and vitamins!”), point to your skin problems (“You definitely need an intensive treatment for your
acne!”), and reinvent human physiology (“It will make your wrinkles disappear instantly!”).
How to withstand the pressure from that side of a store counter? I’ve found that requesting a box of
a product so you can read the ingredient list yourself works best. Strong self-esteem and independent
information on what works and what doesn’t can save you humiliation and loss of money. Do not let
salespeople manipulate you. It’s your skin that you need to take care of.
If you hope to find a magic potion that solves all your skin problems, then be ready to face the lies.
Salespeople just sense your desperation. But if you ask informed questions, read the ingredients list,
and move on to the next product without glancing at a price tag, your chances of buying something
really worthy are high.
Lesson 7: Ask for Samples and Do the Patch Test
Never be shy to request a sample. Of course, most stores don’t always carry sample sizes of
shampoos, toners, and cleansers. Many will charge you for a mini version of a product. In several
countries, I was charged from two to five dollars for little tubes of Dr. Hauschka moisturizers and
shampoos, because many stores have to buy samples from the distributor. I would rather spend a
small amount of money than bother myself with returning an item (although I am happy to say I have
never had to return a single organic skin care product!). Thanks to samples, you are less likely to
waste time returning products, airplanes will pollute the air for something more valuable, and the skin
care line will save money, too—hopefully for something important, like developing a new, safe
preservative.
Many private pharmacies will decant a small amount of a cleanser or a moisturizer in a clear jar.
In Sephora, you can also get a product decanted into cute little jars that you can reuse for traveling.
Many products reviewed in this book were obtained as samples in stores. Many more were
purchased at full price. Not a single product was obtained free of charge for reviewing purposes.
Now that you have your sample, it’s time for a little science project. It’s called the patch test.
Doctors perform patch tests to determine what causes an allergic reaction. They take minute quantities
of 25 to 150 materials that commonly cause allergic reactions, make little plastic or aluminum
patches, and apply them on your upper back, securing them with special hypoallergenic adhesive
tape. Then, after at least forty-eight hours, the patches are removed. Any topical allergic reaction
usually indicates that your immune system attacks the substance as hostile. Allergic reactions are so
common today that many hair salons in the United States and the United Kingdom now require you to
undergo a patch test with their hair dyes two days before your appointment. No patch test, no hair
color.
THE PATCH TEST
Here’s how you can perform a simple patch test at home to see if a particular face or hair product is
safe for you (assuming that you have already chosen a natural, organic product). Wash a small area on
the inside of your arm and wipe it clean. Choose a time when you have just taken a shower so you
won’t have to wet this area again for some time. Apply a small amount of the cosmetic product you
plan to buy, using a spatula or a clean, dry table knife. Cover the area with a waterproof adhesive
bandage that has an adhesive area all around the edge, not just at the sides. If the adhesive tapes peel
off, the process will have to be repeated. Allow twenty-four hours and then carefully peel off the