Patch Testing

What is a patch test, why carry one out?

Whenever you use a new cosmetic product natural or otherwise, it is a great idea to carry out a patch test, doing so should quickly help to establish the potential for an allergic reaction.

From minor swelling & irritation to painful swelling, redness or worse, allergies to ingredients can occur from natural products just as they do from synthetic chemical based alternatives.

Patch testing should give you peace of mind, that you can safely use the new product.

What does patch testing involve?

For leave on products, like lotion, deodorant, diluted essential oils, this test involves applying a small amount of the new product to a small patch of skin, normally your inner arm.

Rinse off products, including castile in particular are designed to be rinsed off not left on the skin so a patch test for these products can provide miss-leading results.

How To Carry Out A Patch Test

1.

Wash the area to be tested.

2.

Apply a small amount of the product to your inner arm.

3.

Cover the area with a small band aid.

4.

Keep the area dry for 24 hours.

After 24 hours if the skin is clear there is a pretty good indication that the product is good for you. Should there be redness, raised or itchy skin where the product was applied then it is likely you would develop an allergic reaction. It is important to distinguish between any reaction to the band aid vs a reaction to the product.

Important notes on patch testing

A 24 hour test will give a good indication for the following type of reaction:

Irritant contact dermatitis
The most obvious sign of irritation comes from irritant contact dermatitis, a reaction that typically occurs with in a time frame of minutes to hours from exposure to the product.

 

Because there are two paths for irritation to occur, you can test for up to 4 days.
A 4 day test will give a good indication to the following type of reaction, (re-apply product once a day):

Allergic contact dermatitis
The second path to irritation is through allergic contact dermatitis, a reaction that builds through repeated exposure to a particular product.

IMPORTANT

IF A REACTION BEGINS TO OCCUR & YOU EXPERIENCE BURNING OR ITCHING REMOVE THE BANDAID AND WASH THE AFFECTED AREA STRAIGHT AWAY.

IMPORTANT

IF TESTING ESSENTIAL OILS ENSURE THAT THEY ARE CORRECTLY DILUTED IN CARRIER OIL TO THE RECOMENDED CONCENTRATION LEVEL BEFORE APPLYING

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Refill Your Aromatherapy Room Spray

This natural aromatherapy room mist has been carefully formulated from natural but highly effective ingredients to enable you to refill your bottle, reducing the products footprint and saving you money!
 
Simple to refill

1. Purchase a 944 ml bottle of island essentials room mist unscented base.
2. Purchase a 15 ml or 30 ml bottle of island essentials essential oil blend.
3. Ensure bottle and trigger are cleaned thoroughly.
4. Add 236 ml of refill base (1/4 of 944 ml bottle).
5. Add up to the number if drops listed in the table below
6. Shake vigorously for 60 seconds.
ml of Unscented refillAdd up to drops / ml of essential oil
Awaken Within236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Bergamot Bliss236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Cardamom Cream236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 drops
2.4ml
forThave's chai236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Jasmine's Kiss236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 drops
2.4ml
Serene Dream236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Smudging Sage236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
West Coast236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
If you are blending Island Essentials essential oils other than in the table above work to the lower numbers (76 drops / 2.4ml)

 

Please note some essential oils (other than our specified blends) may not stay solubilized, depending on purity and other factors. In our tests all of our blends stayed solubilized.
 
Shake each time before use.

 

 
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Switching to natural deodorant

 

Conventional deodorant and especially antiperspirants are known to block pores, in the case of antiperspirants aluminum is typically used to block the sweat ducts.
Initially when moving to a natural deodorant, you can find for the first few days that you seem to sweat more, this is due to the pores slowly unclogging from the commercial antiperspirants.

 

Once the detox period is completed you should find that your body adjusts and our natural deodorant keeps your underarm dry and fresh. The great news is that in our experience our natural deodorant works better the longer you use it.

 

Using the natural deodorant

 

Ensure that your under arm is clean and dry.
The deodorant applys best when warm, apply the stick to your under arm, allow to warm for a few seconds then apply a small amount with a single glide, repeat just once more if needed.
Applying too much will reduce effectiveness, and possibly result in staining on clothing. Trying to apply without warming can causing irritation due to the drag.

Reed Diffuser Usage

If scent needs increasing remember to flip the reeds, and swirl the liquid around.
Usage Option A:
  1. Pour 120ml of fractionated coconut/MCT into your container.
  2. Add 40 drops of your choice of essential oils (Check scent strength and increase as needed at this stage).
  3. Stir until the carrier oil and the essential oils are completely mixed.
  4. If you notice any separation, periodically swill around liquid.
  5. You can add 1 to 2 table spoons of everclear or vodka to increase diffusion.
  6. Flip reeds every few days to refresh scent.

Cautions:

Keep away from children, pets & OPEN FLAMES. When the scent drops, clean out and start again. Reeds can be used for around 6 months. Ensure surfaces are protected.

Usage Option B:
  1. Pour 50ml of Everclear grain alcohol into your container.
  2. Add in a minimum total of 30 drops of your choice of essential oils (Check scent strength and increase as needed at this stage).
  3. Stir until the alcohol and the essential oils are completely mixed.
  4. Add in 50ml of hot water (around 40°C).
  5. If you notice any separation, periodically swirl around liquid.
  6. Flip reeds every few days to refresh scent.

Cautions:

Keep away from children, pets & OPEN FLAMES. When the scent drops, clean out and start again. Reeds can be used for around 6 months. Ensure surfaces are protected.  Mixing additional essential oils after the water has been added can lead to separation. Ensure surfaces are protected.