Wake up, brush teeth, shower, wash face, apply SPF moisturizer, apply makeup, grab keys, coffee, out the door. And then we wake up a do it all over again. Routines are good. They promote stability and consistency; but sometimes our routine becomes so routine that we don’t stop to think what we’re doing, or what we’re putting on our bodies. Consumers often forget to ask questions about their personal care products, or forget to ask the right questions: What is X ingredient and what side effects, if any, does it have on my body? Non-profits groups have started studying cosmetic ingredients, including hair products According to HuffingtonPost.com, “More than one in five personal care products contain chemicals linked to cancer; 45 percent have ingredients reported to be potentially harmful to reproductive systems and/or fetal development; and 60 percent have ingredients that can act like estrogen and disrupt hormones." Those are some weighty side effects to ignore.
The cosmeceutical industry is in the business of reducing the usage of synthetics, or at least the harmful ones, as all chemicals/synthetics are not harmful; but I don’t think the everyday shopper is aware of these nasty chemicals and their side effects. I think the mission to send is question everything. Question the ingredients, the purpose of the ingredients, the manufacturing plant … everything. And, whatever skincare routine you choose, do it on purpose. This marketing mission not only creates savvy educated consumers, but it pushes the truly natural, good-for-your-skin personal care products at the top of their radar.