Rant about jumping on the eco friendly band wagon

[Milims]

I'm really cross but I do't know if I should kick myself or B**ts I've been looking for ages for some suitably eco friendly body cleaning products and thought I'd hit the nail on the head. The above mentioned high street chemist has a range of products that they promote as Fair Trade and Organic - I thought - "woo hoo! At last something readily available that I can use!" So, having read the ingredient list on one of the "flavours" I decided that I would go fo it - and being as how it was on special offer I bought the Organic Cotton wash bag containing the three main products I needed. On closer inspection I find that despite the eco friendly initial image they contain huge amounts of petrochemicals and other nasties. I feel tricked! It seems to me that companies are presenting products as eco friendly as a way to follow the curent "trend", (which is for some of us a way of life), simply as a means to sell their carp!

[Green Aura]

I know what you mean milims. Most of the stuff I make is completely petro-chemical free but some things I just can't get round because of EU cosmetics regulations. It really p****s me off that I have to use aloe vera gel (made to a specific recipe) rather than some fresh from the hundreds of plants currently adorning my windowsills It's either that or pay a fortune to have all my recipes retested - and I mean a fortune.

And the most annoying bit is that it's the large cosmeceutical companies that have brought this about - having in-house chemists they can "safety test" anything. Small genuinely eco concerns, like mine, can't afford it and are in danger of going out of business and they get to call themselves green.

[Goodness&Wonder]

I agree Milims, its all a con! I'm always scrutinizing the ingredients lists as you can never be sure! I've taken to making a lot of my own products, then you really know what it is you are using. Was there any products in particular you needed? There are some really simple alternatives, e.g. I use organic, cold pressed sunflower oil with a few drops of essential oil as face cleanser, body cleanser and bath oil. Simple, effective and leaves your skin so soft.

[theabsinthefairy]

I agree - I have stopped buying high street products of any description, as well as most products promoted as eco, organic or green, because mostly it seems to me that these products are packaged in recyclable containers and sold in cotton bags and that this change of packaging in reality is the only 'green' thing about the products.

I make my own skin tonics and massage oils that I use as moisturisers, and use my own soaps or those of a local producer that makes organic products from donkey milk.

I suppose it helps that I rarely take the time these days to apply any make-up so there is less necessity for 'removers' and 'cleansers' only skin tonics

[fruitcake]

I know what you mean milims. Most of the stuff I make is completely petro-chemical free but some things I just can't get round because of EU cosmetics regulations. It really p****s me off that I have to use aloe vera gel (made to a specific recipe) rather than some fresh from the hundreds of plants currently adorning my windowsills It's either that or pay a fortune to have all my recipes retested - and I mean a fortune.

And the most annoying bit is that it's the large cosmeceutical companies that have brought this about - having in-house chemists they can "safety test" anything. Small genuinely eco concerns, like mine, can't afford it and are in danger of going out of business and they get to call themselves green.

GA - have you thought about a knowledge transfer partnership type programme to get your stuff tested? You're local HIE office (or if they don't ask to speak to someone that covers nutraceuticals in the HIE regional competativeness team) might be able to tell you of schemes in your area or else contact some of the unis to see what / if anything they have going. This the type of thing i mean http://www.kit-out.org/index.html, http://www.ktpws.org.uk/Home.aspx
Apologies if I'm repeating stuff you already know / tried etc....

[SaveSomeGreen]

I dont bother much with any cleaning products at all.. as a result I look and smell like and old tramp... Not really but you are all right with the advercon attitudes of a lot of the 'green' products.

It is very difficult to find truly green products or even sometimes to get people to stock them, I run a business and some of my most eco friendly products are the hardest to sell.

Without the gimmicks many shops won't stock them becausse most customers don't believe when people tell them that simply it works as opposed to a flashy reason as to why it is best...

I am not sure that I am getting my point across well.. but I have a exclusive, my company only, coconut scouring pad for washing dishes, sls free soaps, soapnuts loads of great stuff etc and I have been stonewalled a couple of times by stores simple because I don't have a multimillion pound advertising budget behind me.. (or any for that matter :D )

It is a very strange world out there!!

[Susie]

I dont bother much with any cleaning products at all..

No actually me neither , mostly all I use is cold-process soap from the local wholefood co-operative or etsy, gosh I have become quite hardcore. (I should really start making my own). I stopped wearing deodorant and didn't notice any difference (unless all my friends are just being very polite.... ). I wear mineral makeup very occasionally - and I found when I stopped wearing makeup I didn't need a strong facial cleanser or moisturiser. The only thing I have really had trouble replacing is shampoo/ conditioner, my hair gets dry and we have very hard water and if I use anything without silicon it isn't pretty. If I could find a good genuinely eco alternative I would be all over it like a rash.

Milims I know exactly what you mean, I feel that way about Lush, they go on about their no packaging but their soap is full of SLSs and all sorts of odd things.

[Green Aura]

Fruitcake thanks for all that info I will certainly look into that

Susie - I don't know what you do for a living but have a look at some of the no shampoo threads. I stopped using shampoo and conditioner last August-ish. The experience wasn't as bad as I expected, my hair and scalp feel much better now and no-one seems to have noticed. Even better, when I have to travel - I've been up and down the country a few times in the last few months - all I take are 2 small bottles - one of hydrolat, and the other my oil blend. These serve as cleanser, toner, moisturiser and deodorant, and I also carry (or pinch if staying with friends) a little vinegar to rinse my hair. My toilet bag has never been so empty

[SaveSomeGreen]

I don't know if it helps but I have been using an SLS free Shampoo bar, it seems to be working a treat. It still stings when I get in in my eye but apart from that it is lovely and smells nice, I used soapnut liquid for a while which certainly worked and left my hair very soft. I just wanted to smell a little nicer.

[theabsinthefairy]

I used soapnut liquid for a while which certainly worked and left my hair very soft. I just wanted to smell a little nicer.

If you add a couple of drops of lavender or citrus essential oil it smells much better, or to lighten hair naturally, keep a squirt bottle of dilute lemon juice and spray it on when you have washed your hair leave to dry naturally and your hair smells lovely as well as lightening in the sun.

[JillStephens7]

Oh, it drives me mad all this pretend eco trickery. I've hardly bought any mainstream stuff for years as they're so hideous ethically but yes have been duped a few times in the last few years with the trend for 'ecochic' type products. What a bunch of manipulative weasels.

My mum and MIL-to-be know I only like animal friendly eco type stuff and go out of their way to get me nice stuff for prezzies but they get pulled right into the con and I end up over doing the thankyous to hide the fact they've got it wrong and bought me something tested on animals even though it has a cute picture on the front and comes in a hemp bag.

Oh it makes me want to swear a LOT sometimes

[Susie]

Thanks for the ideas, I'll have a look at the no-shampoo threads - it always sounds very scary but I actually used to know someone who did it (and he was very mainstream, not ish at all!) and you really couldn't tell, his hair looked great. I'll have a look for shampoo bars as well.

I think what gets me even more than the horrible ingredients is the whole 'because you're worth it' advert-type rubbish. I'm worth a lot more than being fobbed off with some petrochemicals in a plastic pot (excuse alliteration)

[JillStephens7]

Hi Susie, if you want a shampoo bar recipe I'm sure I have one. Just like making soap but with more hair friendly oils in ... Jojoba I think.

I haven't made this but homemade soap makes my hair nice and soft when I use that, though mostly I keep refilling from 5 litre Faith in Nature supply my mum got

xx

[Susie]

I'd love a shampoo bar recipe if you've got one - soap is right next on my list of Things To Do. How scary can it be? (Eek )

[crowsashes]

ive been watching the 'grow your own drugs' series and have the books! ( couldnt resist them) and have actually tried a fair few of the recipes, and im making several different infused oils at the mo too. its actually working out much much cheaper to make my own out of garden and foraged goods ( and a few staples like sugar, salt, oil and vodka! ) the recipie in the second books for sugar scrub is lovely and theres a few for bath milk and hair oil.

im sure you could find them online some where