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Knowing what we all do about Carol Alt’s devotion to the benefits of raw foods, is it any surprise that she has found a way to care for her outer self in the same manner? After many false starts and near hits over several years, Carol is launching a line of skincare products called RAW ESSENTIALS, made entirely from – you guessed it! – 100% raw active, natural and completely synthetic-free ingredients. That means no parabens, P.E.G.s, or lauryl sulfates. In fact, RAW ESSENTIALS is the only product line sold in the United States that is certified raw. Carol explains:
“I had been eating raw and was feeling so amazing, with such incredible results, that I realized I wanted to continue that thread throughout my life. I knew that I could feel better and better if I could cut more “bad” things out of my life. I had already “chemical-proofed” my immediate surroundings, with water filters, air filters, ozone machines, etc., for my home and office. Then I thought, ‘What about the things I put on my body?”
“The pharmaceutical companies and skincare companies try to tell us that skin acts as a barrier that will keep all the bad things from entering our systems, but that simply isn’t the truth. Skin does allow certain things to pass through it and into the blood stream. When I was battling cancer, the last thing I wanted was anything chemical or unhealthy passing through my skin, especially since I was being so careful about what I ate, and drank, and breathed. So, I became a label sleuth, reading the ingredients of every product I bought or already had on my shelves. From there, I began studying skincare and the various processes that were involved in making these products.
“I found some very troubling things. For example, the F.D.A. does not regulate skincare. That alone scared me, since it meant that manufacturers could legally put just about anything at all into my lipstick, or my mascara, or my hand lotion and who or what was there in place to protect me?
“So, I began making my own products at home, using nothing but raw ingredients. I tried out all types of herbs and liquids, in various combinations, until I hit on something that worked. Well, my skin started looking better than it had in years, which of course, was a great by-product of my quest for better health.”
Carol began sharing her discovery with her friends and family. One of her sisters had suffered for years from rosacea, but once she changed over to Carol’s homemade moisturizer, the rosacea became a thing of the past.
There was another consideration driving Carol’s quest for her own line of raw products:
“At the time I published my first book on eating raw, I realized I had a dilemma. Many people were looking to me as an expert on pure and clean, whether it was food, or skincare, or any other health-related entity. It became clear that I could not put my name on just any skincare line unless it was in keeping with my personal philosophy and principles. It was that philosophy that led me to create this line of skincare products, since nobody else could live up to the ideals I had set for my own skin. If I wasn’t using something myself, how could I possibly recommend that other people use it?!
“Sticking to my principles has, unfortunately, cost me a great deal of money over the years. In one instance, I had to fight to be released from a long-term contract as the spokeswoman for a cosmetics line after less than half of the term had elapsed. What a financial hit that was! But my values had changed dramatically and I have to live with myself. Since that time, I have turned down literally millions of dollars from advertisers of various skincare lines, because I cannot, in good conscience, promote those particular products.
“Since the raw movement is relatively new, it was virtually impossible to find a cosmetics company with a truly pure line that I, myself, would feel safe using. My guidelines and demands on this subject are so stringent, and I am not willing to compromise on them, that it made it very difficult for any company to be able to afford to work with me. You have to understand that it is very expensive to use raw ingredients in anything. When I say ‘raw’, I mean as found in nature – unadulterated, unheated ingredients. That is basically why I had to create my own products, which has taken me quite a while to accomplish. What I kept running into when trying to work with manufacturers was that, unfortunately, people tend to, shall we say, fib – telling you (meaning me!) what they think you want to hear. Time after time, I would discover that a so-called raw process or ingredient actually had been cooked, thus defeating completely the raw mandate.
“For example, one company had come up with a banana fragrance and a mango fragrance for my tropical line. Those two fruits do not produce a useable scent for this type of thing. Banana fragrance (mango, too) can only be produced by combining two other ingredients found in nature and fusing them together by cooking them, thus chemically altering them. The resulting banana-like fragrance may be a natural “aroma”, but it is not a raw, natural “ingredient”. That was totally unacceptable.
“By relying on these people who were assuring me that they were doing everything in a raw and natural manner, when they weren’t, it was delaying my ability to launch this line that I so firmly believed in. On more than one occasion, with more than one manufacturer, we had gotten all the way to the end of the process and were about to launch my line, when someone would say something offhandedly and I’d say, ‘What?!’ and discover that one item or another had been adulterated, either by heating it or chemically altering it from its natural state. Well, that, of course, put a screeching halt to that particular venture and it was on to the next manufacturer!
“One of the last guys I tried this with finally showed me that he simply didn’t get it. We happened to be in his office one day and I asked him to add a certain raw ingredient to one of the products. (The entire product line, by the way, was nearly complete at this point!) He said “I’ll be right back”. When he returned a few minutes later, he proudly handed me a beaker with the new formula in it (containing that ingredient) to inspect. ‘Wait! This stuff is hot!’, I said. ‘It’s not that hot’, he told me. ‘How hot is it?’, I asked. ‘Only about 97 degrees’, he replied. What he failed to mention was that he was talking about Celsius degrees, not Fahrenheit. That’s about 135 degrees Fahrenheit! ‘Are you kidding me?!’, I asked. ‘You’ve now denatured the vitamins and minerals and enzymes!’ In the raw food world, that is not raw, natural or unadulterated. I suddenly realized that this man had no idea that heating (cooking!) any ingredient was so wrong in terms of raw. I also knew that if he did it right in front of me, so to speak, he had probably been heating other ingredients along the way.” Needless to say, Carol ended that partnership.
Carol points out that there is ample scientific evidence identifying a number of ingredients in traditional cosmetics as culprits in certain common cancers, particularly breast cancer. She has no intention of permitting such ingredients to impact her life and health, and the fact that RAW ESSENTIALS can assist others in avoiding the consequences of those nasty chemicals (such as parabens) that are found in other cosmetics, has been paramount in giving her a great sense of satisfaction.
“You know…I simply cannot imagine that putting something synthetic on your skin can possibly improve it. All you have to do is look around. No matter how much expensive goop people put on their faces, are they looking younger? No! Not at all. If all of the synthetic products really worked, would we need botox and plastic surgery to the degree they’re now being used? Think about it…!”
“RAW ESSENTIALS will be sold exclusively on HSN (Home Shopping Network), beginning December 12th and 13th with a “soft launch”. At that time, there will be 4 products available containing raw active ingredients that go beyond “natural and organic”: A day moisturizer; an eye cream; a body wash and a face wash. Then, toward the end of January, we will present a “hard launch” and offer additional products, including a night cream; a bath salt; a toner; a facial scrub and two masques (one detoxifying, one nourishing).
“This is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been involved with”, Carol concludes. “There are so many benefits to be had from changing your lifestyle, even if it’s only little by little. As I’ve said before, if I can just touch one person’s life and change it for the better, it’ll be worth it.”
After turning 50 I decided to look into things. I was not feeling well for such a long time. What you put into your body and on your skin, does make a difference. I have made changes little by little. I juice organic, fresh fruits and vegetables every day and have already seen and felt a difference. It is very difficult to find skin care and makeup that is not harmful to your body. You have to look up basically every ingredient to find out what it is and what it does. Even finding organic and natural products does not mean you are in the clear. I have ordered a product or two from this line on HSN and hope to see and feel a difference. I have high hopes that someone will actually know and understand what is good for your skin. I will let you know after I have received and used these products.
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Forgive me for using this website to contact Carol but I need to ask if she will recommend a particular Spiralizer to me. Some of the online comments are “it turns the product into mush” and others say “the machine is just too difficult to operate”.
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Hello!
I’m so excited to find Carol’s new website and line of skin care products!! Will there be a line of cosmetics as well???
THANK YOU!!
Anxiously awaiting,
Sabrina
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I pre paid for an autographed copy of Carol’s Eating in The Raw book while at a Chiropractic seminar in Las Vegas last year. I never recieved it and just saw it in a book store and thought about it. Is there anyway you could still send it to me ?
Thank you
Tammy Taylor
9424 Bridge Creek Road
Sherwood Ar 72120
870-489-2443
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HOW DO I GET A HOLD OF RAW ESSENTIALS?
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Carol, I saw you on HSN promoting your Raw Essentials line, and was wondering why on earth you’re proclaiming that your products are derived exclusively from the luscious gel in the center of the aloe plant? I bought your products and they all contain something called Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, which IN FACT is derived from the WHOLE leaf, not just the aloe gel in the center. I also happen to know that Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice has a drying effect, NOT a moisturizing effect. To me, this is false advertising, extremely misleading and just a downright lie. Also, I tried your products and the under-eye cream burned and caused my skin to become red and irritated and the other products caused my face to become so tight and dry, I feel like I got botox injections in my entire face. I can hardly move it! You have A LOT of work to do if you’re going to get this right. Not to mention, if you can’t sell your product honestly, then what’s the point? People will be disappointed (except those with oily skin perhaps) and send them back anyway! WHY LIE? Thanks. — Katrina
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How wonderful that she has come up with a line of products to ‘benefit’ those who belief in this system. How nice it would have been for her to jump on the network marketing bandwagon, creating something for everyone.
I love Arbonne!
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I am wondering if Carol offers a wholesale program for her new skincare products? I have a business that offers raw food and products and would like to include her products.
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i purchased your three piece set on hsn and loved it. I purchased the larger set a few weeks ago in addition to the night cream as a seprate purchase the night cream is not the same as the sample in the three piece set aloe was the first item in the three piece set this new one starts with water it does not have the same nice smell as the sample which i loved i have not checked on the other ingrediants in the cleanser or the mosturizer as i have not used them up yet’.
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I ordered carols’s line on the weekend I hope i’m not dissapointed ~
really need a lift
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hi carol! i have a lot of hyper pigmentation on my face, and i have to use a sun block nolower than spf30. can i use it after your moisturizer, and when are you coming out with a sun block? i am all about good skin than good makeup, and hate being out in the sun, but unfurtunately hormones have caused my melasma. i would like to give your line a try, but the sun block thing is holding me back. thanks for any input you can give me! sincerely, mary kimbrough
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Can you make products that are chemical/paraben free? for chemically sensitive/intolerant people? Otherwise, your products arent any different than the others? For autoimmune people who understand the ramifications that the skin is our largest organ and parabens are carcinogenic.
I am disappointed that your presentation was a misnomer for your products?
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Carol Alt Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
are you looking at MY products? they are RAW, chem-free, laurel sulfate-free, paraben-free and nothing is cooked over 115 degrees–
are you looking at RAWESSENTIALS.COM?
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Hello, do you ship to Canada? I tried to fill out the form on line several times for contacting company with no luck being sent. Kept getting a error message.
Thanks.
C
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Carol Alt Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Hi C
OF COURSE! go to TheShoppingChannel.com.
They are my partners in Canada!
thanks for asking.
CA
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Hello Carol,
I am 41yo and have EXTREMELY oily acne prone skin. Are you products appropriate for me? Obviously the eye cream and mask would be fine but what about the other products???
Thanks!
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Carol Alt Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Hi Laura,
I think for sure the washes(face and body)
would be appropriate.
Since we use no synthetic chemicals. They
won’t irritate your skin.
And yes, you are right, the eye and the Mask
should be fine.
I would also try the day moisturizer for normal
and sensitive skin. It is a very light-weight
formula-I am not sure you need the extra moisture
that a night or anti aging cream or serum
would offer.
I would use the day cream also on my neck.
I also think the body kit with the Bath salts
and body moisture would be fine.
Also if I may: use a water based foundation.
and a mineral powder during the day. Not the
oil based foundation. But perhaps you already
know that!
Have you seen a Dr? What does he say? And if
you have a Dr. (which I recommend as I have
one)-run my products past him for extra
assurance!
Sometimes, Oily skin is only oily on top and
dry below, a close friend had that problem.
In that case, you could possibly use the restoring
night cream, too!
Since i do not know what is exactly causing
your oily skin, I also suggest you make sure
you eat healthy RAW foods like salads with COLD
PRESSED oils.
Thank you for your question. I hope i have helped
or at least pointed you in the right direction.
CA
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Carol Alt Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Hi Laura,
I think that the washes, both face and body,
would be appropriate.
They have no synthetic chemicals and should
not irritate your skin.
And yes, you are correct, the eye and the Mask
should be fine, too!
How about a light weight day time moisturizer?
Our Normal to sensitive skin line should be
just fine.
I also think that the Bath Kit with the Bath Salts
and the Body Moisture (it also has the body
wash so you don’t have to order that
separately. Check out ShopNBC for best prices!)
would be just amazing for your body-but also:
I think that while in the tub, the salts could
be nice to wash your face with to help bring
your skin back to proper PH. Give it a try
once at first and see what happens.
You see, the problem is that you are not in
front of me. So I am not sure WHY you have
such oily skin-Do you have a Dr. that you
work with?
I always recommend one- I have one myself!
The reason I am saying this is because oily
skin can be caused by several underlying
problems. Is your skin irritated by something
(possibly a chemical laden skin care or wash?)
and it is responding by making oils?
Or is it actually really dry underneath and only
oily on top? If that is the case, my sister had that problem
and she loves my products.
But I do not want you to just take my word for
it, you know?
I want you to run my products past your Dr.
to make sure they are just right for YOU!
Thank you so much for writing and i hope that
i have somewhat helped you out….
with Warm Regards,
CA
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Item Sku Qty Subtotal
Night Time Firming and Nourishing Face Cream 812705010020 1 $ 25.00
Subtotal $ 25.00
Shipping & Handling $ 7.75
Grand Total $ 32.75
Your Order #100007628 (placed on October 28, 2010)
I have purchased you night cream an am allergic. I would like to return the product but I cannot reach your team. This is my 4th e-mail with no responce.
What do I need to do to return the product.
Amy Spurlock
704-500-9305
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Carol Alt Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Hi Amy,
I am sorry no one has gotten back to you. I
was traveling and just signed on to catch up
with email.
No worries, i will find out what the protocol is
and we will gladly accept it back. It is
Thanksgiving today so this may have to wait
until Monday. Sorry to delay you longer.
By they way, the firming cream has egg whites
in it- perhaps this is causing your reaction….
Thank you for writing.
CA
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I need a phone number to order- can you tell me what that phone number is? cannot find on website
thank you
Cl
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Carol Alt Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hi CL,
I am sure the reason there is no number is because we are a small three man operation and we are only able to take orders by email.
I am sorry if this causes you hardship. One day i am hoping to grow to the point where we can take phone orders.
Do you think you could see your way to ordering online?
That would be such a great help!
Happy Holidays,
CA
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Hi Carol, I have bought the 4 piece kit from the Shopping Channel in Canada. I like the feel of your product. I have suffered from severe acne while a teen and have since always used sunscreen in some form whether it be in the foundation or in the day cream. I am now 40 and think that all my sunscreen use has saved my face somewhat. I wonder if you have a day cream coming out with some form of natural raw sunscreen if that is possible.
Thanks.
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Hi Christine,
I know, and everyone asks! But sunscreen goes into the realm of the FDA and it is regulated. Skin care is not regulated (which is why it is best if you use a skin care line you trust.)
I have been working on something but it is far from done and then will take forever to go thru the red tape and then if it is raw, they may or may not let me call it ‘sunscreen’.
In the meantime, perhaps you can use our day moisturizer to protect your skin from your makeup and then a light foundation with sunscreen?
thanks for asking. I hope one day to fulfill your wish. I am so happy you like my product!
Regards,
CA
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Hi, I am trying to purchase more products from the Shopping Channel in Canada, but am unable to get the full line. Love what i have tried so far but can’t see the point of using the line if it’s not available.
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Chris,
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!!
We will be coming to TSC on April 5th! I am sure we will have all that you need….
CA
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Hi Carol,
Love your products and I’m trying to buy some more. The Canadian Shopping Channel doesn’t seem to carry the body wash or the body moisturizer any more.
I tried to order online from your Raw Essentials site but it doesn’t accept Canadian addresses. The country code only accepts US and then the form can’t be sent. I tried contacting somebody through the email form on that site and it also comes up with an error message saying the message can’t be sent. Please help. I really want to get some more of your products.
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Carol Alt Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Oh man! I know! the moisturizer is the BEST!
We are coming up to The Shopping Channel on April 5th. The reason we cannot ship to Canada is as per our agreement with TSC.
Sorry about that. But the good news is we are on our way to YOU!
CA
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