Cruelty Free | That's How I Roll

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you having a wonderful day. Those of you that are familiar with Cactus & Ivy know our products are cruelty free.

We have never tested our products on animals and we never will. We also will not purchase raw ingredients from suppliers who don't adhere to the same standard. Willing family members and friends have happily stepped up to the plate to test drive Cactus & Ivy natural bath and body products.

As the CEO of Cactus & Ivy, I have signed PETA's Statement of Assurance which states I do not test our ingredients, formulations or finished products on animals. I am proud to be a part of the Caring Consumer program and proudly use the logo above on our labels, website and literature.


The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program is another organization I am proud to be a part of. Every year, I recommit to the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, as well as my raw material suppliers do.

Being cruelty free also means something else to me. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a very soft spot for the fuzzy, cuddly and sweet. Especially when they are lost, abandoned or abused. If I can't take them in, I make it my life's mission to find them a loving place to live with plenty of food, water and love for the nourishment of their body and soul.

Wednesday, this cute little puppy was caught under the chain link fence at Prevo's office. One of the guys rescued her and brought her to Prevo's office. Naturally, my lover gene of all things fuzzy, cuddly and sweet took over. They gave me a box and Prevo found a towel. I put her in the box and told everyone to keep an eye on her. She appeared dehydrated and looked like she hadn't eaten in weeks. I rushed over to the nearest store and picked her up puppy food and a water/food dish combo.

I returned to hubs office and placed her in front of the food and water. She wouldn't eat or drink. So, I scooped her up and wiped her down with a damp wash cloth and then held her in my lap. After an hour, I placed her in the box with a few nibbles of food and walked away. When I returned a few minutes later, she had eaten. YAY!! I continued to place more nibbles in front of her and she gobbled them down. Prevo cut the bottom off a styrofoam cup and filled it with water. I placed it in front of her and she drank it all. Awe, I was so happy for the little gal my heart felt like it would explode.

Next on the to do was to find her a loving home. Our dogs died years ago and we weren't equipped for a dog. Luckily, I was connected with Denise Holcomb, Founder of All Gods Creatures Pet Rescue and Adoption in Johnston, SC. AGC is registered as a public charity 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which depends on in-kind support from donations, special event fundraisers, grants and rescue/adoption related contributions. I took the sweet pup to Denise Wednesday evening, supplied her with a donation to help for the care of the cuddly pup and also gave her the bag of puppy food and dish combo. I gave Denise a hug and thanked her for what she was doing for the creatures without a voice. As I headed back home, tears filled my eyes from knowing the sweet black puppy that captured my heart earlier in the day would be well taken care of.

So there ya have it. Cruelty free is how I roll, both in my personal and professional life and I wouldn't have it any other way! There is nothing sweeter in this world than the love you receive from an animal. Their love is unconditional. The next time you want a dog or a cat, please consider an animal shelter or pet rescue. You will find an abundance of animals ready to give and receive love.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day y'all! Hope your weekend ROCKS!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Deciphering a Cosmetic Label

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It has been some time since I've posted only because I am having trouble typing with my finger injury. Here goes my re-entry into the blogosphere!


Cosmetics, whether manufactured in the United States or imported from abroad, must be in compliance with the labeling guidelines of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FD&C Act).

Items required on a label are:

• Ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name.

• Must state the name of the product and accurate statement of net weight. Solid, semisolid or viscous cosmetics are listed as pound and ounce where liquid measurements are listed as U.S. gallon and the subdivisions of fluid ounce, quart and pint.

• The name and place of the company distributing the cosmetic must be present. If the company is listed in the phone book, the street address may be omitted. If the company distributing the cosmetic is not the manufacturer, it must state "Manufactured for or Distributed by".
  

• Cosmetics which may be hazardous when misused must bear a warning label and adequate directions for safe use. Examples of products requiring such statements are cosmetics in aerosol containers, feminine deodorant sprays and bubble bath products for children.

• Labels bearing misleading or false information or not labeled in accordance with the labeling guidelines, may be considered misbranded and may be subject to regulatory action.

For more Cosmetic Labeling Guide information, please visit the FDA website.


You may see a period after opening (PAO) symbol on the label. It symbolizes an open jar, which designates the lifespan of the product in months, after opening. The number of months may be listed out to the right side or on the base of the image.


Manufacturers may also include a logo to indicate the product is certified vegan, organic or cruelty free. Other images you may see:
Recycle logo
The Leaping Bunny logo

Caring Consumer (PETA) logo

Cactus & Ivy is licensed to use both The Leaping Bunny and Caring Consumer logos. Each year, I must complete a statement that our products are not tested on animals and I only purchase from suppliers who adhere to the same standards.

I hope this helps you determine what is in your bath and beauty products. If you have any questions, please ask. Whether you are purchasing from Cactus & Ivy or another company, I want you to be informed. I am here to help.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

No Animal Testing Here

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. The countdown has begun and as the saying goes, "out with the old and in with the new". I still can't believe that another year has passed by so quickly.

What does it mean for Cactus & Ivy to be cruelty free? It means that we have not, nor will we ever test our products on animals. Furthermore, we do not engage in business with suppliers that test their products on animals. Cactus & Ivy began with this standard and we have absolutely no intention of ever changing it.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love animals! Our friends say that when they die, they want to come back as one of our four legged family members. That's right, they aren't considered pets around our house, they are family! I couldn't imagine using the lovable, furry creatures as anything other than a warm and soft cuddle bug!

Every year, Cactus & Ivy signs The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program cruelty-free standard. We also list our suppliers, and they must recommit to the standard as well.

We are also a member of PETA's Caring Consumer program. Feel free to visit both sites to see that Cactus & Ivy is listed. If you have any questions about Cactus & Ivy being cruelty free, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a fantastic day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Natural Spa and Body Products

Hey Y'all!

Well here it is. The moment of truth.....my first "real" post! How do you spell out the theme song from Jaws?

I'd like to use this post to tell you a little more about Cactus & Ivy. We are a natural, cruelty-free and vegan spa and body products manufacturer located in South Carolina and owned by a fabulous woman (if I do say so myself).

It seems that natural products are slowly becoming the mainstream in beauty care and we are committed to offering products free of artificial flavors, colors & fragrance. We utilize oils that are high in Omega 3, Vitamin A, C, D, E & F, Oleic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid & Linolic Acid to revitalize and restore the skins normal balance.

Research has shown that up to 60% of skincare products applied topically get absorbed by the skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ so it’s no surprise consumers are wanting to incorporate personal care products with natural ingredients into their lives. According to The Natural Marketing Institute, the natural personal care market grew 15% in 2005, while the overall U.S. cosmetics and toiletries market grew by just 3.5%. Its research has found that more than half of all consumers want personal care products made with natural or premium ingredients, and 44% are looking for organic ingredients.

Cactus & Ivy has never tested its products on animals, nor will we ever. Our products are tested on willing family and friends, and by the way, they are all alive and kicking! In addition, we only purchase raw materials from companies that adhere to the same standard. Cactus & Ivy signed the standard with the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics and the statement of assurance with PETA’s Caring Consumer program.

In addition to changing some of our ingredients to reflect "cruelty free and vegan", we will be replacing our label stock with a new environmentally friendly label material made from corn called EarthFirst PLA. We are phasing out old shipping material and replacing with eco-friendly material, where available. Cactus & Ivy will continue to strive on finding the best raw materials, from raw ingredients to shipping supplies. As stated above, as our raw ingredients are depleted, we will replace them with organic, where available.

I will continue to grow Cactus & Ivy in a direction that always puts the consumer first and I hope you will hang around to grow with me. Feedback is also greatly appreciated around here. It is the only way we know we are getting it right or need to head back to the drawing board!

Thanks for visiting and learning a little more about Cactus & Ivy. The Tip of the Day is....drum roll please........Never fry anything in the nude!

Have a great day y'all!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire