Scent of a Woman

Have you ever wondered what makes me smell, well, just so damn good?  Wonder no more!  My secrets are revealed below.

I have been scrutinizing my toiletry and cosmetics choices for over a year, and this project is the perfect opportunity for me to review my progress and identify areas for improvement.  Many women cannot imagine going without makeup, but I do not use it at all.  I am unwilling to invest the time primping and makeup does not fit with my tomboy image.  I bathe with goat’s milk soap, which I found at the farmers market earlier this semester.  In the shower, I gently apply a facial scrub made by mixing used coffee grounds and honey.  (We still do not have the ratio just right, and it is more abrasive than I prefer.)  I also use organic extra virgin olive oil as a moisturizer; it takes only a small amount.  However, the olive oil provides no protection from the sun.

Below are the items I commonly purchase at the grocery:

Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) Volume Plus Shampoo & Conditioner - These products are certified organic, 100% vegetarian, not tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable plastic bottles.  They do rate moderately hazardous on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website, due to potassium sorbate, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) oil, and cocamidopropyl betaine.

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Peppermint/Spearmint Shaving Gel - Truthfully, I could probably use my goat’s milk soap for my shaving needs, but I do not grow wispy, dainty hair.  My hair is of the hardy variety, and the peppermint/spearmint gel works well for keeping razor burn at bay.  Plus, the product is certified organic and fair trade, not tested on animals, and packaged in a recyclable plastic tube rather than the typical metal cans.  (Disclaimer: I am not advocating plastics!)

Preserve Razors -These razors are made primarily from recycled Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups.  The razors are meant to be returned at end of life in their packaging, which doubles as a travel case, for reuse.  They can be returned by mail, or to any Whole Foods Market, which Charlotte unfortunately does not have.  Both the razor handles and packaging can be recycled with municipal plastics as well.  Since the first razor I bought still works fine, I have not needed to recycle one yet.  Of course the blades must be replaced periodically, so there is some waste.

Maxim Organic Cotton Swabs - What can I say?  Guilty pleasure!  I know these are controversial for a variety of reasons, but I absolutely cannot stand to have water in my ears after my shower.  And towels are just too thick to do an adequate job.  However, over a year ago, I did reduce my usage 50% by using only one swab after my shower instead of two.

Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant Roll-On (Pomegranate) - First of all, I have never been able to use a roll-on in my life.  I am opposed to all things sticky.  Yet this deodorant feels pleasantly creamy to my pits.  As far as odor control, I have tried a wide variety of eco-friendlier deodorants previously without success, but this stuff works!  It is paraben-free, contains no aluminum chlorohydrate, and the bottle is recyclable.  According to EWG, this product rates as a low hazard with the caveat that the company is non-compliant with fully disclosing its ingredient list.  Grumble, grumble...


Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste (Fennel) - I have an aversion to licorice, which is what fennel tastes like.  Nevertheless, this toothpaste does give my mouth a decidedly clean feeling, which has not been true of the many other eco-friendlier choices I have tried.  The toothpaste is fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate free, but EWG says that the company has not signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, which, among other things, means that they may not disclose all ingredients.  Therefore, even though, the toothpaste is rated low hazard, that rating could be misleading.  Further, the tube does not appear to be recyclable.

Crest Glide Deep Clean Floss (Cool Mint) - There are three issues I can think of with this floss.  First, the company does not disclose what they use to coat and flavor the floss.  Secondly, floss is just so wasteful.  The hard plastic case is recyclable, but all of the floss goes into the trash.  And I use lots of floss!  I like a clean section on each side of every tooth.  After all, what is the point in threading a dirty section between your teeth?  I have read the recommendation that a gum stimulator can be used instead of floss, but a gum stimulator does not seem to clean as well between teeth.  Finally, buying Crest products patronizes the giant multinational corporation Procter & Gamble.

Tea Tree Therapy Mouthwash - This tea tree based mouthwash is alcohol free.  Interestingly, neither this product nor the company are listed in the EWG database.  I did look up all of the ingredients listed on the recyclable bottle, which were primarily listed as low hazard.  However, the company may not have disclosed all of the ingredients.  Additionally, “mint flavor” is vague, and sorbitol, while listed as low hazard, has been associated with cancer.

V’TAE Vanilla Body Mist - The true secret to my scent is vanilla.  I always use some type of perfume or body spray with a vanilla base.  My latest option from V’TAE comes in a recyclable bottle, but is not listed on the EWG database.  However, the first ingredient, alcohol made from corn (SD40), is considered a moderate risk.  I imagine that the corn is probably genetically-modified as well.  Again I find some ambiguity on the ingredient list, such as fragrance and other essential oils.  Even though essential oils sound harmless, they can range from low to high hazard on the EWG database.

TRESemmé Tres Two Spray Ultra Fine Mist - Finally hairspray, my toiletry vice!  When the hairdryer is off, my hair is like limp noodles!  If I gave up my hairspray habit, then I may as well walk around all day with bed head.  It would be an equally attractive, more efficient option.  However, when I use hair spray, I always wonder about the particulates I am breathing.  I have tried BWC’s hairspray, but it is more a stream of liquid than a fine mist.  Surprisingly, EWG lists my current non-eco-friendly hairspray as a moderate hazard.  However, once again, the company has not signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics.  Of the ingredients listed on the label, the primary questionable item is fragrance, which is a high hazard ingredient because of its unknown nature.  Fragrances can be harmless or toxic.  When the source of the fragrance is undisclosed, one cannot tell the difference.  Sigh...  (On a positive note, Charlotte recycles aerosol cans!)

As you can see, I still have plenty of room for improvement.  I will review the changes I have made in my next post, Scent of a Woman, The Sequel.  Coming soon to a blog you are reading!