Which products to use?

[Lost.]

Hello all,

My missus swears by Elemis and Decleor products, and wouldnt leave the house without her daily oblutions, and this got me thinking about what products people may use say in aromatherapy/massage etc, and what they might consider retailing.

ie, Do you buy pre-made oils, or make up your own, would your client prefer to buy a brand name from a salon (more prestigious) or from their local friendly therapist (where no-one else can see them buying a £30 bottle of oil?).

If you do retail products, are there normally minimum order values, does the stock move quickly, or do you end up with it gathering dust on your shelves.

Many thanks

TC

 

[Elizabeth H]

Hi TC

As an aromatherapist, I do try to make my own products where possible.

For my clients, I usually make products to order, for instance if they have a particular problem I may recommend something that they can use in between treatments which they can purchase from me.

I have, however, been experimenting and have done well with a few products - Rose and Neroli Face and Body Creme (which I use myself as a moisturiser, Tea Tree, Lemon and Peppermint Foot Lotion and Rosemary, Ginger and Clove Sport and Muscle Rub. I do tend to use a cream or lotion formula, unless oils are specified, as I find these are less messy and are absorbed into the skin better (also good for travelling).

When I go abroad I always mix some chamomile and lavender lotion which covers, sunburn, constipation, diahorreah, shaving rash, muscular problems and loads of other things too.

Not sure if this has answered your question, TC, but thought I'd let you know what I do.

Lesley

 

[legendofslipperyhollow]

Aromababe - I also make my own face moisturiser which is Rose and Mandarin and smells lovely - it is also a lot cheaper.

I also mix vitamine E lotion in a dispenser with lavender and camomile and it just as good if not better than any after sun.

 

[Kave Dast]

I make my own, and find that my clients like them as well. I also have a mail order business selling my own products. I only make up small batches, and other retailers only order small batches from me so that they do not gather dust on the shelves!

I make my own rose face cream as well, rose must be the best loved oil by aromatherapists I think! It is rose and frankincense with calendula oil in a white cream base I am sure mandarin would go well in there too, in fact I used to make a rose, roman chamomile and orange blend that was quite popular, can't remember why I stopped it, i think just for variety,

Sharon xx

 

[Blurcelve]

I have mostly just sold my products to people I have been treating, mostly as an extension to the treatment, as I have been concerned about any legislation involving the sale of aromatherapy products. Any advice Deva?

Lesley

 

[bsnubdrk]

I have heard that you have to a licence to selll your products on a this costs about 1000 pounds. My tutor told me that you can sell on to clients who you are treating as this is a prescription that goes with their treatment and it is an individual prescription for that particular person.

If you are a member of FHT I think they will have more info on this.

You also have to extend your insurance to sell products which is about an extra 15 pounds.

 

[Sim]

In the UKEngland and Wales, not sure about Scotland and N. Ireland)To sell your own blends to clients is relatively simple.
To produce and sell on a wider scale, you need to make sure you do not make any medicinal or therapeutic claims, have the products tested and approved by a dermatologist or similar professional,have correct labelling etc etc
Basically get in touch with your Local trading standards officer and see [link=http://www.ctpa.org.uk/about/index.htm]http://www.ctpa.org.uk/about/index.htm[/link] for information regarding aromatherapy products and cosmetics, make sure you do not market your product as a medicine (that does cost thousands of pounds, hundreds of thousands I think to get a medical licence for a product).

I am not sure where you are Rose, I know in Australia you need to be licenced to sell your own aromatherapy blends, but to the best of my knowledge I am not aware of this here in the UK. I have spoken to trading standards officers from 2 counties, directors of aromatherapy suppliers to get their advice, biochemists, microbiological science specialists etc and no one mentioned a licence!

You can get more info from
http://www.a-t-c.org.uk/ click on Information

Oh, and make sure you tell your insurer so you can have additional insurance.

Hth
Sharon xx