Healthier Heads: What makes a product Natural?During pregnancy, many mothers experience an incredible change in their approach to health and personal care. All of a sudden, we are reading every ingredient on our labels. Things we had never given much thought to (is this safe? Are there parabens in this product…) are now under the microscope. This shift in awareness comes from our desire to make sure that we are leading the healthiest lifestyle possible in order to promote the growth and good health of our baby. It is common knowledge that women shouldn’t dye their hair while pregnant, but what about the products they are using for their day-to-day hair care?
As we start our journey into the world of natural hair care, the first question we ask is what makes a product natural? Unfortunately, there are not, currently, any governing requirements that companies need to meet in Canada in order to call themselves or their products Natural. In the States, the Natural Products Association™ has created a list of criteria that products must meet in order to be deemed ‘truly natural’ and to use the NPA™ seal of approval. According to their definition, ‘Natural’ means: (A company uses) Ingredients that come or are made from a renewable resource found in Nature (Flora, Fauna, Mineral) with absolutely no petroleum compounds.
Once we understand what is Natural, we may wonder next, what the problem is with synthetic ingredients? We’ve heard that parabens and sulphates are bad for us, but why? The Natural Products Association™ has a large listing of chemicals and their negative side effects. Here are a few of the ingredients most commonly found in shampoos and conditioners...
• Parabens: Synthetic preservatives that are potential endocrine disrupters.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Harsh cleansing agent that can potentially damage the lipid layer of skin and cause irritation
• Petrolatum/Mineral Oil/Parrafin: Non-renewable byproducts of crude oil with potentially dangerous impurities.
• Phthalates: Synthetic fragrance components that are potential toxins.
Allthough there are no guidelines in Canada for Natural claims, Canadian company Nature Clean® has taken it upon themselves to provide personal and household care products using only the most natural and pure ingredients possible. Since 1963, Nature Clean® has been providing healthier non-toxic alternatives for you, your family and our environment. As a company, they provide complete transparency in all products and labeling.
They recently introduced a new line of Shampoos and Conditioners. Made with over 98% natural ingredients derived from plant and minerals. Nature Clean® provides a healthy clean for healthy hair, naturally. They have something for every hair type: Pure-Nourishment, Pure-Body and Pure-Moisture are all scented with essential oils and have a fresh scent. For those with sensitivities, there’s the Pure-Sensitive line. It’s unscented, non-irritating, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested. All of the packaging is recyclable and eco-friendly. Nature Clean® never tests on animals or uses animal by-products. Rest assured, there are natural and effective products on the market so you can feel good about the ingredients you’re using during your pregnancy and beyond.
Now’s the time to come clean- give natural a chance.
About the Author:
Adrienne Fraser is a freelance Publicist, and owns Arcana PR, a small firm that focuses on companies, which provide natural and eco-friendly products and services. Nature Clean® is one of her clients.
http://www.naturecleanliving.com/personalcare
Nature Clean® products provide a healthier clean and are free of parabens, sulphates, phthalates, propylene glycol, silicone, PEG, synthetic fragrances and dyes. You can purchase the hair care line at Whole Foods and select health food stores across Canada.
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