While making the shift to a healthy diet, Donna started shifting her awareness and found that you really are what you eat, from the inside all the way to the outside.
Donna's Story
"I used to have really dull, unhealthy skin."
For as long as I can remember, I had things that look like eczema or rashes on me. I've always had sensitive skin. I was working with a nutritionist on my diet and she started asking me questions about my deodorant choice, and what I used on my face. I thought, "Why does she care? We're talking about food here." She brought it to my attention that our skin is eating what we're putting on or into it, so basically whatever you're taking in, it's going to come out of your skin.
For example, many name-brand products contain parabens. They're in everything and have recently been linked to cancer. Paraben is a preservative ingredient. They put these in all of these products thinking they have to preserve them. But I learned that you can preserve something with tea tree oil or something that's a healthy preservative that isn't linked to cancer.
"I was looking into natural products when I discovered 100 percent certified organic skin care."
All of the products I looked into have active ingredients, which means they are all doing something for you. I've completely gone into natural skin care because I care a lot about my health and I wanted to also take care of my outer health and my skin. Some of the organic products are going to cost a few more dollars, but in my opinion, the fact that I know I am taking care of myself and I'm not putting cancer-causing substances onto my body and into my body is worth it. It's going to maintain my lifespan, I'm going to feel better, and I'm probably not going to have to go to the doctor as much.
Also, my skin really responds well. It looks pretty good now, and I feel healthier. I can't rave enough about making sure we're aware about what we're putting on our skin and what we're putting into our bodies.
"As consumers, we control what's out there in the marketplace. Whatever we put our dollars toward is what they're going to make more of."
A lot of these mom and pop natural companies don't have the marketing dollars to advertise themselves like big corporations do. They work through word of mouth, so I think that's probably why they're not as mainstream. While organic products are becoming more popular, they're not quite mainstream yet, especially for skincare.
If we stop putting our dollars toward things that are cancer-causing, then companies are going to have to make a change. They're going to have to come forward and say, "This isn't working, people don't want this anymore." We do have a lot of power, even though sometimes we ask ourselves what we can possibly do to change the world. We can change the world by buying products that support our environment, that help our health. That's a very powerful thing.
