My Dear Readers and Cleaning Enthusiasts,
In a world where cosmetics and personal care products are largely unregulated, we can choose to be vigilant about purchasing products that are genuinely safe. At Whole Naturals, our mission is to create personal care products that are not only safe for our skin but safe for the environment. When formulating our fragrance-free Castile soap, we conscientiously chose organic carrier oils, adding no synthetic dyes, detergents, fragrances, or phthalates.
From moisturizers, shampoo, and mascara to cologne and deodorant, our daily routines can potentially expose us to a multitude of untested and potentially harmful chemicals. I’d like to take this opportunity to provide some guidance and strategies on how to make safer cosmetics and body care products for you and your family.
Product Labels
This is where it starts. If you read our product label, you’ll be able to pronounce each and every ingredient, and you’ll read that our organic carrier oils are all *USDA certified. But what about Potassium Hydroxide? Potassium Hydroxide helps the saponification of oils to create soaps and detergents. Another benefit, it helps to stabilize the pH of our Castile Soap.
Whole Naturals Castile Soap lists Potassium Hydroxide as a listed ingredient - because it's part of the soap-making process. In fact, potassium Hydroxide is a common type of lye used in both cold-process and hot-process soap making. But here's a quick lesson in chemistry: When lye is mixed with our high-quality (and organic) carrier oils, soap is formed! But no Potassium Hydroxide is left in the product after it is saponified. Whole Naturals Castile Soap is made of high-fat carrier oils, making the lye (Potassium Hydroxide) impossible to be left behind.
Fragrance-Free Products
Hidden fragrance chemicals in cosmetics can include phthalates, which can disrupt hormones and allergens. Whole Naturals Castile Soap is unscented, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a scent. While our Castile Soap is an unscented product - which means that there are no added artificial scents or perfumes, it is made up of organic and naturally scented carrier oils, which do have a scent - but it's a natural scent. Additionally, because our product is made with certified organic ingredients it's not unusual for different batches to have slightly different scents and different colors. The plant-based oils are harvested at different times during the season, which could also account for varying scents and tone changes - this does not affect its efficacy, and over time, you will find that the smell does dissipate. I can't forget to mention, that many of our recipes have suggested essential oils to add (I LOVE using citrus scents for home cleaning projects). That will also help add a gentle and natural fragrance that you may enjoy.
Avoid "Waterproof" or "Long-Wearing" Products:
Exercise caution when it comes to cosmetics like foundations, lipsticks, and mascaras labeled as "waterproof" or "long-wearing." Recent research has found that many such products may contain PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), although these harmful chemicals may not be disclosed on the ingredient lists. To reduce exposure, steer clear of these product categories.
Anti-Bacterial Chemicals
Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, is sometimes present in toothpaste, deodorant, acne treatments, and soaps. However, there's no conclusive evidence of its benefits in most personal care products, and safer alternatives are readily available. Opt for products that do not contain triclosan. Anti-bacterial soaps contain chemical antimicrobial agents like Tricoslan and Benzethonium chloride. These kill but don't remove contagions.
Whole Naturals Castile soap does not contain any antimicrobial agents. It's made from certified organic ingredients including organic carrier oils that clean surfaces by lifting off dirt, grime, and pathogens including bacteria and viruses. Castile soaps work because it attaches to dirt and germs and rinses them away, leaving behind a clean surface.
How Can We Be Part of the Change in Choosing Safer Cosmetics and Body Care Products?
We can't solely rely on our consumer choices to address this issue. To ensure the safety of the products we use on our bodies, let’s fight against unregulated and untested chemicals in personal care products. When choosing products use these tips, and don't forget to visit the exhaustive database at EWG when you choose safer personal care products.
Be Blessed!
