Spring is here, and it's time for some deep cleaning-- but it's not just our homes that deserve attention! This month, take the next step towards greater sustainability and better health by cleaning and greening your personal care routine. There are all sorts of harmful ingredients in our facial cleansers, moisturizers, hair care, and dental hygiene products that can have negative impacts on our bodies, as well as the environment. But not to worry, there are ways to keep yourself safer and make better choices. When it comes to keeping your medicine cabinet as non-toxic as possible, knowledge is your best tool. Here's a look at what to avoid, how to do your research, and some great ways to shake up your personal care strategy and add more green to your clean.
What To Avoid
*Note: this section primarily references the David Suzuki Foundation's "Dirty Dozen" list and the Environmental Working Group's "Top Tips for Safer Products". Visit both sites for detailed toxic ingredient lists, including many common chemicals that aren't listed below.
Did you know the FDA requires almost no pre-market safety testing for cosmetics or personal care products? Only color additives and ingredients considered over-the-counter drugs require any sort of approval before they hit store shelves, meaning most of the products we use are legally allowed to contain numerous ingredients that are either known or suspected to be dangerous to human health and to the environment. These products are absorbed into our bloodstream in many ways: through our skin, through our respiratory tract when they are inhaled, or through our digestive tract when ingested (think toothpaste, mouthwash, or even lipstick). In addition to the health risks the ingredients themselves pose, there's also the matter of how they're produced-- many are derived from petroleum, or from other chemicals that are created and/or extracted in ways that are decidedly un-friendly to the planet.
Unfortunately there are too many synthetic ingredients to name, but here are five that you should absolutely stay away from:
-Phthalates (especially dibutyl phthalate): Absorbed through the skin, phthalates are added to nail polish to make it more chip-resistant, and as a dye solvent. They are commonly found under the heading of "fragrance", an ingredient category where details legally remain completely undisclosed to consumers under the guise of manufacturer's trade secrets. Phthalates have been identified as harmful to the reproductive system (disrupting normal hormone function), and have been shown to reduce sperm count in men. They should especially be avoided by pregnant women, so if you're expecting, skip the manicure. Phthalates are considered highly toxic to aquatic organisms, and are used in non-cosmetic contexts as well, making a wide variety of plastics (like PVC) more flexible.
-Parabens ( especially propyl-, butyl-, isopropyl-, isobutyl-) : Like phthalates, parabens are absorbed into the body through the skin. They are widely used as preservatives, and women in particular are exposed to parabens on a daily basis through cosmetics. In addition to interfering with the reproductive system by disrupting hormones, they are suspected to be linked to breast and other cancers. Methylparaben can increase sun-related signs of skin aging by interacting with UVB. Despite low levels of parabens in most products, studies by the CDC nonetheless show a measurable presence in human urine samples.
-Formaldehyde: Classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency on Research on Cancer, formaldehyde is a preservative used in many cosmetics-- as well as an ingredient in toilet bowl cleaners, industrial wood resins, and vinyl flooring. Most of formaldehyde's risk comes through inhalation; it can irritate or worsen asthma. In addition to formaldehyde itself, many ingredients, such as Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium-15 are classified as formaldehyde releasers, meaning that they off-gas formaldehyde as a byproduct. While use of formaldehyde as an ingredient has declined slightly in recent years, formaldehyde releasers are found in a vast number of products.
-Triclosan: A known endocrine disruptor that is especially harmful to thyroid function and reproductive hormones, Triclosan is most frequently found in hand sanitizers, toothpastes, deodorant, and laundry soap. It is an antimicrobial chemical, but studies have shown that it actually has no added sanitizing or cleaning benefits over soap and water. It is also toxic to aquatic ecosystems. There are concerns that widespread use of triclosan is contributing to the proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
-Oxybenzone: According to the Centers for Disease Control oxybenzone is found in the bodies of nearly all Americans. Although it is currently included in proposed bans in Hawaii and parts of Florida for its role in damaging coral (along with sister sunscreen ingredient octinoxate), oxybenzone is dangerous to humans as an allergen and skin irritant. It is also associated with irregular birthweight in babies born to mothers exposed during their third trimester, and may also be a hormone disruptor. To learn more, check out this post from the Ocean Conservancy on how sunscreen harms the ocean (and how to make better purchasing choices when it's time to stock up), and this article on the current battle to make sunscreen safer for Americans.
This list is just a short primer-- there are many other ingredients you should be mindful of when you're shopping. Again, you can find more information on these and many other common harmful chemicals via the links provided at the top of this section. And next up, we'll dive into even more resources (with plenty of helpful links!) that will help you in your cleanup quest.
How To Take Action
Despite the current lack of federal regulation, there are lots of ways we can avoid exposure to dangerous substances and advocate for safer products. Here are some easy action steps you can take:
-First, start with a little research. When it comes to personal care and clean living (including home care and healthy eating categories), The Environmental Working Group's extensive SkinDeep database is the most comprehensive and reliable consumer resource on the web. It gives products a well-researched safety rating, and allows you to search products by name and learn about their ingredients (they also have plenty of articles to help you stay current on consumer safety issues). The EWG also provides a list of verified safe products, making your next shopping trip even easier. GoodGuide is another excellent searchable website with profiles of toxic ingredients in personal and home care products, with a special section on kid's products.
-Read labels carefully, and scan while you shop. Now that you know what to avoid, it's time to expand your label reading habit beyond groceries and into the beauty isle. While you're browsing, you can use the highly rated Think Dirty app, an easy on-the-spot reference that allows you to scan barcodes and receive instant ingredient information (for iPhone only). And don't forget to check labels when you re-purchase products you already know to be safe, because formulas can change over time.
-Join the movement. By doing your research, you're already taking a major step towards advancing the fight for cleaner personal care. But if you want to go a step further, check out the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. According to their website, the Campaign is dedicated to "work[ing] to protect the health of consumers, workers and the environment through public education and engagement, corporate accountability and sustainability campaigns and legislative advocacy designed to eliminate dangerous chemicals linked to adverse health impacts from cosmetics and personal care products". Their website has loads of helpful facts and figures, and action alerts with ways for you to get involved and advocate for a safer consumer environment.
-Boost your favorite brands. Once you find brands you trust, let them know you appreciate them with positive reviews, likes, or social media shoutouts. Likewise, don't be shy about getting in touch to offer constructive criticism if a brand you enjoy makes a choice you know to be unsafe. This kind of consumer feedback gives your favorite clean brands incentive to keep up the good work, while increasing market pressure on "dirty" brands. If your faves are hard to find, use your consumer power and ask your local drugstore or other retailer to begin stocking them. Bonus: skincare and cosmetics brands typically formulate their products to perform best when they're all used together, so reducing the number of brands you're loyal to may even give your daily regimen some added oomph.
-Create your own products at home. If you really want to exit the chemical stream, avoid commercial products altogether by creating your own! Doing it yourself isn't just a great way to ensure you avoid harmful toxins, it's also a big money saver and a lot of fun. Many DIY recipes utilize fresh or dried herbs and plant oils (including essential oils), providing a chance to deepen your connection with nature starting with your own garden-- the herbs you grow don't just belong on your plate, they're perfect for nourishing your body from the outside in as well. If you're not sure where to start, try this herbal facial steam recipe from local clinical herbalist Patty Liu of Free Flow Botanicals, who taught a past Sustainable CoCo class on botanical beauty. It's the perfect easy project to start you off on the DIY path. Ready to learn more? Click HERE for a slew of other nourishing green recipes. And, don't forget to keep your eyes out for future natural beauty classes on the SCOCO schedule!
Replies