Ingredients really do matter and if you are concerned about what you put in and on your body, then the best place to start is by reading the ingredients of a product you are considering using.
Don’t believe the hype
As a manufacturer, we must tell you what the product is good for and how to use it. Hopefully the name of the product and the description will give you an idea but some product names are tough to decipher, especially when surrounded by marketing claims like “hypoallergenic,” “non-comedogenic” or “clinically-proven” (which is the worst!). None of these terms have any real definition under FDA guidelines. If you are concerned about allergies or sensitivities these terms are virtually meaningless to you as a consumer, so ingredients are the way to get the truth.
How to read ingredient lists
The FDA mandates that “ingredients must be listed in descending order of [quantity]” except for those ingredients “not exceeding 1%” of the total concentration. These ingredients are typically fragrances, preservatives and color additives. But even some of these at relatively tiny amounts can potentially be damaging when used over time.
Don’t be afraid of the big words
The majority of our ingredients are plant-derived essential oils but even so, they may have long, unpronounceable names like “Boswelia Carterii,” which is a confusing name for Frankincense in Action Wipes. Or how about “Hydrastis canadensis”, which is Goldenseal, used in our Healing Honey Stick. When in doubt, use your smart phone or computer to get the common name for Latin words you may not understand.
But the ingredients list is so tiny!
Making products that are reasonably priced, safe to use, well packaged (for shipping and everyday use) and with law-abiding labels is complicated and we really strive to make it easy for you, but yes, sometimes getting all those ingredients on to a small label means they are really hard to read! That is why we always have all the ingredients, claims and reviews on our website and we encourage you to read these first and make sure that ANY products you purchase do the same.
Skin Deep® Database
If you are uncertain about any ingredient, another excellent resource is the Environmental Working Group. Their Skin Deep® Database provides an incredibly comprehensive list of ingredients found in brand name products. It rates how safe (on a scale of 1-10) those ingredients are for your body.
Closing Thoughts
We are not perfect, but in today’s environment of competing claims, "fake news" and so many choices, we are trying mightily to be one of the anchors in your life you can trust for you and your family’s health. Check out our line of skincare products made with only the best ingredients. Period.