I still remember the day in 2001 when I went, with my wife Loredana, to a meeting held in local hospital here in Cornwall. The meeting was about women who had received surgery for breast cancer. The atmosphere was gentle and everybody was talking and commenting on their personal experience. I was very touched by some of the stories I heard; of the strength of the women, their positive attitude, sense of community, and their ability to transform their experiences into personal growth.
At the end of the meeting some free samples from well known cosmetic companies were distributed, beautifully packed with the intention of offering the attendees some support, aesthetically and psychologically.
When I read the labels I was horrified…. some of the ingredients were known for their potential carcinogenic properties and others for disrupting hormones…I could not resist: I stood up pointed out the potential danger in these gifts to the women present. I tried not to be too “scientific”, particularly considering what all those women had gone through. What was evident in the end was the lack of knowledge and information for almost everybody on this issue, including the professionals. What I said to finish my speech was that my involvement in the organic skin care industry had been motivated to protect people’s health and the environment for future generations.
In line with Breast Cancer Awareness month (October 2012), I have decided to donate £1 for every product bought from the Inlight website to the fabulous cancer charity Yes to Life. As a supporter of complementary and alternative approaches to cancer care, Yes to Life shares many of my views on health and well-being, and is a charity I am very happy to support.
There is a growing body of research suggesting a potential link between parabens, sls, and other synthetic chemicals with cancer, and other severe health problems. These same chemicals are of course polluting our environment, and therefore potentially further impacting on our health in the long run.
A greater awareness has been raised through the media and the work of minded people who fight for safer cosmetics, but there is still a lot to do. Beauty has still an “aesthetic” meaning for the great majority of end users, who are unaware of all the health and environmental implications related to the use of cosmetic products. Thankfully I have seen in the last few years at least some of the well-known skin care companies excluding parabens from their formulations, and the use of the words “Natural” and “Organic” subject to stricter regulation law in Europe. It is a good first step but only one step!
What I aim for is that in this critical age people don’t become cynical and without hope. We still have to be consistent with our ideals and be an example for ourselves and our children. People with fear and without hope are much weaker and can easily be influenced and driven towards dangerous ends…
Keep reading the labels of your food and cosmetics and buy maybe less, but better quality. Organic of course!
Dr Mariano Spiezia
