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Why we choose nature: Part one

12/6/2020

 
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Skincare: the bad and the ugly.
There's a lot to take into consideration when it comes to what we're putting in and on our bodies. Personally, I want to be conscious of both the environment in ensuring a sustainable future for all of us here on earth, but almost equally as important, I want consumers to be adequately educated when it comes to what's going on their bodies.

As our bodies largest organ, it's no surprise that our skin has a big job. Unfortunately, that means that in trying to protect our insides, it certainly takes a toll on the outside, especially today as our air quality worsens and environmental toxins continue to rise. Not only that, but since our skin is porous, it absorbs whatever we put on it.  A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked into the skin's absorption rates of chemicals found in drinking water. It showed that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminant dosage. 

So what are we putting on our skin? Mostly crude oil if you're using modern beauty products. Petroleum, that is--a fossil fuel. Which, is considered an "occlusive" agents—meaning it seals off the skin from air, water or anything else getting in (or out), forming an invisible film on the surface that blocks the pores and the skin's natural respiration process. Yuck. How bad is it really, though? Goop.com (You know, with the founder and fellow earth-lover Gwyneth Paltrow) recently answered this for their readers:

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"How pervasive is petroleum in beauty products, and why is it problematic? "
A: Petrochemicals are incredibly pervasive in beauty products; so many common ingredients are derived from them. A huge health concern with petroleum products is that they can generate 1,4-dioxane, a substance known to potentially contribute to some cancers. It’s also a kidney toxin, neurotoxin, and a respiratory toxin, not to mention a leading groundwater contaminant. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that an alarming 22 percent of all conventional personal care products contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane. EWG also found that “these trace contaminants in petroleum-based ingredients often readily penetrate the skin…and their presence in products is not restricted by government safety standards. Some of the common ingredients in beauty products that are petrochemical-derived include:
  • Parafin wax
  • Mineral oil
  • Toluene
  • Benzene
  • Anything with PEG (polyethylene glycol)
  • Anything with DEA (diethanolamine) or MEA (ethanolamine)
  • Butanol and any word with butyl: butyl alcohol, butylparaben, butylene glycol
  • EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
  • Any word with propyl—isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, propyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine
  • Parfum or fragrance—95 percent of chemicals used in fragrance are from petroleum. This one word can contain many, many chemicals that don’t need to be listed and are likely endocrine disrupters."

You read that right. Even the synthetic fragrances in our synthetic over-the-counter eye creams contain petroleum. Whether it be high-end or drugstore, no matter. For whatever reason, as technologies progress, society strays further from the natural world. What that sadly translates to: synthetic is the new normal when it couldn't be more unnatural and harmful. (Our ancestors would cringe if they knew!)

So why do we choose nature?
Nature is always our go-to. Nature is what nature does, and nature not only heals, but used sustainably, it can benefit every single person who uses it. 
​Those of you who are familiar with Bee Farmee and followed our story from the beginning know how passionate and prideful we are about our minimalistic raw ingredients. I hope this brings a little insight as to why we choose the sustainable ingredients we do. No synthetic dyes, fragrances, oils, or fillers. Ever. 


I have a challenge for all our readers before we come back next week for Part 2.  Look at the ingredients list on a popular skincare brand the next time you hold one in your hands. Really look at it and do a quick Google search into some of those ingredients you're not super familiar with. 

See you all next week! I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!

​-Carrie Beth 

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