I have a book suggestion. It is the kind of book after finished; you might feel inspired to share with your friends and family too. It is not a fluffy, romantic summer novel or gripping mystery, but an eye-opening book. In fact, it is downright frightening. The book is “There is Lead in your Lipstick. Toxins in Our Everyday Body Care and How to Avoid Them” by Gillian Deacon.
Stay with me people. Please.
There is a chance you are thinking – no thanks. Perhaps your eyes are rolling at the thought of toxic personal care products preachy/feel terrible about yourself and your lifestyle kind of book? Surprisingly, it is not.
Consumers need to make informed decisions buying/using products for our families and ourselves. According to the author, the average woman douses herself with approximately 127 chemicals before leaving the house in the morning. Apparently, men are not much better. Most North Americans trust that there is a government or protective body ensuring that products for sale are safe. Unfortunately, this is not the case when it comes to beauty products.
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I considered myself decently informed when it comes to greenwashing. I am shocked to find out that many famous “organic” companies (listed in the book) are misleading consumers. It is full of surprises that left me scratching my head and angry. Why is it we require strict labelling when it comes to food and beverages but products we slather over our bodies, we trust that the ingredients inside are not dangerous. This is a mistake.
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Not all is doom and gloom throughout this book though. Gillian manages to explain our toxic exposure to substances harmful to our health and the environment in a friendly, positive way. (That sounds impossible, but somehow she does it.)
Gillian shines a well researched light on companies and chemicals we should avoid. Explaining how to read labels and uncover marketing omission and misinformation. She offers a multitude of helpful suggestions for safe products to replace the toxic ones in your home. Since this is a Canadian book, they are easily found on-line and in shops.
Not only does she provide safer shopping suggestions, Gillian includes many easy recipes to create natural alternatives at home. This is appealing not only to anyone interested in making healthier choices but crafty do-it-yourself and frugal minded folk too. Win-win!
Long time MM readers out there might find this interesting (I did), Ottawa entrepreneur Gwen owner of Nayla Natural Care receives many mentions throughout the book as a trustworthy supplier of healthy, earth friendly products. Gwen had no idea Gillian was a fan of her business until one of her customers told her about the publication. Isn’t that cool? Way to go Gwen!
This book is about human health and eco-principles too. Under the Beautiful Face, Beautiful Place heading Gillian writes, “I hope you enjoy trying some new products and practices, and have fun experimenting with new ideas. Enjoyment is really the most beautifying ingredient after all.”
If you have the opportunity, check this book out. I am currently mixing up a batch of Easy Epsom Soak for our bathroom. Please share your thoughts/review too.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t read this book, yet, but I really will. The regulations for cosmetics and personal care products are not good enough in Canada, and labelling is way behind where it should be. When my hairdresser recently told me about a new organic line of hair dyes, I just had to shake my (freshly dyed with non-organic product) head.
I laughed when you wrote “stay with me people” because tend to shy away from books like this one.I do want to know more about this topic since this effects my loved ones. We are idiots to think that companies are putting the best ingredients for our health. Thank you for the book suggestion. I’ll let you know what I think of it when I’m done.
I LOVE this book too! I bought it way back when it first came and it looks like I’ve had it for years. The pages are dog eared and it sits turned over on the kitchen counter like a recipe book. A book I actually USE. Daily. That should say something! (Gillian also signed my copy when I saw her at the Ottawa Go Green Expo back in early spring!)
This book has been my guide since I started switching my family over all all natural products. I refer to it every time I’m going to consider which products to buy. I’ve been greenwashed once since I’ve started doing this, but never again. I’m now an obsessive compulsive label reader.
I try and make as much stuff as I can. So far I’ve been successful with everything. My hair routine is 75% all natural. I found some really nice raw materials at New Directions Aromatics (http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/). I got a nice hunk of beeswax down at the farmer’s market at Lansdowne Park.
It really is a work in progress but it makes me feel good every time I have a success. My goal is to instill these habits into my children while they are young.
Great review!
Finola – Super! Would you like to borrow my copy?
LC – Let’s talk after your read it.
Heather – Wow, thanks for your review too!
I appreciate you sharing the link for New Directions and I wondered where I would get the beeswax. Will definitely check out the Lansdowne market…I ususally stick with the Carp Farmers market closer to home. Helpful information, thank you.
Wow, thanks for this great info. I’ve been gradually transferring over to all-natural products in our house and now I’m dying to read this. Seems like a very popular book at the library – just placed a hold and I’m 193rd in line!! Sounds like it’s definitely worth it to buy though
Hi Alicia – Nice to mee you!
Since you are a fellow Ottawan, I’m happy to lend you my copy of the book. It’s puffy looking after getting wet in the rain but it’s still in great shape. Email me if you would like to borrow it…193 sounds like an awfully long wait.
This book is on my to-read list! I saw Gill Deacon at the Green Living Show back in April here in Toronto; she was one of the panellists on the Green Living Health Forum (“Beauty products – are they safe?”) along with Rick Smith of Environmental Defence, co-author of Slow Death by Rubber Duck, which I’m slowly reading one chapter at a time and blogging about, too.
Scary stuff. We have to remember that profit-driven businesses aren’t looking out for our health; we have to do it ourselves!!!
Andrea – I was thinking of you as I read this book. I know you will love it.