Soothing After Sun Spray

With summer finally upon us, it’s easy to overindulge in the wonderful sunlight. Our soothing after-sun spray is perfect if you’ve had too much sun, or simply need a refreshing, cooling mist on a hot day.

• 250ml Organic Rose Hydrolat
• 50ml Cucumber Infusion
• 5g Aloe Vera Powder

Combine all ingredients and decant into a clean spray bottle. Shake well before each use and apply to skin as needed.

Natural, Hand-made Insecticide for Plants

This natural insecticide is great for getting rid of pests such as aphids. This formula is non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe around pets, bees, and birds. It’s also extremely easy to make.

Just combine 1 litre of clean water with 50g liquid castile soap and decant into a spray bottle.

To use the insecticide, simply spray the affected area of the plant every other day until the pests disappear. For stubborn pests, add 50ml of neem oil to the solution.

Happy gardening!

Itch Relief Stick

We love Summer, but we don’t love the occasional insect bite that comes with being out in the warm fresh air. This easy-to-make relief stick will help soothe those itchy bites - and it’s super portable so you can take it with you anywhere.

• 30% Calendula Infused Oil
• 22% Beeswax
• 20% Shea Butter
• 15% Cocoa Butter
• 10% Marshmallow Infused Oil
• 2% Lavender Essential Oil
• 1% Peppermint Essential Oil
• Twist up tubes for packaging

Directions

• 1. In a pyrex or microwave-safe container, melt the beeswax with the infused oils. Do this is 2 minute intervals to avoid anything boiling over or burning. Once the beeswax has melted, add the butters and stir until they've melted, too. They may melt rather slowly, but it's important to add the butters this way so that your product doesn't become grainy later.
• 2. Once the butters have melted, add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Once everything is incorporated, your product is ready to go into the twist up tubes.

To convert this recipe to your preferred batch size, why not use our handy batch calculator?

Ceramide Blend!

As part of our ever-expanding antiaging range, we're happy to introduce the addition of Ceramide Blend to our collection. This blend contains a unique profile of nourishing fatty acids that leave the skin feeling soft, nourished and more youthful, without causing any dryness or damage like many high-tech cosmetic ingredients on the market, making it a wonderful addition to not only mature but dry skin types as well. Naturally boosting the skin's moisture retention within the outer layers, Ceramide Blend stimulates the lipid layer of the skin, boosting the moisture barrier's strength and allowing it to maintain a healthy, hydrated glow. This works wonders when it comes to repairing and preserving the skin's age and condition!

New Syn-Coll

We are happy to announce the intoduction of our new range of peptides, and specifically our newest product: Syn-Coll!

This lovely little peptide helps the skin appear beautiful, soft and youthful through the power of collagen stimulation. Because it has been synthetically engineered to be the most perfect antiaging ingredient on the skincare market today - providing extra moisturisation, healing and wrinkle-removal - we can see why it's such a hit. It works wonders when used in creams, lotions and moisturisers, as it can be used in a variety of leave-on and rinse-off applications without drying or damaging then skin at all!

Earth Day Natural Lip Balm Recipe

Time for an admission: I am a lip balm fanatic. If I were forced to choose one desert island skin care item, it would be lip balm. I can't stand for my lips to feel dry or chapped, so I have varous tubes of lip balm stashed all about my house, office, car, and handbag. I've tried a lot of brands, but I always come back to handmade. There is just something about the quality of the ingredients that sets handmade lip balm apart from shop brands.

I can't think of a nicer way to celebrate Earth Day than producing something as lovely as lip balm with wonderful, all-natural ingredients. This balm works best in twist up tubes, as it is quite firm. If you wanted to make a softer balm for packaging in pots, increase one of the liquid oils by about 3% and reduce one of the butters by the same amount. Ingredients

Ingredients marked with a shopping basket icon are available to purchase at Gracefruit, please click the name of the ingredient marked with the shopping basket icon to visit the corresponding product page.

• 30% Cherry Kernel Oil
• 23% Beeswax
• 15% Cocoa Butter
• 10% Mango Butter
• 9% Aloe Butter
• 6% Avocado Oil
• 3% Plum Kernel Oil
• 2% Vitamin E
• 1% Squalane
• 1% Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions

• In a pyrex or microwave-safe container, melt the beeswax with the liquid oils. I do this is 2 minute intervals to avoid anything boiling over or burning. Once the beeswax has melted, add the butters and stir until they've melted, too. They may melt rather slowly, but it's important to add the butters this way so that your lip balm doesn't become grainy later.
• Once the butters have melted, add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Once everything is incorporated, your balm is ready to go into the containers.

Gracenotes Facial Serum Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients marked with a shopping basket icon are available to purchase at Gracefruit, please click the name of the ingredient marked with the shopping basket icon to visit the corresponding product page.

• 45% GFsoft 767
• 30% Spring or Distilled Water
• 22% Olive Squalane
• 1% Hyaluronic Acid
• 1% GFphen PCG
• 1% Gracenotes Fragrance

Directions

• In a heat-safe container, heat spring water to 70C and hold the temperature for about 10 minutes.
• Then add the hyaluronic acid and whisk well to incorporate.
• In a separate bowl, add the GFsoft 767 to the olive squalane and stir well.
• Now combine the water/hyaluronic acid mixture with the GFsoft/squalane mixture and whisk well to blend. Now add the Gracenotes fragrance.
• Finally, add the GFphen PCG, stir well, and then package for use.

Same day order dispatch for orders placed before 2pm (GMT)

We are getting into the Christmas spirit here at Gracefruit, so we are very pleased to announce that from today until Monday, December 22nd all orders placed before 2pm (GMT) will be dispatched on the same day they are placed!

Yes you heard us correctly, that all orders placed before 2pm GMT will be sent out the very same day. Just another little way we are saying thank you for your custom during 2014.

Please remember that the last order date for dispatch before Christmas is 11:59pm GMT on Monday, 22nd December. All orders placed after this date will be dispatched when we return from the Christmas break.

Safety Assessments and E Learning Courses now available from Gracefruit

For those who have been Gracefruit customers for a number of years, you will know that we try our best to bring requested products and services to you. So we are delighted to announce that we are now offering Safety Assessments and E-Learning Courses to make your life easier.

Safety Assessments

Interested in making and selling luxury skincare and hair care products? Great news with our new cost-effective safety assessments for all of our Gracefruit Luxury Bases doing so couldn't be easier! Each safety assessment will cover the addition of fragrance oils and/or essential oils to the pre-made base and will allow you to legally sell the finished product.

E-Learning Courses

In conjunction with our friends at Plush Folly we are pleased to offer you a series of accredited e-Learning courses which teach you how to make bespoke products from hair care to soap, perfume and much more. Email support from Plush Folly is offered whilst you learn your new skill, and the course files are available to you online for twelve months from date of purchase.

Why not combine both products, by first learning a new skill and then using that knowledge to broaden your product offering to your customers?

Sales and free gifts galore at Gracefruit this Christmas

Have you been naughty or nice this year? This is the question we are asking our loyal customers in our latest newsletter... Not that it matters either way, as we have some amazing offers for everyone this Christmas.

Free Gifts

This Christmas we have two amazing Christmas gifts for you to choose from when you place an order with Gracefruit of £100 or more (excluding VAT and delivery costs). We have our Christmas Fragrance Pack, which is literally packed full of amazing fragrance oils (50ml Clementine Jelly Fragrance, 50ml Holly Wreath Fragrance, 50ml Sloe Gin & Blackberry Fragrance, 50ml Yule Log Fragrance, 50ml Honeyed Fig & Saffron Fragrance and 150 sheets snowflake EcoWrap paper. For those looking for something more natural, we have our Natural Oils Pack filled with some amazing oils (550ml refined olive oil, 100ml cucumber seed oil, 50ml cranberry seed oil, 50ml rosemary extract, 30ml acai berry seed oil, 250ml grapeseed oil and 150 sheets snowflake ecowrap paper). This is one of our largest give-aways yet, and full details of how to claim can be found on this page.

Fragrance Sale

This Christmas we also have a great Fragrance Oil sale which can be found here. But please be quick, as we only have limited numbers of sale stock and last Christmas we sold out quickly!

Last Order Dates

Want to make sure your order is shipped before we break-up for Christmas? Well as long as your Gracefruit order is placed by 11:59pm (GMT) on December 22nd, it will be dispatched before we close for Christmas. All of the important closure details can be found here.

New distributor in Portugal

Entering new markets is always exciting for us here in Gracefruit. This time we are off to Portugal with our new distributor there, Plena Natura (meaning Full Nature). It's a recent venture by a couple Carla and Humberto who visualised that soap making at home could appeal to broader audience, or to use Humberto's words "we wanted to provide with exceptional raw materials those devoted into the "art" of soap making". Since they are soapmakers themselves they know what makes a soap stand out. This is how they decided to open the first online store in Portugal for raw cosmetic and soap making materials and Plena Natura was born. We are glad to be working with them, as we pride ourselves in delivering the best raw materials for soaps and cosmetics with the best prices in the market, something that Humberto spotted in us when we were first contacted to request the distributorship. They've been on the market only since January 2014 and already "Plena Natura" has been asserting itself increasingly as a local leader for great quality at fair prices.Carla and Humberto welcome on board Gracefruit team.

Introducing the Gracefruit® Pearliser

Have you even heard or actually needed a component that will be a "make up" ingredient for bubbly cosmetic products? No matter your answer we have it. It is the Gracefruit® Pearliser, as derived by its name, a high purity pearling blend giving a pearlescent result into shampoos, 2in1 shampoos or conditioners, liquid hand soaps, bubble baths, bath milks and other rinse off personal care products.

What makes it easy to use is that it can be added to your products without additional heating or extended processing time so that you get an excellent pearling effect with Gracefruit® Pearliser through cold blending at ambient temperatures. If you ever had a cloudy or discoloured product the Gracefruit® Pearliser will act as cover up, pretty much like make up, masking imperfections in your formulas and making them appealing to the eye and usable. It combines an array of essential benefits making it a must-have ingredient to your products problematic or not, as you can save energy, time and money by using it.

We suggest that you add Gracefruit® Pearliser into alcohol sulfate or alcohol ethoxylate systems. The recommended use dosage is 1% to 5%, depending on the desired pearling effect. However a 2.5% to 3% dosage will result into an aesthetically pearlescent mix. Meaning that with very little amount you can have a beautiful pearling effect while delivering rich foam and a stable product.

Our newest range of fragrance oils

It’s that time of the year again!! We are excited to introduce the new additions in our fragrance oils. They are perfect for new seasonal products for the festive season and winter time.

• Christmas cake Fragrance Oil

Opening with notes of Warm ginger, nutmeg and cardamom followed by a rich fruity heart of apple, pear, cinnamon, quince and cumin seed. This fantastic scent closes up with sweet and sugary scents of soft and creamy vanilla cake. Can be used in an array of products, from body care to candles and room fragrances.

• Clementine Jelly Fragrance Oil

A refreshing fragrance opening with notes of effervescent Prosecco and hints of apple. Its middle notes are a fruity bouquet of crisp granny smith apple, pear, winter peach and apricot closing up with bottom notes of sweet crystallised Clementine. Will make a great refreshing smell for bath and body products.

• Crisp Golden Leaves Fragrance Oil

This woody and smoky rich scent opens up with an indulgent accord of cedar, patchouli, vetiver and fresh pine, leading to an intense crisp heart of lavender and rosemary. The bottom notes are smoky scents of incense, labdanum and sensual amber. Ideal for creating a festive smell in candles.

• Holly Wreath Fragrance Oil

An invigorating fragrance with top notes of aromatic rosemary and holly leaves. It’s enhanced with a heart of rich cedar wood, and closing up with a captivating woody blend of musk and amber. The perfect smell for candles and soaps.

• Tabac Vanille Fragrance Oil

A zesty bergamot, pink pepper and cardamom scent, leading to a bouquet of heliotrope and iris. It’s wrapped up in a woody blend of cedar, tonka, vetiver and amber making it a great choice for any of your seasonal products.

• Warm spices Fragrance Oil

A crystallised sugary ginger fragrance, opening with scents of Jamaican ginger. The middle notes are coriander, cardamom and lemongrass finishing with spicy warm notes of vanilla and cinnamon. It is ideal for adding a warm spicy scent in your product range.

• Yule log fragrance oil

This scent opens with an indulgent festive accord of chocolate and bitter almond. The heart is spicy cinnamon and ginger and the bottom notes include a sweet fond of vanilla, maple sugar, coconut flakes and woody musk.

Our New Distributor in Bulgaria

We are delighted to announce that Gracefruit has a new distributor in Bulgaria who looks really promising in the field of soap-making and cosmetics. Domasen sapun is a family run business that started off as a hobby and now after two years is evolving into business. Miglena the founder of the company has been making soap and cosmetic for the past couple of years and is really passionate about it. As Miglena says "Making homemade soap is not only a fun hobby, but also very useful. And as the soap goes hand in hand with the shampoo, cream and other cosmetic products, we established this store with the idea to offer raw materials for cosmetics at home in an affordable and easy way." It is really exciting to have in the Gracefruit team people that are passionate about what they are doing and also people that try to inspire others in any way. This is how Miglena spotted the gap in handmade cosmetic market in her country and Gracefruit Limited will be supporting along the way by providing top quality ingredients for her and the Bulgarian customers.

Carbopol Ultrez 30

We are please to announce that our new Carbopol Ultrez 30 is now in stock and available for purchase.

Carbopol Ultrez 30 acts as a thickener and a stabilzer which is compatable with a wide range of applications due to its broad PH range (PH 4.0 - 12.0). This viscosity modifying liquid helps to impart a soft, rich feeling on the skin.

Try a sample today with 50 grams only costing £6.95

Clearance Yoghurt Powder

Although sad to see it go, the Yoghurt Powder has been added to the clearance section with savings of 60% off!

Please note the best before date for this product is 01/11/14.

Certificate in Making Perfume Products (e-Learning programme)

We are pleased to announce that we are adding another e-Learning course to our range, the Certificate in Making Perfume Products (e-Learning programme)

This excellent course offers you everything you need to know about about creating perfume products, with beautifully formatted, fully illustrated pdf files which are available to you for 12 months after the purchase! This also includes full technical support from our freinds at Plush Folly.

Organic Liquid Castile Soap Base

We are please to announce our new Organic Liquid Castile Soap Base is online and available for purchase.

Certified organic, our liquid castile soap base is free of parabens, mineral Oil compunds, sulfates (SLS & SLES), PEGS, PPG, DEA, glycols and phtahlates. It has a natural, yellow translucent colour and is an excellent base for any organic liquid soap applications.

With prices starting at £3.85(Exc VAT) for only 500ml, try a sample today!

New E-learning courses

In conjunction with our friends at Plush Folly we are pleased to offer you a series of accredited e-Learning courses.

These innovative new courses offer you all the support and help that you need to further your knowledge on the production of cosmetics, all from the comfort of your own home.

These great e-learning programmes cover a huge variety of topics of your chosen product type leaving no question you may have unanswered as email support and the course files are available to you for 12 months after the date of purchase.

The Courses available are as follows:

Certificate in Making Hair Care Products (e-learning programme)

Certificate in Making Liquid Soap using Lye (e-learning programme)

Certificate in Making Liquid Soap using Surfactants (e-learning programme)

Certificate in Making Skin Care Products (e-learning programme)

Certificate in Making Traditional Soap (e-learning programme)

Gracefruit® Emollient 810

I am please to announce that we have a new specialist chemical in stock, Gracefruit® Emollient 810.

A mixed diester made from a blend of coconut fatty alcohol and fractionated fatty acids, our Gracefruit® Emollient 810 is a lovely emollient that imparts a light, non-oily and velvety smooth feel onto the skin. This makes it a perfect choice for any skin care applications.

Recomended usage rate: Up to 20%