ARE YOU BEING MISLEAD BY THE WORD 'NATURAL'?

Unfortunately, marketing perception does not usually match ingredient reality for skincare products. Sprinkling a few natural ingredients into a "chemical stew" does not make the stew "natural." In response to join the "green revolution" many of the large companies now put the word "Natural" and other attractive buzzwords on the front of their labels, referring in truth to single ingredients, however, not to the entire product formula as they want you to perceive. It is good to have independent, 3rd party reviews of product formulations & we applaud the efforts of organizations such as the Environmental Working Group to uncover the hypocrisies and inclusion of potentially toxic ingredients in formulas by manufacturers in my previous post.

Our customers purchase from us based upon quality, integrity, proven benefits and the fact that our products' value rises as you read our ingredients, opposite to industry norm. Of course, the real "proof" comes from using such superior formulations and experiencing firsthand the benefits they provide.
Most consumers buy based on familiarity(exposure to marketing machines), price and front label claims. As an example, I've shared the ingredient list below for an SPF product from a so called "naturals" line by one of the largest consumer product manufacturers in the world. They spend millions of dollars on television and magazine ads attempting to create a natural, wholesome image for this brand's line of products....you be the judge.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (2.4%), Oxybenzone (5%)
Inactive Ingredients: BHT, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Cholecalciferol, Diethylhexyl 2,6 Naphthalate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract (soybean), Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylparaben, PEG 100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Squalane, Synthetic Beeswax, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum
This is just one example, but typical of most mass marketed lines. It is dishonest & shameful, in my opinion, to aggressively imply through marketing & front package labeling that a product with ingredients listed above be actively promoted as "natural." We're grateful for the educated "label readers" who comprise our customer base and promise to continue to deliver the finest formulations of natural ingredients we can for the benefit of your skin & health!
Todd Anderson

ARE ALL OUR LOTIONS CREATED EQUAL?

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. Hopefully, you have been able to enjoy the outdoors and even got that golden bronze tan so highly sought after. If you used our awesome Envy Organics suncare products, I am confident you had a great, safe time in the sun. And, we have several products that can help you keep that golden tan for weeks longer than normal.
We have had several inquiries into the difference among these moisturizing products and which is “better”? That really isn’t the question as all of our moisturizers are built to our exacting standards … they just have different features and benefits. Some have more nutrients, some more anti-aging while others are made for specific parts of the body. Here’s a rundown:

Rosehip Aloe has copious amounts of healing aloe so it is great for after sun exposure. It also contains Rose Hips Oil which has been proven in clinical studies to rehydrate the Basal Cell area which is vital to keep skin looking young. We have sold more than 3,000,000 bottles in the last 20 years in our Absolutely Natural brand and Rosehip Aloe is a favorite for tens of thousands of our customers.

SPA Facial Calming Lotion
This light, refreshing product is a powerhouse of nutrients and blended specifically for the face. Contains an Amino Acid Complex that helps even out facial tones and has skin cell building proteins. Also has Co-enzyme Q-10 which is critical in the functioning of skin cells and often decreases within the skin as we age. Other ingredients are super rehydrators such as Fractionated Coconut and Shea Butter. PH balanced for the face and designed to be used daily. The Ylang ylang and slight bit of peppermint make this lotion as refreshing as it is nourishing.

Papaya Pineapple Nutrient Lotion
Our lotion has an Organic Aloe base and is chock full of nutrient rich ingredients designed to seal in moisture, smooth texture and leave skin radiant, soft and silky. Includes Shea and Mango butter as well as the super anti-oxidant Irish Moss. Also contains Green Tea which can help repair skin already damaged by age or the elements. Our Rainforest blend of Pequi Oil, Beruit Oil, Camu Camu and Mutamba Oil are nutrient rich and powerful anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Daily use can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Coco Lime Organic Whipped Body Butter
Ultra rich and the maximum rehydrator, our organic and natural butter will moisturize even the driest skin. Contains Shea and Aloe butters as well as Coconut, Rice Bran and Sunflower Oils. Green Tea and Vitamin E also provide powerful anti-oxidants.
Perfect for cracked hands and feet during harsh winters and a special treat shoulders-to-toe when wanting the maximum rehydrating benefit.
Organic Beauty Crème
A unique product with no fillers at all. 13 equal parts of organic oils are blended into a thick, rich crème. The ultimate face and body lotion and is anti-oxidant rich, has free radical scavengers and anti-aging properties. Ingredients such as Green tea Extract actually help repair skin already damaged by age or the elements. Other ingredients such as Borage Seed are preventative and an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Evening Primrose, Hemp Seed and Red Raspberry are included as well as other carefully selected organic oils.
Fragranced with our exclusive blend of 8 essential oils.
You can’t go wrong with any of our moisturizing lotions, crème and butters. We have a lot of customers who use them all and I hope you try them and enjoy!

Best regards
Charley

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHEMICALS

Let’s play a little Envy Organics Jeopardy:

I'll take "Nasty Chemicals for" $1000 please, Alex.

The answer is: What are Parabens, Sodium Laurel, Sodium Laureth and Phthalates?

Buzzzzz … What are three common chemicals that Envy Organics has totally eliminated in their beauty line?

Correct!


I always wanted to go on Jeopardy but I’d end up being one of the guys that has $220 at end of the game and the scorn of Alex Trebek. Unless, of course, all the categories were about skincare and suncare.

Most of you have heard about the chemicals referred to above, but don’t know the potential dangers. The run down:

Parabens
Parabens (preservatives in shampoos, lotions and most personal care products) can mimic estrogen in the body. Excess estrogen in the body can increase the risk of breast cancer.

In addition, a study done in 2002 by Dr. S. Oishi in Tokyo concluded that newborn male babies exposed to Parabens “adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system."

A report done by our own EPA, stated that Parabens can mimic your own body’s hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body. These disruptors interfere with your endocrine system, your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid and virtually every system in your body.

Sodium Laurel and Sodium Laureth
These particular sulfates (lathering agents in shampoos and body washes) have been shown to produce eye and/or skin irritation. Research by OSHA and CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) concludes that Parabens are a known carcinogen (low levels of carcinogen 1,4-dioxane) and irritant.

Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in the making of polyvinyl plastics but are common in personal care products including shampoos and lotions. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to:

•Adverse effects on genital development of male fetuses in utero
•Premature breast development in young girls
•Affects on puberty functions


Now I’ll be the first to admit that nothing has positively concluded that these chemicals are the primary cause of these adverse reactions but there is enough evidence to warrant caution. When you consider that anything absorbed through the skin may be as high as 10 times more concentrated than an oral dose.

In the words of one of my favorite customers, “Why take the chance?”

Especially when there are great alternatives provided you by Envy Organics.

Best regards,

Charley

REUNITING AT FHTM ANNUAL CONVENTION

I just came back from a huge family reunion.
Great company; lively conversation; bright, enthusiastic family members; and more love than you can fit into a million square feet of convention space. Oh, I am not related to anybody but how else can you describe last week’s FHTM Convention in Orlando, Florida.
All of my staff feels the same way and we love coming to any FHTM event. The Orlando Convention was especially rewarding as I got to talk to hundreds of people one-on-one and was privileged to introduce our new Envy products as well.
It is particularly gratifying to hear the stories of success with our Envy product line. One gentleman had burned his arm badly and got relief from our Pure Aloe Gel and healing from the aloe and the creams. Another man proudly showed me his new hair growth resulting from the use of our sulfate free shampoos.
I had glowing reports from several members who have had great improvement with their eczema and psoriasis from daily use of our incredible lotions. And, countless who swore their hair looked better than it ever had using our personal care regiment.
But overwhelmingly I heard stories about improved skin after using our Organic Crème and Organic Oil and diminished wrinkles with use of the Day Serum, Night Serum and Eye Serum. I am really impressed with the results people are getting from the facial line. Of course, not only did I “hear” the stories, I witnessed the results.
My “family” is doing well and I’ll take as much credit as you want to give me for younger looking, healthy, vibrant skin and hair!! We put our heart and soul into the manufacturing of the Envy products and we love hearing about and seeing the results.
Now the family was really excited about our new products. My favorite product (among the 300 or so we make) is the whipped coco-lime butter. It is magnificent for really dry skin and will be especially effective in the dry, cold winters. We also had a lot of excitement about our Menvy line and I look forward to hearing from some of our gentlemen after they use the shower gel, shave cream and after shave splash.
I have already heard positive feedback on our new shampoos and conditioners as we now offer a color treated product and a super hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Along with the Papaya Pineapple, the new products now give a nicer selection for different hair types. All are Sulfate and Paraben free, of course, while the color treated actually has some sun protection.
It was a blast introducing the other new products and the excitement was contagious. Our new insect repellant will be a great addition for FHTM members as will our coco-lime refreshing aloe mist. I keep one in my car as every year it seems I can drive less and less until I get “highway paralysis”. A nice blast of the mist brings me right back around.

On a personal note, I enjoyed the breakout sessions; our fabulous FHTM reps really know how to make someone feel welcome and I was energized after each of the presentations. And, I want to thank all of the FHTM corporate for making us part of the family and for building such a positive company.
This was a great family reunion; the only thing missing was my crazy Uncle Skeeter! We are looking forward to the next one.

EXPERT TIPS TO HEALTHY AND SHINY SUMMER LOCKS

Summertime Challenging to Hair

Well, here we are officially in the "lazy" days of summer ... Whatever that means to our busy customers!

I do know it usually means more time in the great outdoors. Picnics, time at the lake or beach, trips to the pool soaking up that precious summer sun. Most of us are aware that we need to protect our skin and that is easy to do thanks to the fabulous, all natural sun care line of Envy Organics.

But, sometimes we neglect our hair. The elements of summer, especially the sun, can play havoc on your hair resulting in dry, frizzy, hard to manage and unhealthy locks. Exasperating this are the raw materials in most shampoos and conditioners. Harsh sulfates, phthalates and parables can make things worse as they can dry the hair and not provide the nutrients necessary.

Fortunately, Envy Organics has the solution. Our Papaya Pineapple shampoo and conditioner can moisturize hair, leaving it smooth and silky. Our Rainforest Blend is proprietary to the Envy line and has awesome nutrients. Combine that with proteins paramount to the cuticle and hair shaft and it is a complete system to combat harsh, summertime environments.

Many of our customers also use the Organic Oil as an ultra rich, hydrating treatment for the hair. Weekly or twice a month, work the oil in wet hair from scalp to ends and leave it on for at least ten minutes. Shampoo and rinse after. Our Organic Oil can also be lightly applied to dry hair as a leave in conditioner.

So, don't damage hair further by using harsh, drying chemicals after your sun exposure. Envy Organics complete line of personal care products will keep skin and hair hydrated and healthy. Also, look for more choices at the convention in Orlando when we introduce additional shampoos and conditioners. Looking forward to seeing you then and enjoy the summer.

REMEMBERING OUR DADS - EVEN THE TOUGHEST DADS DESERVE SOFT SKIN!

For those of us lucky enough to have one of “those Father’s”, this coming weekend is a very important day. Father’s Day is June 19th and it is a great time to reflect on what your dad means or has meant to you.
My dad passed away in 2000 and I miss him dearly especially on his birthday and Father’s Day. And my birthday and Christmas that he so loved. Oh, also on Thanksgiving. And, on days that I think about his sacrifices for his kids and family.
My dad was one of “those Father’s” that spent hours and hours supervising sports teams, traveling for great distances to watch me wrestle, putting countless time into what my siblings and I needed, and making sure we were taken care of. My dad wore shoes for far too many months so we could have better and wouldn’t think of vacations or golfing or spending any money on himself. My dad was one of “those Father’s”.
Fortunately, my dad lived to see the start and expansion of my business and was so proud of me … he was one of “those Father’s” that when you asked him how his kids were doing, he gave you the anti-Reader’s Digest version!
One of my fondest memories is him using my products. Growing up, I never saw my dad use anything beyond shaving cream, deodorant and Old Spice After Shave but he became a product aficionado during the last years of his life.
He loved the Rosehip Aloe and various oils, crèmes, butters and other products that we manufactured. When we would get together (too infrequently), after making me feel the muscles in his still stout biceps, he would point out his soft skin and say, “Not too bad for ____ (fill in the birthday!)
So even though our customer base is mainly the fairer sex, we have thousands of men enjoying the benefits of our 100% Natural Envy products on a daily basis. Our products make a great gift for Father’s Day and believe me when I guarantee you will love giving them to him as much as he will love getting them.

Charley Richards
Producer of Envy Organics

THE SUNCARE REVOLUTION - FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH!

We at Envy are trying to start a revolution. No, it’s not the Tea Party or anything radical; rather, it is bringing sanity and safety back to the population in the form of education about the sun and suncare.

It has gotten really crazy the last few years and as summer approaches you will see the shelves of your local pharmacy, grocery store and gift shops stocked to the hilt with brand name sunscreens with super high SPF numbers. Avoid them like the plague!

High SPFs Are They For Real?
Let’s take SPF 100 as an example. Technically that would mean that a sunscreen at that level would give you 100 times more protection than wearing no sunscreen. So, if it takes you 20 minutes in the sun before you start to redden, this means, in theory, you could enjoy the sun without consequence for 2000 minutes! Ridiculous! It would actually be laughable if the consequences of exposing yourself to such high sunscreens weren’t so dire.
The serious issue is that people are being exposed to potentially toxic levels of chemicals when they fall for the marketing hype that leads them to believe you need such high SPF numbers. Chief among the concerns are high levels of estrogen in chemical sunscreens coupled with dangerous parabens and phthalates.
In addition, incidents of skin cancer are on the rise so, why aren’t the SPF 50’s, 75’s and 100’s of the suncare industry eliminating these cancers? Why aren’t the 12 hour waterproof products reducing the amount of skin cancer? Well, I think these modern day chemical “wonders” are the culprit, not the cure.

My theory is that people are duped into thinking they are protected all day long by an application of these super high SPF’s. So they stay out in the sun longer and actually get more harmful exposure than if they would reapply, using a more sensible SPF instead.

Why Envy works better
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV after it hits the skin … it works but not real efficiently. We liken it to protecting yourself from the rain with a giant sponge held over your head. Envy’s natural sunscreens reflect UV instead of absorbing it the way chemical sunscreens do. This is like having a big umbrella in that metaphorical rain storm!
Our all-natural higher SPF’s are more than sufficient for all levels of UV exposure. In fact, most reasonable researchers believe that an SPF 15 is a maximum sunscreen and I agree. We make the SPF 25 for those who are extremely fair skinned or might be in situations where they have to be in the sun for many hours at a time.

The 3-P’s
Make sure you pick the right products for you. Go to our web site and read about our exclusive 3-P’s system. It is a sure fire way to prepare yourself for a safe time in the sun.
Best regards
Charley