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floatingleafAs if I didn't have enough reasons to feel upset already, I read an article today that gave me another one. About evil, carcinogenic chemicals in cosmetics and other 'body care' products. There was a sizeable list of substances to be 'avoided at all costs' - and nearly every item on that list turns out to be a very commonly used ingredient in all types of products. I checked out my shampoo, conditioner, face wash, mouthwash, toner, facial cream, shower gel etc. - and they ALL contain some of the evil stuff. Granted, possible damage caused by cosmetics is not as great or immediate as that caused by harmful chemicals in food, which is actually ingested - but still, constant exposure over time can result in some of those chemicals being absorbed by the body and finding their way to the internal organs. Yet, the average consumer is not aware of this. The average consumer thinks she is 'taking care' of her body - while, in fact, she is often paying big money to rub various carcinogens into her skin. Just like she is often gorging on addictive junk food, or eagerly swallowing pills that are supposed to make her 'happy'. The irony of it all is staggering. Our civilization is poisoning us, in more ways than one. And healthy alternatives to this concerted assault are few and far between - as well as totally unpromoted, because obviously no one is making big bucks by telling people to use age-old, natural remedies for whatever ails them. By the way, since when have women needed such a staggeringly wide array of 'beauty' products?... No more than the past several decades, I bet. I'm sure there were cosmetics even in ancient civilizations - but those must have been made from natural ingredients. If you walk into a cosmetic store today, you can be very 'feminine' (like yours truly) and still not have a clue what some of the stuff you see is even meant for. And, of course, it's all advertised as something you absolutely need. There was a comment under the abovementioned article which basically said that all 'moisturizers' are a scam, that the skin has its own natural oils and doesn't need any artificial 'moisturizing' at all. I'm not sure I agree with that - but then again, I could be just clinging to my deception like all those junk food defenders who tell you it's not really that bad at all, because they just can't imagine life without it.
See, I wish I could act all superior and say I'm above all this consumerist crap - but well... tough luck. Clearly, I'm not. I LOVE my skin care products. Day cream, night cream, eye cream, hand cream, foot cream, body lotion, nice smelling soap etc. - they are among my most treasured small pleasures that add a little flair to the monotonous day-to-day existence. I was never big on make-up, at least when it comes to its 'decorative' aspects - but I do use foundation and powder (because I hate having visible dark circles under the eyes, as well as a shiny nose), a tiny bit of pale lipstick and an eyebrow pencil (mainly because I was so anal about plucking my eyebrows at one point that I nearly got rid of them, and if I don't paint them over, I look like I don't have any at all). And I'm reluctant to go outside without putting this stuff on, because I feel that I must look disgusting. Which is probably bullshit and all in my head... but well. Just another way civilization (or patriarchal oppression, of you prefer) fucks with our minds. Which is probably a topic for a whole another post. Anyway... what I was trying to say is that I have almost a fetish for various exotically scented body care products - and I find it deeply upsetting to realize that they might be, in fact, slow killers in disguise. (Btw, 'fragrance' was mentioned as one of the major 'red warning lights', because the term 'fragrance' can mean basically anything and is often used by manufacturers to disguise all kinds of evil substances; and no, somehow I was never interested in purchasing the hypoallergenic, unscented stuff, because it seemed, well... boring.) It makes me feel betrayed. And the very fact that this even matters to me is probably the most obvious proof that I'm a victim of a major consumerist mindfuck. So much for feeling superior because I don't eat at MacDonald's.:P
Yes, I do realize I have several options here. I can do some research (there were links provided under the article) and find less harmful alternatives to my favorite 'self-pamper' stuff - but those are typically a lot more expensive, so I don't know how economically viable that option is right now. I can simply stop using any cosmetics other than soap, shampoo & toothpaste - and see if that really makes my skin feel terribly neglected. It would be an interesting experiment... but somehow I don't think I have the courage or will to do it. It's almost as if I were to stop eating anything other than bread, cheese and carrots, for example. Plain depressing. Or I can simply ignore everything I have just read and keep using my favorite brands. And start quoting alcohol and/or tobacco addicts who often say that 'one has got to die from something'. That's so clever, sarcastic, self-mockingly witty and just plain cool, right?... Right?
See, I wish I could act all superior and say I'm above all this consumerist crap - but well... tough luck. Clearly, I'm not. I LOVE my skin care products. Day cream, night cream, eye cream, hand cream, foot cream, body lotion, nice smelling soap etc. - they are among my most treasured small pleasures that add a little flair to the monotonous day-to-day existence. I was never big on make-up, at least when it comes to its 'decorative' aspects - but I do use foundation and powder (because I hate having visible dark circles under the eyes, as well as a shiny nose), a tiny bit of pale lipstick and an eyebrow pencil (mainly because I was so anal about plucking my eyebrows at one point that I nearly got rid of them, and if I don't paint them over, I look like I don't have any at all). And I'm reluctant to go outside without putting this stuff on, because I feel that I must look disgusting. Which is probably bullshit and all in my head... but well. Just another way civilization (or patriarchal oppression, of you prefer) fucks with our minds. Which is probably a topic for a whole another post. Anyway... what I was trying to say is that I have almost a fetish for various exotically scented body care products - and I find it deeply upsetting to realize that they might be, in fact, slow killers in disguise. (Btw, 'fragrance' was mentioned as one of the major 'red warning lights', because the term 'fragrance' can mean basically anything and is often used by manufacturers to disguise all kinds of evil substances; and no, somehow I was never interested in purchasing the hypoallergenic, unscented stuff, because it seemed, well... boring.) It makes me feel betrayed. And the very fact that this even matters to me is probably the most obvious proof that I'm a victim of a major consumerist mindfuck. So much for feeling superior because I don't eat at MacDonald's.:P
Yes, I do realize I have several options here. I can do some research (there were links provided under the article) and find less harmful alternatives to my favorite 'self-pamper' stuff - but those are typically a lot more expensive, so I don't know how economically viable that option is right now. I can simply stop using any cosmetics other than soap, shampoo & toothpaste - and see if that really makes my skin feel terribly neglected. It would be an interesting experiment... but somehow I don't think I have the courage or will to do it. It's almost as if I were to stop eating anything other than bread, cheese and carrots, for example. Plain depressing. Or I can simply ignore everything I have just read and keep using my favorite brands. And start quoting alcohol and/or tobacco addicts who often say that 'one has got to die from something'. That's so clever, sarcastic, self-mockingly witty and just plain cool, right?... Right?
