Beauty Detox

How to make sure what you use to look good on the outside won't make you sick on the inside. by Tracy Hepler


Lately, "detoxing" is all the rage - from the Master Cleanse to  Blueprint  to  iZO. While we're all busy detoxing our bodies, we may be forgetting another source of unecessary chemicals and additives - in the very products we use to look prettier. That question seems to come up daily as we discover the cancer and birth defect causing ingredients inside of our favorite hair dyes, nail polishes and even lipsticks. 

There is no required safety testing in the cosmetic industry, so companies are free to use any chemical ingredient or component, regardless of the health risks associated with them. In fact the government and FDA does not monitor the chemical ingredients found in cosmetic products.  So far the U.S. has only banned 10 chemicals as unsafe for consumer use.  When you compare that to the EU, which has effectively banned 1,100 chemicals from their products, it seems that our government is lacking when it comes to protecting us. 


So what are the best ways to learn how to detox your beauty routine?

Learn:  What ingredients to avoid and get on a path to greener, healthier, more natural beauty.  An organization known as The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has dedicated themselves to researching chemical ingredients found in most major cosmetic brands.  You can log onto their database with your favorite product and go line by line, ingredient by ingredient to see what it is you are putting into your body.  They have also come out with a convenient shopper's guide to carry with you at all times to that you can ensure you never buy products with the worst offenders. 

Shop Smart: There are tons of amazing lines. Josie Maran Cosmetics is serious about their commitment to the environment.  Not only are their ingredients safe and of the highest quality (you could eat them if you wanted to.)  They also package all of their makeup in biodegradable containers, so they won't be sitting in the landfill for hundreds of years. 

Burt's Bees products have been on the market for years and are somewhat of a staple when in comes to safe cosmetics.  My favorite thing about them is the widespread availability.  You can find their products in drugs stores, Target and even Barnes and Nobles.  They are also very affordable and can fit into almost any budget.


Green lines can also pack a punch when it comes to tackling under eye circles, fine lines, crows' feet and the rest of the unwanted bunch.  Dr. Hausckha offers high end products made from organic and biodynamically grown sources (their own garden) and there are no chemical additives in their packaging.  .  They even allow you to shop by ingredient on their website.  For more inspiration check out these green beauty picks from the writers at yourdailythread.com

Support:  Companies and brands that use certified organic ingredients.  Visit stores in L.A. like The Green Life in Santa Monica and Vert in Venice who are committed to only carrying products who score the highest in consumer safety on the database. 

Share:  If you see your friends using unsafe products, educate them.  If you feel uncomfortable approaching them you can view some talking points here. 


Speak:  Tell your old favorite companies that you don't want, parabens, phalates, dioxins, formaldehyde, and the rest of the chemical crew in your products anymore.  Remember in business the costumer is always right!

DIY:  When it comes to ingredients in your cosmetics, less is usually more.  Look for products with fewer ingredients and names that you don't need a chemistry book to understand.  Better yet, get creative at home and see what you can come up with.  Try some basic DIY recipes for safe, home made products.

As a rule of thumb, always be sure to check the ingredients of your products.  Remember that natural and organic don't mean anything unless they come from a certified source.

Share/Save/Bookmark

 

Bliss World, LLC