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The “Natural” Misconception
INTRODUCTION
Our skin is an outer indication of our inner health. Did you know that a high percentage of what we put on our skin goes directly into the bloodstream? Chemicals used for scents, preservatives, emulsifi ers, sudsing agents, and colorants in skin-care products can cause allergic reactions, not to mention endocrine imbalances, genetic mutations, and even cancers. These chemicals become infused in the body as the products are applied, and some of those chemicals may even travel through the blood-brain barrier.
Our endocrine system is the network of glands that produce hormones that run the entire body — brain activity, growth, reproduction, digestive and urinary functions, immunity, stress mitigation, nerve transmission, thyroid activity, cortisol regulation, swallowing, and every other thing the body does. Surely, using bath and body products with truly natural ingredients will enhance not only beauty but health as well.
THE “NATURAL” MISCONCEPTION
What does “natural” really mean on labels? It seems the word is used loosely to mean perhaps one or two recognizable ingredients in a bottle full of chemicals.
Under federal law, the FDA is not required to approve a cosmetic or beauty-care product before it goes out for public consumption, with the exception of colorants. It is the responsibility of the individual or company to ensure that all ingredients in their products are safe. That is a scary thought considering how many bath and beauty companies exist. Included with the big companies who have savvy marketing teams to hype the “benefi ts” of their perhaps not-so-
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