Terminology Costs Money

We all know that ORGANIC costs us more money.  I always wondered about that, as many things are NOT used - therefore one would think it should be cheaper.

Organic fresh foods do NOT use chemicals at all.  Therefore, there is no insect killer, no fungicides, and no weed killers used.  That in itself, makes for a lot more work for the farmer!  Those three things can devastate crops in no time, so actually the yield can be much less when organic versus chemical laden produce.  More work and lesser harvest equals more money.
This now makes more sense to me.

In the world of beauty products and cleaning products the line is not so clear!  Certain terms generally mean an item costs more - but what do those terms REALLY mean?

HYPOALLERGENIC - You know what you think it means!
The term is actually meaningless, because there is NO regulatory or even voluntary standard definition that has been set.  It does NOT mean the product will not cause an allergic reaction.
The same thing goes with the terms "dermatologist tested", "sensitivity tested", or "non-irritating".
Basically the company is telling you what you want to hear, they are falsely advertising and it is ALL legal!

FRAGRANCE FREE - Products with this label DO contain fragrances.  The term on the bottle should be "Smell Free".  The manufacturer adds some other fragrance/chemicals to mask the products original smell!
This is what I always buy, since I am allergic to so many perfumes.

I checked the laundry detergent bottle for ingredients and they are NOT listed.  This was on 2  different types of detergent.  There was a website listed - I went there and I read 8 pages on "what to do if this happens" - BUT NO ingredients were listed.
The only thing listed was SURFACTANTS.  I looked that up and it is some component that makes the detergent blend into water and release dirt from fabric - BUT WHAT IS IT?
All I know is it says there is no phosphates  - but have no idea WHAT IS in it.
Check your bottles out!!!!!!

NATURAL - there are no industry or government standards for this term either.
It can virtually mean anything to anybody.  "Natural" cosmetics contain pretty much the same ingredients as other cosmetic including preservatives.  Always read the ingredients and see if there is something that you'd like to avoid.  Don't just take the term natural to heart!

NO ANIMAL TESTING - this term is probably splitting hairs.  The actual products may not have been tested on any animals - but odds are that SOME of the ingredients have been.
The FDA an industry officials say that the companies using these claims, are using ingredients that have already been proven safe. BUT most likely they were once tested on animals - since there are NO cosmetic ingredients that haven't been tested on animals!

ALSO do not be fooled by terms and claims on products such as - firms, tightens, lifts, washes away, nourishes, reconditions, prevents, etc.  Beauty products ONLY work on the surface of skin and hair.  They can only provide a temporary change in appearance.
They all contain collagen, and the collagen molecule is too big to penetrate the outermost layers of hair and skin.


Price says nothing about quality.  Read your labels, and you will find that most products whether 2.99 or 17.99 are the same.  The big difference IS $15!!!!!!!!!!!!

For a healthy look to our skin and hair, all we really need is a mild soap, non-exposure to sun, healthy food and drinks, regular exercise, and not smoking.
If you get minor irritations, try a natural homemade tonic or cream.


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I was really troubled when I came across all this information.  I know we ALL have that product that we believe in and couldn't be without.

I don't break out or itch because I use___________.  My hair is thicker and healthier because of __________.  My skin is younger looking because of _________________.

NOW I AM SECOND GUESSING MYSELF.  DOES IT REALLY WORK OR IS IT JUST ALL IN MY HEAD?
I am sure I will continue to buy the same products, as will you, but this sure does give us something to think about.

I think we all need to go a more natural and homemade route - at least we know what we are using.
Just remember all of your beauty products and cleaning products are made by big companies and they CAN TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY WANT!  There are NO significant regulations.

READ YOU LABELS AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK.