hipstay-at-homemomshawkinghomemadelotions,makeupandbathproducts.Butaretheproductsthey&39;resellinganybetterthanstorebrands?Moreimportantly,aretheysafe?Considerthesefactsbeforeyoumakeyournextpurchase:*Commercialtoiletriesaremanufacturedinclean,modernlabswhicharesubjecttoFDAinspectionatanytime.Homemadecosmetics,ontheotherhand,areoftenmadeinhomekitchenswherefoodisprepared,cleaningchoresareperformedandmealsareconsumed.Becausethey&39;resosmallthesehome-basedcompaniesoftensliprightundertheFDA&39;sradarandareneverinspectedatallgraduationdinnermakeup.*CommercialcompaniesarerequiredtofollowasetofFDAguidelinesknownastheFDA&39;sGoodManufacturingPractices.Thesepracticesincludehavingdedicatedworkspaces,employeedresscodesandspecificsafetyprocedures.Homemadecosmeticsareoftenmadeinthepresenceofpets,childrenandothersnotwearingproperattirelikehairnetsorgloves.Nohome-basedbusinesscanmeettheFDA&39;sGMPsforcosmeticsmanufacturing.*Commercialcompanieshireskincareexpertsanddoctorate-levelchemiststoformulatetheirproducts.Homemadetoiletriesaremadebypeoplewitheducationvaryingfromcollegedegreesallthewaydowntohigh-schooldrop-outsSculptra.*Commercialmanufacturersspendmillionsonproductliabilityinsurance.BasedonmyexperienceinthehandmadetoiletriesbusinessIwouldestimatethatonly25percentofhome-basedtoiletrymakershaveevenbasicproductliabilitycoverage.*Commercialproductsgothroughanextensiveprocesscalled"challengetesting"todeterminetheirsafety.I&39;venevermetasinglehome-basedtoiletrymakerwhochallengedtestedherproductsformold,bacteriaoryeastthepaviliabay.Beforeyoubuythatscrubwiththewonderfulmangoscent,spendacoupleofmomentsgettingtoknowthepersonontheothersideofthebooth.Therearesomewonderfulmicro-manufacturersoutthere.Youjusthavetoknowtherightquestionstoask.
