What is all the fuss about?

Where to start….well I’ll begin with a simple introduction. I’ve been in the Spa Industry for over 20 years as a licensed Esthetician and Spa therapist and have worked in a variety of settings from a few Hair salon and Day Spas to working from home while raising little ones to my current location at Pink Rose Day Spa Inc. I have not only had the privilege of finally achieving a major goal in life and opening a Spa but getting to do it while working alongside one of my best friends/business partners.

We jumped into the whole Organic route a little over 3 years ago when we first opened our business and decided we were going to do something different and become an Organic Spa. Why you ask? Because we realized that the modern consumer was finally at a point where they began asking questions about products like “what is in this" and “is that good for me". We took a leap of faith and decided we were onto something bigger and began our research.

Top 6 scary ingredients to avoid

Formaldehyde

Yup, you read that right. Formaldehyde is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas used in cosmetics as a preservative. But the major concern is that formaldehyde causes cancer. It is normally listed under the name Formalin and is most commonly found in eyelash glues, hair gels, soaps, makeup, shampoos, lotions, and deodorants, among other products

Perfume or Fragrance 

Almost every single conventional skincare and cosmetic product (even “unscented” ones) contains artificial fragrances. Manufacturers aren’t required to reveal what’s actually in their fragrances, so you’ll simply see Fragrance or Perfume on the ingredients list when it could actually be a cocktail of carcinogens, allergens, endocrine disruptors, and irritants.

Phthalates

Used in cosmetics primarily in fragrances, and can also be found in other personal care products, such as hair spray and nail polish. Examples include: DBP, DEHP, DEP and others. Like parabens, phthalates are endocrine disruptors and can cause hormonal and reproductive problems and birth defects.

Polyethylene Glycol

... is used as a thickening agent in many cosmetics like shampoo, lotions and sunscreens. PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives found in everything from soap to lotion to makeup. If it has water in it, it probably has a paraben to keep it from growing bacteria. Examples include: methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben. If “paraben” is in the word, avoid it. Parabens are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body and can lead to hormonal imbalances, and possibly even breast cancer. Another study found 99% of all cancerous breast tumors contained parabens.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

SLS/SLES are foaming agents used in a slew of personal care products, including skin care and cosmetics, shampoo, and toothpaste. They are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. Additionally, chemical compounds known as “nitrosamines” are common by-products of the sulphation process. 90% of nitrosamines are believed to be carcinogenic.

Environmental Impact

Many companies who are Organic based are very environmentally conscious. From ecological preservation to green packaging they very much have our planets health in mind. An essential part of who they are is giving back to their communities whether it be by empowering individuals or supporting charities and foundations for a better future. These companies with their non-toxic, cruelty free products are the path towards a greener healthier lifestyle and environmental preservation.

So to answer your question of why Organic?

When we choose these companies we not only support our own Canadian economy and fellow female entrepreneurs but we are making better choices for ourselves and our children when it comes to our health.

And like Solange says: 

“when your body is all, you have you best take care."