Why use natural and organic personal care products?

I have been asked this question by my family, friends, and total strangers for YEARS. My first response … especially with family and friends … is a quizzical look as if I am trying to determine if I should start speaking in monosyllabic words. Of course, that elicits the usual "what??!!?? You think you're smarter than the rest of us" and has often led to a 2 hour "debate" (argument according to other family members) … especially with my ultra-conservative middle sister in Vermont (yes … believe it or not they haven't managed to drive off ALL conservatives in Vermont … not yet anyhow). But I digress …

The truth is that I could spout off hundreds (ok … dozens) of reasons why I personally believe that everyone in this great land of ours should be using naturally based products of all types. Resisting the temptation to jump up on my soap box and risk another 2 hour debate, I usually answer simply, "Do you really believe it is healthy for you and your kids to be bathing, covering yourselves in, and consuming dyes, oil-based chemicals, and possibly carcinogens? Because that is exactly what you are doing when you use typical cheap, commercial brand soaps, shampoos, and crèmes."

"Read the ingredients!" I tell them. At the risk of getting myself in hot water with the big corporate lawyer types … one big name Baby Shampoo contains two different coloring dyes and artificial fragrance; another adult "natural" shampoo contain two dyes PLUS DMDM hydantoin … a preservative that works by releasing FORMALDEHYDE into the product!!; most commercial bar soaps contain dyes; and one very big name bar soap contain multiple dyes. (OK … why the all dyes??? Do surveys show that Americans only buy based on pretty colors???)

Almost all commercial bath products aimed at Kids contain dyes, artificial fragrances, and preservatives. My 7 year old son is naturally on the hyperactive side. In a moment of weakness, I allowed myself to be talked into buying several of these products. Within days of using these products my son's hyperactivity went into overdrive AND … even more telling … he calmed down within days of discontinuing their use.

The sad and honest fact is that we, in the USA, are way behind the rest of the world in realizing that what we put ON our bodies also goes INTO our bodies. The European Union has outlawed more than 400 personal care products including anything that contains formaldehyde, a proven carcinogen, while our own FDA has banned less than a dozen. And I haven't even touched on the environmental reasons why we should all go "au natural" (Hey! Mind out of the gutter!).

Now … all that being said … are we at Kiss perfect in producing 100% natural and organic products? No. Yes … I said no. We've made mistakes such as using parabens as preservatives based on the European Union's approval. Yes … even the EU makes mistakes. But we TRY. Our company was founded more than 25 years ago on the belief that it IS possible to make products that are natural, affordable, and that WORK. And we'll never stop following that belief.

Daniel

Comments

[bethany]

well said! Maybe they can just TRY something without irritants, chemicals, & dyes, and see just how the quality of skin and hair improves. It's really amazing - so thanks, guys, for creating this line!

[Kristen]

Well said! It is nice to hear you admit that perhaps parabens aren't so user-friendly (unlike some major spa brands that just quietly took them out, denying it 'til the sun goes down). And as for the new blog--Kiss My Face has long since mastered the art of natural skincare, and it is so nice to now be hearing from the men behind the maddness! Stay fabulous KMF!

[L'Aura Di Salvo]

I love your Products, I have buying them for 25 years .
I would really love to get the peach and pear moisture soap in gallons so I don't have to have a pile of small bottles to recycle. I usually buy your products through Frontier Natural Product Co-op. Is there anyway you will be making the gallons available ?
Please let me know.

[Daniel]

Always love hearing from a loyal Kiss fan ;-)

We actually DO have those two soaps in the gallon sizes. Ask Frontier if they can order them for you or you may buy them on-line at
http://www.kissmyfacewebstore.com/products/kiss-extras/refills

[Debbie]

I am allergic to soy, so does that mean I'm allergic to Tocopheryl Acetate? Or are there different derivatives of Vitamin E that would be ok for me to us.

Does your Sudz, rough seas organic bar soap have soy in it.

Thank you,
Debbie

[Nadia]

My daughter has several different types of allergies, so I always read the ingredients list very carefully.

[Brooke]

I like a company that owns up to its mistakes rather than denying them. Thanks.

[Tessa]

Hello. I am new to reading this blog; however, I have been using Kiss My Face products for over a year now. I really enjoy the products, especially the olive oil bar soaps. Even more, I appreciate the company's philosophy and the efforts of spreading important information through posts like these. As I am becoming increasingly more informed on natural products, I find I am looking to ingredient lists once more. I noticed that the KMF Moisture Shave has both methylparaben and propylparaben. I went on your website, and found this blog noting the past use of some parabens. I was wondering if KMF had plans to remove parabens from all products, or if it is necessary to include them in the products?

Thank you so much. All the best!

[mineral cosmetics]

Excellent post, I myself stick to nothing but all natural beauty products. I am also very aware of the foods I eat as this is one of the main causes of bad health and most skin and odor issues.