Personal Care Products

Products reviewed:

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel

Men’s Degree Dry Spray Antiperspirant

In reviewing your personal care products:

• Were you surprised to find out the toxicity rating of your personal care products?
  • I was not surprised by the Aloe Vera as that should be pretty much derived from natural plant-based ingredients. Although, there were some high ingredient concerns impacting lungs, eyes and skin…
    • This product ranked a 3 out of 10 on the EWG scores.
  • The Degree Antiperspirant I figured would test higher and received a 6 out of 10 on the EWG scores. I have elders in my family that would always say, “that stuff is going to give you cancer mijo”, I just never really believed that hype. Now I am starting to consider what my elders have said.
    • This product had a lot more items under the ingredient high concern list and Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Persistence and bioaccumulation.  
• Did you decide to change any of your consumer behaviors based on your findings?
  • Until I can find a whole bunch of Aloe plants and create a process for extraction, I will continue to use the Aloe Vera by Fruit of the Earth with more caution (specifically not to ingest or get into the eyes).
  • I believe for the Antiperspirant, what I can do here is find a product that is healthier and still allows me to keep the hygiene to tolerable. Most of the elders in my family have used natural remedies and products produced by Dr. Bronner’s.   
• Should everyone know about these risks and why don’t they?
  • All individuals (consumers and producers) need to know about the health risks associated with the manufacturing/consumption of products. Unfortunately, large corporations are typically about profit and not overall consumer health.

Side note:

I didn’t know about this website and now have it bookmarked! Thanks!