The Paul Penders e-Newsletter: April 2008

	Paul Penders is an active environmentalist and avid animal rights activist who incorporates these beliefs into his products. His philosophy of “no chemicals” and “no animal testing” started with shampoos and later on evolved into a bounty of new skincare products for people of all ages. We provide unique, high quality products combined with personal customer service, in order to achieve exceptional consumer satisfaction.
In This Issue:
Dr. Herma Eeftink Ruiter
Japanese Magazines
Natural Products Contain 1,4-Dioxane

By Paul Penders

Doctor Herma Eeftink Ruiter grew up in The Netherlands in a family of 14 children. Her father, a well-known pharmacist in the heart of Amsterdam, worked hard to provide for his kids but like many men of his generation, believed that education was wasted on women.

Undeterred by his lack of support, Herma left for Canada at the young age of 15 to attend the University of Montreal, attracted by the world famous Montreal Botanical Gardens. To fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian, Herma worked as a dishwasher to pay her university fees. She put herself through school that way for the next 5 years.

However, Herma’s interests quickly turned to homeopathy and iryscopy when she saw that her four-legged patients responded better to natural medicines than “modern” preparations, which mostly contained chemical-based ingredients.

Pursuing her own way of healing in a medical empire full of the newly introduced antibiotics, Herma studied in Australia under Dr. Its Hovenga, not realizing that her growing success was actually brewing trouble. When she returned to Holland to set up her practice in natural medicine, Herma found that the small-town doctors were threatened by her new-founded beliefs and she was ostracized by the medical community.

Never giving up, Herma eventually earned high respect from people both inside and outside Holland, including the Royal Family, by demonstrating that homeopathic medicines not only work, but also generally have no ill side effects.

I am very proud and thankful to testify here that Herma (you can’t see it in the picture but she is now 82!) remains an intelligent and lively teacher. She patiently taught me herbal knowledge and all-natural skincare preparations as no other person could. Herma always tells the truth – even when it may be hard to hear. Whenever I visit her, after few minutes of joy and fun, she always asks (and complains!) why I haven’t done this, why not that, and why everything takes such a long time. That is Herma.

Although retired for many years, her room is always filled with fresh flowers from ex-patients, many of whom she saved from cancer or other life threatening ailments. Every day I think of her as an inspiration, as she has helped me to lead our company to where it is today.

Thank you Dame Eeftink!

In February, two popular Japanese magazines featured Paul Penders ShampooFORTE and Pegaga Scalp Cleansing Treatment. ANAN and L25 included these products in a discussion of several well-known brands including Weleda, L'Occitane, Neal's, Yard, Aveda and MOP.

Paul Penders ShampooFORTE is the only time release shampoo available in the world. It is designed to first cleanse the scalp, ensuring a healthy foundation for beautiful, shiny hair; then form a thick lather to cleanse the hair itself. When first applied to the scalp, ShampooFORTE gently removes dandruff and debris from the surface of the head. As more water is added, it “breaks open”, creating a rich foam specially developed to wash the hair. After washing, the hair is full, luxurious and well-mannered, without fly-aways.

Pegaga Scalp Cleansing Treatment is a unique product specially formulated to gently cleanse and stimulate the scalp. Containing the local medicinal Malaysian herb pegaga, which stimulates the circulation, it is ideal for persons with dandruff, oily scalp or other conditions that can inhibit the health and cleansing of the hair.

Outside of Japan, Paul Penders products are also receiving acclaim. In the U.K., two Paul Penders products recently received award nominations and Paul Penders is now competing in a larger award contest in the U.S. that includes 200 cosmetic companies.

To read more about Pegaga Scalp Cleansing Treatment, ShampooFORTE and other Paul Penders hair care products, please click here.

Some Natural Products Found to Contain 1,4-Dioxane

According to studies conducted earlier this year by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), some organic products contain the chemical 1,4-dioxane, a dangerous ingredient linked to cancer.

Products that tested positive include well-known natural brands such as Jason, Alba Botanica and Giovanni.

In cosmetics, dioxane is the byproduct of a chemical process used to soften harsh ingredients. It is banned from use in cosmetics in the European Union, although it can still be used in the U.S. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says at the levels that dioxane is found in cosmetics, it does not pose a hazard to consumers, the National Toxicology Agency says that the presence of 1,4- dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern.

However, the OCA also found that virtually all of the personal care products that are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the German certifying groups are free from dioxane. "Among brands testing free from this contamination include Aubrey Organics, Dr. Bronner, Hauschka, Terressentials and Nourish," said David Steinman, environmental health consumer advocate who works closely with the OCA.

On the heels of the study, the OCA announced on March 26 that companies marketing themselves as organic but whose products contain petrochemical and/or conventional ingredients have until April 22 to reformulate or face legal action from the OCA for misrepresenting themselves.

Several organic product companies including Kiss My Face subsequently announced that they would test their products for the presence of 1,4-dioxane. California-based Nature's Gate said that it was not aware that its products contained harmful levels of dioxane and is currently reviewing the OCA findings.

Paul Penders products have always been completely free of 1,4-dioxane. To read more about the products, and view the ingredients contained in each, please click here.