Skin Care That Cares For Our PLanet
There is much attention these days regarding personal
and business practices that are eco-friendly, planet sustainable and
green. People are looking closer at the smaller things that can make a
positive impact on our life on this planet for both the present and the
future. One area that has a great impact on the health of our planet,
yet is not often touted as such, is skin care and body care products.
Information is circulating; the word is getting around. There is a
massive market of skin care products that can be harmful to your health.
Scientific evidence indicates that many synthetic ingredients used in
body care products may cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, kidney
and liver disease. In depth information and references can be found on
the environmental working group's cosmetic database; an informational
database for safe product selection. Many of the ingredients used in
commercial body care products are petroleum based synthetically derived
chemicals. Those chemicals eventually end up in our streams and rivers
from the discharge of wastewater from sewage treatment which does not
remove petro-chemical compounds. This not only contaminates our land and
water, it in turn ends up in our food supply...and so the cycle
continues.
The good news is that cosmetics that are safe for people are also a
healthier choice for our planet.
What is special about using natural ingredients for our skin care is
that plants are living substances. They contain a vital life energy. It
is what differentiates living matter from synthetically derived matter.
Plants are composed of the same vitamins, minerals, amino acids,
essential fatty acids, enzymes and hormones that we are. Our body
recognizes plants as nutrition. We can safely eat most of them, use them
in body care products and diffuse their oils for therapeutic benefits.
Plants are best used in their natural whole form. All of the
constituents of the plant must be present in their proper, natural
balance for them to be in optimal support of our purpose. When elements
of a plant are extracted or compromised during processing, the plant no
longer acts as was intended. The wisdom of the plant is lost. Side
effects may occur because it is no longer the true plant. A primary
principle to consider is life responds to life. Our bodies receive and
respond to the energies of plants. When the energy of the plant
interacts with our energy our vital life force is enhanced.
On the contrary, synthetic ingredients are "man made" chemicals devoid
of life. The body recognizes that they are different from nature's
plants and one's own chemistry. The immune system registers this as
foreign, possibly toxic matter and may respond with an allergic
reaction. Our skin is a reflection of our inner health and well being.
It reflects radiance when we are in good health and a dull appearance
when our health is compromised. Our skin functions as a major organ of
elimination of toxins and impurities for our body. It can be viewed as a
valuable form of body communication providing us with information about
the state of our health.
When our skin appears less than vibrant and clear it is a sign of
imbalance and can possibly be an indication of disease. The foods we
eat, how we handle stresses, the quality of the water that we use will
reflect almost immediately the condition of our skin.
Our skin is bombarded by toxic matter from our environment. Therefore it
is doubly important to provide nourishment and protection with carefully
chosen healthy skin care products. We can positively affect our health
and the condition of our skin by the lifestyle choices we make.
The skin has the capacity to absorb. You should consider what YOU choose
to absorb? Whatever you put on your skin enters the body through your
pores and courses through your circulatory system having the potential
to reach every cell in your body. Therefore it is especially important
to scrutinize ingredients when selecting body care products just as you
do when choosing your food.
Anything you put on your skin you should be able to eat...you actually
are ingesting it! This is why many of the ingredients in natural skin
care products are the same wholesome foods included in a holistic health
plan e.g. vegetable oils, pure water, honey, oats, herbs, seaweed.
Absorption of chemicals (natural or synthetic) through the skin depends
on several factors. Everyone's skin is different. The condition of one's
skin, hydration level, pore size and density influence absorbability.
Our skin is composed of several layers. The stratum corneum is the
primary layer. It serves as a protective barrier to keep out materials
which do not belong in our skin, body cells and body system in general.
Thin skin is more readily penetrated by toxins and impurities than
thick/dense skin. Different materials vary in absorbability dependent on
the nature of their chemical make up. Numerous body care products on the
market incorporate ingredients known as penetration enhancers to assist
(force) the absorption of ingredients that the skin will not readily
receive. Penetration enhancers alter (damage) the cell structure and
thus allow other harmful ingredients and impurities to enter the cells.
There is an abundance of natural plant ingredients such as herbs and
flowers that are beneficial to the skin and that the body natural
welcomes. These are your best choices for your skin, your health and the
care for our planet.
Nature's herbs and flowers provide high quality nourishment for our
skin. Nature doesn't need the help of harmful synthetic chemicals to be
developed into beautiful skin care products.So, when you shop, look for
products with only basic ingredients of nature that you recognize. You
can leave the more complicated products that are made with mysterious
synthetic ingredients on the shelf.
Over the past decades numerous small companies have been bringing
attention to their green and sustainable practices. What do these
companies do that is different from other companies? These are companies
that are using natural ingredients free from synthetic chemicals and
sourcing ingredients from free trade and sustainable companies.
Companies strive to create minimal waste and toxicity by choosing
reusable and recyclable packaging materials. They reuse packing
materials from all shipments and welcome such materials from local
stores that would otherwise send them to land fill. In house and
out-sourced printing is on post-consumer waste paper with vegetable base
ink.
What difference does this translate to for the consumer? Small green
organic hand crafting companies are producing products that are inspired
by a heartfelt desire to produce quality products that are not at all
harmful to people and our planet. They usually go the extra step to
ensure the superior quality of each ingredient, the perfection of each
finished product, and that their customers sense that they are being
cared for as individuals. Personal contact with the producer of a
product today is only experienced with a small hand crafting company.
This interaction creates a personally satisfying experience for both the
consumer and the producer.
Be Smart, Be Wise;
Keep it Simple and Truly Natural.
Protect Your Health & the Health of Our Planet
Copyright © 2007. Eve Stahl, Garden of Eve, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
About the author
Author, Eve Stahl, is a Health Consultant, Herbalist and Skin Care expert. She specializes in using nature's plants to enhance the health of people and to protect the health of our planet. To achieve this purpose she has created Garden of Eve Skin Care products for sensitive skin and all skin types. You can visit her company at: www.garden-of-eve.com Prospective Affiliates please visit: www.gardenofeveskincare.com