safe cosmetics

for christmas i got this book: Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano
it's really great for the gal who wants to be green, but is daunted by all the
steps she has to take. This book walks you through those steps chapter by chapter.
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Sophie tells us all to take as long as we need for each chapter.
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chapter 2 is where i have stuck pretty much.
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it's called: Step 2: Green Goddess
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what i learned was scary.
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it was all about shampoos, soaps, makeup, self-care items...
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you can go to this website Skin Deep, type into the purple box at the top - the name exactly of the product or just general, like Burts Bees, Dove, Garnier Fructis... and search the products available.
it will tell you what's in your product, and on a scale from 0-10 (0= awesome, nothing in it to 10= you will drop dead of cancer immediately by using this *scale made by liz cannon)
They rank chemicals by how known they are for carcinogens and neurotoxins and things of that nature.
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it was scary
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Sophie says she doesnt use anything higher than a 5; but after seeing what was in 5's, I didn't want to use anything higher than a 3.
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I mean everything has bad stuff in it; the shampoo cameron was using so his hair doesnt thin, actually has chemicals in it that can make him lose his hair... WHAT???
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I will list some chemicals she has in her book, and also some products that i can afford that i like so far!
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She calls these RED ALERT items:
1. Coal Tar: used in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams, it's a known carcinogen. Coal tar-based dyes such as FD&C blue 1 which are used in toothpastes, and FD&C green 3 which is used in mouthwash should be avoided.
2. Fragrance: hs ubiquitous termi used to mask hundreds of ingredients, including phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental harm.
3. hydroquinone: commonly found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers; it's a neurotoxin and is allergenic.
4. Aluminum: Often used in eye shadow as a color additive and also used in deodorants, it is listed as carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic.
5. triclosan: this chemical is used in almost all antibacterial products, including soap, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Triclosan is often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic and can also weaken your immune system, decrease fertility, and cause birth defects.
6. P-Phenylenediamine: This is a chemical that has given a bad name to regular hair dye. It can damage your nercous system, cause lung irritation, and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as: 1,4 Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiame and 4-Phenylenediame.
7. Lead and Mercury: Lead could appear in toothpaste as a naturally occuring contaminant of hydrated silica. It is a neurotoxin that also appears as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in a cosmetic preservative called thimerosol.
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Awesome.
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ORANGE ALERT:
1. Mineral Oils: they coat the skin like plastc so it cannot breathe. They slow down the skin's natural functions and cell development, resulting in premature aging. They come in the form on Petroleum Distillates (which are carcinogens and are prohibited in Europe). Also appears as: petroleum or liquid paraffin.
2. Parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, -propyl, isobutyl-)
Parabens are chemical preservatives that have been id'd as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function.
3. Phthalates (hidden under the term: fragrance): causes a brad range of birth defects, and lifelong reproductive impairment in labs animals exposed during pregnancy and after birth. They are also a hormone mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormone processes, raising concerns about implications for increased breast cancer risk. they have been banned in the European Union but not in the US.
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES):
This ingrediant is a foaming agent that is derived from coconut oil. It is used in brake fluid and antifreeze and also in a huge variety of skin care products, including toothpaste, bubble bath, shampoo, and soap.
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding SLS, as many feel that it is not only a proven skin irritant but also could be carcinogenic. The Environmental Working Group considers it to be a carcinogen; others say it is pone to contamination by a probable carcinogen called 1, 4-dioxane, which is used for foaming ability. Many other groups blame the hype on the natural skin care industry, who want to make a buck or two flogging their SLS-free products.
5. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
6. Formaldehyde-Producing Preservatives
7. Talc
8. Acrylates and Methacrylates
9. alcohol, isopropyl (SD-40)
10. Tocopherol Acetate
11. Phenonip12. Quaternary Ammonium Compouds (Quats)
12. Cationic Surfactants
13. Benzyl Alcohol
14. Silicone Derived Emollients
15. Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961C
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nuts.
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I like:
almost anything Burts Bees is safe:
Burts Bees Rosemary and Mint Shampoo Bar
-it foams up nicely, smells good, and makes my hair feel very clean
-about $5
Burts Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Face Wash
-creamy, and tingly, i use a washcloth for exfoliation
-~$8
Kiss My Face Olive Oil and Green Tea Bar Soap
-smells awesome, probably has more than "1/4 moisurizing cream"
-$3.50
Toms Lavender 12-hour deoderant
-doesn't last 12 hours
-only deo, not antipersperant
-like the smell
-i switch off and about 3 days a week use Dove deo/anti-p b/c i can't risk smelling on my 13 hours work days of pulling fat people up in bed...
-$4
Giovanni Natural Mousse
-smells good, strong hold
-$7.50
Burts Bees Milk and Honey Body Lotion
-$8
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More on these life saving things later.