Yea, yea, I know, no ethical consumption under capitalism, but presuming that I want to not have skin that makes me want to scratch it off like it’s a band-aid, where would I get Shea butter to minimize the slave labor involved? I know you can get coffee that isn’t slave labor coffee if you buy it from the Zapatistas, does anything like that exist for Shea butter?
I like making DIY body butter, Shea butter based ones feel amazing and are relatively cheap when made myself
PS I know it’s silly and liberal to be this concerned about the origin of products, but it sort of dampers your moisturizing routine when every time you put on your products it reminds you of the horrors of this world
PS I know it’s silly and liberal to be this concerned about the origin of products, but it sort of dampers your moisturizing routine when every time you put on your products it reminds you of the horrors of this world
It is not “silly” nor “liberal” to be concerned about the origins of products, what the hell? It’s liberal to think you’ll change the world from buying slop at a different store, and it’s liberal to beat yourself up over unavoidable products, but you do have the ability to cause a little bit less suffering in this world. I don’t care if it’s “insignificant.” Someone who mindlessly consumes because le capitalism oh weeellll is worthless. It reminds me of the Christians I know who love to talk about the word of god and how devoted they are but can’t be bothered by fuck all to help a person in need because “you can’t trust them. this world is too selfish and evil.”
Not talking about you specifically of course since you’re aware of this exploitation and asking for suggestions (just using the general ‘you’ throughout this rant). But I’ve seen too many people justify their laziness with “no ethical consumption” nonsense when they damn well have the means to exploit just a fraction less. There exists ‘less exploitative’ products out there. People just need to fucking ask instead of taking the path of learn resistance.
If you’re willing to beat someone’s ass for shrugging off Israeli genocide and consooming their soda shit, then you better be willing to beat someone’s ass for shrugging off the exploitation of Africans and consooming Nestle, and you better be willing to beat someone’s ass for buying a new phone every year. If you’re not willing to drink Starbucks in front of an Arab or flex a diamond ring in front of an Angolan then you gotta ask why you’re willing to do it in private.
I agree with you but I defaulted to the argument in the post because it’s easier than defending an entire moral position against well-read communists who are very determined to win an argument.
Sorry I don't have a recommendation for shea oil in particular but I can suggest an alternative direction for research. Native Forest is a brand that produces coconut products and markets itself at vegetarians/vegans, claiming to not use monkeys to pick the coconuts and that all labor is paid for. I haven't personally verified any of this but it could be good to look into! My thinking is that coconut oil can be used similarly to shea butter, especially if you combine it with other stuff.
Sadly no, coconut oil is extremely comedogenic which means it can cause tons of acne. It is very moisturizing afaik but it needs more and probably more complicated ingredients to ensure it doesn’t cause acne.
