On “Putting on a Green Face”
Comments on the May 2008 Newsletter: Putting on a Green Face
I used to purchase Ucerin, a lovely "natural" facial cream made up at the local pharmacy. The last time I purchased this product I broke out in a horrible, red, itchy rash all over my face. I researched on the net and talked with the pharmacist, and much to my astonishment, a product was added to the cream to add to its shelf life. This horrid product was propylene glycol! This product is antifreeze! Imagine ANTIFREEZE in a facial cream! The pharmacist was actually not very sympathetic and went along with the idea of extending a product’s shelf life. I wonder, though, if, deep inside, she found this rather revolting as well! This chemical is also found, abundantly, in shampoos as well as many other products.
I believe we are taking this all too lightly and consumers should be made more aware of this danger. I honestly cannot find a shampoo that does NOT have this nasty chemical. I am outraged that this is the case; we should be "up-in-arms" about such deadly chemicals in the products we purchase.
It would be great if we could induce the manufacturers/government to prohibit the use of these chemicals in toiletry items. I wonder how many chemicals are in baby products these days?
Eleanor Card , Kentville Nova Scotia
Tags: allergic, allergy, cosmetics, Lindsay, propylene glycol
May 20th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I’m actually allergic to propylene glycol (PG), as I discovered by process of elimination, and I feel your pain with trying to find products that don’t contain it. My reaction sounds like what you experienced - an itchy rash (that sometimes turns into hives). I’ve been searching for a nice face cream for the new lines on my thirty-something face that contains SPF and doesn’t contain PG, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), and the parabens (considered carcinogenic). So far, no luck. I will let you know if I find one. In the meantime, take note that even companies like Tom’s of Maine have admitted defeat on avoiding it in some of their products, such as deoderant. Watch out for it in toothpaste - all the expensive ones, like Colgate Total, will contain it. Also, ’scent’ or ‘parfum’ will also often contain it, and the law does not make them list ingredients for these. And by the way, all kinds of baby products contain all kinds of scary things… I’ve been watching as my 2-year-old grows up. Check out infant Tylenol if you want a fright!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I just read your plastics guide. Where do plastics made out of corn starch resin fall? I believe they would be under #7, but my understanding is that they are safe and more environmentally friendly. Any comments/info would be greatly appreciated.
Aaron Moscoe, Markham Ontario
May 20th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
The plastics we listed are all made out of petrochemicals – a non-renewable resource. Containers made out of corn starch (or other renewable materials) are not really ‘plastics’ in the traditional sense, so we didn’t include these in our listings. Many of these are huge improvements over traditional materials, simply because they are made of renewable plant materials and, often, can be composted.
You have to ask question and read labels about the newer materials. Some things – such as certain biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags – can go right into your home compost, while other compostable containers (such as those certain stores use in their deli sections) have to be returned to the actual store for them to recycle and can’t go in a home composter.
If you’re not sure about a certain product, check with the store or manufacturer. Anyone making a claim about something should be willing to back it up.
/Gail
May 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
For the past 6 months, I have been showering with only vinegar and a loofah scrub. I only use soap for my private areas – that’s all, followed by a vinegar rinse. I also only shower once a week.
I have found that after the initial two to three weeks of greasy hair, my hair underwent an almost-overnight change and became much less greasy–I guess my scalp adjusted its oil output after realizing it didn’t need to massively replenish the hair oils everyday! My hair is now soft (it feels like it has been well conditioned), doesn’t tangle very easily or get static-y!
I also find that my skin is not so dry, as I am no longer using any soap on it. The loofah does a great job of scrubbing off the dead cells, old sweat and dirt; and the vinegar helps to maintain the acid balance on my skin and clean it of bad bacteria.
Of course, now I also want to try out Lindsay’s home shampoo and soap recipes!
Lily, Calgary Alberta
May 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am
I have a fifteen year old son and he is using underarm deoderant and I am concerned . Is there a good type out there that is natural because I heard the underarm deoderant is not very good for us?
May 24th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Hi Wendy. Go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. You can search the product he’s using by its name, or by the ingredients listed on the container. Or, you can look at their listings of deodorants (they’re under ‘Skin Care’) and find one that is safe. Of course, like most body products, he might have to try a few to find one that works best for him. OR you can go for the home-made versions - our own Lindsay Coulter has a couple of recipes coming out later this month. Go to http://www.davidsuzuki.org/About_us/Lindsay_Coulter/ and sign up.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Simon McDowell of Mount Barker, South Australia writes:
“Just a quick one to say well done on the chemicals in cosmetics newsletter guys.
People just need to ask questions, I’m sure they would be surprised at what they are putting on their skin.
Celebrate natural beauty!”
Thanks, Simon! Readers - how are you convincing your friends to go au naturel when it comes to cosmetics?
May 26th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Karen Lihou of Courenay, BC writes:
“I really enjoy your newsletter, and have especially enjoyed the articles on green cleaning and green cosmetics. One question: Where do I get white clay, which is mentioned in a few of the cosmetic articles?”
Lindsay Coulter replies: “Glad to hear you enjoyed the last two issues, Karen. It’s been my pleasure to share the info. White clay should be available at any health food store, supplement type store, or some yoga studios that sell products might carry it.”
Readers - any suggestions for local sources?
May 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
As an owner of a Natural spa I understand how difficult it is to find acceptable products but believe me they are out there. We are all so used to the convince of just pumping something smooth into our hand the idea of having to refrigerate or mix can be a bit of a shock, but we need to get used to products being different if we want to avoid certain ingredients.
We are very fortunate on the island to have several manufactures of natural products. We carry here our own organic facial oil blend and teas plus other natural beauty products. There is also Silk Road in Victoria and my next door neighbor Vancouver Island Soaps. Keep reading Labels. Keep asking questions. Ask if there is a waste plan. Wouldn’t it be great if every container had to be compostable re useable or recycleable SAFELY.
Because we all only have one body and one earth.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I’ve discovered a company called Method. They make all sorts of household cleaners and personal hygiene products - from environmentally friendly swifers, dryer sheets, disinfectant wipes, to laundry soap, household cleaners and skin lotion, soaps, etc.
I have been seeking out their products because the work really well and I hope they aren’t lying when they say they have marine biologists, and scientists whom work to make sure anything they manufacture and distribute will not harm the environment once we use it and discard it.
If anyone knows any different, I’d love to hear about it. I seem to be a bit of a “pioneer” in my circle of friends when it comes to using Method. There a now more and more companies making these claims and I’d like to know if there is truth to them.
Method has a website, http://www.methodhome.com. I’ve found Method mainly at Safeway and Shopper’s Drug Mart. I’d love to see Sobey’s and Superstore pick up the line, but I know it’s based on supply and DEMAND. I’ve written a few letters to the later mentioned.
I’m trying to be a “tree-hugger” without the negative images.
Cheers,
Maryjane