Thursday, June 12, 2008

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

One of the reasons I am in the natural skincare business is because I am passionate about offering people safe products. I feel good knowing that I am providing families products that are free from harmful chemical additives including synthetic preservatives.
Daisy Blue Naturals has signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics along with 600 other companies. By signing this these companies "pledge to remove toxic chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives in every market they serve." (from website)

I would like to comment on some things you may be saying to yourself right now:
"I purchase and use products from well known companies"
"
(skincare company) is a natural/botanical skincare company."
"(skincare company) is very active in women's health and well being, they would not use harmful ingredients"

I have said every one of these things in the past! I have also been completely surprised and dumbfounded by what I found when I read my labels. I have been saddened to find out that a company I represented as 'safe' and 'beneficial' and 'good for you' was using parabens as a preservative in their products among other questionable ingredients.

We can't change the past. We can change the future! I was so excited to find a company that was 'truly' dedicated to producing toxin free, Natural products that are healthy for both their customers and the environment! To find a company that is in line with your personal beliefs and morals is such a good feeling that you can't help but want to share it with others!

However, let me say here that I am not saying that we are the only company that is dedicated to this. The main purpose of this article is to say that not all Natural Skincare companies are free from toxic chemicals I urge you to visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website and see who has and who has refused to sign the compact. If your current skincare/haircare/home product companies have not or will not sign this campaign - ask them why?

The main reason we hear is that "our products are in-line with current EU guidelines". To this I urge you to ask questions. Testing of skincare products are geared towards one product and are to test for skin irritaion and allergic reaction - not longterm use of a combination of products containing these ingredients. For instance the EU deems parabens safe for use at a .05% level. However that is for one product. What if you are using 10 products that contain .05% paraben levels every day for 10 years? There is no test for that. There is no test for long term use of ingredients shown to be toxic. There is only testing to see what levels these toxic chemicals are safe to use without irritating your skin at application.

Now you should ask "Why?" again. Why even use these ingredients if you do not have to? They may not tell you - but the answer is - they are cost effective. They are cheaper to use then the natural alternatives. Period.

From the website:

Personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, after shave, lotion and makeup are not regulated by the FDA or any other government agency. It is perfectly legal and very common for companies to use ingredients that are known or suspected to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins in the their products. Consumers buy these products at drug stores, grocery stores, online or in salons, usually without questioning the product’s safety.

We are asking cosmetics and personal care products companies to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics (also known as the Compact for the Global Production of Safer Health and Beauty Products), a pledge to remove toxic chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives in every market they serve. As of August 2007, 600 companies have signed the Compact -- and that number increases every day!

In closing, I am not trying to scare into using Daisy Blue Naturals! I am urging you to take the same precautions when choosing your skincare as you would when choosing your food! I am urging you to visit the Campaign website and choose companies who have chosen to act responsibly when it comes to their customers wellbeing.