Potion palaver!
Fragrant greetings!
As an eco-skincare potion-maker I am often dismayed at the sheer amount of toxic toiletries there are out there in the world, so it is most exciting for me, a solitary kitchen-witch to come across a fellow natural potion-maker. However, again I am usually dissapointed too for the same reasons. I know why huge big companies will tell lies about there potions to sell them, but I find it incredulous that a small (one person) producer will fall prey to the same kind of poison potion-making and the same lying marketing spiel as the big bad boys.
I couldn't live with myself if I put synthetics in my potions but still called them natural, I couldn't sleep at night if I used petroleum by-products but called it Organic. I would never ever use colourings and fake scents then describe my potions as Aromatherapy. What gives??
I've discovered some basic untruths which cast clouds of doubt when I see these phrases which I'll share here for the discerning potion-user:
"Handmade by an Aromatherapist" Meaningless phrase, aromatherapists are just as likely to use chemicals in their potions as anyone. As a trained aromatherapist myself I know for a fact that the training does not teach potion-making and does not even teach (very well) about the purity of oils. Most aromatherapists use bought in (not natural) bases then simply add essential oils to them.
"Organic certified" There are loads of certifying bodies these days all with their own agenda, some of the ingredients that are allowed in organic products I wouldn't wash my dishes with let alone put on my skin.
"The only UK(or wherever) organic certified brand" Some of us 100% natural organic makers aren't certified for the reasons above and because of cost.
"No SLS" They may contain no SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) but I bet my ass they use another similar detergent thats just as nasty.
"Approved by..(some cancer institute, skin foundation etc)" Yeah, betcha you're on the governing board eh! Go to their website and find out who their corporate sponsors are, that'll be the real reason that their 'approved'.
"Added vitamins and/or minerals" Err, someones a little confused and has mistaked their skin for their stomach!! Sorry, but vitamins have to be assimilated from your food via digestion. I think potion-makers need to study some basic human biology eh!
I'm sure there's loads more but I can't remember them all :-)
Remember, always read the label and if an ingredient doesn't sound edible it probably isn;t going to do much good for your skin.
x Star
posted by Star Khechara @ 8:53 PM
7 Comments:
Aaah it's been too long since I've "heard" one of your mass produced toiletries rants... I thought of you at the weekend. There was an organic food festival in Bristol and this woman was on the radio blethering about how she's the only person in the UK making truly natural and organic skincare products. I nearly choked on my banana :)
Hiya there Cindy :-)
Gosh , yes I've lots of companies say the exact same thing!! Well we can't ALL be the ONLY one eh!!
Hee hee
ps what were you doing with that banana??
Body Shop as well as Boots has a long list of no-no ingredients on their packaging. I looked them up in Pat Thomas's book 'Cleaning Ourselves to Death'. Even Weleda and Lush contain one or two suspect ingredients though I trust Lush's solid and fresh products that are kept in the shop in ice.
Why does there need to be benzyl alcohol or denatured alcohol in moisturisers which actually dry the skin?
The only organic certifying body in Britian that has validity is the Soil Association.
Yep I agree,
Although even the Soil Association allow some things that I wouldn't use in my own handmade skincare products.
The lush 'fresh' stuff is mostly pretty good although even some of those have synthetic fragrance added (dunno why as fresh stuff should smell good as it is!)
Unfortunatley Lush has much more than 'one or two' suspect ingredients, they actually use quite a lot of nasties, although not as bad a Body Shop (now owned by L'oreal who are part owned by Nestle, boo hiss)or Boots or other chemical skincare suppliers.
Pat Thomas's books are great aren't they! I've also got Cometics Uncovered which is quite helpful too.
Pat Thomas's books are very informative but I would feel quite despondent after reading them thinking that there would be nothing to buy that wouldn't cause harm. I did notice that some if not all the Lush massage bars contained synthetic perfumes as well as essential oils and they still use sodium lauryl sulfate even in soap. I tend to prefer Yaoh products as they seem to be the least suspect commercial skin and hair products. I've also mastered the hang of making moisturisers by using rose water rather than tap water and using much less than the recipe suggests. A higher oil content also makes the moisturiser easier to apply as the cocoa butter and beeswax makes it heavy in consistency.
I've been using a Neem skin cream bought at a natural health show which makes my skin itch especially round the eyes. It contains Lexemul and Euxly which are both synthetic chemicals.
Do you know Sugar Rush, I've always wondered why Lush use SLS in their soap. It is very strange.
That neem stuff sounds horrible, just goes to show that these so-called 'natural products' are mostly just a sham eh.
I don't know if it's the neem oil or the chemicals. The only way to find out is to buy straight neem oil and use it. I suspect it's the chemicals rather.
Lush use SLS in their soaps for a lather but since I live in a soft water area I get too much lather from their soaps and have to spend more time rinsing off. Their soaps don't last long as they are not very hard.
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