Pure Nuff Stuff

Some of the eagle-eyed among you have noticed that our SPF 20 Lotion is no longer on the site so I thought it was worth a quick explanation.

We've had to stop selling it because some new EU legislation has come into effect on the protection factors in sunscreens. It's a good thing really, it will give us as consumers much more sensible options when we're buying suncream in the future, it's just a real shame for us because we were rather proud of that particular product.

The thing is, until this law came into effect in the past few months, there was no standardisation at all across the board for SPFs in sunscreens (so, for example Ambre Solaire's SFP factor 15 bore no relationship to say, Piz Buins factor 15; they might have been leagues apart in terms of actual protection, which is confusing, dangerous and just plain daft).

So, the EU have done a bit of work on this standardisation and now all manufacturers that make suncream now have to get each cream tested by an independant laboratory to verify that they offer the same protection as every other one in production. Good news for consumers of course, but not so good for PNS, the tests are spectacularly expensive so effectively it means that small companies like us simply have to withdraw the product.

So, that is the story of PNS and suncream. We're sorry you won't be able to buy it from us any longer and we'll carry on saving up the pennies so we can possibly, some time in the future, bring back what we know to be a stunning product.

posted by Emily @ 11:11

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Wednesday 23rd June 2010

Sun Lotion

So glad to see you're selling sunscreen lotion again. Was panicking this morning as I only have half a bottle left and didn't know how to manage for the rest of the summer. Everything else irritates my hyper sensitive skin. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

posted by Julie-Ann Gilmore @ 18:10

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Wednesday 10th March 2010

A bit late...

I've only just caught up with the blog :( but would like to add my support to the whole sunscreen thing. I know the legislation is good, but I won't know where to go when my current bottle runs out (hopefully not for a while as I only use it on sunny summer days). I react to standard commercial ones, and this was the most effective I'd tried of the 'free from nasties, nice to skin ones'. I do hope you are able to find a way to bring it back that works for everyone :)

posted by Salix @ 17:35

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Saturday 13th March 2010

How about launching a skin primer?

I fully understand the reasons for the withdrawal of your most excellent sunscreen, but on an up note, could i re-iterate the thoughts i shared with Emily recently. I found that this lotion was just the best base for applying my make up to. I use a mineral make range and have found that it goes on effortlessly and stays put just brilliantly. Skin primers/perfectors are big news with major cosmetic/make up brands - i know PNS has deliberated long & hard over the make up issue, but it would be such as shame to see a product withdrawn when it can so brilliantly be used as something else ( as so many of your products can!) I do how we can see the launch of PNS skin primer soon! Thank you Emily & Helen for all you hard work & care on our behalf Di :)

posted by Di @ 21:30

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Friday 12th March 2010

Hello there :)

Hello there :) we're still very sorry, it's horrible having to disappoint people Salix, but you're right, the legislation is very necessary. Drop me an email though, there may be a few suggestions I can put your way about alternatives; it's such a mine-field if you're terribly sensitive.

posted by Emily @ 19:24

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Wednesday 24th February 2010

Just an idea.....

Now that you are selling rhassoul, why don't you incorporate it into one of your gift sets. It could consist of rhassoul, rose water to mix it with to make a rose scented face mask and either your cream dream or night cream with rose essential oil. It would make an unusual and lovely gift - complete indulgence! Hope all is well at PNS. Glad you've not given up on sun lotion issue - hope you will be able to compete with the 'big boys' - I'm sure you will! Good luck and Best Wishes.

posted by PNS Fan @ 16:54

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Monday 1st March 2010

Hello there :)

Somehow I missed this little idea last week, what a biff I can be. I love it though. It's been put on the Ideas Board in the workshop (with your name on it of course, you'll get the first one we make for free if it goes into production of course!!). Thanks again PNSF and, um, are you sure you don't want a job? :)

posted by Emily @ 17:59

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Monday 22nd February 2010

Absolutely Gutted!

Although this is a very sensible piece of legislation, it's very sad that you've had to withdraw your wonderful product. Over the past few years I've found I'm allergic to shop bought ones, so whenever I go out on a sunny day and lather my face in sun protection my eyes turn red, my eyelids swell and they sting like nothing on earth. Not the beach babe look I have to say. What a shame x

posted by Elaine @ 17:08

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Friday 19th February 2010

eagle eyed ;))

It's a pity we didn't get our hands on the last batch. I don't know if this may come in handy but I do recommend the EWG site to check what safe SPF lotions you can buy out there. I also checked how PNS products were ranked and I'm quite impresssed. Here's the link http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09/findyoursunscreen

posted by silvana @ 06:31

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Friday 19th February 2010

Hello again :)

The EWG is a good site to look for safer alternatives, thanks very much for posting that (and for being so nice about our own listing on there of course!). Of course a lot of companies on there are American, so this legislation doesn't affect them, but there are some good ones on there, thanks.

posted by Emily @ 15:28

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Thursday 18th February 2010

Any suggestions

Has anybody got an alternative source? Help (slight painic in the voice!!) I really need a sunscreen for everyday.

posted by Heleng @ 17:45

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Friday 19th February 2010

Impractical Suggestion?

This may not be a practical suggestion but could you not make your own? There are reputable sites where you can by the raw materials and with your chemistry background it may be possible. I have never used the sunscreen but I can understand that the loss of a PNS product that you use everyday would be very inconvenient and upsetting. Its like when they stopped maaking the baby powder they gave us the recipe so that we could make our own - but maybe with the rules and regs of sunscreens that may not be legal. I'd be particulary at a loss without the unscented castile soap, white rose toner and avocado cleanser. Hint hint Emily, don't even consider withdrawing these products!!!

posted by PNS Fan @ 11:57

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Friday 19th February 2010

Noted PNSF

We have no plans to withdraw anything else :)

This legislation is a good idea though, it will protect consumers properly and it's been needed for a while, so I am glad it's been put into force, it's just a bit rubbish for us.

posted by Emily @ 15:24

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Thursday 18th February 2010

D**n and Blast!

So that is what has happened...not happy...that was great stuff. I use it everyday and will be lost without it.

posted by Heleng @ 17:43

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Friday 19th February 2010

We're really, really, really sorry Helen

We really hate disappointing people - especially as we realise (and take a certain pride in the fact) that you come to rely on certain products, so we're gutted too.

But I'm going to be a bit useless with suggestions for replacements though, I've not used any other suncreams for years now, rather predictably. Drop me an email on this subject though please, OK? I may have a very short term solution for you.

posted by Emily @ 15:22

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Thursday 18th February 2010

Ditto!

I was delighted at finding an effective sunscreen that didn't leave my face like an oil slick! Gutted to see it go :o(. Could we have an optional box during the ordering process so those of us who want it back can choose to donate an extra pound to the PNS sunscreen fund ;-) (hey, on the basis of every little helps.......)

posted by KarenJ @ 20:10

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Friday 19th February 2010

Oh Karen you're so sweet

I knew our customers were fabulous in every way, but you've just proven it! That's a great offer, but we'll just keep putting pund coins in a jar here. To paraphrase a favourite film though, we're going to have to get a considerably bigger jar.... we have to save up something like £3500 *gulp*

posted by Emily @ 15:16

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Friday 19th February 2010

One off?

Is the testing charge a one off, per batch or annually? I do like the idea of customers donating a pound to get you lot on the way if it would be feasible!! I agree that this legislation is a fab idea but hope that PNS can find a way to cope with the cost :-)

posted by HelenG @ 17:49

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Friday 19th February 2010

PNS Charity

I was just about to ask the same question about whether every batch would need to be tested. I don't use the sun block but would happily donate a pound to a worthy cause! After all, conside all the wonderful products PNS have made for us customers.

posted by PNS Fan @ 18:12

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Wednesday 24th February 2010

We're speachless

We really are. We can't thank you enough - it's the support of our fabulous customers that makes every day here worth the slog. But this is a bit special, even for you. Thank you all so very very much - we can't believe you'd be willing to help donate money to help us, it's incredibly kind. We don't feel like we're able to take you up on the offer, but your support has galvanised us into trying to find some small business funding to cover the costs of this testing now, just so we can compete with the big boys, so thank you. You're utterly wonderful.

posted by Emily @ 10:41

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Monday 5th April 2010

Couldn't you sell it as a moisturiser?

Hi, I wasn't fortunate enough to see that sunscreen you've mentioned, but, if you're not advertising it as a sunscreen you could sell it as an under makeup moisturiser/primer couldn't you? If it's got zinc in it that CAN act as a sunscreen but it can also be quite soothing to irritated skin can't it, could you not sell it on that basis? I'd also happily donate a pound to help towards the testing if you decided to offer your 'calming primer' as a sunscreen lotion. Regards, Honey

posted by Honey @ 21:14

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Friday 9th April 2010

Hi there Honey :)

I get what you're saying and as tempting as that would be - it is one way to get round the problem - it's just not the PNS way. We do our best to be as transparent as possible and while it would benefit us to get a popular product back out, it would just feel somehow wrong to us.

On a positive note though, we're doing well with negotiations with a new supplier for them to fork out for the testing if I tell all my friends in the industry where to get a pre-tested ingredient so we can all carry on as before. Will keep everyone posted on this, but there is, as my dear old Nan used to say, dozens of ways to get your own way, you just have to work hard enough at it :).

posted by Emily @ 09:11

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Saturday 24th April 2010

:'(

Oh no! I've read this blog a minute ago, but I think I'm going to cry!!! I was so in love with your sunscreen. My skin would'nt let me leave another brand name. It just can't handle it. I really really hope you're sunscreen come back (maybe as a daycream haha). Lisanne- The Netherlands

posted by lisanne @ 06:41

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