Is a natural cosmetic a safer one?
In other news where people vote with their wallets, a change is taking place in the aisles of stores where personal care products are being sold: Labels are being read. (I'm trying to think of an aisle anywhere in the store now where labels are NOT being read.)
Not only are folks watching what they're putting into their bodies, they're also concerned by what they're slathering onto their bodies. And the general thinking is, if you can't pronounce it, maybe you should think twice about buying it.
But there is debate, within the cosmetic industry and all along the sidelines, and everyone has an opinion. With no set industry standards and companies policing themselves in regards to safety, it's buyer-beware, even when it comes to products that say "natural" and "organic."
Some fear that there are companies trying to profit off of the green movement and are jumping on the bandwagon with no concern about anything other than the almighty dollar. There are probably many cases where this fear is a valid one. "Scrupulous" and "business" don't always go hand-in-hand.
Natural ingredients can cause skin irritations and allergies, so it's important to be careful with anything you're using on your skin. These ingredients are derived from plants, which as you well know can be quite powerful. That's why pharmaceutical companies twist themselves into knots in an effort to duplicate those properties and market them.
As folks strive to be healthy and make smart choices in their self-care products, there is no doubt that the web will become yet more tangled as companies try to gain market share and profit from this newer demand. That's the nature of business.
In the meantime, I'll tell you about one company that is not a new-comer, but has been at the natural products game since the 1980's: Burt's Bees. They offer a wide array of products based on natural ingredients. Their product line can be found widely in grocery stores, pharmacies and health food stores. You can also visit their website at www.burtsbees.com. Another excellent company with a long history of safe, natural products is Weleda at www.weleda.com. I've been using their products for years.
Given a choice, I'd still much prefer a natural ingredient be applied to my skin than a product containing unpronounceable ingredients with 26 syllables. Sure, natural doesn't always necessarily mean safe, but do your homework. Also, keep in mind the alternative: Remember that I've talked to you in House Calls before about the chemical industry and how they can spew their products out on an unsuspecting public with nary an attempt at guaranteeing safety.
The best frame of mind is to realize that there are no guarantees.
