Beauty with a Cause

For the most part, we continue to strive for our better and more beautiful selves. We read up on little things we can do, try to drink as much water as we can a day. We eat moderately healthy every week and squeeze in a couple butt clenches at work. We do all we can to look our best. And then, we always have our products. Cleansers, exfoliators, cremes, foundation, blushes, bronzers, tanning, eye shadow, perfumes, eye gel…and so on. With new products coming out before we even finish the jars and bottles of products we have stocked in our bathrooms- we are keen to learn about them. Which ones are most effective? Which ones will work on your skin? And what will make your skin look like the model in all those ads?

Over the last few weeks, I found myself asking a few more questions. Some, that I should have considered before anything else. Is this company a part of animal testing? What is this company doing for the environment?

The arctic will have melted in about 2 decades from now. Why? Because nature is striking back. Knowing this, we are hit hard, but only for so long. Then it is back to going to work, making money and running around and trying to get by. The little things we do to add to the dismay, we dont notice. “What difference can one person make?” Sound familiar?!

So one evening, I thought to myself- what do I really know about the companies I am giving money to every few days to test out their new products? They might temporarily be giving me the feel of amazing skin for as long as it lasts- but they’re forking in profits.. So, how is profitable for me in ways that matter?

I had just started using Olay’s facial moisturizer a few months back, and had been using head and shoulders for as long as I could remember. So I chose to start there. On googling “P&G” I came across a site that changed my perspective. I was brought to www.pandgkills.com/ and was flabbergasted at what I was looking at. This is what I was contributing to?!

So what did I do? I went to www.peta.org and started reading. I went to youtube and started watching videos and informing myself. I will admit, I am a fresher in educating myself about animal cruelty, but with as little as I know, I do not want to be contributing to it. And if you are thinking “pfft! Whatever”… look at it this way.. If someone knocked on your door and asked you for your signature so they can kill innocent animals, would you sign it? Or think each such product having a picture of a dead bunny or dog on the bag as a cautionary warning.. How keen would you be to lather up with that?

This isnt meant to judge those of you already using such products. But just a reminder. Look into the products you buy. A lot of eco and animal friendly companies are out there. But know that just because a company claims to work with natural products- does not make it either. Aveeno is one example. PETA recognizes it as a company that does, infact, conduct animal testing. So basing your products on natural ingredients is not all that meaningful in the larger picture if it has “cruel intentions” to begin with (those being of pure profit).

So, take the time out of your day or week to look into the products you are using. Each step counts, and whether or not you see it, the profit and aide to companies that base their products on taking a stand against animal testing and protecting the environment are definitely worth it. Try bodyshop.com. Feel free to add more information, comments and feedback through the comments option below.

(*I didnt want to make this piece too long, so I will be adding reviews of the products that I have used and more information and backdrop of the companies worth supporting.. )

(***Also, if you have bought a product from one of these companies already, dont just throw it away, unless you have the finances to go out and buy something else in its place right away. Your money has already gone to the company, and if you dont have much left in your pocket, take this time to empty out what you have and research your options )