Striving4Zen

1. Start at the end where preservatives are listed. Try to avoid:
   
• Words ending in “paraben”
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidsazolidinyl urea
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)
  
2. Next, check the beginning of the ingredients list. Here you’ll find the soap, surfactant, or lubricant that has been added to make the product work. Try to avoid ingredients that start with “PEG” or have an “-eth” in the middle (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
   
3. Finally, read the middle ingredients. Here you’ll look for some common – but not essential - additives that may bring excess hazard: fragrance and dyes. On the label look for “FRAGRANCE,” “FD&C,” or “D&C.”

Thanks to the EWG!

Labels: environmental working group, EWG, Ingredients, living holistically, personal care, skin care, toxic

Do you know that your nail polish probably contains harmful chemicals? Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate, just to name a few. But growing concern and awareness has spawned demand for a greener and chemical-free manicure. And now there's an cheat sheet to know which brands are safe at the shop or salon.

The National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance surveyed product manufacturers and found that 74% of polishes were entirely "three free." Great news!! If you're curious whether your favorite brand is in the clear, print the downloadable card — it's as easy as one, two, three when you cut, fold, and save the wallet-sized sheet as a reference.

Thanks!

Labels: health trend, manicure, nail salons, personal care, toxic, toxins

Even beauty brands are taking on “inner beauty” lately.

A growing number of companies have started to explore “nutraceuticals” - water that will clear up your acne, supplements for supermodel-shiny hair - even Henri Bendel is jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve just unveiled a sleek new space to showcase their exclusive partnership with the upscale supplement brand FunctionaLab.

FunctionaLab launched with hundreds of lab-tested and health-concern specific nutritional supplements. From customized programs to antioxidant-boosted elixirs, all are aimed at enhancing outer beauty through inner health.

The space is manned by licensed dietitians who walk you through a 10-minute lifestyle questionnaire aimed at identifying what specific parts of your diet are lacking and what areas of your health and wellness you want to improve.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Labels: beauty, cool new product, FunctionaLab, Henri Bendel, Holistic Health, NYC, personal care, supplements

First off, oxybenzone is an organic chemical used in sunscreens to filter UV rays and is a penetration enhancer, helping other chemicals penetrate the skin. Last Spring the CDC released a study that 97% of Americans had oxybenzone in their blood. This widely used ingredient has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. Aside from sunscreen, this chemical is used in moisturizers, lip balms, and lip sticks.

Since oxybenzone in an ingredients in well over 600 sunscreens, it can be a challenge to find ones that don't contain it. Here are a few options:

• Natural Sun SPF 25 Sunscreen for Active Lifestyles by Aubrey Organics ($8.50/4 oz.): It is a broad spectrum sunscreen and although the label doesn't say it is water- or sweatproof, it is the brand's sunscreen for water activities.
• Oat Protein Sunscreen SPF 30 by Kiss My Face ($13/4 oz.): Water-resistant and broad spectrum, this sunscreen uses the mineral titanium dioxide to block the sun's rays.
• SPF 30 Sunscreen by Vanicream ($15/4 oz): This sunscreen is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't block your pores or cause blackheads. It is a broad spectrum sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

It pays to read sunscreen labels and look for ones that use minerals to block the sun's rays, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It can be difficult to find a sunscreen that is both non-comedogenic and waterproof. It might be well worth your money to invest in a sunscreen for just your face that covers both the requirements, and use a less expensive sunblock for the rest of your body. Do wear a protective hat that wicks when you're outside and active.

Source

Labels: oxybenzone, personal care, sunscreen, sunshine, toxins

No more tears, but something more harmful lurks inside?

That's what the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics would lead you to believe. The coalition of health, environmental, and consumer groups — armed with a letter signed by nearly 50 groups totaling some 1.7 million members — approached Johnson & Johnson to ask that the company reformulate its products to be free of chemicals suspected of causing cancer.

The substances in question are 1,4-dioxane (a byproduct of the manufacturing process) the preservative formaldehyde, which is slowly released by a chemical called Quaternium-15, both probable human carcinogens . . . and both found in the much-loved Johnson's Baby Shampoo, marketed as the "number-one choice of hospitals."

According to a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson:

The trace levels of certain compounds that were noted by the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. Many regulatory agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe.

The quantity in question in the baby shampoo is 210 parts per million of formaldehyde and a "low level" of 1,4-dioxane, amounts thought to be absorbed by the skin. But if the two chemicals were food additives, they'd have to be tested before being sold to prove they didn't contain dangerous chemicals . . . and these two would fail. Since the FDA is not involved in cosmetic product regulation, the point is (somewhat) lost but shocking nonetheless.

SOURCE

Labels: 1.4-dioxane, chemicals, FDA, formaldehyde, health and safety, Johnson's Baby Shampoo, personal care, toxic

After launching its successful Message on a Mirror initiative to give beauty junkies a chance to lash out at the FDA for not banning certain harmful ingredients often found in cosmetics, Best in Beauty is at it again.

This time, the advocacy group has come up with a mnemonic device to help you remember which ingredients in your personal care products should send up red flags: “Pretty Products For Healthy People Minus Many Lousy Chemical Substances,” which translates to Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Formaldehyde, Hydroquinone, Petroleum, Mercury, Mineral Oil, Lead, Colorants, and Sodium Laurel Sulfate, respectively. Yeah, it’s a little long-winded, but we’re guessing that mathematics’ “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” took a little while to catch on, too. Give it time.

Source

Labels: beauty, Best in Beauty, mineral oil, personal care, phthalates, propylene glycol, skin care, toxins

The NaTrue-Label provides guidance and reassurance to consumers worldwide.

It is:

• Quality driven: Highest standards in naturalness and performance
• Comprehensive: Distinction between Natural & Organic Cosmetics
• Open to all: Membership in NaTrue is not a condition for certification
• Not for profit: NaTrue’s sole interest is to provide guidance to consumers
• Transparent: Criteria are clear & publicly accessible

Source

Labels: certification, cosmetics, NaTrue Label, natural products, news, organic beauty, organics, personal care

From your personal care products, to household cleaning agents, to plastic food containers and baby bottles… Many of them contain ingredients that are known to be toxic or cancer-causing.

Top Cancer-Causing Products in the average home, as compiled by the National Cancer Prevention Coalition, which includes:

• Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder with talc
• Crest Tartar Control toothpaste
• VO5 Hair Conditioner
• Clairol Nice-n-Easy Hair Color
• Cover Girl Replenishing Natural Finish Make Up
• Ajax cleanser
• Lysol disinfectant
• Zud Heavy Duty Cleanser

Read more....

Labels: baby powder, cancer, Mercola, personal care, toxic

A hidden cancer-causing petrochemical has been found in dozens of children’s bath products and adults’ personal care products, at higher than acceptable levels.

Laboratory tests released today revealed the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in products such as Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Huggies Baby Wash, Johnson’s Baby Wash, Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Bubble Bath. The tests also found the carcinogen in Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many other personal care products, including those labeled natural like JASON and Nature's Gate.

To avoid 1,4-Dioxane, the OCA urges consumers to search ingredient lists for indications of ethoxylation including: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names. In general, the OCA urges consumers to avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients. "When it comes to misbranding organic personal care products in the US, it's almost complete anarchy and buyer beware unless the product is certified under the USDA National Organic Program," says Cummins.

READ YOUR LABELS!

Source & Source

Labels: 1, 4-Dioxane, cancer, chemicals, organic, personal care, toxic

Just when you cleared out the bisphenol A baby bottles and recalled toys, now a study shows that phthalates, the chemicals that make plastics flexible and are used in fragrance making are a cause for concern.

An Associated Press article said a small study shows that the products you use to freshen up baby — from shampoo to lotion — can potentially cause reproductive problems.

It said:

In the study, they were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who'd been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products.

Phthalates (pronounced thowl-ates) are under attack by some environmental advocacy groups, but experts are uncertain what dangers, if any, they might pose. The federal government doesn't limit their use, although California and some countries have restricted their use.

Animal studies have suggested that phthalates can cause reproductive birth defects and some activists believe they may cause reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls.

Labels: baby bottles, BPA, personal care, phthalates, toxic, toxins

In response to growing consumer interest and confusion about natural personal care products, Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has developed a new Premium Body Care standard and labeling seal of approval, setting a new industry benchmark. The new standard raises the bar for defining quality natural personal care and helps consumers decipher which body care products in its Whole Body departments contain the most natural and highest quality ingredients.

Key highlights of the new Premium Body Care standard include:
  -- Preservatives -- While few are truly benign, some are necessary in body
     care products, especially water-based products. The Premium Body Care
     standard allows only milder preservatives that are shown to function
     properly -- such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate -- yet have a
     lower likelihood of causing cosmetic-related allergies and
     sensitivities. Parabens and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (i.e.
     diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin) are unacceptable.
  -- Surfactants -- Used for cleaning, degreasing, emulsifying, conditioning
     and creating foam, these ingredients often irritate the skin and can
     remove essential fatty acids. The Premium Body Care standard allows
     only the most gentle types available, including decyl polyglucose and
     sodium stearoyl lactylate.
  -- Fragrance -- Only natural essential oils and components of natural
     essential oils are allowed as fragrances.
  -- Sunscreen -- Only physical sunscreen, such as zinc oxide or titanium
     dioxide as better alternatives to those containing chemical sunscreens,
     such as oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate.

Full PR

Another Article relevant to the OASIS Organic Industry Standard

Labels: OASIS, personal care, Premium Body Care, Whole Foods

Baking soda as face wash

Washing your face with dilute baking soda solution is a great way to remove old make-up and slough off the dead skin cells for a fresher look.

Baking soda to clean your hair

Remove residue that styling products and shampoo may leave behind: Add a½ a tsp of baking soda to your shampoo. Rinse and condition as usual.

Baking soda as dry shampoo

If your hair has become too oily and limp and you don’t have the time for a wash, just sprinkle baking soda, a bit of talcum powder on your hairbrush and comb through your hair. This will absorb excess oils and freshen up your hair instantly.

See more...

Labels: Baking Soda, DIY, personal care

Labels: environment, innovative, natural products, Pangea Organics, personal care

Steer clear of active ingredients like alcohol (it's very toxic if ingested -- especially for kids) and Benzalkonium chloride (linked to respiratory problems).

Many soaps (and even cosmetics!) use triclosan, a culprit known to disrupt endocrine function (aka hormones). (Search the Skin Deep cosmetic database to see if your soap does.)
Beware of products that bill themselves as "natural"-- EO Organic Hand Sanitizer and Soapopular, though they still contain alcohol or Benzalkonium chloride.

Our pick for squeaky-clean hands: Botanical-based CleanWell Hand Sanitizer. Thanks to a blend of essential oils like thyme, orange and oregano, it gets hands spic-n-span without any of the hazardous side effects. Plus, it's Mother Earth-friendly.

Bottom line: Washing with chemical-free soap and water may still be the gold standard, but getting your hands on the right sanitizer works, too.

Thanks!

Labels: hand sanitizers, personal care, toxic

Natural product manufacturers are looking to the mass market as their number-one avenue for growth in 2008, especially this March, when Target commits to stocking up to 8 feet of these items in all 1,591 of its stores.

Target's embrace of natural care items speaks volumes to the validity of the category in the mass channel, manufacturers said. The chain, which is widely viewed as the hippest in the industry, will push sales of natural and organic body lotions, face creams and shampoos even higher in an already explosive industry.

Read More....

Labels: growing market, health trend, natural products, organic, personal care

Putting chemicals on your skin is actually far worse than ingesting them, because when you eat something the enzymes in your saliva and stomach help break it down and flush it out of your body. When you put these chemicals on your skin, however, it is absorbed straight into your blood stream without filtering of any kind, so there's no protection against the toxin.

The five pounds of toxic chemicals per year you may be absorbing from the use of toiletries and beauty products are largely going directly to your delicate organs. It's no wonder that they have been linked to deadly side effects like cancer.

Parabens, which may be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216, have shown particularly troubling links to cancer. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health stated nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are toxic. Women are becoming more aware of this issue, and there are more natural cosmetics available today than in years past. But remember that labels do not tell the whole story. For more on how to select natural products, see Not All Natural Beauty Products are Natural.

There are no federal certifications or official guidelines for beauty products, so anyone can claim that such a product is natural or organic. Some "organic" beauty products contain only a single-digit percentage of organic ingredients.

If you want to stay beautiful, it is much better to do it by keeping yourself fit and healthy, rather than covering yourself with toxic chemicals. There are many great natural and safe cosmetic products out there. I hope to highlight some later this year, but in the meantime many of your health food stores are a good start to find them.

Source

Labels: beauty, cosmetics, dry skin, Mercola, natural products, personal care, toxins

During the 12 months through Sept. 9, Americans spent $150 million on the top three mass-market natural personal care brands, including Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Tom’s of Maine, an increase of $51 million over the year before, according to Information Resources Inc., a market research firm. Meanwhile, sales of organic personal care items reached $350 million last year, an increase of $68 million over 2005, according to manufacturers’ data compiled by the Organic Trade Association, an industry group.
“We’re seeing an increased consciousness that what you put on your body is as important as what goes in your body,” said Jeremiah McElwee, the senior coordinator in charge of personal care at Whole Foods, which is the company’s fastest-growing department. “The biggest impetus for buying natural or organic body care is the perceived health benefit.”
It would seem logical to assume that common ingestible ingredients like olives or soy would naturally be healthier for the skin and body than hard-to-pronounce, multisyllabic industrial cosmetic ingredients like the preservative methylchloroisothiazolinone. But representatives for the government and the beauty industry, as well as some environmental activists, acknowledge that there is no published scientific proof to support the notion that plant-based cosmetics are safer, healthier or more effective for people.

source

Labels: NY Times, organic, organic make-up, personal care

Natural personal care is growing at a rate five times that of other businesses, said retailers. Brands are popping up left and right promising "natural" benefits.

Ideally, natural items will be made with at least 95 percent natural ingredients and contain no ingredients with any potential suspected human health risks. Ingredients that should never be used include parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, glycols, phthalates, diethanolamine or DEA and formaldehyde.

Labels: natural products, personal care, skincare

1. Chemical chaos—look at the label
The biggest and most complicated issue regarding the cosmetics we use are the unregulated chemicals that are used to make them. From the consumer’s point of view there are certain common substances to look out for (more on that below in the Get Techie section). The best advice is to learn the main ones to avoid and then check the product ingredient label. Or rather than scouring every label, you can also choose a cosmetics company that has signed the CSC’s compact and uses certified organic and natural ingredients.

2. No sweat—aluminum-free deodorant
Aluminum, which is commonly used in antiperspirants, has been found to not only cause skin irritation, but the inflammation caused may spread beyond the areas where the antiperspirant is being applied, leading to more general inflammation. Antiperspirants also have another downside: by blocking pores, they prevent the body from eliminating toxins through perspiration, which reduces the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Instead of using antiperspirant, try using natural deodorant brands that don’t contain aluminum, or try the crystal stick which uses natural mineral salts. (BBC report)

3. A natural smile?—toothpaste
Unfortunately, while we like a bright smile, many major brands of toothpaste contain chemicals like parabens, titanium dioxide for whitening, and high levels of fluoride. There has been concern for some time about the level of fluoride that we ingest on a daily basis both through drinking water and toothpaste. While we are told that fluoride helps fight tooth decay, high doses can also be poisonous. Since mid-1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated all toothpastes containing fluoride to carry a poison warning. Luckily, as with deodorants, there are natural toothpastes on the market. Many people also find that just using a bit of baking soda will do the trick as well.

3. Taming the mane—hair care
The number of products we women put in our hair must easily outnumber the amount we put on our skin. Shampoo, conditioner, serum, wax, gel, hair spray, color…the list goes on. Hair, like the skin, is extremely absorbent and all those products can contain potentially harmful chemicals. Watch out for: shampoos and conditioners containing petroleum products; hair dyes with carcinogenic coal tar (N.B. coal tar can also be present in strong dandruff and psoriasis shampoos); hairsprays and hair gels containing petroleum derivatives, formaldehyde, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance.

4. Oh so slick—petroleum-free products
Most of us aren’t too keen on the overuse of fossil fuels anymore. There are a surprising number of petroleum derivatives to be found in not only our cosmetics but also in other personal care products such as the plastics used in sanitary pads. Mineral oil, paraffin, and propylene glycol can be found as basic ingredients in the majority of cosmetic products. Once again, is it essential to read the ingredients and look for certified labels. One of the most obvious products using petroleum is lip balm and lip gloss—we’d go for the beeswax instead!

5. How did you get your tan?
There is much debate about the actual efficacy of SPF factors as well as studies into the potentially harmful ingredients used in sunscreens. According to The Ecologist, “Because sun creams encourage a false sense of security, we stay out in the sun far longer than is smart or safe. Few of us apply sun creams as regularly or as thickly as manufacturers recommend. Chemicals that provide sun protection are also potentially irritating to the skin, and irritated skin is more prone to sun damage. Emerging research also suggests that some of these chemicals are oestrogen mimics that persist in the environment and in the body.” We still think it’s important to protect our skin, so look for natural sun creams and/or cover up in the sun and stay out of the midday heat.

6. Cruelty free—no animal testing
We’re sure that even those of us who aren’t vegetarian or vegan would agree that testing cosmetics on animals is unnecessary and unethical. Look for the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) label on products to check they are cruelty free. It is the world's only international standard for cosmetic or toiletry products that are not animal tested. The HCS was launched in 1998 by an international coalition of animal protection groups from across the European Union and North America, including the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments.

7. Being kind to the earth—organic products
The above information might seem scary and cast all sorts of doubts over the products you are currently using, but in the Getting Techie section below we explain clearly the key ingredients to watch out for. On the positive side there are plenty of products that are not only cruelty free, but certified organic as well. A word of warning though, don’t be taken in by words such as Natural, Organic, or Hypoallergenic on the packaging; you need to make sure that the product has a certified label. You can look for the Eco-Cert label as well as the USDA Organic seal which is used in 80 countries around the world. Using organically produced ingredients ensures that not only are your cosmetics healthy for the environment, but it also means you don’t have to worry about your skin absorbing chemical residues either.

8. Toxic shock?—organic tampons and sanitary pads
It is well known that tampons come emblazoned with warnings about toxic shock syndrome. While rare, it still does occur in women who use super-absorbent and synthetic tampons. However TSS is not the only health danger in using these products. The chlorine bleaching that is used to make tampons and sanitary pads look “clean” produces dioxin, a known carcinogen and pollutant. Dioxin settles in the fat cells of our bodies and stays there for the rest of our lives, building up cumulatively over time. Therefore, increased exposure means increased risk. We recommend looking for 100% cotton tampons and sanitary pads, organic if possible.

9. Avoiding the landfill—menstrual cups
Another way of avoiding the toxins related to tampons and sanitary pads is to use a menstrual cup. This has several benefits. Not only is it reusable, but you will be saving money every month by not buying all those disposable products. Furthermore, if you are not buying them then you won’t be needing to dispose of them, therefore sending less to landfill. A menstrual cup is convenient, cheaper, healthier, and better for the environment too. There are cups made from rubber and silicone, however it is thought that the silicone cups are better for those who might have sensitive skin or are allergy prone.

Labels: going green, organic, personal care, skincare, tips

The Origins division of the Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. is trying to give "organic" a new meaning this fall with Origins Organics, its first prestige-market organic collection of U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified body, skin and hair care products.
The brand has been known for its green positioning, providing naturally based beauty products for 17 years. However, Origins waited to launch a fully certified and complete line until it could comply with U.S. regulations. "We wanted to be able to meet the highest level of requirements recognized by the federal government," said Daria Myers, global president and co-founder of Origins. "Until now, there has been no unified organization with the same requirements for all companies. "Six of the collection's nine products will carry the USDA organic seal: the lip balm, purifying tonic, face lotion, body spritz, massage oil and hair oil. While not USDA-certified, the face wash, body bar and lotion will each contain between 73 and 90 percent organic ingredients.

All items in the collection were manufactured by the following places: Cosmetic Essence, Inc., Active Organics, Vermont Soaps and Jason Naturals.

As part of the effort, the company is reformulating all of its core products to be paraben-free and converting its retail stores and manufacturing plants from conventionally derived electric power to wind-generated energy by July. In addition, Origins packaging material will soon be made up of half managed forest and post-consumer recycled fiber. In order to receive the USDA Certified Organic seal, Origins Organics products were required to meet the same stringent standards the USDA requires for food.

Put in place less than two years ago, the personal care regulations demand a product contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients — substances grown naturally with only approved fertilizers and pest controls — for it to be labeled "organic" or "certified organic." Under the guidelines, the remaining percentage must be composed of nonagricultural product ingredients found on the National Organic Program list.

"To expect personal care brands to meet the food standard is a high expectation. Origins has come up with amazing, cutting-edge ways to preserve and emulsify products, which allowed them to stay within the rules and deliver incredible products."
SOURCE

Labels: natural products, organic, Origins, personal care