In Bacolod, Human Nature turns 1

AT ITS branch in VSB building, Human Nature dealers and buyers made a beeline for the shelves. August 18 was the first anniversary of the Bacolod branch which brought "only the good" a year ago to the Bacoleños.

Human Nature is a social enterprise that produces 100 percent chemical-free cosmetics and body care products with ingredients sourced from all over the Philippines.

Did you know that some of the most effective ingredients known in the world may be found here in our country?

The underlying factor that propels Human Nature to do business is not business for profit's sake. Its advocacy is optimization of profit for the good of the country; hence, it is pro-Philippines, pro-poor, and pro-environment. This provides not only a healthier way of grooming our bodies but also sources of livelihood for local farmers.

For example, Human Nature patronizes citronella farms in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; lemongrass farms in Murcia and Cauayan, Negros Occidental; a VCO farm in the GK Immaculate Concepcion Village in Iloilo; and a passion fruit and sunflower farm in the GK Pueblo Antonio Village in Davao City. Although it is cheaper to order packaging abroad, this is done even in the Philippines.

Equally commendable is the use of natural and truly organic ingredients that protect nature. Harmful chemicals in body care products wash off from our bodies and seep through the soil and contaminate our water.

Through the soil, water or directly on our bodies, harmful chemicals affect everyone that way and according to Human Nature, one in three adults today will suffer from cancer in their lifetime.

What's more, these chemicals can also cause hormone disruption, fertility problems, asthma, acne and fast aging.

We may not be aware of this but the very products that we apply in order to be youthful can cause the opposite. Products with the suffix -one i.e. silicone, dimethicone, etc. found in most cosmetics, hair care and skin care products can make a surface feel smooth and silky (just what advertising wants us to believe). Yet these are also what make your car run. These clog pores, and trap sebum, dirt and bacteria that can cause allergic reactions. The -ones are like plastic Cling Wrap on our skin.

Human Nature uses ingredients such as coconut oil instead of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and ALS (ammonium lauryl sulfate) that are surfactants.

Surfactants damage skin and this allows carcinogens to penetrate. Essential oils and natural fragrance oils do not damage the liver and reproductive organs as synthetic fragrances do.

Triclosan causes endocrinal and reproductive malfunctions; HN uses acapulco extract, sugarcane alcohol and chitosan. Solvents are substituted by vegetable glycerin or water.

Preservatives? Rosemary essential oil, glyceryl caprylate (coco and glycerin derived) or gluconolactone (from corn) will not cause cancer or tumors, or cause premature ageing as parabens, BHA/BHT, DMDM hydantoin, phenoxyethanol, or TEA (triethanolamine) will.

Moisturizers such as mineral oil, petrolatum, dimethicone, and paraffin coats skin like plastic and clogs pores as previously discussed. These also slow down skin function and cell development, so, Human Nature uses cocoa butter, VCO, sunflower oil, avocado oil, passion fruit oil and even castor oil.

Being in a tropical country encourages us to use bug repellents but be sure not to use those with DEET that promotes degenerative and congenital diseases. Citronella, lemongrass, essential oils from lavender and rosemary are healthier.

According to Human Nature research, DEET was originally for military use in jungle warfare and is not meant for long-term use. DEET is linked to brain defects and even death in children.

One of the top 5 dealers in Bacolod is Elias Eclar Jr. This 44-year-old believes in Human Nature’s advocacy so much that he went into business himself. He has over 40 customers today.

Among the products, it is the sunflower oil that always gets raves every time and other branches run out of stock. Sunflower oil is branded as "20 miracles in 1 bottle" for it acts as moisturizer, cleaner, hair conditioner, overall body moisturizer, skin soother after shaving, stretch mark preventer, and underarm lightener. Number 2 selling product is the citronella bug spray that may be applied on the body or spritzed into the air.

One of Elias' friends was with him at the store visit. Her name is Eva Lirazan of La Carlota and she swears by the Natural Strengthening Shampoo. This prevented hair fall and she is so hiyang with the product that sometimes she'd forego the conditioner after shampooing.

Yet, I also use HN products so I know that Natural Strengthening Conditioner smoothens and softens hair. The Intensive Hair Mask can save you trips to the salon for a hot oil treatment.

Eva's husband who works as a policeman was asked at work one day what he was using on his face for it had become brighter. He had started using Balancing Facial Wash which is for normal or oily skin. The wash has manila elemi, an extract from the pili tree sap that is also used in prestigious name brands such as Chanel, Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs. Manila elemi is found only in the Philippines. Why look farther for effective skin care?

Another body care product worth mentioning is the Natural Feminine Wash. One of Eva's friends is a satisfied user of the feminine wash. This friend noticed a decrease in vaginal dryness in her menopausal state.

Vanity can also mean healthy. Human Nature uses cocoa butter, passion fruit seed oil and sunflower oil in their lipsticks. (I use the Lucky in Love shade and wearing this made my friends also order this color.) Powder-based products such as eye shadow, foundation, mineral pressed powder, and blush utilize rice powder and bamboo powder.

From massage oils to lip balms to body lotions to shaving oil to body washes to a special range of baby care products, Human Nature can be part of our daily lifestyle. The prices are a lot cheaper than other organic products, and the profit the company makes supports Gawad Kalinga. Let's bring "only the good" into our lives. Health is wealth and it's never too late to begin today.