What does it mean when a product is labeled “organic”?
When the term organic is used in reference to a product, it means all or most of its ingredients were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, and other harmful additives. Fortunately, there are many ways to grow plants and herbs free of pesticides while also preserving their vitamins and minerals. By keeping it pure, the plants are not depleted of their natural vitamins and minerals, the soil can be reused, and the water is kept clean. Hair and body products made from organic ingredients, natural plant, and herbal essences provide quality and therapeutic benefits to the skin and hair.
Do organic and/or all-natural products work as well as conventional products?
YES. The products we sell have been purchased or used by hundreds of clients at our organic salon and spa since 2005. The products we use, represent and sell provide safe and beautiful benefits. We ask our clients to participate in learning more about the importance of organic and all-natural products. It is important for consumers to understand the truth behind what is on the market and to know they have options. A true organic salon and spa will educate customers and have done extensive research on the healthiest options and best results. Learning about the ingredients listed on the back of the bottle can help you get the best bang for your buck – and the least bang from harsh chemicals.
What are parabens? Why are they dangerous?
Parabens are used extensively as a preservative in the skin care and cosmetics industry. Research has been conducted showing a link between parabens and increased estrogen levels and even possible links to breast cancer. It has also been reported that various allergic reactions and dermatitis are caused by parabens. The jury is still out on the how harmful parabens may be, but more responsible beauty companies are placing limits on the levels included in their products. None of the products offered at juju salon & organics contain harmful parabens.
What are SLS’s?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an inexpensive detergent commonly used in cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, and bath and shower gels. In the cleaning industry SLS is used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and carwash soaps since it is very corrosive and attacks greasy surfaces. SLS is used throughout the world for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant. In fact, laboratories actually use it to irritate skin on test animals and humans so that they may then test healing agents to see how effective they are on the irritated skin. In adults, SLS may cause hair loss by attacking the follicle. Since SLSs clean by corrosion, it dries skin, scalp and hair by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it can’t effectively regulate moisture.
Natural and Organic Beauty products smell amazing. Do they contain synthetic fragrances?
Absolutely not! Products offered by juju smell amazing because of the distilled essential oils, herbal mixtures and pure plant ingredients that they contain. Chemical fragrances are found in most conventional beauty products from shampoo to deodorant to lotion. They fall into a loophole in federal law that doesn’t require companies to list on product labels any of the chemicals in a single product’s secret fragrance mixture. Fragrances can contain neurotoxins and are among the top five allergens in the world.
Can I combine different brands of product on my hair or skin?
Combining good-quality, authentic organic products is not only “ok” but is often preferred and necessary. Here’s why. Some organic brands target specific skin or hair issues: curly hair, problem skin, aging skin, etc. Try a combination of products from different brands to achieve the results you want. Not sure how to do this? Contact our Beauty Expert and we’ll provide you with product options that guarantee optimal and beautiful results.
Why should I try organic products if I’m happy with the results I get with conventional products?
Conventional products work to give you the look and feel you desire, however, most products sold in stores contain synthetic, chemical and other harmful additives. In addition, conventional products provide results that usually mask the real problem in the first place. Hair and body products made from organic ingredients, natural plant and herbal essences provide quality and therapeutic benefits to the skin and hair. We believe that conventional salon products, which contain synthetic chemicals, are irritating and harmful to the body. Everything that our bodies come into contact with has an effect on our health as well as on our beauty. At juju, we believe that good health is beauty.
I understand organic and all-natural products are safer, but the cost is sometimes more than conventional products. Is there a reason I should pay more?
Although you may pay more, you actually get more for your money with all-natural products because you don’t need to use as much in your hair or on your skin as other products. High quality, organic products do not contain cheap synthetic or toxic chemical fillers that fool the purchaser into thinking he or she is buying a cost-effective product. In addition, by choosing natural and organic plant based products, we are actually making a choice that is better for our health and our planet. A bottle of organic shampoo, may seem pricey, but one bottle should last several months. If the instructions say to use only a dime-sized portion, do that. There’s a reason it says that. We even tell our salon clients to water it down sometimes. Remember, your power is in your wallet, we choose what we are going to spend our money on. Use your power and your money wisely!
Why are some beauty products considered “dangerous”?
Due to loopholes in federal law, companies can put virtually any ingredient into personal care products. According to the agency that regulates cosmetics, the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “…a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA” (FDA 1995). An Environmental Working Group analysis found that in its 30-year history, the industry’s self-policing safety panel has reviewed the safety of just 11 percent of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products.*
While some companies make products that are safe to eat, other companies use known human carcinogens or developmental toxins. Nearly all these chemicals can penetrate the skin, and are ingested directly from our lips or hands. When risky and unstudied chemicals are used in cosmetics, the stakes can be high – unlike trace contaminants in food or tap water, chemicals in cosmetics are base ingredients.