Serene | A Fabulous Soap for All Skin Types

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day! I'd like to introduce you to a soap that has proven to be one of our most loved and best seller!



Serene Face & Body Soap is unscented and full of moisturizing and nourishing oils that are gentle to your skin, whether it is sensitive, mature or baby.

Serene Face & Body Soap is superfatted and gentle and perfect for all skin types. While I can't make claims about Serene, I can pass along a couple testimonials from our customers.

"I wanted to tell you how pleased I have been with the products I ordered from you last week! The Serene soap is so wonderful for my sensitive skin. It is so amazingly moisture-filled and has made my hands look years younger" - Louise, SC

"I am more than pleased with my Serene soap. I have been using it only for about four days. It makes my face feel so clean and soft. One of my co-workers even asked me if I was wearing new makeup. I told her it was the soap. If it makes me look better in just four days of use I can hardly wait until I have used it for a lengthy period of time. Thank you so much. I will never use store bought soaps or cleansers again" - Wanda, TN

Now, don't take my word for it, take the word of Louise and Wanda. I do have to agree with them though. Not because I am the manufacturer of Serene Face & Body Soap. It's because I am also a customer.

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



Lisa M. Rodgers
Cactus & Ivy

Mineral Makeup | An Interview With Katherine Corkill of Sterling Minerals

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day! Have you tried mineral makeup? Do you currently use mineral makeup? What are your thoughts about mineral makeup?

Today I have the pleasure of posting an email interview with Katherine Corkill, owner of Sterling Minerals. Katherine is one smart cookie and a wealth of information. I'm very pleased to introduce you to her and her company, Sterling Minerals!

What is your background?
For over 25 years through extensive research I have incorporated holistic and homeopathic remedies into my family's lifestyle, including providing holistic health care for pets for 13 of those years. Other studies include chemistry, aesthetics and color theory and I have been the master formulator for our cosmetics for the past 4 years not including research and development of an additional 2 years.

How did you get started in the cosmetic industry?
Basically, I have dealt with skin issues off and on for many years and only recently due to the onset of peri-menopause have had dry and itchy skin frequently. I discovered the benefits of mineral makeup, however, many were consistent in ingredients that continued to cause problems for my skin. Bismuth Oxychloride and Mica based products caused irritation and ongoing itchiness and I knew there had to be a better way since overall I believed in the less is more philosophy to skincare. So I began my journey of trial and error in creating my own line of mineral makeup and other skincare products. Sterling Minerals Cosmetics was born!

What is mineral makeup?
It is comprised of what I consider to be the main minerals of an excellent mineral powder: Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide and we only use untreated USP Grade in all of our mineral cosmetics. Minerals offer sun protection benefits as well. In ours we use a perfect balanced blend of the main minerals and combine them with kaolin clay and surface treated mica encapsulated in Methicone which prevents moisture loss to the skin, and then to create a cooling effect with Boron Nitride which reflects light and heat away from the face while also giving excellent performance to the different formulas we offer for different skin types. To enhance our mineral makeup, we then combine botanical ingredients with the minerals for an overall holistic benefit for keeping skin looking and feeling its best. Rice powder has been used for centuries in the Art of Ayurveda for healing skin ulcerations and bleeding pimples. And of course Jojoba and Allantoin for the benefits they offer for keeping skin healthy and healed. Women have raved about how they are able to wear our products when no others would work. I believe we have captured the perfect formulas for the best overall performance of water resistance, natural SPF and healing properties rolled neatly into a fantastic mineral makeup. Mineral Makeup can be more than just minerals with a caveat: those with preservatives and other chemicals are unnecessary and only expose the skin to other possible irritants. With ours we try to keep it as simple as possible only using those ingredients which truly show a benefit to the user.

Is mineral makeup better for your skin?
I believe it is, based on what I stated in the last question. To elaborate, it allows the skin to breathe, is cleaner application overall, and provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits. In cases with ours we have had many women suffering from acne, rosacea and psoriasis proclaim great results. Our natural SPF is perfect too. Although we cannot make a particular claim as to how much SPF without FDA testing, we have shown in our own field testing of us achieving with moderate coverage, up to SPF 25. Also we always advise women that darker colors will have less Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide so SPF will drop. And it is always subjective to how much is applied including with other brands that have received an SPF rating.

Is there a difference between natural and organic ingredients?
Well again this is subjective and often causes confusion to the consumer. There can be natural ingredients used in a skincare lines considered a botanical or mineral, and then there is organic which is typically certified as organically grown botanical. However nothing natural can be added to a cosmetic or skincare product without going through a chemical process to make them safe for cosmetic use. There are processes which are gentler than others minimizing the need for chemical extraction such as cold pressed oils and steam distilled. Organic is a botanical grown free of pesticides and is certified as such, and is overseen by the USDA and their National Organic Program (NOP) Examples of being able to make a claim for organic are:

100% Organic: The product contains only organically produced ingredients. It may bear the USDA Organic seal.

Organic: The product contains at least 95% organic ingredients. The USDA Organic seal may be used.

Made with Organic Ingredients: Contains at least 70% organic ingredients. The product does not qualify to carry the USDA organic seal.

Are there ingredients for mineral makeup that aren't good for your skin?
Basically anything which can be occlusive. Silicone oils for example have been added to some other lines of minerals and these can block pores, and for some can be a potential skin irritant along with the use of parabens. Also commercially prepared blends are actually loaded with nothing but chemicals and possess a dash of titanium and/or zinc and call it mineral makeup....this is why it is essential for consumers to always read labels to know exactly what they are getting and not go by face value of a title on a box.

What are your thoughts on essential oils vs fragrance oils used in cosmetics?
Essential oils are by far the better choice for skincare products as they are the oil which is derived from the plant extract and provide holistic properties. Fragrance oils are artificially reproduced to capture a certain scent and are full of synthetics and typically don't offer any healing properties.

In your opinion, what do you think is the biggest misconception in regards to cosmetic ingredients?
That natural is always better than synthetic or otherwise described as chemical. Everything in nature is a chemical. Water is a chemical. Also those that wish to cast aspersions against the chemical (synthetic industry) due to our skin absorbing these supposedly harmful chemicals, the same can be said for natural chemicals. They too will absorb into our skin and some can have similar potential risk of complications as a synthetic chemical. What has not been determined or proven is whether or not anything through the skin will actually cross into the blood brain barrier. Believe me, there is more harm coming to our bodies through breathing our air, drinking our water and the food we eat. The use of cosmetics to date has not been shown to cause any disease, cancer or illness in any way, shape or form....just a lot of speculation and marketing ploys brought on by the those that wish to disparage the use of certain ingredients just to sell their own products. Also the consumer wishing to use primarily organic ingredients should pay close attention to what is known as "green washing". This is basically where a touch of organics are used and the rest are synthetic ingredients....only the manufacturer calls it organic on the label and its in violation of FDA regulations.

Educating consumers on cosmetic ingredients is important to me. What are your thoughts on how the consumer is being educated?
Unfortunately, the consumer is being fed a whole lot of recycled garbage brought about by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Many compact signers (most of which are in non-compliance to some degree) use the CFSC entity to market their products and by doing so in essence, give an illusion that theirs are in some way better than the competitor who doesn't sign. This is not the case as we were once a signer until we requested they remove us after learning how they were hurting the industry as a whole with disinformation. Our products are exceptional, but I refused to use bad information to promote Sterling Minerals Cosmetics.

The EWG and CFSC currently use the Skin Deep database for their profiles on ingredients and claim this is actual educational information and is accurate and up to date. This couldn't be farther from the truth or accurate in the least....most data is attributed to MSDS (material safety Data Sheets) and possess significant data gaps. To the trained eye like you and I and other chemists we can sift through the info, but to the average consumer who lacks the basic knowledge of how formulations are designed become fearful and paranoid based on scare mongering tactics by these two entities. Percentages in terms of ratios are not even addressed and are based on full strength contact of an individual ingredient. So instead of actually educating the consumer they are being fed "hazard" info instead of "risk", which there is none in regard to the consumer since their exposure is extremely diminished. The actual analysis is compared to those within a manufacturing facility or taking a full dose injection under the skin as they do to rats and claim "possibility" of illness. To my knowledge no one is eating their cosmetics or injecting them under the skin.....and again to date, there is no unequivocal proof that any of these claims are accurate. No one has ever died or gotten cancer from using cosmetics or skincare products.

Any closing statements you'd like to make?
I feel that it is our jobs to always educate and inform consumers of the facts in terms of all ingredients within the industry and show pros and cons with reliable information and promote our products based on merit rather than disparaging others with false claims. I am constantly debunking information put out by others in the cosmetic and skincare industry that go beyond rationale....I further believe there are many in our industry creating a disservice to the consumer by regurgitating speculative research with incomplete data and only continues to do more harm to their own businesses in the long run...as for those that continue the undying research and only deal in facts and not scare tactics or use bogus claims to sell their products, we will eventually come out on top of those that wish to use this type of marketing ploy. Consumers crave the information, but they want accurate information, something I continue to strive toward. As long as I keep it safe, real and fun, my customers will continue to seek us out and use our products because of those 3 factors I employ in my business model. And bottom line..... truth and integrity will always rise above the fear mongers....it's tough at times, but we can do it together as industry leaders bringing the best we can in safe cosmetics and skincare products to our loyal customers.

I'd like thank Katherine for taking the time to respond to my interview questions via email. What did you think about this interview? Is there a topic you would like to learn more about?

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





Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Pink Grapefruit Bath & Body

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day! Pink Grapefruit is another favorite essential oil of mine. It's always a preferred natural oil when I need uplifting with a crisp, vibrant aroma.

Pink Grapefruit Oil {Citrus Paradisi} is used for its sweet and tart aroma to awaken the senses, stimulating the circulation - which helps reduce cellulite, relieve muscle tension, used for oily or acne prone skin, uplift mental stress and a fabulous skin toner, to name a few.

The grapefruit tree grows to over 33 feet in height and California is the leading producer of grapefruit essential oil. The oil is expressed from the fresh peel of the grapefruit and comes in varieties of white, pink and red.


You can find pink grapefruit oil in our Moisture Body Lotion, Body Bath & Massage Elixir, Spring Fever Line, Fresh Breeze Loofah and Cactus Body Wash.

As with other citrus oils, grapefruit oil is photo-sensitizing and should not be used within 4 hours of direct sun exposure.

Thanks for stopping by y'all! Have a great day!!


Creator Extraordiaire
Cactus & Ivy

{ grapefruit picture - care of Istockphoto}

Natural Pet Care

Hey Y'all!

I hope you find yourselves having a fabulous day. It is a gorgeous 75 degrees in my neck of the woods.

A couple years ago, I created an insect repellent for horses and Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray was born. Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray is a natural blend of ingredients to safely provide insect repellent for your horse. Includes moisturizing oils, vitamin E and essentials oils whose properties repel horse flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other flying pests.

INCI Ingredients: Spring water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, cymbopogon nardus, melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, polysorbate 20, cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, litsea cubeba, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, rosmarinus officinalis, lavandula angustifolia, sulfated ricinus communis, mentha piperita, grapefruit seed extract & tocopherol (vitamin e).


Our neighbor, Clint, was asked to put our new creation to the test. Clint is a farrier and a Team Roper. He uses his horses for work and pleasure.

Clint used Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray for 30 days. The results he came back with were phenomenal. Upon applying for the first time, Clint noticed an immediate reaction the flies were having to the blend. During Team Roping practice and events, his horse gets very hot and sweaty. What impressed Clint the most is the fact the spray continued to work, even while the horse was sweating.

Clint was nice enough to supply us with a testimonial, which reads:

"I have been using the spray for almost a year and have found it to be the best around for controlling flies and other flying insects. I use my horses for pleasure as well as in roping. What really surprised me was the effectiveness of the spray after I worked my horses. I figured that the spray would lose its kick after working the horses in 90 degree temperatures for hours at a time. I have really been impressed by the product, especially since it is "All Natural". I am now and will forever be a customer!" Clint Durst Farms - Saluda, SC

Thanks Clint for the awesome feedback you provided. Since we are having such great success with our horse spray, we will be venturing in to other pet markets.

Every year while on vacation, we have a friend, Cyndi, take care of our home and animals. Before leaving for vacation this year, I was asked to create a dog spray and shampoo that could be used to repel ticks and fleas. The feedback I received from our dear friend was so fantastic that Cactus & Ivy will be offering a spray and shampoo for dogs. I am in the process of creating a name and finalizing the ingredients. Creating a product line for cats will take a little more time since cats do not have the ability to metabolize essential oils. Stay tuned for more information.

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Social Networking & Unrefined Shea Butter

Hey Y’all!

I hope this Tuesday morning brings great adventures and introductions to fabulous people! You are probably asking yourself what the title "Social Networking & Shea Butter" have to do with one another. On that note, I would like to discuss a little about Twitter and today's ingredient, Shea Butter.

Since joining this social network a few weeks back, I have been introduced to a wealth of fabulous people. I’ve met Soapmaker’s, Bath & Body Product Manufacturers, Small Biz & Packaging Guru’s, Graphic Artists, Bloggers galore, Kid Clothing Manufacturers, CEO’s of all walks of life and so many more. Variety is the spice of life!

My experience on Twitter has made me a better person for having connected with such a variety of creative people. Joining Twitter has also put a personal side to the business world for me. We are all human and just because you own a company, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too. Life is short so make the best of it! And, I have picked up a few more "Guinea Chicks" to lend a hand with product feedback. To all my tweets……You Rock!

Now to today’s ingredient. Shea Butter - INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit

Our Unrefined, Fair Trade Shea Butter comes from seeds of wild shea trees scattered throughout the fields and forests of the wooded savanna in central and northern Togo. Unrefined Shea Butter contains an abundance of healing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins and a unique fatty acid profile, and is a superior active moisturizer. It enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air, and as a result, it becomes softer and stays moisturized for longer. In addition, Unrefined Shea Butter has natural sunscreen properties and anti-inflammatory agents. Unlike petroleum based moisturizers, shea butter actually restores the skins natural elasticity. Regular users of pure, unrefined shea butter notice softer, smoother, healthier skin. Shea butter has also been shown to help with skin conditions and ailments such as extreme dryness, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, skin allergies, fungal infections, blemishes, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, scrapes, and more.You can find Unrefined Shea Butter in Cocoa Mint Scrub, Lip Service Lip Balm, Groovy Hemp Lip Balm & Butter Me Up Body Balm.

All for now my faithful readers. I must put the finishing touches on new products for Fall! Woo-hoo! I can't wait to introduce you to what's new in the Cactus & Ivy product line. Stay tuned and have a spectacular day!


Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Cruelty Free and Vegan

Hey Y'all!

I hope this day is treating everyone well and you are getting back into the swing of things after a relaxing Labor Day holiday!

Today I'd like to say a little about what is means to be "cruelty free and vegan". From its inception, Cactus & Ivy made the conscious choice to never test our spa and body products on animals, nor would we purchase raw materials from companies that don't adhere to the same policy.

Cactus & Ivy signed the The Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, for which I recommit annually. Providing a list of my suppliers and getting written confirmation, also obtained once a year, that the supplier has not been involved with animal testing for specific ingredients.

The Caring Consumer program, which Cactus & Ivy is also a signer, seeks to gather information on the animal-testing policies of cosmetics and household-product companies, the Statements of Assurance from companies that meet their cruelty-free criteria, and share this information with the public.


In addition, we went vegan with our product line this year. We replaced beeswax with candelilla and carnauba waxes, and stopped using honey. I am very proud of the Cactus & Ivy product line and will continue to seek out new and beneficial raw ingredients to continue producing "cruelty-free and vegan" natural products. We are always on the lookout for locations where Cactus & Ivy would be a great fit. If you know somewhere you'd like to see Cactus & Ivy products, please don't hesitate to give us a call or send an email.


You may reach Cactus & Ivy by email info@cactusandivy.com or call us at 864.445.9494. Feedback is greatly appreciated - good bad or indifferent. We'd love to hear from you. Don't forget, we are running a 20% off promotion to say thank you. Please use promo code TY2008 at checkout.

I'd like to leave you with this quote..... "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not."

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

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Who is the Creator-Extraordinaire of Cactus & Ivy

Hey Y’all!

Remember when I did the Introduction for my first post? I indicated that some days would be completely useless but full of fun and energizing filler? Ding…ding…ding…..you guessed it! Today is that day, although none of what I am about to tell you is useless to me, it's the fun and energizing filler part.

First, on a serious note, congratulations go out to the Twindie of the Week winners, Dusty Warren of Jorren Co., Kelly Bloom of Southern Soapers Fragrances and Lela Barker of Bella Lucce. I met these incredible ladies on Twitter. Donna Maria Coles Johnson, CEO of Indie Beauty Network runs a Twindie of the Week contest for “tweets” to figure out who the IBN member is. Indies ROCK!!

Now, today I am sharing with you a little about me, the Creator-Extraordinarie of Cactus & Ivy. I’m a proud Navy brat and an Army wife. Imagine my conflict during the Army-Navy game? Growing up in the military has totally defined me as an individual. We never lived in one place long so I had to perfect the art of making new friends and finding a way to keep up with the ones I left behind. The kids that were picked on in school always had a friend in me. I am a champion for the underdog but yet, I am a very emotional person. Not weepy all the time emotional but I care deeply about others and how they are treated. My parents, two phenomenal individuals, are completely responsible for the person I have become and I thank them!

For 12 years, I have been hitched to the same man, Prevo, the love of my life! We turned his proposal and how we got married into a song. And believe me, that’s a whole other post saved for later! Prevo is creative in his own right. He has been writing and singing music since the age of 16. When he returned home from Iraq in 2006, he wrote a song about his experiences and feelings while abroad. December, 2007, To The Fallen Records chose his song to be on a Country Compilation album. I am so proud of him! Presently, Prevo is recovering from vocal cord paralysis and I will never give up hope that I will hear beautiful music from him again. www.prevorodgersjr.com | www.tothefallenrecords.com

Prevo and I are supported and surrounded by awesome family and friends. Cactus & Ivy is honored to have such a great group of “Guinea Chicks & Bucks” to test out our products before making them available to the general public. I can always count on detailed and a "no holds barred" feedback.

The walls in our home are decorated by various metal signs that pretty much describe the feeling of the atmosphere. Here are a few that adorn our home:

- Kiss My Grits
You gotta have this living in the South!

- I’m not sure if life is passing me by or trying to run me over
Some days move by so quickly, so this just seemed appropriate!

- All stressed out and no one to choke
Do I really need to explain this one?

- We had to get rid of the kid, the cat was allergic
Just kidding! We are just huge cat people and my sign is Leo.

And, my two favorites are:

- Hot Beer, Lousy Food, Bad Service - Welcome - Have a nice Day
I don’t drink hot beer, the food is always good because I love to eat and we always have impeccable service

- There’s a skinny girl who lives inside of me that’s trying to get out but I can usually shut her up with cookies!
Oh….so true. I had Oreo’s & milk just last night!

So, now you know a little about me. I am living the life I was meant to live and continue to aspire to become a better person each day. To some, I may seem too casual and not take life seriously. Oh contraire, I say. Everyone needs a break from the day to day of life. As a creator of natural spa and body products, I take my responsibility very seriously. Creating safe and quality products for all consumers is my number one priority. A favorite goal of mine is to one day have Cactus & Ivy products on Oprah’s Favorite Things show. Oprah is a true inspiration and I am living my best life. Woo-hoo…….can you hear me Oprah?

Until next time, I bid you farewell. I hope you and your family has a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

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

Introduction

Hey Y'all!

Welcome to my blog! I would like to apologize in advance for any rambling I may do. This is a new and huge step for me and I promise to get better!

My name is Lisa Rodgers, Owner-Extraordinare of Cactus & Ivy. Eight years ago, I created Cactus & Ivy because I believed there were better options for my family and friends personal care needs. I also needed to do something quick after giving up a high pressured, micro-managed sales job! Whew!

Cactus & Ivy is a "cruelty free and vegan" natural body products company utilizing specialty ingredients to revitalize and restore the skins normal balance. Visit our website when you get a chance www.cactusandivy.com

All for now until I get my bearings on the direction I would like to go in this blog. Some days will be insightful, liberating and full of love and flair. Other days may be completely useless but full of fun and energizing filler. Who knows where this journey will take me but I hope you hang around to find out.

Y'all have a fabulous day and remember, keep smiling.......it makes people wonder what you're up to!

Lisa M. Rodgers