What safety precautions do the books require?
Short answer
The books treat safety as non-negotiable: full protective gear, a zoned and disinfected workspace, good ventilation and an emergency plan.
Explanation
The opening chapter puts it plainly: there is no home version of safety, only the correct protocol. Before touching any ingredient you cover your hair, wear splash-proof goggles when handling lye or acids, wear a particulate respirator when weighing fine powders, and wear a dedicated long-sleeved coat or apron and closed-toe shoes.
Hands are washed, sanitized with 70% alcohol, gloved, and the gloves are sprayed with alcohol too. Surfaces are disinfected, wiped with alcohol and covered, and the space is split into a prep zone, an active formulation zone and a curing or packaging zone. Ventilation is confirmed before you start, and a spill kit, eyewash access and labeled waste containers are ready.
What to do
- Run through the book's pre-formulation checklist before every session.
- Silence your phone: focus is part of the protocol.
- Keep a Safety Data Sheet on file for every active ingredient you use.
Source: The Big Book of Homemade Skin Care, The Big Book of Homemade Soap — The Non-Negotiable Protocol: Safety, Sterility & the Professional Mindset