Choices, choices, choices. This seems to be the American mantra, now more than ever. Every day, we are faced with making decisions about everything from what we eat, what we wear, what we drive, how we choose to dispose of our trash to how we treat the planet. Our choices say a lot about who we are, actions always speak louder than words. As health conscious people, we read labels, we try to make sure that our produce is organic (or at least extremely well washed), we don't want growth hormones or antibiotics in our milk or meats and we would never put a by-product of making motor oil, kerosene and jet fuel on our bodies. Or would we??
Next time you go to the drug store, randomly pick up any lip balm, deodorant or body lotion and read the ingredients, if you see any of these words; petroleum, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, propylene glycol, silicone, polyethylene glycol(PEG) or Isopropyl Myristate just to name a few that is exactly what you are doing!
The EPA considers propylene glycol so toxic that it requires it's workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when handling. Because propylene glycol penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.
Did you know that mineral oil clogs our pores which interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, and has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals? It also slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. So why is Baby Oil 100% mineral oil? How can this possibly be any good for such tender young skin?
And we haven't even talked about how the products are preserved. Do you remember high school or college anatomy class? Yes, our old friend formaldehyde has returned in the form of methylparaben, propylparaben, Quaternium 15, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea.
DOES ALL OF THIS MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN??!
Mine, too. How did all of this garbage get into our skin care products and cosmetics and why are we allowing it to continue?
It all comes back to choices. Big business banks on our apathy and our need for convenience. They think that we are too dumb and lazy to realize that their products are toxic and that if they make them smell pretty that we won't know any better.
How does that make you feel? Me, too.
Lotus Body Botanicals was born from a desire to heal the planet one precious body at a time. Take a look at our new ingredients page and you will not only know what all of the ingredients are but you will be able to pronounce them!
Feel confident about the products you choose for yourself and for the people that you love.
Nothing but the best will do for my husband and little girl.
Join me on my crusade to honor the wholeness in life.
Namaste,
(The Spirit in me recognizes the Spirit in you!)
Maria
