Bird Brained

(alternately titled, Why We Don't Use Emu Oil)

We've been busy this summer doing a rash of farmers markets. My favorite part of these is getting to talk to our customers, find out what is working well for them, and what they'd like to see more of!

I keep getting asked for Emu Oil Soap.

As you may know, we completely avoid the use of animal fats in our soaps and body care. (In fact the only "animal" ingredients you'll ever find are occassionally beeswax or raw milk, from local happy bees and cows.)

It's not that I'm a vegan, but mostly that the idea of rubbing animal fat on my skin sort of grosses me out.

Upon getting asked why we don't have emu oil soap, I usually respond that we don't use any animal fats. This last week I was met with, "Oh, it's not an animal fat. It's an oil."

Very reasonable confusion has amounted to exactly what is emu oil. They certainly are not squeezing the oil out of emus, I can tell you that much. It is not anything like the manufacture of lanolin from sheep either.

The emus are farmed, killed, ground up, and "rendered", and THAT is what you are receiving to rub on your crow's feet or whatever.

Not to mention, the high amounts of oleic acid found in emu oil rendered emu is comedogenic. (That's fancy talk for it can clog your pores.)

Why use emu oil when you can use pure and clean oils such as Neem Oil or Shea Butter for special skin needs? We find both of these oils/fats to be more than efficient!

Neem oil is the active ingredient in Cheeky Maiden Complexion Soaps. It gently refines the pores and can be helpful for both acne and aging skin. We've been selling our Complexion Soap for over three years and it works well for all skin types!

We also use 100% raw, unrefined shea butter in almost all of our soaps, as well as offer it on it's own as a moisturizer.

As far as emu oil goes? We think it's for the birds. ;)