What I have found is that even among the natural companies, not one is perfect. Green Beaver may use the corn sugars, where as Mountain Sky may use some palm kernel oils, which are also considered harmful as far as their extraction and impact on the environment goes. (There are many articles on this out there, this but just one: http://www.eco-asia.info/content/w-palm-oil1)

In the end the consumer has a few choices: do I use any commercial personal care products at all?
Some I know do this, although most of us are not yet willing to go that route.
If I use any personal care products, what is most important to me?

For me it comes down to a company that is first and foremost natural – by the best definition of the word, environmentally friendly (or as friendly as possible) and local to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions, and support the local economy.

So far like I said, there is not one company that is perfect – for example upon a scrutinized look at the company “Saje” I am sure something can be found that is either not ideal for health, like grapefruit seed extract or perhaps something for the environment.

Don’t get me wrong I am not one for settling, but when it comes to these products, not one is going to meet everyone’s standards and criteria or be considered “perfect”. I don’t think anything that comes in a bottle or is processed can ever get that title. So in the end, we as the consumer must choose what makes most sense to us, according to our own standards. And that is of course alongside trying to communicate with these companies, to make them even better.

I went on Green Beaver’s website to look up the ingredients for some products and I found that some of the products (such as the shampoos, body washes, hand soaps, toothpastes and etc.) contained “decyl glucoside”.

According to the Article from the company, Mountain Sky, “decyl glucoside” is a “corn sugar” and “…creates a large waste problem for our waterways…“. What are your thoughts on ‘corn sugars’?

Here is the article from Mountain Sky’s website:

http://www.mountainskysoap.com/corn.php

It is indeed true Cath, if you look at networks such as the Skin Deep Cosmetic Data Base, one may be shocked at how toxic most personal care stuff is, and yet we put it on anyway, because we think we need it, when in fact it is doing so much more harm than good.

This is why I encourage everyone who cares about their long term health, and living out life in the best way possible to 1) reduce the use of most personal care products (we overuse like crazy, stuff we often “think” we need) and 2) Look into some really natural products.

The commercial stuff out there is pretty bad, and the commercial baby stuff is perhaps what is most alarming.

Therefore whether someone is from Canada or not, I just encourage people to look into a brand of products that is somewhat better, and that they can trust to actually be helping them, not hurting them in the long run.

On Joshua’s second day in hospital, he was far too ill to give a toss about personal care. But the ward sister reprimanded me on not having brought him in shower gel, deodorant etc and I really had to bite my tongue.

If you can send me over an ingredient list from one of their products, especially for the baby stuff, I will be glad to give you my opinion on it. However, again at first glance, they did not strike me at all as a company who does not use typical chemicals. They are trying to be “green” – but that does not necessarily have anything to do with health.

If you see even words like “fragrance” or “parfum” in the products, that alone is a warning flag.

Origins seems to be better, as it is backed by Dr.Andrew Weil – and I trust him greatly. However, unless I see the ingredients, I cannot say if the products are worth using or not.

Today there are so many chemicals on our bodies from the air, water, and food, every little bit that we reduce on our skin helps.

It is my pleasure Tess to help people with this, as I know how deceptive labels are out there, never mind just plain confusing. So let me know if you have any other questions.

Seeing I trust you I’m going to look into Green Beaver products.

Oh and I also order the skin care products from Arbonne for my 10 month old grandson.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your honesty, research and time devoted to a better world.

I’m also a big fan of Green Beaver products. For other greats products made in Ontario (and in the rest of Canada), I suggest you visit http://www.BuyCanadianFirst.ca

Who knew so many things are still made in Canada?!

Isabelle