68% of people think it's important for the ingredients in personal care products to be "Organic." That's why we hold such a high standard. What is Organic? Organic ingredients, when properly chosen and carefully manufactured, are profoundly effective, inspiring to your senses, better for the environment and most beneficial to your overall well-being. It's long been held that you're only as healthy as what you put in your body. We believe the same goes for what you put on it.

You are part of nature. We humans are natural in the truest sense of the word. That's why natural products work in harmony with our bodies. Natural ingredients nurture our skin and hair with wholesome nutrients that our body chemistry is familiar with.

Organic and Natural ingredients work. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So it's no surprise that the most effective synthetic ingredients are inexpensive chemicals modeled after natural ones.

Your skin is a sponge. Plain and simple, your skin is your largest organ, and what you put on it gets absorbed into your body. In fact, studies show that 60% of the ingredients get absorbed into your body. Synthetic chemical ingredients are not always easily metabolized in the skin, which can have potentially harmful effects. It's enough to make you think twice about letting your skin and hair soak up these synthetic ingredients.

Organic Ingredients vs. Non-Organic Ingredients

83% of people think there should be one meaning for what type of ingredients can be in a personal care product labeled "Organic or natural." An Organic product is made from something living, a plant, vegetable or fruit. Sustainable farming practices have been use to create these ingredients. Fair trade and electricity from hydro electric or wind-power is only used and provided by Green Peace. We are setting a standard and hoping to make a difference in the world.

In short, we believe any ingredient in an organic product must be purposeful and come from a renewable/plentiful source found in nature. This includes ingredients found in fauna, flora and plants, and minerals-otherwise known as animal, vegetable or mineral. Period. Rest assured, though, the animal part is substances like beeswax and honey. There is only one product from the SODASAN that use an animal product and that is the gall soap and is a very effective spot remover.

We also believe there are certain synthetic ingredients that should never be used in any personal care products, let alone ones labeled "natural." This includes ingredients like parabens, glycol, Sodium Sulfate and petrolatum. While these ingredients are deemed safe, there is enough evidence questioning their safety that natural alternatives should be used instead. Less than 15% of the people we surveyed know about these potential risks.

Overall, we believe synthetic ingredients in personal care products should be avoided wherever possible. And to us, using a synthetic material is only acceptable when there is no viable natural alternative and it has absolutely no negative effects-on you or the environment.

Organic & Natural Ingredients	Safe Alternatives	Non-Organic & Natural Ingredients
Plant Components: fats, waxes, oils, lecithin, cocoa butter, coco betaine, sucrose stearate, cetearyl alcohol, glycerine, alcohol, water, witch hazel Fauna Collection: beeswax, honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, lanolin, cholesterol Flora Extracts: gums, colloids, seaweed, aromas, botanical extracts, proteins, vitamins, antioxidants, herbs and spices Mineral Elements: salts, citric acid, borax, Kaolin clay, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, bentonite	Synthetic Fragrances: those that do not have harmful ingredients, like phthalates, or effects	Petroleum: including any ingredients developed from or processed with this substance Chemically Engineered Ingredients: polymers, acrylates, Carbomer, PVP, chemical sunscreens, preservatives Silicones: ingredients derived from "sand" using harsh processes Synthetic Fragrances: chemical compounds containing harmful ingredients like phthalates. Highly Processed Ingredients: those that are developed using harsh chemicals or unhealthy processes, including sulfates, PEG/PPG and quats Ingredients Dangerous to Humans: any ingredients that are suspected to pose health risks to humans, including parabens, SLS, phthalates, talc, DEA/TEA and formaldehyde GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms).  Products that uses gene manipulated ingredients that is unproven and dangerous for humans and the nature

Nationwide, more than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products is poured down the drain each day. Many of these products are contain toxic substances that are NOT processed adequately by sewage treatment plants or septic systems. Careless or improper use and disposal of these products may threaten individual health or lead to accidental poisoning. Long term or cumulative environmental consequences may occur like contamination of surface and ground water.

• The average American consumer uses about 25 gallons of "TOXIC", "HAZARDOUS" chemical products per year in their home. A major portion of these can be found in household cleaning products.
• Cleaning chemicals are the most frequent types of chemicals involved in poison control centers in the United States.
• In 1999, 92% of all poisonings occurred in the home.
• Cleaning products are involved in 11% of poisoning exposure in children under 6 years of age (Source: City of Boulder-Office of Environmental Affairs)
  
  
  References and sources for more information:
• Prosperity Without Pollution, By Joel S.Hirshorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991
  
• Spring edition of CCA Newsletter partner: CLEANING WITHOUT TOXIC CHEMCIALS
  
• CM cleaning & Maintenance Magazine, 2002; National Trade Publications, Latham, New York 12110