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| Newsworthy Newsletter - September 2006 Top 3 Reasons to "Go Natural" Maybe you've noticed - more and more bath + body products are touting ingredients that are "natural" or "organic". Botanical and herbal extracts are appearing in everything from drug store brand body lotion to the highest-end cosmetics. Is there something to this trend or is it just yet another fad? Garden Girl was founded on the belief that products with predominantly natural ingredients are better not only for healthy skin, but a healthy body. Here are our top 3 reasons why: #1. Skin absorbs the good and the bad. Skin is the largest organ in your body. Much of what you put on your skin can actually be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Take a minute to think about what you put on your skin - moisturizers, cleansers, perfumes, powders... Now think about what you don't know about the ingredients in those products. Plus, add the fact that the cosmetics and personal care industry is minimally regulated by the FDA, and it makes you pay attention. Recently, there has been a lot of attention paid to some controversial studies about "bioaccumulation" of toxins and other harmful effects of chemicals used in skincare products. One of the most discussed chemicals is a group of preservatives called parabens (methylparaben and propylparaben). Parabens have been linked to breast cancer tissue in initial studies, and can prompt the growth of breast cancer cells in test tubes. And when you consider the fact that most companies put enough preservatives in their products to have a shelf life of 3 to 5 years, it is clear that there is potentially a high level of parabens in many products you may be using. Even the possibility of a connection to cancer makes it desirable to avoid unnecessary chemicals. #2. Common ingredients cause common reactions. Many common chemical ingredients, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), are known irritants. They are frequently used in laboratory situations to induce dry skin or to induce skin irritations. SLS?s provide rich foam, but at the cost of possibly irritating and drying out your skin. To counteract the drying, many companies then add inexpensive moisturizers such as petroleum-based products. Petrolatum and mineral oil are two commonly used ingredients. Derived from crude oil, petroleum products are effective at trapping moisture in the skin and keeping skin soft, however often clogging pores in the meantime. While it is true that petroleum products are technically "natural", there are other natural choices that are as effective, but not derived from crude oil and don't clog pores. #3. Why argue with history? Natural ingredients have been used for centuries with great success. Cleopatra maintained her beautiful skin by using honey and milk. Green Tea's antioxidants and blemish-control properties have been relied upon for generations of Asian women. There is great intrinsic value to a wide range of natural ingredients - antioxidant, exfoliating, moisturizing and skin firming, to name a few. It's a wonder that we continue to try to create synthetic ingredients at all. Everything we need to keep skin looking, feeling and smelling great can be found in nature. According to a study by the Freedonia Group, a marketing research firm, in July 2006, there is a "growing propensity on the part of consumers for products containing natural ingredients, and a trend away from harsh chemicals." It is clear that this trend has gone mainstream, as the biggest brands are trying to promote their "natural" and "organic" ingredients - just browse the shelves at Wal-Mart and Target. But be aware. Natural ingredients do cost more - especially quality ingredients. So while you may be pleased to see "Now with botanical extracts" or the words natural and organic proudly displayed on the mass-produced brands, read the labels. Those ingredients are typically buried among a long list of chemical and synthetic ingredients, and doused in heavy loads of preservatives. Click here to learn more about Garden Girl products. |
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