My daughter is so smart. For years, she’s been buying all her hair and body care products at Whole Foods, and I could never understand why she just wasn’t going to the drugstore.
Well, last week, I attended a fascinating event in the Body Care section of Whole Foods in La Jolla, and got quite an education. From now on, I will be skipping the drugstore, too – because, well, see this?
It’s the list of ingredients not allowed in Whole Foods Premium Body Care products.
Many of those ingredients are in the products I use used to use every day. No more.
Some of the facts I learned about Whole Foods standards that I especially like are that their body care products are not tested on animals, they’re as natural as possible, they have little environmental impact both during manufacturing and when released, they’re safe and, yes, they work. My daughter can attest to that.
In the past, there was a common belief that if a product was applied topically, it stayed there and only affected the skin. That now seems crazy. What goes on the body goes in the body, and Whole Foods puts products through rigorous testing to be sure that the ingredients you absorb through soaps, lotions and shampoos are as good for your inside as they are for your outside.
One thing I found especially fascinating is that Whole Foods doesn’t allow products that contain microbeads. I’ve actually always liked those little plastic beads and never realized the extensive harm they’re causing. Once they’re washed down the drain, they can bypass sewage treatment plants because of their size and they get into the water, polluting it and killing marine life.
Luckily, I found a bunch of great new brands at Whole Foods that have already become my new daily staples.
My favorite is Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. They’ve been around for 150 years, and my husband swears by them. He took their Pure Castile Soap when he walked the Camino de Santiago, and people still slept next to him five weeks into his trip. No wonder they’re the country’s top-selling natural brand of liquid and bar soaps! They feature a variety of yummy scents, and the products in all their lines – hair care, shaving, lips, baby, lotion, hand sanitizers – are organic and Certified Fair Trade.
I’ve been using the Rose Face Care Kit by evanhealy for the past week and am loving it. Rose is meant for balancing, which is perfect for my perimenopausal dry/oily combination skin, but there are other treatment lines to target specific needs. The Evan Healy line is plant-based and focused on a simple “less is more” philosophy that I really appreciate.
I’ve also switched out my eye pencil, lip pencil and toenail polish (I never do my fingernails because they’re horrible and I don’t want to call attention to them!) to ones by Mineral Fusion, which are filled with antioxidant-rich minerals. They feel silky and luxurious, and are so nourishing. Plus, the company donates a portion of profits to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
When I first walked into Whole Foods, the representative from Aura Cacia Essential Oils dabbed a drop of lavender on my wrists, smiled and sent me on my way. Well, as I toured the Body Care section, I couldn’t resist taking regular whiffs of the lavender and smiling, myself. I felt so relaxed and went back to the Aura Cacia table to say thank you. I’ve heard so much about essential oils recently but really understand their benefit now.
So, I’m happy to report that my daughter was right – which means that, obviously, I did something right in raising her!
To celebrate, there’s a 25% off coupon, above, that’s good for one day only, June 27, at all Whole Foods locations in San Diego. Just print it out or show it to the cashier on your phone. Whole Foods will be offering this around the country later on but it’s such a good deal, it may be worth making a trip from wherever you live.
This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market La Jolla. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine.
Love Whole Foods and have been using their care products for years. I am so glad you wrote about it to let others know about them, Lois. Great job.
I love that the products are not tested on animals, but there has been a disturbing announcement this week that the No Cal WF stores will be carrying rabbit meat. Hard to put into words the “Eeww” factor for those of us that have rabbits as pets—gonna have to pass on Whole Foods for now. But thanks for the tip—a week ago I would’ve jumped at it, but unless their thinking changes on this important (to me) issue I won’t be buying at their stores.
thanks lois….more and more i’m hearing about all these food products, cleaning products and body care products that are slowly poisioning us….ugh! time to make changes! -lois
Just bought the line Kiss my Face. Love the olive oil soap. Buy the small size or you might drop it seven times the way I did. They’re selling rabbits? I’ll have to rething this.
I use their deodorant because according to my daughter, my old one caused me to smell like a man!
I always shop at Whole Foods but haven’t gotten any of their skincare or beauty products. That might have to change now.
I wish we had a whole foods near us. I need to check them out on line always looking for great places for good for us products. Getting harder and harder to find. 🙂
I don’t have a Whole Foods super close to where I am. The closest one is about an hour away, so when I do go, I totally stock up!
I love Whole Foods. It can be dangerous on my wallet when I go there! The nearest one is about 40 minutes away, so I don’t get there as often as I’d like. My fingers are crossed that it one opens closer someday soon.
I love shopping at Whole Foods and was so excited to learn that one is opening up this year about 20 minutes from my house. Once it opens, I will have to look into their health and beauty products.
We have a huge WF body care shop about a mile away. Fun to shop!
I love Whole Foods! Thanks for the product tips!
I never thought of buying these products at Whole Foods, but the more I am reading about the effects on our skin and body from bad products, the more I am thinking seriously of going the Whole Foods route. Thanks for the great info!
This is awesome. Sometimes it makes me sad the ingredients they “sneak” into our everyday usage items.
Wow-I never knew that microbeads were actually really toxic for the environment-looks like we will have to switch to getting our beauty supplies from Whole Foods for now!
The other thing I love about grocery store beauty products is that I can slip them into the family budget without a second thought. I love lotions and soaps and gosh, how did that get into the grocery cart?
Good info! Haven’t really checked out these aisles at WF. Thanks for the tip!
Ack! Wish I could use that coupon – but not in the area. I love Whole Foods!
I’ve been using their Shampoo and Conditioner for years. You’ve given me lots of reasons to KEEP using them.
Ive heard of whole foods but after reading your article I really wish i had one here. The microbeads I love those and never knew the damage associated with them. Thank you
I buy often body care at WF mostly their handmade soaps love them
I did not know Whole Foods sold body care products. I will be so happy when the store opens soon in my hometown!
That mile-long ingredient list sure is eye opening. I’ve been meaning to try Dr. Bronners but each time I go to my local store (I mainly shop at Target) they’re all out. I have to purchase it online since we don’t have a whole foods nearby.
I have often walked thru this section of whole foods and thought wow they have a lot of products for a “grocery” store
I enjoy shopping at Whole Foods. Dr. Bronner’s is one of my favorite products. I use them to bathe with and to make homemade veggie wash – it’s so versatile!
I’m going to check these products out next time I visit Whole Foods! PS – we love La Jolla!!! What a beautiful place to live!
yay dr bronners! that’s what i make my cleaners with. love it
I LOVE Whole Foods….they offer great natural products. I only use natural products on my skin…amazing the difference it makes.
I love the fact they take such great care to have good products. Love essential oils also.
She has always had the right idea. Whole Foods products while they may be pricey is always better since they are usually great with the best all natural ingredients. Its usually where we go food shopping.
We are totally hooked on Dr. Bronner’s soaps. My husband tried some during his travels, and now I can’t bring myself to use anything else! It is so disgusting to see what is in the products we use. Thanks for all this info – I plan to dump my make-up bag and replace the items with your suggestions.
We don’t have a Whole Foods where I live but there are rumors that one is coming which I am hoping is true!! I have always wondered about that soap as I have seen it at other health food stores. I am definitely going to try it!!
I can’t wait to explore this line there. I didn’t realize it even existed.
So glad you wrote about this. I always wonder what to buy, but now I know!