin, and I notice it's being touted as the wonder oil for hair. But, look closely at the label and you'll see that the main ingredients (first listed) are various types of silicones - Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone and their variants.
It's the silicones that make the hair shine, not the Argan oil.
Solar oil (used on cuticles after having gel nails applied) is a huge marketing rip off. Blend any light oils together and bung in some essential oil and Hey Presto! Solar oil.
Baby Oil is generally made from Mineral oil as this is the cheapest oil you can buy. It's derived from petroleum. Almond oil is around $8.00 for 100mls, whereas Mineral oil is $8.00 for 500mls. Baby oil is generally fragranced with linalool, limonene, geraniol etc, which are synthetic derivatives of essential oils and can be extremely irritating to delicate skin.

When I began making my products, I wanted them to be really versatile. I hate having to buy a heap of different products that do essentially the same job. I recently recommended to a customer to try the Baby Bath as an alternative to expensive dog shampoo for a pooch with sensitive skin. I'll be waiting to see how it goes, but it's going to be just as good as any specialty pet shampoo, probably better!

Looking at some of my other products, here's some alternative uses for them:

Rosehip Recovery Serum can be used as a smoothing hair treatment, use as you would Moroccan oil.
Also excellent for dry patches anywhere on the body.

Pure Moisture Shampoo makes an excellent shower gel. Also good to use as a gentle foaming face cleanser for extremely oily skin. I've even used it as an eye make up remover when I forgot to take mine away with me.
Also as a shaving gel for guys (or girls) who like bubbles when they shave.

Pure Moisture Conditioner makes a great moisturising shaving lotion for guys as well as for girls.

Bath Salts can be used as a scrub. Mix with some olive oil and use to scrub away dry skin on feet, elbows, knees etc

Soy Wax Melts make a great linen freshener. Place a mixed bag in the linen cupboard to lightly scent your towels and sheets. Also as a room freshener for a closed up seldom used room such as a guest bedroom.

Mum2B Belly Butter  is a wonderful moisturiser. Use as you would Body Butter, don't be put off by the name! It has similar ingredients to Body Butter, just a slightly different formula.

Baby Balm contains a high level of zinc oxide, a natural sunscreen. Use it on nose and lips to help prevent sunburn and keep the skin moisturised. Safe to use on animals, so perfect for protecting dog's with pink noses from sunburn.

Baby Oil is great to use on baby's scalp to soothe and reduce cradle cap. Perfect also for lips, cracked or dry skin anywhere on the body. Safe to use on animals.

Olive Gardener's Balm not just for gardener's hands, but fantastic for cracked heels, elbows or just as a general moisturiser for anywhere on the body. Just make sure you let it soak in before dressing.

Enriching Spritzer is wonderful to use as a cooling spritzer on a hot day. Also good to use on dry hair to wet it down and re-style. I use it in the morning because when I wake up my hair looks like I wore a bathing cap to bed.

I'd love to hear from customers who have found other ways to use Skinflint products. Please comment below or send me an email.

Customer Testimonials

When I first began to make my products I gave them to friends and family to test. They were required to fill out a questionnaire after about three weeks of testing.
About 75% of them were returned and I received some wonderful reviews which inspired me to improve various things such as consistency, fragrance, bottles and labels. 99% of the reviews were positive about the products themselves, and I got a real thrill from reading all the wonderful comments.

When I first designed my products I researched all the ingredients that have a positive effect on the skin or hair.
I compared different types of thickeners, emulsifiers, extracts, plant oils, vitamins and preservatives. To this day I continue to do this as new ingredients and new methods are introduced into the cosmetic and toiletries industry.

I know by looking at the ingredients whether my product has a positive effect on the skin or hair. However, since I don't carry out laboratory controlled tests, I can't determine the degree of the effect. In other words, how well it works at reducing the appearance of fine lines or softening the skin or relieving itchy dry skin.  That's why I find customer testimonials an incredibly valuable tool in determining whether I've achieved the aim I was planning when developing my formula.

People often tell me when they love my products and will explain how their skin has improved or their scalp no longer itches. I get some terrific feedback from my customers when they re-order a product and I like to use this feedback as testimonials for my products on the online store. A recent one on Facebook from my niece pleased me no end as it was a  heartfelt "Thank You".

The testimonials I reproduce come from what people have written to me in emails, on Facebook, mentioned in conversation on the phone, when I'm at shows or in the street. They are true statements from real people who were not paid to try the product, nor was the product provided free of charge. These people are customers who purchased the product of their own volition with no incentive whatsoever.

I think that means a heck of a lot more than some movie star claiming a product was the best thing they've ever used. If I was being paid to appear in an advertisement and given loads of free products, I'd say anything!

So, Thank You to my wonderful customers and keep those comments coming, I love hearing them.
They don't all have to be positive either.  Your comments help me improve my products, making them even better as I strive to keep my products up to the standards of those which are considered the very best in the industry.