There was a book published years ago -- when I was in my teens (I'm 39
now). I was home sick and it was being talked about on one of those
morning shows. It revealed the truth about how products were made --
helping consumers see past the marketing and determine which core
ingredients had something to do with the effectiveness. For instance,
it revealed which parts of shampoo had to do with build-up and which
ones removed build-up, so that you could choose a less expensive
shampoo with all of the same active ingredients for your needs, etc.
I have no idea what the book was titled, but I have wanted a copy ever
since that day. It also revealed, for instance, what the key
ingredients in laundry detergent, etc., were so that you could find
something that worked as well as Tide, for half the money, etc. Could
you help me find this book? |
Request for Question Clarification by
bobbie7-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 11:54 PST
Bostonian5,
Could you be thinking of the book "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic
Ingredients" by Ruth Winter. This is the fifth edition, the first was
published in 1978.
"You wouldn't eat something without knowing what it was--don't you
want to take the same care with what you put on your face, hair, and
body? Find out what's in that shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, lotion, or
perfume here, with more than 6,000 entries, organized alphabetically."
Book Description
"The fifth edition of this classic guide, first published in 1978,
continues the tradition of being the most up-to-date, complete, and
trusted reference for taking the guesswork out of choosing safe and
effective cosmetics and toiletries.
The more than 6,000 entries include 1,400 newly developed chemicals
(along with hundreds more whose names have been changed by the
manufacturers since the last edition of this book was published in
1994). Virtually every chemical found in toiletries and cosmetics,
from body and face creams to toothpaste, hand lotion, shaving cream,
shampoo, soap, perfume, and makeup, is evaluated, including those
ingredients marketed as being all natural, for children, and for
people of color. The book's alphabetical arrangement makes it easy to
look up the ingredients in the products you use."
I look forward to your clarification.
Bobbie7
|
Clarification of Question by
bostonian5-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 12:04 PST
Thank you for that reference. The book you cited is close, but I do
not believe that is the title. The book I'm thinking about covered
much more than cosmetics. It covered household detergents like
laundry detergents, etc. It was not limited to cosmetics. It dealt
broadly with house hold products, not just cosmetic related products.
If you notice in the area of Amazon where they talk about what books
people also purchased, they are limited to books about the dangers of
cosmetics. This book that I remember was not cosmetic specific, it
was household products, consumer packaged goods specific. I hope this
helps.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
bobbie7-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 12:15 PST
Thank you for your clarification.
Please take a look at the books below and let me know if I'm on the right track.
Home Safe Home (Paperback) by Debra Lynn Dadd
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087477859X/ref=ase_healthenvironmenA/103-8989118-0440621?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=healthenvironmenA
"You can protect yourself and your family from everyday toxics and
harmful household products. Home Safe Home reveals the health effects
of and safe alternatives to:
Tap water and processed foods
Home and garden pesticides
Over-the-counter medications
Synthetic fibers and fabrics
Carpeting and furniture
Cleaning products
Beauty products
Home office products
Indoor air pollutants...and more."
http://www.dld123.com/homesafehome.html
The Safe Shopper's Bible : A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0020820852/ref=ase_healthenvironmenA/103-8989118-0440621?n=283155&tagActionCode=healthenvironmenA
|
Clarification of Question by
bostonian5-ga
on
28 Dec 2005 12:36 PST
The book you found is more general, so we're getting warmer. However
the book I was seeking had nothing to do with safety. It was more
about, understanding what made various products useful, and then
learning how to buy the less expensive yet identical version in a
lower priced brand. In other words, it would explain that there are
really only three or four kinds of shampoos. One for oily hair, one
for dry hair, one to protect color, etc. It would explain the primary
ingredients in each kind toward the attributes or value proposition it
promised. It then explained that these same ingredients could be
found in generics, and how to look for them. In other words, it
debunked or made plain, the ingredients behind the marketing speak and
explained how to buy an identical, yet less expensive version. It
talked about, for instance, how using the same shampoo regularly could
cause your hair to feel weighed down, and then explained that
switching to Baby Shampoo for a few days which contained some
ingredient that stripped oils from hair, would help resolve the
problem. I hope I'm helping.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
rainbow-ga
on
29 Dec 2005 12:03 PST
Do any of these books seem familiar?
The Consumer's Brand-Name Guide to Household Products
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=230379240&searchurl=sts%3Dt%26y%3D5%26tn%3DThe%2BConsumer%2527s%2BBrand-Name%2BGuide%2Bto%2BHousehold%2BProducts%26x%3D18
What to Use Instead: A Handbook of Practical Substitutes
http://www.freeglobalbooksearch.com/cgi-bin/fgb455/22609.html
The Complete Guide to Household Chemicals
http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2305625147323&pid=0879759836
Best wishes,
Rainbow
|
Clarification of Question by
bostonian5-ga
on
31 Dec 2005 09:29 PST
Thanks, these look intersting. I'll be back January 3rd, so I won't
be able to clarify any further or review answers until that time.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
rainbow-ga
on
12 Jan 2006 23:06 PST
Hi bostonian5,
Did you get a chance to look at the books posted in my previous clarification?
Best wishes,
Rainbow
|
Request for Question Clarification by
rainbow-ga
on
26 Jan 2006 23:10 PST
Hi bostonian5,
I haven't heard back from you yet and wondered if you had a look at
the books posted in my previous clarification.
Best regards,
Rainbow
|
