When I told my friends and family about the business I was starting, the first response I got was usually “well as long as it costs the same as conventional products.” To that end I have three points.

• Conventional farmers and manufacturers are not in the business of destroying our planet. They have chosen to use virgin resources, chemical and synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and ingredients and pay sweat-shop wages because it is cheaper. Given the rise of Walmart and other discount giants, the trade-off from a business perspective appeared to be worth it. It’s just a bummer that our forests and rivers and oceans are being depleted, natural eco-systems destroyed, cancer-rates rising and the planet is melting.
  
  In economics there is a term call “true cost accounting” which means an economic model that seeks to include the cost of negative externalities into the pricing of goods and services. Supporters of this type of economic system feel products and activities that direct or indirectly cause harmful consequences to living beings and/or the environment should be accordingly taxed to reflect the somewhat hidden costs. However, the cost of many goods and services that are currently affordable, and often taken for granted, could see an extreme rise in costs if their "true costs" are accounted for. According to a Forbes media estimate, if one accounted for the types of pollution caused by the manufacturing and the use of a new car, then the price of would rise by over $40,000.
  
  But we do pay these costs eventually in clean up efforts downstream, health care costs, and the irrevocable loss of valuable ecosystems. So next time you are tempted to pick up that $6 t-shirt from Old Navy (which will probably wear out in a season) consider the true cost of that purchase.
• Many of the technologies involved with creating recycled and organic products are new and they tend to be employed by smaller companies who do not have the economies of scale of the large conventional manufacturers. Give them time, and a little of your purchasing power and they will become as efficient as traditional manufacturers.
• We happily pay more for bottled water than gasoline (though the price of gas is catching up quickly). We are not in the habit of adding up the weekly purchases of our disposable products such as bottled water, sandwich bags and paper towels. When we begin to do the math we find that reusables are usually the more economical choice.

Consumers often pick up shampoo or soap with the term “natural” or “organic” hoping for a guarantee that the product is free of harmful ingredients. Unfortunately in the personal care industry, it is not that simple. The term “natural” has no legal meaning. And natural does not necessarily mean safe, after all tobacco is a “natural” ingredient and many toxic chemicals are “derived” from naturally occurring substances. The term natural has been around for many years and most consumers have learned to ignore it, so the personal care industry has focused on the word “organic.”

Unlike the food industry, there are no regulations in the personal care industry around the term “organic”. You can name your company Suzie’s Organics without a single organic ingredient. So many in the industry has been clamoring for certification rules to separate the “real organics” from the “imposters”.

But the issue is extremely contentious. For one thing, organic does not necessarily mean healthy (as evidenced by the organic Poptarts at Costco.) Nor are organic compound necessarily nontoxic. “Organic" compounds are produced by living or formerly living things that contain carbon which means that petrochemicals, human waste, horse manure, compost and Mercury can also be considered "organic.” To confuse matters even more rules for organic certification were written for the food industry. Manufacturers are restricted to using food ingredients so most traditional emulsifiers and preservatives can not be called organic. But personal care products require preservatives to prevent contamination.

Cosmetic companies are responding differently. Some companies are sticking with their existing formulas insisting they are safe. Some are slapping organic on their labels hoping consumers don’t know any better. Others are creatively modifying ingredients, in some cases eliminating safe, effective ingredients in order to adhere to the ever changing certification standards. A few have come out with 100% organic, preservative-free products but these generally contain warnings to keep the products out of high heat and direct sunlight and avoid placing unclean fingers in the product. This can be a tough sell for lotions and soaps that are applied with fingers and get stored in gym bags.

Many companies have been lobbying to change or reduce standards to meet the needs of the industry. Products can now be certified organic if they contain 70% organic ingredients. Some companies have figured out how to manipulate the percentages by using organic “teas” or “juices” as their base instead of water (which can not legally be included in the percentage calculation.) Hopefully, all this upheaval will lead to genuinely safer products in the long run. In the mean time consumers are left confused, and often misled, by all of the marketing hype.

So if we can’t rely on terms like natural and organic, how can we determine the relative safety of our personal care products? Most consumers assume that the FDA provides some level of guarantee for our products. But the FDA does not regulate personal care products the way they regulate food and drugs. The FDA granted self-regulation to the cosmetics industry back in 1938. This ruling has never changes. Products can be marketed without testing or government approval of ingredients. The cosmetic industry will tell you that their ingredients have been used safely for years. But nobody has tested the long-term affects of our continuous exposure to an average of nine personal care products a day, with roughly 120 chemicals spread among them. Scientists have found many common cosmetic ingredients in human tissues, including industrial plasticizers called phthalates in urine, preservatives called parabens in breast tumor tissue, and persistent fragrance components like musk xylene in human fat. Do the levels at which they are found pose risks? For the most part, those studies have not been done. All we have to go on are animal studies or industry reports of workers with high-level exposure.

Europe, Canada, Japan and many other countries have taken a cautious approach in recent years, banning ingredients where the existing data was compelling enough for their panel of scientists. They have also recently passed a law that will force cosmetic companies eventually to prove the safety of their products. In the United States we have no such laws so several consumer advocacy groups such as the Environmental Working Group have tried to make the issue more transparent by compiling toxicity studies from publicly available databases around the world. They have rank ingredients, as well as some branded products by their perceived hazard based on existing studies.

What can you do to ensure the safety of your products for now? Unfortunately, there are no short cuts, no simple labeling words that ensure the safety of a product. Be informed and know the facts, however frustrating they may be. Ignore the marketing fluff and look at the ingredients list. Avoid products which don’t give a full listing of ingredients. Terms like fragrance and preservative are a cop out. We have compiled a list of ingredients to avoid in personal care products based on the Environmental Working Group database and other sources. We will continue to add to our personal care line as we identify high-quality, reasonably priced, effective products, with the safest ingredients possible.

Where do we stand on organics? We will advise you to buy as much organic food and cotton as your budget will allow. When it comes to personal care products, ignore the fluff and check the ingredients. We will seek out certified organic ingredients where ever possible, in balance with our goal of selling effective, reasonably price products. Though the majority of our organic ingredients are certified, as a manufacturer (read mixer, pourer, and bottler) we have to go through our own certification process in order to be able to sell our products as certified organic. We hope to be able to sell many of our products as certified organic by the end of the year.

This list is unfortunately lengthy because of the multitude of questionable products used in Personal Care products. Most consumers assume that the FDA regulates these products but due to the extensive lobbying effort of the cosmetic industry, the FDA granted self-regulation to the cosmetics industry back in 1938. This ruling has never changes. - Products can be marketed without government approval of ingredients, regardless of what test show. Most of the 25,000 chemicals used have not been tested for long-term toxic effects. Even those which have shown toxic effects continue to be used.

Highest Level of Concern:

1,4-dioxane
The Environmental Protection Agency considers 1,4-dioxane a probable human carcinogen. (EPA, 2003). The FDA has expressed continuing concerns about 1,4-dioxane, noting its potential to contaminate a wide range of products, its ready penetration through the skin, and the evidence linking it to systemic cancer in a skin painting study (FDA 2000). FDA notes that 1,4-dioxane can be removed “by means of vacuum stripping at the end of the polymerization process without an unreasonable increase in raw material cost” (FDA 2000), but such treatment would be voluntary on the part of industry. 1,4-Dioxane can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms "PEG," "-xynol," "ceteareth," "oleth" and most other ethoxylated "eth" ingredients.

Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

Fragrances
A catch all phrase which may mean anything. Most scented products today are made from synthetic chemicals attempting to evoke the essence of nature. Chemical fragrances can contribute to health problems such as asthma, migraines, neurotoxic effects, and upper respiratory irritation. To make matters worse, the FDA does not require personal care products to list the ingredients in their fragrance. When EPA researchers tested thirty-one fragrance products, they found that more than half the products contained ingredients listed under the EPA’s Toxic Substance Control Act. Since perfume can enter the body through the skin or inhalation, many of these chemicals are readily absorbed and accumulate in the body’s fatty tissue.

Most products with “fragrance” also contain Phthalates. Avoid synthetic fragrances by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

Phthatlates
Cosmetic companies use phthalates because they cling to the skin to give soaps, gels, and perfume more staying power. Scientists at government agencies in the U.S. agree that exposure to the chemicals could cause a wide range of health and reproductive problems in people including damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in animal studies. A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that five percent of women between age 20 and 40 had up to 45 times more phthalates in their bodies than researchers initially hypothesized. CDC found phthalates in virtually every person tested, but the largest concentrations -- 20 times higher than the rest of the population -- were found in women of child-bearing age. A 2003 European Union directive bans phthalates in cosmetics (and plastic baby toys) sold in Europe.

DEA Diethanolamine, MEA Monoethanolamine and TEA Triethanolamine
Restricted in Europe due to carcinogenic effects, yet are still used in U.S. Americans may be exposed 10-20 times per day with shampoos, shaving creams and bubble baths. Animal studies have reported effects on the liver, kidney, blood, and central nervous system (CNS) from chronic oral exposure to diethanolamine.  The National Toxicology Program (NTP) reported an increased incidence of liver and kidney tumors in mice from dermal exposure to diethanolamine.  DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

Antibacterial cleansers containing Triclosan
Studies have shown that products labels antibacterial do not reduce the level of bacteria any better then soap, may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs. The European Union has classified triclosan as an irritant to the eyes and skin, dangerous for the environment, and very toxic to aquatic organisms. Its use in cosmetic is restricted in Japan and Canada.

Parabens
A recent report is questioning the safety of the most common group of cosmetics preservatives called parabens. Studies show that parabens - alkyl hydroxy parabens - alpha hydroxy benzoate (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl-paraben are weakly estrogenic. In others words, these preservatives have the ability to mimic estrogen in the body with butyl-paraben being the most potent.

Moderate Hazard

UREA Imidazolldinyl, Diazolidinyl Urea: A preservative that often releases formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans.

Alchohol Isopropyl (SD-40)
Drying, irritating solvent that strips skin's moisture and immune barrier, making you vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Made from a petroleum derivative found in shellac and antifreeze as well as personal care products. Promotes brown spots and premature aging. A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetics Ingredients says it may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting and coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

Sodium hydroxide
Found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, is extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn those tissues on contact. The cosmetic industry is now putting it in skin care products and oral care products. The warning label on sodium hydroxide products reads "POISON. May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed. May cause blindness. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth and clothing."

Skin Irritants

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol
Petroleum by-products that act as surfactants (wetting agents and solvents), they easily penetrate skin and weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. The EPA requires workers to wear protective clothing and to dispose of any PG solutions in toxic waste dumps. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, used in about 90% of personal care products that foam, a common skin irritant. When rinsed off, the product will have cleaned the area but will have taken moisture from the top layers of skin. In people with sensitive skin the drying property of these type of detergents can cause flare-ups of skin conditions or may worsen existing conditions. Personal care product manufacturers often add back chemically derived oils such as mineral oil to coat the skin leaving the illusion of the skin being moisturized when in fact these products only interfere with the skin’s natural moisturizing abilities.

Mineral Oil
Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic wrap, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging.

Specific concerns in some products

Lead and Mercury Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men's hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

P-Phenylenediamine commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there's limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals.

Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms "petroleum" or "liquid paraffin."

The first antibacterial liquid hand soap exploded onto the market in 1995, claiming to be ten times more effective at eliminating disease carrying germs than regular liquid soap. (This claim is based on the effectiveness of the active ingredient Triclosan when used at full strength not in the lower concentrations allowed in hand soaps.) In the eleven years since, antibacterial soaps have become a 16 billion dollar a year industry, adding shampoo, dishwashing detergent, toothpaste and various household cleaners to the “antibacterial” list. Today, 75% of liquid soaps and over 30% of bar soaps in the US are antibacterial, all containing the synthetic chemical triclosan.

• Triclosan is extremely drying and has been found to damage or even kill skin cells. It can also form the probable human carcinogen chloroform when exposed to chlorinated water,
• Triclosan is toxic to aquatic organisms. It has been found in rivers and can concentrate in fish tissues.
• In addition, scientist are concerned that the over use of antimicrobial products can lead to the development of resistant strands of bacteria. Triclosan targets genes in the bacteria, rendering them unable to reproduce. This action may actually encourage the mutation of the cells into resistant strains.
• Many doctors believe the presence of a moderate amount of microorganisms helps strengthen a child’s immune system. Most viruses and bacteria are not harmful and may be beneficial in ways we do not yet understand. Children raised in too sterile an environment are more likely to suffer from asthma and allergies. The triclosan in antibacterial soaps does NOT discriminate between good and bad bacteria.

The best way to prevent the spread of infectious germs is the frequent washing of hands with warm, soapy water.

Are you a label reader? Many of us inspect the ingredients in our food but forget that we can be just as harmed by the products we breathe or absorb through our skin.

Conventional cleaners are among the most toxic products found in the home. In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers. Over half of these involved children under six, who can swallow or spill cleaners stored inside the home. The most acutely dangerous cleaning products are corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners. Ingredients with high acute toxicity include chlorine bleach and ammonia, which produce fumes that are highly irritating to eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and should not be used by people with asthma or lung or heart problems. These two chemicals pose an added threat in that they can react with each other or other chemicals to form lung-damaging gases.

Household cleaners are the leading contributors to indoor air pollution and contribute to pollution in our rivers and streams. Many household cleaners are loaded with synthetic fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that vaporize into the air and cause skin and respiratory irritation, allergies, and asthma.

Petrochemicals are hard to avoid in cleaning agents and even earth-friendly alternatives tend to use them. Grease and oil are not water soluble. Removing grease and oil require solvents and surfactant which pull the dirt and oil from the surface and keep it off by spreading it throughout the water in tiny droplets. Soaps and detergents act as solvents and surfactants. Chemically soaps and detergents are similar but soaps are produced by mixing animal or vegetable fats and oils with a strong alkali. Detergents are made from petrochemicals, a cheaper substitute which became popular during WWII when the price of raw materials rose. “Plant-based or “Naturally-derived Sufactant” on the ingredients label means petrochemicals have been used. Some are more harmful than others but it is impossible to know the exact nature of the ingredient based on this label.

Petrochemicals have been found to be harmful to our health and our environment. Petrochemicals emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which trigger asthma and other respiratory problems, can mimic hormones in your body and can cause liver damage. In extreme cases, petrochemicals can cause cancer. Butyl cellosolve, also referred to as 2-butoxyethanol, is a petroleum-based solvent commonly used in window and spray cleaners that can damage your liver and your red blood cells. Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), petroleum-derived surfactants used in detergents, can mimic the hormone estrogen and have shown up in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, APEs don't biodegrade and end up in waterways where they're absorbed by fish and harm the animals' reproductive systems. In a May 2002 study of contaminants in stream water samples across the country, the U.S. Geological Survey found persistent detergent metabolites (APEs) in 69% of streams tested. APEs have been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen, and their presence in water may be harming the reproduction and survival of salmon and other fish. All of the above says nothing of the fact that petroleum is a non-renewable resource.

What can you do?

Cleaning products are not required to list their ingredients and so most, even the “environmentally friendly” ones do not. This becomes especially annoying when you realize that most environmental claims have no legal definition. “Biodegradable” means that it breaks down eventually. “Plant-based” or “plant-derived” means the ingredients started out as a plant but anything could have been done to it. “Nontoxic” means to company believes it to be so. Many “nontoxic” cleaners have toxic ingredients but in low enough doses they are believed to be safe. “Phosphate-free” is meaningful in dishwasher detergent but most states have outlawed the use of phosphates in other household detergents.

You are best off checking any warning labels which will give you a good indication as to the contents. Another option is to look for products which do list all ingredients or at least offer a listing of harmful substances which they don’t contain. The only way to avoid petrochemicals is to use a soap based product made of saponified oils like our organic aromatherapy household cleaners.

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), common in detergents and disinfectants, are suspected hormone disruptors.

Ammonia is poisonous when swallowed, extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled and can burn the skin on contact.

Antibacterial cleansers containing triclosan—does not reduce the level of bacteria any better then soap, may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs. The European Union has classified triclosan as an irritant to the eyes and skin, dangerous for the environment, and very toxic to aquatic organisms. Its use in cosmetic is restricted in Japan and Canada.

Butyl cellosolve (aka butyl glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl) is poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant.

Chlorine bleach (aka sodium hypochlorite), an all-purpose whitening agent, can irritate the lungs and eyes and in waterways can become toxic organochlorines.

Diethanolamine (DEA) can combine with nitrosomes (often-undisclosed preservatives) to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that penetrate skin.

Fragrance frequently contains phthalates, chemicals linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver cancer in lab animals and to asthma in children.

Phosphates soften water for detergents but contribute to algae blooms in our waterways, which can kill off fish populations.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Carcinogenic petroleum used in spray-on oven cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.

Sodium hydroxide, found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, is extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn those tissues on contact. The warning label on sodium hydroxide products reads "POISON. May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed. May cause blindness. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth and clothing." The cosmetic industry is now putting it in your skin care products and oral care products.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, used in most detergent products that foam, a common skin irritant. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.

When considering the need for disinfectants in your home it helps to remember that it is a house not a hospital. Getting rid of germs doesn't have to mean overkill. Plain soap and water and a little elbow grease effectively washed away most microorganisms and their sources of food and moisture.

To be labeled a disinfectant a product must kill 99.99% of a specific bacterial test population. This definition is important for hospitals which rely on disinfectants to sterilize equipment. Most effective disinfectants are toxic and in varying degrees harmful for the environment. Chlorine bleach, a common disinfectant, is highly caustic, meaning it can burn skin and eyes--and can be fatal if swallowed. In the environment, it can create organochlorines, which are suspected carcinogens as well as reproductive, neurological and immune-system toxins. Chlorine should never be mixed with ammonia or any acid (including vinegar) as a noxious gas are formed.

The best way to keep you house free of microorganisms is to keep it clean and dry. Mold, mildew, and bacteria cannot live without moisture. Remove food borne pathogens, such as salmonella or e.coli, by washing all cutting boards, dishes, knives, sponges and surfaces that have touched raw meat or eggs in very hot, soapy water. You might want to use separate cutting boards for meat.

You can use vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your kitchen counters, produce and even your cutting boards. All you need is three percent hydrogen peroxide, the type you buy at the drug store, vinegar (white or apple cider), and two clean sprayers, like the kind you use to mist plants. Fill each sprayer separately, one with peroxide and the other with vinegar (don't mix them together in one bottle - that makes peracetic acid, which isn't safe and can give you a bad chemical burn). Spritz the item you want to disinfect, with one, wait ten seconds, and then the other, the order does not matter, then rinse off under running water. University tests show that this technique killed more potentially lethal bacteria, including Salmonella, Shigella, and even E. coli, than chlorine bleach or any commercially available kitchen cleaner.

Other recommendations for reducing microbes without disinfectants include:

• Make use of ultraviolet radiation in sunshine which kills germs. Musty furniture, towels, and fabrics can be laid in the sun along with bath toys and bath mats.
• Floors are not generally an area of concern but if you have infants crawling on the floor, you might consider asking guest to remove shoes when they come into the house.
• Keep your mops, rags, and sponges clean and dry. Wash sponges regularly in the dishwasher.

While the FDA requires a truthful listing of all ingredients. There are no standards for the most common marketing phrases. Biodegradable: means a substance breaks down eventually. Similarly, an "organic" shampoo may mean that it contains traces of an organic extract, and "hypoallergenic" simply means that the manufacturer believes it to be so. " 'Natural' doesn't mean much. Look for specific claim such as “petroleum free.”

This cheat sheet will help you read “green” marketing labels (including ours) with a savvy eye.

These are labels have specific standards and independent certification programs:

USDA Certified Organic Foods and cotton carrying this label must be produced without antibiotics, hormones, genetic engineering, radiation or synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The label requires certification by independent, government-accredited organizations. Organic certification is the personal care industry is a bit more complicated. See Organic Labeling for Personal Care Products.

Fair Trade, administered in this country by the nonprofit group TransFair USA, ensures that a minimum price or living wage has been paid to farmers and laborers. At the same time, some businesses, perhaps desiring to cash in on TransFair's success, have begun selling products marked "fairly traded" or something similar. Such labels may or may not be backed by independent certifiers, and must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

These labels have specific legal definitions but may not mean what you think:

Recycled: The item contains recovered materials. Recovered materials include both pre-consumer and post-consumer wastes. Unless the entire product is recycled the percent of recycled material should be indicated. However, the type of recycled material or the portion of post-consumer content is not required to be listed.

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content: Preferred to pre-consumer content because it keeps more waste out of landfills. Seek the highest percentage of PCR content.

Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Processed-Chlorine Free (PCF): Bleached with safer compounds like hydrogen peroxide, TCF paper does not contain recycled fiber. PCF paper is similarly processed, using recycled fibers that have received no additional chlorine-bleaching.

Made in the USA: Intended to mean that most of the product or all significant parts were made in the USA. There is no specific percentage stipulated in the law. Current Federal Trade Commission standards do not include fair labor practices.

Natural Fiber Clothing: clothing made from fibers found in nature, such as cotton, wool or hemp not necessarily grown without pesticides or fertilizers or processed without chemicals.

These terms have no legal definition or independent certifying agency:

Natural
Hypoallergenic
Cruelty Free
Non-toxic
Non-Comedogenic
Fragrance-Free
Biodegradable
Organic
Fair Labor/ Sweatshop-Free

It has long been understood that scents can influence our state of mind. The distilled essential oils from plants have been used for centuries for bathing, healing and perfume.

Most scented products today are not made from essential oils but from synthetic chemicals attempting to evoke the essence of nature. Chemical fragrances can contribute to health problems such as asthma, migraines, neurotoxic effects, and upper respiratory irritation. To make matters worse, the FDA does not require personal care products to list the ingredients in their fragrance. When EPA researchers tested thirty-one fragrance products, they found that more than half the products contained ingredients listed under the EPA’s Toxic Substance Control Act. Since perfume can enter the body through the skin or inhalation, many of these chemicals are readily absorbed and accumulate in the body’s fatty tissue.

Good quality essential oils are extracted from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stems, and bark through a steam distillation system. They contain the essential life force of the plant so that the vitamins and minerals can be absorbed into the skin to nourish, protect and heal. Each oil has unique properties beyond their fragrance. Some are natural antiseptics, antifungal, preservatives, toners, deodorizers, insect repellents, and even antidepressants. An accumulating body of scientific research is helping us understand their ability to heal our bodies and enhance our mood.