What does “sustainably sourced” mean to you?
A: In addition to using primarily organic ingredients, I also grow many of the herbs I use on my own organically managed land, and purchase beeswax, sunflower seed oil, and hemp seed oil locally to NY. Any herbs I am unable to grow are sourced from farms I know and trust. This equates to less traveling miles for ingredients and freshness of ingredients.
Are your products certified organic?
A: The majority of ingredients I use are certified organic, but I do make occasional exceptions and indicate as such on labels and ingredient lists.
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Where can I find Abskeefe products?
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A. Aside from here in my store, my products are available at Thorpe's Organic Family Farm and Musejar, both in East Aurora, NY.
How can I re-use the glass jars when empty?
A: The glass jars make excellent spice jars- I use them to hold kitchen spices and dried herbs. I also use them to store leftover condiments in the fridge, jewelry, and make candles with them (here’s an excellent tutorial). Glass jars may also be recycled, including their lids.
How can I prevent my deodorant creme from softening?
A: The coconut oil in the deodorant creme melts around 76 degrees F. While the creme will be just as effective when melted, if you prefer a firmer texture, stir the creme if melted, and store below 76 degrees or in the refrigerator. In the summer, I use the creme melted and actually prefer the soft texture for an easy application.
How should I compost empty lip balm tubes?
A: Empty tubes (ensure they’re empty, as oils do not break down well in most composting set ups) can simply be added to your compost pile. I’m not personally familiar with composting via worms, if that’s your composting method, check with your worm supplier or a trusted source!
Why is my deodorant/salve/balm a different shade than a previous purchase?
A: Most ingredients I use, such as unrefined oils, local beeswax, and organic herbs, all vary in color from batch to batch. For beeswax, this could be due to where a particular hive was collecting pollen from, and the color of oils will fluctuate based on the growing conditions of the crop grown for the oil. Herb color also varies depending on growing conditions- if an herb is harvested during a rainy growing season, the color may be more or less vibrant than herbs harvested during a hot, sunny season.
What is a patch test?
A: A patch test is a simple way to determine if your skin is sensitive to a particular product. While I only use high quality ingredients, with minimal and oftentimes no essential oils, sensitivity to an ingredient can still occur. To conduct a patch test, simply apply a small amount of product to the inside of your wrist, and note any irritation over the course of a day. If any itching, redness, or burning occurs, do not use the product in question, regardless of how gentle or seemingly harmless the ingredients may be.