The Madame Speaks
In Defense of Madame C.J. Walker’s Petrolatum-Based Products:
In the last MCJW Newsletter, I addressed the myth that has been promulgated that Petrolatum based hair care products clog pores and is bad for the hair and scalp. I would like to continue this discussion by providing additional facts about petrolatum. I’ll begin with a quote from “Cosmetics and Toiletries”, Jan. 2001 and from “Cosmetic Dermatology”, Sept. 2000, pages 44-46:
“Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found. Yes they keep air off the skin to some extent, but that’s what a good anti-oxidant is supposed to do; they don’t suffocate the skin! Moreover, mineral oil and petrolatum are known to be efficacious in would healing, and are also among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available.”
From another entry we read: “For some unknown reason, petrolatum has attained a negative image in regard to skin care, despite solid research to the contrary. Topical application of petrolatum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin.” From the source “Acta Dermato-Venereologica”, Nov.-Dec. 2000, pages 412-415
As long as we are ignorant of the facts we can be manipulated by hype. Hype is what sells most hair care products today. Did you know that the same company that owns and manufactures Motions Hair Care Products, also owns and manufactures Tresemme, Soft and Beautiful, TCB, Just For Me (“kiddy perm products), VO5, and Nexxus hair carebrands? That company is Alberto-Culver.
Now ask yourself how one company can manufacture 7 hair care brands and claim that each one is the best for your hair? How can this be? Which Shampoo is the best, Motions or TCB or Soft and Beautiful? The point is, they have the money to create seven different types of packaging and to create 7 different “hype messages” to sell each brand as though it was the best. No matter which product you buy, they make money.
These large conglomerates also have the money and influence to pay magazines and internet sites to “float” false information about competitor products while hiding the truth about their own.
So Essence magazine does the bidding of its masters and often times this means that the truth is rarely the issue. The bottom line is always money -truth, and consequences be damned.
However, without the Truth we are unable to make wise informed decisions, or worse, we mistake a lie for truth and live under the false impression that our decisions are in our best interest when in fact, we are being mislead, having been sold out for the almighty dollar. Some may say that this is Capitalism at its best. However, any system that operates “at its best” by keeping people ignorant is in fact a dangerous system that should be dismantled.
We are therefore empowered when we are given knowledge. We have the power to bring Goliath Corporations to their knees by simply not buying into the hype and spending our money in a way that promotes our well-being.
That said, below is a list of quotes taken from a report called “Petrolatum: A Useful Classic”. (all emphasis added is mine.)
-“Ever since its initial inclusion in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1880, petrolatum’s beneficial properties for skin care and treatment have been extensively reported.”
-“Petrolatum was found to be the best material for relieving ordinary xerosis in this study; no other substance matched it for both short-term and extended relief of dry skin…Applying even small amounts produces noticeable improvement in dry-skin symptoms.”
-“…petrolatum also was recommended as a hair pomade and for treating chapped hands. In 1875, the American Pharmaceutical Association found petrolatum “without a superior” for treating burns and scalds.”
-“A column …on treating dry skin cites petrolatum as a “classic” emollient that is highly efficient in relieving dry skin.”
-“Petrolatum cited in this patent…as an emollient and moisturizer.”
-“White petrolatum also is mentioned as the ideal moisturizer for people with abnormal skin and specifically for those seeking a dermatologist’s advice for dermatitis associated with cosmetic product exposure.”
-“Idson, in 1992 published an extensive article on dry skin. He states that “petrolatum is the most efficient occludent and emollient for protecting dry skin and allowing it to hydrate again.”
-…when skin is damaged by removing barrier lipids with acetone, petrolatum actually accelerates rather than impedes the healing process.”
-“Petrolatum is a primary ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) topical pharmaceutical products, especially creams and ointments.”
-“…that petrolatum is the preferred skin lubricant and moisturizer for bedridden patients.”
-“Exposure to SLS lowers electrical resistance and produces signs of skin damage…” “petrolatum and a commercial cream containing petrolatum were the most effective at preventing a loss of electrical resistance.” “Thus…petrolatum is shown to have excellent barrier properties and provides protection to the skin.”
-“Petrolatum is a key ingredient in sun-care products.” “…petrolatum protects against dermal damage and reduces the number of sunburn cells.”
-“a considerable clinical experience over many years has established petrolatum as a work-horse moisturizer in a variety of settings, for instance after chemical peels and dermabrasions, superficial burns, skin grafts, atopic dry skin and other xerotic rashes.”
-“petrolatum’s uses to protect the skin against physical and chemical traumas are many, including the treatment of cuts, abrasions and burns. It is a moisturizer par excellence.”
-“Despite many misconceptions to the contrary, petrolatum is noncomedogenic.” (noncomedogenic means less likely to cause blackheads or white heads.)
-“The safety of petrolatum was further demonstrated when Fulton, a dermatologist , recommended petrolatum as a moisturizer for acne sufferers”
-“The low cost and efficacy of this unique natural product (which has never been duplicated synthetically) are features which attract formulators to petrolatum time and time again. It is indeed, an incomparable material.”
As the numerous above quotes indicate, petrolatum is actually good for the skin/scalp. Petrolatum is used in the formulations of hand creams, lotions, shave creams, aftershave lotions, cleansers, bath products, shampoos, antiperspirants, moisturizers, and of course, Madame C.J. Walker hair care oils and pomades!
Don’t get tricked by the lies! Come on home to Mamma! Come home to Madame C.J. Walker hair care products. WE GROW HAIR. WE DON’T NEED HYPE!!!!