What is All-Natural?
Natural Ingredient Criteria
Natural
Ingredients include plant, animal, mineral or microbial
ingredients...
Natural
ingredients are...
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Grown, harvested, raised and
processed in an ecological manner.
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Not produced synthetically
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Free of all petrochemicals.
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Not extracted or processed
using petrochemicals.
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Not extracted or processed
using anything other than natural ingredients
as solvents.
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Not exposed to irradiation.
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Not genetically engineered
& do not contain GMOs (genetically modified
organisms).
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Natural ingredient resource
center Natural ingredients do...
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Not contain synthetic ingredients.
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Not contain artificial ingredients
including colors or flavoring.
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Not contain synthetic chemical
preservatives.
What is Organic?
‘Organic’ refers to how food is produced.
Organic food is produced by farmers whose production
systems avoid the use of synthetically compounded
fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and
livestock feed additives. Organic farming systems
utilize biological methods such as crop rotation,
crop residues, animal manures and mechanical cultivation
to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply
plant nutrients, and to control weeds, insects and
other pests. All organic foods are required to be
certified under an organic certification program.
Organic farmers place a greater consideration of
the impact of the farming system on the wider environment
inclusive of wildlife conservation as well as public
health.Organic agricultural practices hold great
promise toward remedying the negative effects of
global warming. Here’s four examples how:
Use of farm-yard manure, green manures, and cover
cropping methods keep soils nutrient-rich, improve
soil structure, restore organic matter (making for
quicker nutrient uptake), maintain and/or increases
soil fertility, and increase soil moisture retention
all of which enables the farming ecosystem to better
self-regulate. The complete exclusion of synthetics
in the farming operation (herbicide, pesticide,
fertilizer, etc.) eliminates high-maintenance soils
and crops, and subsequently lowers levels of CO2
and associated GHGs released into the atmosphere,
while simultaneously lowering nitrate leaching rates
and removing risks of ground and surface water pollution.
With respect to usage of non-renewable energy resources,
organic methods of agriculture use far less direct
and indirect energy sources (fuel, oil and synthetic
chemical applications respectively). Combating resource
depletion, organic methods increase the biodiversity
of flora and fauna, contribute to integrated pest
management efforts (natural pest control), as well
as shape aesthetic landscape values.
REAL
EARTH SUNSCREEN
Is
Real Earth Sunscreen absolutely 100 percent natural?
Yes. Real Earth antioxidant sunscreens
are 100 percent pure--completely free of synthetic
UV filters, parabens, petroleum, preservatives,
colors and scents. They also contain no alcohol
and have undergone no animal testing.
What
is an antioxidant?
Antioxidants act as cell protectors.
They are substances that are capable of counteracting
the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological
process of oxidation in tissues. Antioxidants
counteract free radicals by binding with them
before they can cause damage.
Active
ingredients in Real Earth sunscreen
Titanium Oxide and Zinc Oxide. We use micronized
zinc oxide as the active ingredient in our sunscreens
because it provides a physical barrier, reflecting
damaging UVB and UVA rays before they reach the
living tissues in your skin. Mineral sunscreens,
like zinc oxide, and Titanium oxide are more effective
and potentially much safer than chemical sunscreens,
some of which have been shown to interfere with
human hormonal systems and to damage the environment
by harming aquatic life.
What should you look for when buying sunscreen?
Not all sunscreens
are the same. Be sure to:
- Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen
with an SPF of at least 15. Broad-spectrum products
provide protection against both UVA and UVB
radiation.
- Watch for added ingredients that
may irritate your skin. Some sunscreens contain
fragrances, preservatives and other ingredients
that cause skin reactions in some people. If
you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreen
that doesn't contain potential allergens, such
as fragrances or dyes, and is specifically designed
for your type of skin.
- Understand labels. Look for
sunscreens labeled "water resistant,"
which offers some protection against washing
off in water or when perspiring heavily. Sunscreens
can no longer be labeled "waterproof"
because all sunscreens wash off to some extent.
Other terms that can no longer be used on sunscreen
product labels include "sun block"
(no product actually blocks all UV rays) and
"all-day" (no sunscreen lasts all
day).
- Natural and safe sunscreen ingredients.
- Nontoxic.
- As always no animal testing
and cruelty free.
- Biodegradable. Many beaches
are now requesting their visitors to use biodegradable
products because the chemicals in many sunscreens
washes off in the water and is harming the reefs,
aquatic and wildlife.
What is an SPF?
All sunscreens products include an SPF,
which stands for sun protection factor. The SPF
number is a measurement of the amount of UVB protection
— the higher the number, the greater the
protection. Currently, there's no standard rating
system that measures UVA protection.
SPF is not an indication of how
much time you can spend in the sun. For example,
if you use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 rather than
one with an SPF 15, it doesn't mean you can stay
in the sun twice as long. In reality, an SPF of
15 filters out about 93 percent of the UVB rays;
SPF 30 filters about 97 percent of UVB rays. The
beneficial effects of sunscreen decreases over
time, so after a few hours the difference between
the two may be even less.
REAL EARTH INSECT REPELLENT
Essential Oil of Catnip
ScienceDaily — CHICAGO— In an independent
study, Researchers report that nepetalactone,
the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant
its characteristic odor, is about ten times more
effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET —
the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.
Citronella:
Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained
from the leaves and stems of different species
of Cymbopogon. It has been used for over 50 years
as an insect repellent and as an animal repellent.
It is found in many familiar insect repellent
products: candles, lotions, gels, sprays and towelette
wipes.Citronella Oil repels various insects, some
of which are public health pests, such as mosquitoes,
biting flies and fleas.
Lemongrass: is
a fresh smelling oil that can be used for fighting
jet lag, cellulite, revitalizing a tired body
and mind, Lemongrass oil, which is closely related
to citronella, repels a great variety of pesky
insects.
Rosemary Oil: is
one of the most popular essential oils. It has
become important to us due to its various health
benefits including its ability to stimulate hair
growth, boost mental activity, relieve respiratory
problems and reduce pain. Helps in toning your
skin and removing dryness.
Lavender Oil: The
health benefits of lavender essential oil include
its ability to remove nervous tension, relieve
pain, disinfect scalp and skin, enhance blood
circulation and treat respiratory problems. Lavender
has the Latin name Lavare, which means “to
wash”, due to its aroma that gives the feeling
of a clean aroma.
What is DEET?
DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the
active ingredient in most insect repellents available
in the United States that are applied to the skin.
DEET was developed more than 50 years ago by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture for use by our
military. It was registered for use by the general
public in 1957.
Is DEET really bad for you?
Many insect repellents contain the chemical DEET,
which can be harmful to humans. The EPA says that
if used as directed, bug sprays containing DEET
are not harmful to us, although long-term exposure
is. When you spray it on your skin, it gets absorbed
and eventually enters the bloodstream. It pumps
through your nervous system and has been proven
to kill brain cells, causing neurological damage.
If you have heavy exposure to DEET, you may experience
memory loss, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint
pain, and shortness of breath.
DEET could be considered a poison,
but the EPA feels that small doses are OK for
us—We think it is simply unwise
to smear a neurotoxin on your skin.
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