Preservatives

Nature dictates that everything must decompose. We may slow this process, but we cannot stop it. As soap makers, we can choose not to use preservatives and allow our products their greatest potential, and limitations. We have the option to use natural preservatives. These add nutrients to our soaps and lotions while softly discouraging spoilage. While offering a superior product, decay is still inevitable.

Another alternative is synthetic preservatives. These offer the longest protection and shelf life, but at the greatest price, as the list of carcinogenic preservatives grows. Our skin, so eager to absorb fine nutrients, also allows the intake of toxins. A preservative strong enough to kill harmful bacteria will also kill our skin's beneficial bacteria. At Hummingbird, our natural oils are especially vulnerable to decomposition. At the same time, our nutrients are carefully selected for their ability to interact with cells, tissue, and the environment. In the presence of synthetic preservatives, these nutrients become less effective, if not inert.

Grapefruit seed extract is the natural preservative used in nearly all Hummingbird products. For more information on grapefruit seed extract please click here