3 Ways to Come Clean
Many of us do what we can to live healthy (or -ish) lives, fulfill our goals and responsibilities and give our best to our families, communities and this earth we inhabit. It’s not easy and it’s an evolving process as we learn and grow. As I was packing for a trip to the gulf coast of Florida to see my parents, I smiled at the towels, water bottles, sunscreen and a few reusable straws and bamboo serving utensils. I stopped in my tracks and went, “Wowee, wow, wow!”
So much has changed, even in the past decade. And double, wowee – I feel OLD as I type this!
When my kids were little, juice boxes were just coming on the scene - along with those pesky tiny straws, wrapped in plastic. We went through tons of straws. And as I cleaned out our garage last week, I found a bin of miscellaneous plastic wear - some left over from packed lunches and USNA tailgates. I hadn’t opened that bin in years, but I clearly bought them for different events based on the rainbow of colors.
It seems as the weeks and months pass, we’re reminded and finally getting the message that plastic is really going to be the death of us.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole. But there’s no disputing that plastic is horrible for the earth and our bodies. Every time we make a choice not to use plastic, we’re doing something good.
Keeping an open mind about learning what’s better for the planet and our bodies is part of why part of my coaching work encompasses cleaner and healthier living. These are a few of the things that concern me:
endocrine disruptors are increasing linked to early onset puberty and a lifetime of illnesses
the decline sperm count contributing to a generation of fertility issues
the rise of cancer diagnosis’s (one in two men and one in there women will be diagnoses with cancer)
In 2010, the President’s Cancer Panel released its annual report, which for the first time focused on investigating the environmental links to cancer. The panel was particularly concerned to find that the true burden of nongenetic, environmentally induced cancer has been “grossly underestimated.” The exact cause for early onset puberty and declining sperm count are being studied, with the evidence is pointing toward environmental factors playing a significant role, but there is still work to be done.
We simply cannot rely on government agencies to test and regulate, nor can we afford to wait until it all gets sorted out. Much of this is on us.
We have the power, the voice and the agency to help be a part of the change.
Are you in?
Here are THREE ways you can be a part of this movememt.
Advocate and lobby for more health protective regulation.Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME) sponsored a bipartisan bill to protect consumer health and strengthen the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to regulate ingredients in personal care products. In addition, both Hawaii and Key West are two jurisdictions that will start to ban sunscreens with oxybenzone - this protects humans and ocean life. California passed AB227 which protects salon workers by requiring professional cosmetic manufacturers disclose ingredients. In each of thes pieces of legislation, Beautycounter and our consultants played role in advocating for safety and transparency. Stay up on the issues, sign petitions, make your voice heard!
Educate yourself and others. By-doing the research, vetting sources and making informed choices. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it - I am by NO MEANS 100% clean - there are products I like and use that could be cleaner, but most of what I use is clean. This I similar to my eating - my goal is to eat clean about 80-85% of the time, not to be perfect! I am constantly learning and making small changes. When you find something great and CLEAN, tell your freinds!
Make smarter choices by demonstrating our preferences and values by with our wallets. Fast Company estimates that the “global organic personal care industry will reach nearly $25 billion by 2025.” Forbes sited Statista’s estimate of $22 billion globally in 2023 in clean beauty sales, up significantly.
Consumers are doing their research and making smarter choices - which is causing a shift in the market place. While Beautycounter is not the only business in his space, we are leading the movement and we’re doing it a bit differently.
You can shop our website, our pop ups (we’re coming for ya, Denver!), retails stores (NYC and LA) and with the more than 40,000 consultants in the US and Canada who offer personal service and shopping. We’re not an MLM but a multi channel retailer - making significant social impact and simultaneously providing economic opportunity for those who join our mission as consultants or staff (we’re based in Santa Monica in what appears to be some uber-cool office space!).
If you don’t already look at what’s in the products you use every day, I hope you’ll start. If you can read those big words and know what they actually are - that’s AMAZING and you are super-smart! If you’re curious about what’s in your products, or you can’t read those BIG words, check them on the app Think Dirty or Skin Deep.
Want to swap to cleaner products, Beautycounter has site wide sale of 15% off through April 15th. Need recommendations or help, or you are curious about joinng our movement as a consultant, drop me a line.
