Just curious as to why...?

[Tinkerbell]

Please I know that it is hard to convey "tone" of voice and sound over the net I have a curiosity to solve.
Why is it important and "neat" not to use store bought shampoos, toothpaste, deodrants etc... Are they bad? What is the benefit from making your own? IT may seem short minded but I've not really thought that people are doing this. I guess my short mindedness could be from having to live in 3rd world countries while growing up and to get good toothpaste was a luxury (history: Dad being forensic dentist.)

[Justine]

I use store bought products, but am very careful about what i buy...I also make my own when i can...

[Persephone]

The reason I do it, is because many times it saves money. And there are a lot of chemicals in the stuff you buy, and I don't neccesarily want that absorbed through my scalp, skin or gums. I have a semi rule to only put on my skin what I would put in my mouth. Plus, it's just plain fun! It's a creative thing. [:)]

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks Persephone and Justine

I guess it just struck me funny. I have never thought of it like that. VERY INTERESTING!!! I guess some of the things on this forum are so different in the way it making me think! I love it! I never thought of the things being absorbed into my scalp and skin like that. But it makes so much sence to me almost like I should have known that. Thanks for helping me to understand. And thanks for understanding me. My mind continues to be stretched out by the ladies of this forum and it feels good.
Continue to hold to yourself
Jodi

[shewhoheals]

Greetings! I wanted to share why I make most of toiletries. #1 I developed sensitivties to lanolin and other additives in soaps, lotions etc. I am going to list a #2 but there are many years and other products between that number. #2 Recently a small breast tumor was found so I made deodorant. Well between the hospital losing films etc., all test had to be redone and viola' no tumor to be found. I had been using my deodorant about 3 months by then. When I began making products it was from necessity now it's because I realize I can control what I apply to my body. If I cannot pronounce I will steer clear of it until I do some research. After research then I really want to steer clear.
Miah

[Anonymous]

yes, i make my own products for the very same reasons listed above, because of the odd chemicals, that i cannot pronounce, i dont want them in my body, i quit using typical deodorants, because there are hardly any (w/ exception of burts bees,) that DO NOT have aluminum in them.. i personally dont feel like have to deal with alzheimers later on in life.. or for my loved ones to get it. I make my own soaps because when i use my own soap, my skin doesnt get dry and itchy, and i dont use tooth paste for the very same reason, most of them have products in them i dont want in my body. This is also why i make my own laundry soap and especially my own fabric softener.
So, for me it's a lot about being healthy and staying healthy in all the ways i can. If i eat right, but am using toxic things to take care of my body, all the other "balanced" things i do would be pretty useless. I just prefer balance all around.
hope this answers your questions. take care, kiya

[sapphire kate]

Tinkerbell, as well as the health issues I think there are good environmental reasons for not using commercial products - including issues to do with advertising/overconsumption, excessive packaging, environmental cost of transport, production of chemicals, animal testing...

There are probably social justice issues too (more and more manufacturing in general is being taken to 'developping' countries that have poor labour laws and pay people s**t money).

There may be issues with home remedies too - for instance I don't know how baking soda is produced or what the impact is of so much going into the ecosystem via wastewater systems (I use baking soda exclusively for household cleaning).

I think it is about awareness as much as anything.

[organicmama]

Great question.

I think for me it is having control on what goes into my families mouth, onto their skin and what they inhale, etc...
I make alot of things for healthy alternatives. But I do buy many things as well.

But the other thing is that it helps grow the kitchen witch within me.
My creations are spiritual to me. I don't exactly know how to explain that, but my heart, soul and energy goes into my work and I bless my creations.
It satisfies my soul to handmake something that works well for my family and others.