For those who enjoy the unexpected and esoteric sides of life, I have a souvenir for you to share with those you love to amuse. Algae. From green to red, slimy to coarse, and microscopic to enormous. Just mention the topic of algae, and many people think of the unsightly green film in swimming pools and fish tanks…or their eyes glaze over. Add to your unpredictability the story of potentially the most humble, unpretentious organisms on Earth.

My name is Tim Schaeffer, I am the founder of Depth, an exclusive brand at Whole Foods Market.  Depth offers body and hair care products based on the renowned skin benefits of marine algae, all formulated to meet the stringent Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care Standards. Prior to creating body care products, I was a marine biologist for ten years. My wife, Depth’s co-founder, is also a marine biologist, which is how we met. During my tenure as a marine biologist, my focus was on marine algae. I’d spend hours engulfed in all types of algae on land and underwater, studying their ecology and genetics. Believe me, I have first-hand experience in how algae can flabbergast friends.

Marine algae (or marine botanicals) range in size from microscopic to towering, and can broadly be divided into three main groups: green algae, brown algae and red algae with each designation being derived from these species’ actual coloration. All algae have two primary functions – primary production and the creation of habitat. Both functions are critical to maintaining balance beneath the ocean’s surface.

Think of primary production as the foundation of the food chain - tiny phytoplankton (the smallest of all algae) float in the water converting sunlight and carbon dioxide to food sources that are consumed by zooplankton. Zooplankton (the smallest animals in the sea) are then consumed by small fish. These small fish are in turn consumed by bigger fish, and the links in the food chain multiply from there.

In addition to forming the foundation of the ocean’s food chain, algae also create the oxygen necessary to help support respiring marine species. It’s easy to forget that fish need to breathe underwater. Through photosynthesis, carbon taken from carbon dioxide is used to help the algae grow, and oxygen is released into the water. Fish, crabs, clams, tuna, and sharks…to name just a few…all respire oxygen present in the water in order to live.

Creation of habitat is just what it sounds like…creating a home for other marine life. Just like a tree provides habitat for birds and insects, marine botanicals provide habitat for a wide range of species. Perhaps the most well-known is the habitat provided by kelp. Kelp is one of the few species in the world that completely change the habitat they live in, transforming a two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional environment, much like a redwood forest does. For example, kelp provides a safe place for baby fish to hide. Have you ever had rockfish for your dinner entree? If so, kelp played a role by providing a place to hide from predators when the fish was much younger. When kelp is abundant, fishermen can typically expect more robust populations of rockfish in the future due to the sanctuary kelp provides. However, if storms or human activity deplete kelp forests, then these baby rockfish are more susceptible to predation, leading to smaller populations from which to fish. Other species rely on kelp for their habitat, as well…helping to keep the ocean community balanced.

How does all of this relate to your daily life? You’d be surprised; there are a wide range of human uses of marine algae. Some species of red algae are used to harvest a compound known as carageenan. Carageenan is used in beer, ice cream, and toothpaste. Other species are used in fertilizers, and many are used in nutritional supplements. In body care, marine botanicals are known to be extraordinarily hydrating. Depth body products rely on wildcrafted marine botanicals to create products that are luxurious and moisturizing for skin and hair.

Perhaps the most well-known and biggest industry of marine algae is that of Nori – the species you find wrapped around sushi. Yep, that’s algae on your sushi! The cultivation of Nori increased ten-fold from 1950 to 1980 after a British scientist, Kathleen Drew-Baker, began to understand the biology of the species. Nori farmers were so pleased with her discovery, and ultimate improvements in aquaculture, that they erected a bronze statue in Drew’s likeness overlooking Shimbara Bay in Japan. To this day, farmers place a tribute of Nori from the current crop at the statue’s feet every year.

If you want to see pictures of some interesting species, do an internet search on any of these: “kelp,” “acetabularia,” “sea lettuce,” or “postelsia.” If you have a question about the ocean, algae, or other marine species and their role in our lives, let me know and I’ll try to answer them in future posts.

There are differences in how essentials oils are distilled, and when they are extracted artfully with hydrodistillation methods, according to Jack, you are going to get a full spectrum of fragrance components that cannot be achieved with CO2 and steam-extracted essential oils and absolutes. Jack calls these minor fragrance constituents of the plant “soul components” — components that transfer the plant’s intelligence and the intact life force. It is due to these soul components that natural fragrances are so complex, that the scent keeps changing as you smell it. When you breathe it in, it is like being in nature or like smelling the ocean. Through this poetic vision of essential oil extraction, distillation is seen as the art of releasing the plant’s soul into the oils.

Jack says it is easy to understand essential oil extraction when you consider the parallel to food processing. For example, olive oil can be extracted with a hexane solvent (which is not allowed at Whole Foods Market for stand alone oil) or it can be expeller pressed, and the same is true for essential oils. Fragrance, when extracted properly, is alive and can be compared to the highest quality olive oil.

Jack’s foundation for learning about natural fragrances was a natural silk dyeing business that he owned years ago. Through the dyeing process, Jack noticed that the natural colors had a smell, which planted the seeds for Jack’s current business, Scents of Knowing.

When Jack decided to start extracting his own essential oils for Scents of Knowing, he designed his own equipment. Jack only distills in pure glass (in ancient times, it would have been ceramic) and only uses live flame. He uses the ancient principles of hydrodistillation for crafting his oils, where plant materials are extracted in water, gently heated over the course of hours, and then cooled so that the plant will release itself.

Extraction can be an art, and the extraction process is a little different for each plant material. Flowers, for example, contain a high wax content, so in Jack’s process, he uses 100% natural jojoba wax to extract the flower oils. And frankincense undergoes 13 different temperature changes over the process of its distillation. Jack describes this process as peeling the layers of an onion. The end result is that Jack’s oils are “in tune” — telling the whole story of the plant.

Jack likes to point out that there is a connection between how we smell and how we feel. This is why some traditional Chinese medicine doctors diagnose by smell. In this vein, Jack has observed many people smelling through the fragrance guides that he conducts (similar to a wine tasting), and it gives him much joy to train people and attune them to natural, harmonic scents. Often times, people are only used to smelling synthetic fragrances, so that they need to “re-train” their nose to recognize and appreciate natural fragrances. As Jack likes to say, listen to the smell, the natural plant fragrances are trying to tell you something. Even after all these years, Jack claims he is still learning to listen.

• At Whole Foods Market there are 2 private label lines: 365 Everyday Value® and Whole Foods Market™ brands.
• The bottom line for WFM PL supplements is “Well-researched high-quality products at great prices.”

365 Everyday Value®

• Simple, straightforward and affordable supplements and body care;
• Buyers and manufacturers have partnered together to find some of the most popular formulas in the industry, so we’re able to keep the costs low;
• Not a lot of money goes into packaging so that a lot of the investment goes into the quality of the products and keeping prices low.
• “The basics” with simple ingredients
• Capsules are more expensive, so a lot of 365 products will be tablet form.
• 365 Body care – full range of products (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap);  Very basic &clean; meet our quality standards; exceed the needs of customers

Whole Foods Market™ Brand

• A step above in terms of the complexity of the formulation;
• Reaches beyond the basic products;
• We control the supply chain so we look at sourcing closely;
• And are able to keep the prices very competitive and deliver great quality.
• You might find a food based multivitamin product that is like a basic multi with adding benefits like superfoods and enzymes and bioflavonoids.
• Includes condition-specific formulas (ex. digestive health or weight loss, etc.)

What’s different about our private label?

• They are some of the most intensively sourced products on the planet.
• We have teams of buyers and we go out and try to formulate products to meet needs of our customers.
• Our quality standards are the framework so we deliver super-high-quality products.
• We are customers too, which shapes how we do everything we do.

This past Saturday (October 4th) The Hockaday School, located in Dallas, Texas, was introduced to the excitement and passion of the Teen for Safe Cosmetics campaign. After an enlightening introduction about the campaign by Judi Shils and two campaign members, Hockaday students were convinced about the important cause and ready to get involved. I personally never knew the seriousness and potential harmful ingredients in beauty and personal care products that and my fellow peers and I use daily. I believe it is crucial for young women to raise awareness, advocate for change, and make a difference in today’s world.

Teen for Safe Cosmetics has been the most dynamic cause that I have encountered and I am in awe of all the possibilities and achievements of this campaign. Hearing about experiences like traveling to Sacramento to lobby for legislation and the success of their events was inspiring and invigorating.

After the meeting, everyone flocked to Whole Foods Market for the Teens Turning Green Collection launch event. The event was a huge success! The campaign’s new products were on display for purchase and girls enjoyed makeovers, manicures and an eco-friendly fashion show.

The Teens Turning Green line was also inspiring. I discovered that all the products were designed and created with the help of teens and I was amazed at how refreshing, practical and effective the products are. I plan to visit Whole Foods Market again this weekend and buy more of the line’s wonderful products. From this campaign I learned that teens can truly make a difference in their communities as well as the future of this country, and that action is the best way to bring about positive change. Hockaday is very excited about the Teens for Safe Cosmetics campaign and we cannot wait to join the fun!

Curious about the best ways to apply makeup for mature skin? It’s no surprise that natural products provide the best approach for keeping the skin looking and feeling radiant. Join us in Manhattan as we watch a makeup artist at work. Learn about powerful ingredients and tips for applying natural face care products and makeup for beautiful maturing skin.

]]> http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/10/mature-makeup/feed/ 00:01:01 Curious about the best ways to apply makeup for mature skin? Its no surprise that natural products provide the best approach for keeping the skin ... Curious about the best ways to apply makeup for mature skin? Its no surprise that natural products provide the best approach for keeping the skin looking and feeling radiant. Join us in Manhattan as we watch a makeup artist at work. Learn about powerful ingredients and tips for applying natural face care products and makeup for beautiful maturing skin. Whole,Body marty.note@wholefoods.com no No http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/09/healthy-aging-interview-with-dr-andrew-weil/ http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/09/healthy-aging-interview-with-dr-andrew-weil/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:35:33 +0000 Mara Fleishman http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=616 We’ve all heard the basics on healthy aging, right? Eat well, stay active, adopt daily stress relief habits… So now it’s time for the specifics. This month we have a special guest, Dr. Andrew Weil, a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. Dr. Weil gives us his personal and professional recommendations on heart health, brain power, and keeping the immune system strong.

General Health

• Adequate intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids every day is a good way to ensure not only heart health, but also general physical and mental health.
• There aren’t many dietary sources of omega-3s; the best sources are oily fish from cold Northern waters.
• However, there are concerns about fish, such as sustainability and contaminants.
• Dr. Weil recommends a fish oil supplement to ensure adequate intake of omega-3s. Fish oil is distilled for purity and easily available.

Healthy Brain Function

• Supplements do have their place for brain health, but it’s important to be an informed consumer because of widespread misinformation.
• Fish oil is one of the best supplements for the brain, as are antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. A specialized compound for brain health is PS (Phosphatidylserine) but it’s always a good idea get the advice from a professional.
• It is best to get antioxidants from foods; supplements are useful as insurance against gaps in the diet, but are not substitutes for the foods that contain them.

Healthy Bones

• Strength training and calcium are important for building healthy bones.
• Dr. Weil calls Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” the single most important vitamin recommendation for bones.
• Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium and to build strong bones.
• The best way to get Vitamin D is careful sun exposure.
• Many people are deficient in Vitamin D, even in sunny locations, and one reason is that sunscreen blocks Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
• Dr. Weil recommends that everyone get tested for Vitamin D blood levels.

Healthy Immune System

• For immune support, the single most important habit is to wash hands frequently.
• Regarding supplements that support the immune system, Dr. Weil recommends an effective remedy from Chinese Medicine called astragalus, the root of a plant that is inexpensive and safe.

One of the most challenging areas for us to research has been fragrances, primarily because there is no official definition in place for natural when it comes to fragrances. Furthermore, the testing and verification of fragrances is quite complex, which has made it difficult for us to determine if a fragrance in a product is 100% natural or not. To help us better understand these issues, we decided that we needed to see the process of distilling 100% natural fragrances (essential oils) firsthand.

Memorable among this experience was the beautiful opportunity this summer to witness the rose harvest and the subsequent distilling of rose essential oil. As the days start to bring a chill in the air, my mind wanders to the misty field in Bulgaria where Rosa damascena plants grow seemingly to the horizon. It is early morning because the peak hours for rose picking are from 5am to 10am when the plant oils are strongest. There is a noticeable scent of rose in the air, and workers — many with blossoms in their hair — are scattered throughout the field with huge sacks of pale pink flowers. We attempt to help with the harvest, and quickly realize that we must develop the skill for grasping the blossom at the precise place and pulling with the right force to collect the delicate flowers. We are painfully slow novices, although our hands become faintly scented with rose and we are happy (as it seems are the other workers) to be in that field, on that morning.

At the manufacturing facility, this morning’s harvest, all 60,000 kg of it, is strewn in sacks surrounding the copper distilleries. Unbelievably, it takes 3000-4000 kg of rose blossoms to make 1 kg of rose oil. This year, conditions are dry, so the yield will be lower. Although the steam distillers run 24/7 during the harvest season, the oil is released only once a day. In what seems to be a special daily ritual, we are allowed access to the locked room where we get to see the release of the gallon or so of rose oil that day, a magical event akin to uncorking a special bottle of wine.

At the end of it all, here is what I am most struck with:

• Wonder, gratitude and respect for how hard people work to produce the products and ingredients on our shelves.
• Awe over the immense amount of flowers needed to make a small bit of essential oil. This, and all other essential oils, are concentrated plant essences, to be used wisely.
• Visible realization that if everything in the process is carefully tended to—from field to manufacture to storage—the end result will be a high quality product. This tenet could be applied to all kinds of products, in body care products and throughout the store.

As we continue work with Premium Body Care—we recently hit the mark of having approved over 2300 products that meet Premium Body Care—we hope to be able to offer a greater selection of products that are filled with such high quality ingredients, including natural fragrances.

From Dana:
Earlier this week, a “green” line of skincare called Teens Turning Green was launched in Whole Foods Market nationally. This past Monday, my mind could not wait until after school. Living in New York, I am lucky to have public transport (despite what people may tell you). At exactly 3:11 pm that day, I was on the 6 train heading down to 14th Street (Union Square) to see the unveiling of the line.

Walking into Whole Foods Market always make me happy, but to see that skincare, I was omg-today-is-the-day-I-win-the lottery-happy when I saw the products. As I grabbed more products off the shelf, I realized they were vegan, which made my day as a vegetarian! The ingredients were so pure and readable! I know there are many times when people pick up a bottle, look at the ingredients, and think “What in the world is that….and that…..and that?”

A couple of friends met up with me, which included girls and boys, from middle schoolers to early college students. My male friends were so surprised at themselves, because they thought they were being dragged along to some girly shopping trip. But in the end, they bought the most, and they are the ones loving the products the most. This line, even though it is “TEENS Turning Green” is so versatile, and should not be labeled as some other skincare line. This is a line with an understandable ingredient list, unisex products, and if I may so myself, darn good scents!

From Danielle:
I’m Danielle, a high school senior in Northern California. We have some pretty exciting news this week. After spending months testing products and planning our Teens Turning Green Collection, it is finally available in Whole Foods Market - nationally! Our group is SO excited, and this has been a very important week for the campaign. We are so eager to have people all over the country try the products that we have loved for so long. One of my personal favorites is the Pomega5 Pomegranate Cleansing Bar. I have been using the original bar from Pomega5 for over a year, and absolutely loved it. Whenever I use it, it makes my bathroom smell gorgeous! In the process of making the line, we tried out a bunch of different Pomega5 cleansing bar formulations, and the one that we came up with was a combination of all of our favorite aspects of each different ones. I am so happy that this bar is going to become accessible to teens all around the country, because it is a staple in my daily regimen– not only for the great smell, but because it makes my skin feel great.

Over the weekend, a few members of our campaign volunteered at the “Just Green” Search for the Cause event in Marin County, California. Although the event was attended by adults, we had a table promoting the Teens Turning Green Collection. Everyone at the event was so excited about the line, and a couple of people bought a set of the line on a pre-sale special at the event! This was very exciting for us, because we were further able to see how amazing our line truly is.

I hope that everyone will head over to Whole Foods Market in their neighborhood and take a look at the TTG Collection. The products are absolutely our favorites, and we are so glad that the country is going to be able to see for themselves what our campaign is about!

From Mattie:
Hi Whole Foods Market Readers! It’s Mattie Kahn from Teens for Safe Cosmetics back to tell you everything you need to know about scoring your very own set of Teens Turning Green. In case you didn’t know, our line made its debut at Whole Foods Market Monday, and it’s already begun to sell out in some stores! I wanted to make buying these products fun for my friends, so on Sunday I’m going to Whole Foods Market Columbus Circle with all of my friends to eat breakfast at the amazing food court and then pick up all of the Teens Turning Green products. If you have a Whole Foods Market near you try the same with your friends. There’s no better way to show less eco-enlightened friends the “green way” then to lead them to products that they’ll like as much, if not more then their current ones. I’ve never met someone who’s tried the Pomega5 Blemish Bar who didn’t love it immediately. Or what about Alaffia’s lightly scented body lotion? It’s more than just a moisturizer, its truly aromatherapy in a jar. After a long day, the sweet smelling mango is just the thing to mellow you out and make you feel pretty all at the same time. From the title alone it’s clear that this line is perfect for teens, but its not just for my age-group, this line can truly work for anyone.

Last week, samples in hand, I decided to have a genuine adult try out some of the products. “It’s called Teens Turning Green,” she said to me skeptically. “Just try it!” And being the wonderful friend that she is, she disrupted her daily cosmetics routine to test run some of the products. Suffice it to say the Perfectly Pom Moisturizer is now taking up shelf-space in a certain airy Brooklyn bathroom. “It’s so light,” Annie exclaimed. “So fresh. It’s so different from everything else that out there.” Her other Not-Just-For-Teen picks, EO’s revolutionary hand sanitizer (“The scent, it’s amazing!”) and Benedetta soap. She loves the way it feels, I love the way it foams. I can almost guarantee that anyone can find something that they love in each of these products. So no matter how old you are find your set at Whole Foods Market before they’re all gone!

My colleague Jody Villecco and I recently spent a few days on the backroads of New England, meeting the technical folks from two of our oldest supplier partners: Tom’s of Maine and Seventh Generation. Jody, I, and our team are the official “geeks” of Whole Foods Market; we spend most of our work lives researching products and their ingredients, buried in technical food science and nutrition reports, and generally geeking out about our products as we establish standards for what we sell in our stores. Fortunately for us, there are similar technical teams working at many of the companies whose products we sell, and the time we spend talking shop with them is educational, valuable to our work, and fun.

Our first stop on our New England tour was Southern Maine. After a visit to our great store in Portland, and a taste of the best blueberry cobbler in history, we spent the better part of day with very talented product development team at Tom’s of Maine. I don’t think you could have gathered a roomful of people with more combined knowledge of natural toothpaste, deodorant and soap anywhere in the world. On the agenda were quite a few items: talking about our new Premium Body Care Standards and how they would apply to oral care products, controversial ingredients like SLS and fluoride, and lots of good general discussion about the various ingredients that make up a good toothpaste or deodorant, and what’s effective and what’s not. These folks are committed to truly changing the perception that natural deodorant and toothpastes don’t work as well as their conventional counterparts, and Tom’s is one of the many talented companies on a path to show that natural products can work even better.

Natural cleaning products are also still fighting the perception that they don’t work well, and the average person believes that natural cleaning products aren’t capable of cleaning their home. Seventh Generation is out to shatter that misperception, and has been hard at work for decades creating product that are natural and actually work. Our team at WFM is currently in the process of studying cleaning products and their ingredients, to understand how they’re made, how they work well, and craft a standard to define safe, natural cleaning products for our stores. We rely on the knowledge, experience and technical expertise of our suppliers in this process, and we spent the day with Seventh Generation at their offices on Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont to talk shop for a day, and learn everything we could about how they create safe, natural cleaning and paper products. I was especially impressed by the good work they’ve done on understanding and sourcing natural fragrances  for their products (watch for Jody’s Whole Story blog post on natural fragrances, coming up in the next few weeks).

Be sure to check out Martin “Science Man” Wolf’s Q&A feature on their website. Martin’s vast experience, technical knowledge, and passion for natural products are incredible, and he’s definitely the go-to guy for natural cleaning questions. Getting to spend the day with Martin, along with other leaders from Seventh Generation, was a huge privilege that really expanded our understanding of what makes a good, natural and effective cleaning product.

Outside of the vast amount we learned about oral care products and cleaning supplies, New England (my homeland) is home to some of the most amazing food in the universe, namely seafood and maine blueberries. The regular (cultivated) blueberries you can buy all over the country may be plump, sweet, flavorful and amazing, but even an average Maine blueberry can blow the most amazing non-Maine blueberry out of the water. Wild blueberries are native to Maine, and their smaller size packs in a more potent and less tart blueberry flavor that seems to capture the rocky, salty landscape of Maine. They’re not as sweet as cultivated berries, and I find myself eating entire baskets full at a time. Besides tasting awesome, studies suggest that the wild variety is higher in antioxidants than the cultivated variety.

A quart of Maine blueberries, along with some Justin’s Nut Butter squeeze packs and a container of Dr. Krackers made for the perfect road trip powerfood on the 5 hour drive from Portland to Burlington, complete with a quick swing by Robert Frost’s old house in Franconia, NH and the most beautiful sunset I’ve seen in a long time. Returning to my New England roots for a few days was delicious, educational and beautiful!

Each September, I look forward to the start of the new school year; but this September, all I can think about is the “Teens Turning Green” collection.  In just a few weeks, this fabulous line of products will be available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide!

The girls of Teens for Safe Cosmetics, myself included, cannot wait to walk into the Whole Body section of our local Whole Foods Market and see this amazing collection sitting on the shelves.  The collection is something I have always wanted: a line of products made from safe and healthy ingredients, formulated for teens!  And not just for any teen, but a teen turning green!  I think that becoming an educated consumer is a key aspect of turning one’s life green, and by learning about these wonderful products you are doing just that.

Last week Mattie told you about the Depth Sea Foam Cleanser, the Pomega 5 Pomegranate Cleansing Bar, and the Sunstar Purifying Mask.  This week I’ll be telling you about Benedetta’s Sassy Sacred Soap and Terra Naturals Sport Deodorant, two products I cannot live without.

Most conventional soaps are made with synthetic chemicals and unnatural scents, which are unhealthy for you and the environment.  The soap featured in the “Teens Turning Green” collection, however, is one of the cleanest on the market.  I can say from my own experience, that Benedetta’s Sassy Sacred Soap is amazing and there is nothing like it.  It does not contain any synthetic or chemically processed ingredients; only fresh organic and biodynamic ingredients that leave your skin feeling clean, healthy and smooth, no matter what your skin type.  It contains Fair Trade Shea butter which will make your skin feel so soft, yet totally moisturized – and I mean feeling actually moisturized for the whole day, not just temporarily after you use it!  That is why I highly recommend using it for shaving because it keeps your skin feeling silky smooth, even after you shave.  Benedetta’s Sassy Sacred Soap also smells amazing because it contains essentials oils of lemon and rosemary, which give the soap an invigorating yet calming scent.  Even the bottle it comes in is worth praising, because it comes in a leach-free, recycled plastic foamer that efficiently uses the contents of the bottle.  And of course, the foamer gives the soap a mousse-like texture, which makes Benedetta’s Sassy Sacred Soap all the more fun to use.  This one-of-a-kind golden colored soap complements its equally unique name and I hope you will love it as much as I do!

Another necessity that I use in my daily routine is deodorant.  Deodorant is a concern for many teens, especially during warmer weather or during athletic practices.  But the underarm area is very delicate because it is located right next to your lymphatic system, a direct connection to your immune system.  Therefore it is important to know exactly what ingredients you are putting on your skin and how they could be potentially harmful to your body.  The teens of Teens for Safe Cosmetics have tried many deodorants, and Terra Naturals Sport Deodorant met our own standards as well as the standards of Whole Foods Premium Body Care – test it for yourself!  In just a few weeks, Terra Naturals Deodorant will be making its debut in the “Teens Turning Green” collection.  By using this deodorant, you can be sure that you will not have to sacrifice your health for smelling good!  Terra Naturals has formulated a deodorant specifically for teens, using only the finest of organic ingredients, that targets body odor naturally, without clogging your underarm pores with harmful synthetic chemicals, parabens or aluminum.  Sweating is a natural process, but by using this lightly scented deodorant you can feel confident (because you won’t smell!) that it is safe for you and the environment.

If you’re going to use these kinds of products anyway, why not use greener and healthier alternatives?  Check out the “Teens Turning Green” collection, coming to a Whole Foods Market near you, in just a few weeks!