November 1, 2014
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
As you may know from reading my article on “How To Detox Your Home“, if I can't eat something without it killing me, I don't smear it on my body either. From liquid soaps, to my bar soap, to lip balms to lotions, I've been using products from Dr. Bronner's Magical Soaps (yes, that's really their name) as one of my main personal care products sources to follow this simple rule.
Unlike most commercial soapmakers, who distill the glycerin out of their soaps to sell separately, Dr. Bronner's retain it in their soaps for its superb moisturizing qualities. They use natural vitamin E from sunflower seeds and citric acid from fermented tapioca to protect freshness. They don't add any chelating agents, dyes, whiteners or synthetic fragrances, and instead use pure and powerful high-quality certified organic essential oils. All their soaps are biodegradable and nature-friendly and their bottles are made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.
In today's podcast, I interview David Bronner, the president of Dr. Bronners, and a guy who has been arrested for hemp activism, written a recently polarizing Huffington Post article on GMO's , and who recently championed a drive towards labeling GMO foods in my own home state of Washington, a drive that unfortunately lost by narrow margins, but is now being revived in another form, which you'll learn all about in today's episode, including:
-The amazing story of the original Dr. Bronner…
-Why there are over 30,000 words on the label of Dr. Bronner's soaps…
-What’s in Dr. Bronner’s soap…
-Why not all coconut oil is created equal…
-Why David Bronner recently penned this controversial article in Huffington Post on GMO’s…
-What you can do to stop the toxic production of GMO's on our farmed crops…
Do you have questions, comments or feedback about Dr. Bronners or about GMO labeling? Leave your thoughts below, be sure to check out all of Dr. Bronner's products by clicking here, and visit OregonRightToKnow.org to help fight GMO crop production, to cast your vote, to donate and to stop the spread of toxic herbicides.
I’ve been using Dr Bronners liquid soaps for years, say 40 yrs. and am happy to be able to get them…I have not used the Pouchouli body lotion yet and am looking forward to it!! I hope I can find it in Anchorage, Alaska!!
Thanks for the interview! I was convinced by Ben and his nemesis Jillian Michaels (ha ha), who have both spoken against chemicals in our personal care products, to search out replacements for my soap, dandruff shampoo I used at the time, shaving cream, and deodorant. Now I use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap as my face wash and shampoo, and the bar soap in the shower. Gee, who knew that itchy scalp wasn't from dandruff after all?
Another thanks for satsifying my curiosity about the writing on the soap bottles. Dr. Bronner was a fascinating man, and the soap-making tradition he passed along will help many people in this world of chemical products.
I ordered some of Dr. Bronners almond soap, I love the smell and threw out my cheapo body wash soon after. But I find that it leaves that "squeaky", dry feeling in my hair and on my body after using it, so I'm still using my traditional conditioner and lotions after I shower, which is counterproductive I realize. Am I using it wrong? I guess I need to invest in some organic hair and body moisturizers.
Here is what the customer service team told me:
When using our soap as shampoo it is important to follow it up with an acidic conditioning rinse, either our own Organic Citrus Hair Rinse, or diluted apple cider vinegar. The acidic rinse will help tamp down the cuticles in your hair and give it a smoother feel.
As for the squeaky feeling on the skin, that is a little bit harder to diagnose without more information. It could be that you have hard water or that you are prone to dry skin. My recommendation would be to use one of our slightly more moisturizing products, either the Bar Soap or the Pump Soap – the Liquid Castile Soap can be drying for some people, especially in hard water conditions (note: the bar soap and pump soap are also good choices for hair in hard water conditions).
Thanks! Just fixed it. This is the correct link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bronner/herbi…