The average woman absorbs over 2.2 kilos (5 pounds) of chemicals from beauty products every year. Only 11% of the 25,000 chemicals in these products have actually been tested. Many of these have been shown to have links to cancer and other diseases. Cosmetic companies would say that the levels are so low that it is not dangerous. However, we put on an average of 12 products or 170 different chemicals before we even walk out the door – every day!Scientists have a principle called the precautionary principle. Basically it says that until you can prove it is safe, you should assume it is not. I call this the ‘Does by Bum Look Big in this Dress?’ principle. Basically my principle says if you have to ask the salesperson (or husband, boyfriend or significant other) whether your bum looks big in the dress, pants, whatever, then it does (no matter what the salesperson says). End of story. Do not buy it, especially if it is at one of those shops that will only give you a store credit. Same goes for beauty products…if the ingredient list is as long as a six year old’s Christmas list and if the names bring back awful memories of learning some chemistry table, don’t buy it.
So what is a glam green girl to do? First you need to understand which ingredients are most dangerous. Glamorously Green has a cheat sheet with the key ingredients to avoid. Be prepared, most of the products you have will contain fragrance, parabens, phthalates and sodium laurel sulfates all of which are not great – eg linked to cancer, can cause birth defects, are endocrine disrupters, etc. For more specific information about products or ingredients, go to the Cosmetic Database at Skin Deep. It has over 25,000 products listed there. You can search by product or ingredient and it gives you a danger rating from 0 to 10 (0 being the safest). A lot of your stuff will come up above the 5 mark so be prepared (you can spend hours here as it is completely fascinating). You will be surprised as even brands like Aveda and Body Shop have products with high ratings. Just remember, not all products are reviewed so it is only a sample of a brand's overall performance.
At the same time, this database is not perfect. Suki, one of the most gorgeous natural skin care lines, points out that the database does not take into account whether a product is naturally derived, organic, or natural, etc. So, if a product lists fragrance as an ingredient, which carries a very high rating, it will tend to have a higher warning...this is true whether the fragrance is synthetic or an essential oil. So how do you know what to buy? I tend to use a combination of the database, a few expert blogs, the Gorgeously Green website, my own research on the company and common sense.
Instead of throwing everything out, I have taken a phased approach to greening my beauty. I started in the kid’s bathroom and was horrified when I found out what was in their stuff, even products that were supposedly ‘natural’ (the claim natural only means that it contains at least 5% natural ingredients). Their bathroom has gone through a serious makeover. For me, I have thrown away anything that was off the scale bad and I am slowly replacing other products as I run out. I promise to fill you in on all the wonderful products I am finding. As a start, here are some great brands for some of the basics that you can find here in Australia:
Miessence: An internationally certified organic product range made in Australia. Fantastic range of moisturisers, shampoos and body washes (great for kids as well). Skin Deep Ratings: 0 to 2 (low hazard).
Aromababy: A natural organic range of baby and maternity care products, made in Australia. Skin Deep Ratings: 0 to 2 (low hazard). Note: not all products tested. Available online or click here for Stockists.
Burt’s Bees: Started out making beeswax lip balms...now a full range of gorgeous natural products. I love the Avocado Butter Hair Treatment and the Grapefruit and Sugarbeet Shampoo and Conditioner. Skin Deep Ratings: 0 to 6. The eye cream is the only product in the range with a 6 rating. The majority are in the 0 to 4 range. Available at David Jones.
Juice: A great skincare range available at David Jones or you can get it the Skincare Store online at wonderful prices. I am using the apple range. Skin Deep Ratings: 2 to 4.
If you live in the US there are so many wonderful options. Saffron Rouge is a great website that offers tons of free samples and a 60 day money back guarantee.
Hope that helps....there is more to come. Please remember to check the products at Skin Deep and use your cheat sheet! Let me know what other great products you have found or if you have any questions. xxx
Sources: Gourgeously Green, Not Just a Pretty Face - The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry, Skin Deep
7 comments:
Now I know what to ask for as Xmas presents! Fascinating.
Hi Patty
I met you on the promenade on Bondi 5 or so years ago very briefly. My family used to ski with Justin & Tom and my sister Samanatha Graham went to Uni with Justin.
Kathryn Carroll (old flatmate, good friend) just sent me the link to your blog. Congratulations.
My wife and I moved to the US to launch a green consumer business 4 years ago so it is great to read a blog with the Aussie perspective. I started blogging (http://gdiapers.typepad.com/) when we arrived days before the last US election - it is such a great way to record life!
Anyways, you may have seen this video from Dove - I love it and says so much about the beauty industry!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
Cheers
Jason
Hi Jason!
What a small world. I just saw Sam the other night at an Australian Conservation Foundation.
Thanks for the video....I will also come and check out your product...have started investigating eco friendly nappies here so would love some advice.
Pattyxxx
There is a gorgeous Australian skin care line called Sodashi which uses 100 percent natural products including in the manufacturing and packaging processes. The products can be purchased online but if you would like to try them beforehand the Four Season's spa in Sydney uses the range. They are also available in many of the leading spas internationally a list of which is available on their website.
Joanna - Thanks so much for the suggestion - I will give Sodashi a try.
Pattyxxx
I really like it hair beauty products...currnetly i'm useing this product.550x10
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