Blog

Taking Flight...

EssentialU — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:00:24 +0000

We Are Moving!

EssentialU — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:10 +0000

Last week Steven recapped us all about our organic ingredient lines and the inspection process for our new facility, and this week, well- it’s time to get moving! We will be working fully in the new facility by next week and the final preparations are in place.

There are many exciting things happening and announcements to make in the coming weeks and months ahead. We’ve talked about many of these things over the past 6 months on our blog, from new procurement options and direct country of origin purchasing, to updating formulas and finding solutions to everything from organic jojoba pricing to how to deal with a quickly growing business and natural products market. We also featured a candid and informative interview with aromatherapist Robert Tisserand, and of course all of our Recipe Wall of Fame series made up of the creations of many of our employees

Ingredient Spotlight: Litsea Cubeba

EssentialU — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:37:17 +0000

Litsea Cubeba is a tree-shrub native to China, Indonesia, Taiwan and in general Southeast Asia, but as an essential oil it is fairly new to aromatherapy. In Mandarin it is known as “mountain pepper”(May Chang) and to Taiwanese aborigines it is prized so much a proposed national park area is named “Magao” – The name the aborigines ascribe to Litsea.

Litsea Essential Oil has a citrusy aroma not unlike lemon and it makes a good ‘anchor’ for other citrus scents. Litsea can also have a bit more of an ‘herbally’ exoticness to it, and will preserve citrus scents in formulations like cold processed soaps. In body care products it’s effective against dermatitis, acne, oily skin, and it also works like Citronella as an insect repellent. In aromatherapy, Litsea is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, deodorizing, a digestive, and a sedative. Litsea is used far and wide in the fragrance industry, and the plant itself is used in Chinese medicine.

Interestingly, the essential oil of Litsea is also used in the chemical industry as a raw ingredient in the synthesis of vitamin A and violet fragrances. Here at EW we use Litsea in a variety of bases and essential oil blends as well as selling it as a singular essential oil.

Customer Comments ~ Serums and Clearance

EssentialU — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:19:02 +0000

My what a busy week! We are now in progress for our big move, and have just started up a clearance sale for the next few days to take us out of Clackamas and into Portland. Check out the details here and on the front page of www.essentialwholesale.com . For product reviews we are swinging back towards serums again. TGIF for tomorrow! Have a wonderful weekend!

Vitamin C Serum: Overall Rating 4 ½ Stars

Awesome Serum. I am so impressed with this serum. As an esthetician I have used dozens of brand name products but have that this product far out performs them all. It is soothing and emolliant, it absorbs and is not "sticky" at all. Another one that is even better is the Ultimate Serum...a true godsend. Thank you EW!

Up To 50% Off on Clearance! Coupon Code: MAYCLEAR10

EssentialU — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:10 +0000

*Cannot be used in combination with other offers. Clearance items only. Up to 50% savings off of original prices using the additional 10% discount promotion code. Limited to clearance stock on hand. Offer valid 5/16/12 - 5/31/12. No exceptions.

On the Move with Organics: New Facility Prep & Inspections

EssentialU — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:10 +0000

As you may already be aware Essential Wholesale & Labs is preparing to move from our 26,000 square foot facility in Clackamas Oregon to a new manufacturing plant in Northwest Portland. We plan on being more or less settled into the new building by the last week in May.

Essential Wholesale Recipe Wall of Fame: Sheila's Sunburst leave-in Conditioner

EssentialU — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:56 +0000

Today Sheila came to the lab to utilize our jojoba spray in making a customized, leave in hair conditioner. Jojoba oil, as many of you know makes a great hair treatment in and of itself, and this concoction will bring convenience to your jojoba experience without resorting to messier methods of application that may ensue.

Our ingredients and supplies include:

16 oz of Jojoba Spray Lotion

1/2 oz Blueberry Tincture

Essential Oil Blend:

25 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil

25 drops of Jasmine Absolute Oil

8 oz spray bottles and spray tops

32 oz beaker and small funnel

Ingredient Spotlight ~ Cypress

EssentialU — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:29:51 +0000

The name Cypress refers to many plants in the Cupressaceae family, a conifer of northern temperate regions. Most plants in this family are trees, but some are shrubs as well. The genera Cupressus and Chamaecyparis comprise most of the cypress, but several other genera can apply. Cypress is famous for its longevity, and has been a popular garden plant for thousands of years.

The botanical name for cypress essential oil is commonly Cupressus Sempervirens. It imparts a scent of fresh, evergreen with balsamic undertones. The largest producing countries for Cypress Essential Oil are France, Spain, and Morocco. Cypress Essential Oil has been used for thousands of years, mostly as a cleansing incense. Cypress trees were often planted outside of burial grounds- the plant is associated with the afterlife in many traditions and the wood itself was even use in the manufacture of coffins. At the same time people in some cultures even eat them as part of their everyday diet.

Customer Comments ~ Cremes

EssentialU — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:01:04 +0000

We all had such an amazing time meeting our customers at HSMG’s 2012 Conference here in Portland! Thank you so much to all the members that came out! It is a rare event that we get to meet so many of you in person, and this year’s conference lived up to the hype in every way!

For those of you just getting interested in soapmaking, we recommend checking out and then joining the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild- www.soapguild.org . We also can of course personally recommend our own melt and pour soaps for getting started in the world of soap making.

For our customer reviews and comments we move back to crèmes- wishing you a wonderful weekend from everyone at EW&L!

Basic Ultra Thick Crème

Reviewer: Dwababy from DES MOINES, IA United States
Just couldn't believe it. This lotion is the best I've ever made. I sold it immediately with back orders waiting. I bought this lotion as a backup to my current maker and found this to be much better than what I usually use. My husband loves it too!

Reviewer: alanna from phila, PA United States
This is a great thick cream, and is so smooth and luscious. It’s great to add ingredients and not worry about being too thin, because it won’t be. I love it!!!

A Bit Of Soapmaking History...

EssentialU — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:18:46 +0000

We’ve come a long way since Cleopatra’s day………

”Soap hasn’t always been around”. That is a thought that crosses my mind often each time I prepare for cold process soap making. I get all my ingredients organized; carrier oils and butters and my scale, my lye pitcher, stainless steel pots and spoons, safety goggles and gloves set ready on the kitchen counter to begin this archaic, tricky and potentially dangerous process. Then for my favorite part-blending the essential oils for my batch to create not only a lovely scent but as well one that provides additional benefits for my skin. Blending always seems to take my thoughts to ancient times and I love the feeling I get when I think of many of my favorite scents as the same ones enjoyed by those in ancient history.

So, just where does Cleopatra come into all of this? On a personal note I am often reminded that some historians note that Cleopatra was not the beauty that she is most often noted- rather she just smelled lovely. Either way, the seductive Queen of the Nile was and is known for her stunning beauty and softness and clearness of her skin, along with her affinity for lovely scented baths. Again I remind myself that she couldn’t have had soap, so just how did she, for one, remain clean as well as maintain the stunning and beautiful complexion that so many of us continue to envy today?