A few posts ago, we talked about cell phones and cancer. It’s interesting that cell phones have attracted so much attention as a potential carcinogen while beauty products have been largely ignored.
Cell phones might be pinned to your head a few hours per day, but cosmetics (lotion, shampoo. soap, aftershave, foundation, lipstick, deodorant, etc.) are on your body all day long, from head to toe. They are quickly absorbed by your body’s largest organ (the skin) and enter the internal system quicker than the time it takes you to listen to a voicemail.
It has only been a year since I became really aware of cosmetic safety concerns. I had always just stayed away from animal testing and trusted that the ingredients were safe. I continue to be shocked by the information I’ve gathered since then. Really, some of these products have some seriously nasty chemicals in them. I really don’t like to tell people what to do- you know my mottos; make your own decisions, listen to your intuition, experience your own life journey, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, I’m going to put out an order right now:
Men and women, you must check out the Cosmetic Safety Database (called Skin Deep).
Skin Deep is a database created by researchers at the Environmental Working Group. Here’s what they have to say:
“Skin Deep pairs ingredients in more than 25,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind. Why did a small nonprofit take on such a big project? Because the FDA doesn’t require companies to test their own products for safety.”
As far as the cosmetic industry is concerned, the FDA is like a tuned-out babysitter with an iPod (basically stares in the other direction, largely distracted, but may shout some disciplinary words here and there). Just because a cosmetic is sold in the U.S. does not mean that it’s safe. We must be conscious and educated consumers to protect our health.
Skin Deep is really easy to use. Just search a brand, ingredient or company and you’ll get all the information you need to help you decide which products you would like to use. You can also check out the “What not to buy” section for some products to stay away from. This section even gives a handy list of products that contain PLACENTA. Yeah, that would be extracts from human and cow placenta used to soften skin and hair. Am I the only one that find that completely disgusting?!? I’m picturing a big cosmetic factory with employees hard at work in the “placenta room” creating the next new fad out of a cow’s afterbirth… oh goodness, I’m gagging now… Sorry, back to the topic…
I’ll keep posting my favorite cosmetic products on posts to come (I’ll have Charlie- the hubby- share his faves too). In the meantime, are there any safe products that you use and recommend? Share them here (comment below)! (No placenta products please.)
Breathe in, Peace out…
Aimee
This database is awesome. Thanks for posting it!
I agree Lynne. I just found out that my lotion is one of the most toxic. I can’t believe that all these products are made and sold. It should be illegal. These companies have got to know.
This is a great resource for baby products. I just checked three of my baby lotions and was shocked- I can’t believe I’ve been putting all these yucky things on my baby thinking it was healthy. I feel taken.
I had the same experience Jane. Two of my baby products were on the high toxic side. Crazy. I feel guilty, but it’s hard when you trust that these products are safe.
Did you throw your products out?
Yep. Made me mad too. I just bought them. But I don’t want to give em away cause then another baby will just get toxic products. Down the drain and recycled the bottles. (Of course now I just put those nasty products in the earth. Sorry everyone!)
Thanks for posting this Aimee. I am a fan of EWG. You can also sign up to get updates! Their updates are often scary to think about…but if you have little ones in your home…it’s worth the reality check!
Thanks for the great suggetion Kathy! You’re right, the updates are a huge eye-opener. Their monthly enewsletter is a great lil tool too. Here’s the address to sign up:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ewgroup/signUp.jsp?key=1008
I have been in the beauty profession for 13 years and like Amiee, just became aware in the last year of the toxins in the products I use, and have recommended to clients for years. I literally cried when I read “Not Just A Pretty Face” and felt like I had been lied to my whole life. I went on a mission to find healthy hair & skin products to sell at my salon and found out that not only is there no truth in labeling, but the labels are extremely deceptive. I encourage you to not just look at your skin care products but also your shampoo, conditioner & styling aids. When I heard hairspray being called “liquid plastic” I almost stopped breathing. I follow the guidelines on the cosmetic data safety list (EWG) when researching a new product to bring in and have completely changed my outlook on the beauty industry. The more noise we make the more they’ll listen. We make noise with our pocketbooks so start teaching your children what NOT to wear! There are great products out there we just have to really start looking at ingredients on labels. I have a free pocket guide I give out that you can keep in your wallet with a list of ingredients to avoid. Its really helpful when your shopping! Stop by Hairs To You! salon and pick one up! (sorry Amiee, shameless plug…)
Thanks for the plug Lorri! It’s true though, you have some great tools and info at your salon/shop. Lorri’s shop is at:
1603 County Rd. C in Roseville, MN
(“Hair’s to you!”- next to Byerly’s)
You can get some great gifts at Lorri’s shop and most importantly, HEALTHY beauty products.
Thanks for letting us know Lorri
Are you serious- Placenta?????? That’s absolutely disgusting! I’m gonna check all my products tonight on the database. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for your writing . Not a bad article . To cleanse your
face , I believe that you may like this article on taking care of your skin http://www.betweenclosefriends.com/2008/10/28/herbal-cosmetic-treatments-cleansers/
I loved Cosmetic Safety Database!
hanks for sharing your blog with all of us, very imformative.
[...] as discussed in an earlier post, the Cosmetic Safety Database is an awesome tool to find safer cosmetic [...]
I ran into the cosmeticdatabase yesterday and as soon I began reading how many cancer-causing chemicals my cosmetics and toiletries contained I started tossing stuff in the garbage…It’s amazing that so many pricey and supposedly top-quality brands such as Chanel,Clarins and Elizabeth Arden can be soooo toxic, even my perfume, yuck!…I feel that as a consumer it is now my responsability to check out the labels before I purchase anything I’ll put on my face and in my bathroom cabinet besides spreading out the word on the rubbish we put on our bodies everyday!
I know MetalMum, isn’t it shocking to see how many potentially toxic ingredients are in these products? You’re right it is definitely the consumers responsibility to check the label. The cosmetics industry is a self-regulating industry. That means they have no outside body to tell them what they should or shouldn’t put in their products (except in the use of color additives, which the FDA claims to regulate).
And, to increase profits, these companies often choose the cheapest ingredients and only pay attention to harmful effects to the skin. They simply test for an immediate reaction visible on the skin (e.g. a rash, redness, bumps, etc.). If no reaction, then the product/ingredient generally gets the stamp of approval. There is little, if any, concern for internal or long-term effects.
I have to say that I have always loved what cosmetics and skincare has done for me, but some time difficult to find the right products for my skin.
Your posting very useful for me.
Thanks
Dile