What are the benefits of buying organic?

1. Organic products are free from synthetic chemicals and preservatives.

2. Environmentally responsible agriculture. Organic farming reduces pollution by building and maintaining healthy soils, preserving and respecting our water resources and by working in harmony with nature. Organic farmers help preserve important ecosystems.

3. Reduces health risks for farmers, consumers and the environment. Several EPA-approved pesticides were in use long before extensive research linked these synthetic chemicals to cancer and other debilitating diseases. Organic agriculture is a way to prevent these chemicals from being released into the environment.

Why does it matter if personal care products contain synthetic ingredients or not?

Frequently used products such as shampoos, lotions and soaps contain chemicals that have been linked to serious health conditions such as cancer and birth defects. Why? Because major loopholes in the federal law allow the $56 billion cosmetic industry to use unregulated and unlimited amounts of synthetic chemicals to manufacture personal care products. Some of these chemicals have not been assessed or monitored by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel or the Federal Government. These harmful ingredients are used as preservatives, fixatives, colorants, emulsifiers, etc. The amounts of artificial chemicals in any one product alone is unlikely to cause harm. However, after repeated exposure to these synthetics from many different sources on a daily basis creates an accumulative affect on our bodies. Our skin absorbs chemicals easily. In fact, we absorb more chemicals through our skin than through the food we eat. It makes sense that we should give the same attention to selecting body care products as we do in selecting our food.

Common chemicals and health effects:

Methyl/propylparaben 
Used as a preservative in food and personal care products. These chemicals are found in facial cleansers, skin lotions, shampoos and conditioners.

Effects on Health: Potential breast carcinogen and endocrine disrupter. It raises concern for impaired fertility/development and increased risks for certain cancers. Parabens also can instigate an immune system response such as itching, burning, scaling, hives and blistering of skin.

Propylene glycol
A colorless, viscous liquid; it used in anti-freeze solutions, hydraulic fluids and as a solvent. This chemical is also used as brake and fluid, de-icer, paints, pet food, toothpastes, shampoos and deodorant.

Effects on Health: Contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage. (Material Safety Data Sheets/MSDS).

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
A surfactant used to break down the surface tension of water. This chemical is used in concrete floor cleaners, engine degreasers, car wash detergents, toothpastes, shampoos and deodorant.

Effects on Health: SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair. It enters the body and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain via skin contact. SLS can damage the immune system; cause separation of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin. (Journal of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983).

Fragrance
Normally a mixture of synthetic chemicals and can include hundreds of individual ingredients. It is exempt from product labeling laws and are common allergens. Fragrance is found in a wide variety of personal care products and cosmetics. 

Effects on Health: Unspecified mixture of chemicals have been linked to potential immune and nervous system toxicity. 

Arnica Infused Olive Oil: Made from organic arnica flowers (Arnica montana). We utilize the flowers that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use.

Beeswax: Used as a thickener. We utilize natural beeswax from southeastern Wisconsin apiary. Free of petroleum or other additives.

Cocoa Butter: Organic, unrefined, expeller pressed and partially deodorized using natural clay leaching method. Solid vegetable fat from roasted seeds of the African Theobroma cacao tree. A thick and cream consistency that is a heavier moisturizer in comparison to Shea Butter. An excellent emollient that is used to sooth and add flexibility to the skin. Fair Trade item.

Comfrey Infused Olive Oil: We grow our own comfrey (Symphytum officinale). We utilize the leaves that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Essential Oil: Obtained by steam distillation or cold expression of the plant’s volatile oils. The oils we use are 100% natural with no added water or other diluents.

Ethically Wildcrafted: Herbs that are collected in an ethical and respectable manner, only taking what one needs. Plants are not over-harvested, threatened and endangered species are left alone.

Expeller Pressed: Mechanical extraction. A method where oils are obtained by mechanically pressing and crushing the desired fruit, nut, or vegetable. Cold pressing and vacuum extraction are also considered to be expeller pressed methods.

Fair Trade Item: Items that are produced by farmers, artisans, etc. that receive a fair price for their goods and services. Fair trade provides fair labor conditions, direct trade, community development and environmental stability for people who are often from poverty-stricken nations.

Jewelweed Infused Olive Oil: We grown our own jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). We utilize the stems that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Refined Butter & Oils: A processed butter and/or oil. This normally includes deodorization and removal of natural odor and color by filtration through bleaching clays. More aggressive methods use chemicals and solvents to remove odor and color. All butter and oils used in BCB products are unrefined.

Floral Waters: Flower waters are produced from the steam distillation of plant material. Usually floral waters are the byproduct of essential oil distillation.

St. John’s Wort Infused Olive Oil: We grow our own St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). We utilize the flowering tops that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Shea Butter: Expeller pressed or hand processed vegetable fat from the Karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii). At BCB, we use raw and unprocessed shea butter that has been produced by the Alheri Women Shea Butter Cooperative Processors using traditional African methods. We have been using this shea butter produced by women cooperatives in northern Nigeria for about 6 years now and we absolutely love it. Used as a light moisturizer, it forms a breathable and protective barrier that helps defend the skin against harsh elements. Very healing and improves skin superior to other oils and butters. It’s vitamin A and cinnamic acid content makes shea butter an effective treatment for wrinkles, eczema, rashes, burns, stretch marks, dandruff, cracked and dry skin. Graininess may sometimes occur. This is due to the melting and resettling of the butter. This is completely normal. Fair trade item.

Sunflower Oil: An oil wealthy in oleic acids with high amounts of Vitamins A, D, and E. It also has beneficial amounts of lecithin and unsaturated fatty acids. Deeply nourishing and conditioning for the skin and it is highly recommended for treating dry, weathered, aged and damaged skin.