I read an article this week on the blog “Not Just a Pretty Face” about a women who received a “Dove” product on her door knob at home. She was not happy about this, so she decided to write the company a letter explaining her disapproval of receiving the product. You can read the letter and Dove’s response here if you like.
I wish more people were like this particular women. I believe, it is companies such as Dove that are not willing to recognizing or maybe they just dont care, that some or all of the ingredients in their products can potentially be harmful and toxic to us and our children. Soem chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects etc.
If the companies turn a blind eye thinking they are not harmful and the government does not impose stricter guidelines, it is people such as this women that need to stand up and demand change. If more people would demand it, it will eventually happen.
Some of you might think this women is crazy for writing this letter and others might agree with her attept to voice her opinion.
Would you buy food, if you knew that some or all of the ingredients on the label could potentially be harmful and toxic to you? Probably not. Right?
So why do we buy products such as shampoo, conditioners, and make-up that contain known carcinogens? Well most people dont read labels and think that these products must be safe. Well, because why would a company sell unsafe products?
Some of you may or may not agree. And will continue to buy these products. All i ask is that you make an educated decision before buying. Maybe just take a few moments and investigate what is in your shampoo, hand cream etc. you might be surprised to what you find. If you continue to buy these products at least you know what you are buying.
My philosophy is if you wouldnt eat the ingredients listed, you probably shuldnt be putting it on your skin!
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was born for this very reason, to be a voice for change. To demand safer ingredients in our products, for that, I give them a pat on the back.
Food for thought!
This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…
- Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
- Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
- Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
- Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
- Link up your post on All.Things.Fadra
- Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.
cosmetics
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
The link to the letter isn’t working
But regardless, I agree with the message you are posting.
One of my favorite mantras: Where you spend your money is how you vote on what exists in the world.
It’s working now,Tanya…Thanks for letting me know! I totally agree. What you buy is your vote for that product!
I completely agree! These companies should really take a long, hard look at the damage they’re doing to their customer base and if they won’t, then I think we should speak out about it!
If we don’t like how a company is functioning, we need to tell them. Maybe if enough people spoke out, real change would happen!!!
Here’s what makes me sad. I use Neutrogena products, which I have found has a pretty bad rating as far as safety goes. But, I have not so great skin, and the combo of products I use works to keep it clear. And I don’t have money to test out several products that are safer in order to find that “winning combo.” So I keep using what works, and take the risk, and honestly I wish I could figure out a way to not. But, I have no idea how without spending money on lots of products to find out if they work for me. It’s frustrating!
Stopping by through SOCS!
I hear ya! It seems that most beauty products cost an arm and a leg! What I was getting at as well was, as long as you know the rating and what is in your products. Most people don’t. Good for you for at least researching and checking out the ingredients! Have you seen http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ I am thinking you did because you mentioned rating, but here is the link anyways!
Happy Sunday!
Oh yes, I totally understood what you were saying. I just tend to go off on tangents sometimes! For a perfect example, see my SOCS post from last week. eek. haha. Sorry about that!
But THANK YOU for that website. I have used it in the past, which is where I got the info on Neutrogena and was just trying to remember what it was recently as I was telling a friend of mine about it. So, perfect timing!! Now I can send it to her tomorrow!
No problem. Glad I could be of some help!
I am embarrassed to say I have never thought about it before. Thank you for awakening me! Definitely food for thought (and skin and hair!)
Grateful to have found you via SOC Sunday. Thank you for commenting on my blog post!
Do not feel embarrassed, Julie. I am not here to judge anyone. I am here to help inform, and inspire others. Now that you know, check out your shampoo and other products to see if it is something you feel worth changing. Happy Sunday to you!
“My philosophy is if you wouldn’t eat the ingredients listed, you probably shouldn’t be putting it on your skin!”- I could not agree more!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you got a cupcake!
I hear you but it is so hard to cover everything in today’s day in age … I do agree with your message … thanks for making me rethink what’s in my bathroom and cosmetics …. gaahh..
I was just recently thinking of going for the no – shampoo method – don’t know if I am brave enough just yet! Thanks for the message … food for thought!
I agree it’s so friggin’ hard! Oh, I wrote a post about no-poojng a few weeks ago. I have been no-pooing for about a month now. It’s not as bad as you might think! Thanks for sharing and reading!
I don’t often wear cosmetics or use fancy skin care products, so I have to admit that I didn’t fully realize the amount of scary stuff inside them.
LOVE that she wrote that letter and stood up to them like that.
I don’t wear tons of make-up and stuff as well, but when I do, I make a conscious effort to buy safer products! Isn’t the letter awesome? I loved it!
Love your blog! I am green when it comes to recycling, etc., but never really thought about what I put on my face, hair or body! I agree with the Neutrogena comment above. There are some products that I’m sure are not the best, but they work well! Makes it difficult for the consumer.
I’m a new follower from the blog hop! Hope you’ll hop by and visit my blog too! My feature tomorrow will be a pendant necklace made from an old teaspoon! That’s definitely going green!
Have a great week!
nancy
http://stylendecordeals.blogspot.com/
Thank you Nancy for the kind words! I understandbthat it can be hard for consumers. I will stop by and checkout your post on the necklace for sure!
I avoid some things, and especialy since having a kid I’ve watched my soaps more carefully (I still use the cocoa buttter lotion I did as when I was pregnant- I keep recommending it over the Palmers) and it is so important to at least understand what is in products.
I’m not half as diligent as the letter writer is, but good for her!
Every little bit helps and do what you can! As long as you are aware of what is in your products. For me avoiding all these chemicals actually started when I got pregnant!
Interesting post. Thanks for linking up with the We are Canadian blog hop! I am a new follower!
http://www.theknitwitbyshair.com
Thanks Shari!
Following you from Canadian Blog Hop
Thanks!
I hear what you are saying, but it is so hard to read ingredients for everything these days! I try, but don’t always succeed. i guess trying is the first step?
Visiting from SOC
Yes, it is difficult for sure. And yes trying is the first step! Check this site out: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
It is hard to do the switch and for a lot of people, ignorance is bliss. And sometimes even looking for brands w/o all the crap in them can give you a headache. Or shopping at Whole Foods seems like too much. But if just one person takes a stand and we all get behind her and support her, maybe we can show these companies we mean business!
I agree it is time consuming to look for brands that are chemical free. For me I just make it a priority to do so. And you are right if people stand behind people like this woman, things can change! Thanks for reading, Melisa!
The question on going green has to be on the minds of right thinking people and you are absolutely right we all need to play our part in this. admittedly it is not easy but noting good comes easy. the company where i work just sent out a white paper on going green and i am going to share this experience with the management. thanks for being so vocal on the subject.
Thank you! Please share my site and info with whomever!