I tended to use whatever shampoo/conditioner was on sale. Usually it was Garnier Fructis. On EWG Garnier Fructis shampoos and conditioners fall in the yellow zone with a 4, but if you look at the ingredients 7 of them are in the yellow zone and two are in the red zone.
I tried to go all-natural and make my own shampoo with castile soap, water, and a tiny bit of olive oil. I gave it a couple of weeks before my greasy, nasty, unmanageable hair declared it a total disaster. Too bad because it would have been dirt cheap! I settled on the same shampoo/body wash I was using on my eczema-prone kids: California Baby.
I really like this shampoo, but it is fairly expensive. I might see if I can water it down in the future. It is SLS-free, scores a 1 on EWG, and I do like that I can buy one bottle for the whole family to use. Because it's SLS-free it doesn't suds up as well as regular shampoo, but it's not too bad.
For conditioner I have switched to Beauty Without Cruelty. I have been using the Moisture Plus version (scores a 2 on EWG) only because I haven't located the Daily Benefits one yet (scores a 1). It costs about $6.50 for a bottle, but it lasts me a couple months and I don't need to use much. It has a really amazing honeysuckle scent, and I don't feel any difference in my hair from the conditioners I used before.
For toning (I tend to use toner in the morning before putting on my face lotion or as a make-up remover) I used to use Neutrogena Alcohol-free toner (scores a 5 on EWG). It is filled with parabens, so that's a no no. I switched to Dickinson's 100% Natural Botanicals Witch Hazel Daily Toner. It contains no parabens and scores a 1 on EWG. I can't tell a difference in quality, although the scent at first bothered me. I read a lot of reviews from other users who said the same thing. Shockingly, I adjusted to it and almost forgot to mention it here because it doesn't bother me anymore, but other girls said they just put a few drops of their favorite essential oil in to fix that issue. It is super cheap on Amazon compared to Neutrogena toner, too!
Okay, that's it for now, kids are up. I have plenty more to review, maybe one day I won't be a slacker?
Showing posts with label parabens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parabens. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Mascara, Pressed Powder, Face Lotion with SPF
It's been over 2 months since I've posted. Blame the fact that I have 4 toddlers or perhaps that my bathroom is being remodeled. Or the holidays for that matter. Whatever the case may be, I have still been working hard to change the way we live, but I haven't been good about blogging about all our changes. I am making a concerted effort to catch up this week.
I am slowly switching over my make-up as I weed out all the parabens in our house. I use the following things daily: concealer, pressed powder, blush, and mascara. I do use eyeliner and eyeshadow if I'm going out or something, but it's so rare that I'm not worrying about those things yet. So far I've tackled mascara and pressed powder.
Mascara
I used to use whatever was on sale. Often it was Maybelline or Cover Girl. On EWG's database I see mascaras that I've used ranging from a rating of 4 to as high as 8. Not good. A quick summary of the concerns (copied from this article):
I switched to Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara. It scores a 3 (low yellow zone) in the EWG database, due to one ingredient, magnesium aluminum silicate (scores a 4). Everything else scores in the green zone (0-2). I really like this mascara, and it's affordable, too. Technically the entire container is recyclable, but again, that depends on what your neighborhood actually recycles.
The only issue I have is that the brush is plastic and every so often I am an idiot and slip and hit my eye -- the plastic wand HURTS! So just don't be a klutz like me and you should be fine. Other than that I find this mascara to be equally as good as any other brand I've used. I'm not too picky about my mascara though. This mascara is a bit of a compromise because it does fall in EWG's yellow zone (4), but it is only due to one ingredient and to get in the green zone you have to shell out more money. I feel okay with my decision. I'm especially happy to get rid of the parabens!
Pressed Powder
I typically used Cover Girl pressed powder. Sometimes I used Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, but even though that ranks as safe in the EWG database there are concerns about loose powders and inhaling them, so I prefer a pressed powder. The Cover Girl powder I used scores a 5 in the EWG database. There are four ingredients rating a 5 or 6 and two rating a 3.
I switched to Physicians Formula Organic Wear Pressed Powder. It scores a 1 in the EWG database which is comfortably in the green zone. There are no parabens, synthetic preservatives or fragrances. The compact is made of cardboard and can be recycled. It comes with a little brush and when applied feels very light on my face and lasts all day (better than Cover Girl). It was maybe a dollar or two more than Cover Girl, and I did have to purchase it on Amazon because I couldn't find it at the store.
Daily Face Lotion with SPF
I was using Oil of Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with SPF 15. It scores a 5 in the EWG database, and if you click the link you'll see a very long list of ingredients in the red and yellow zones. Yikes.
I actually had a lot of difficulty locating an affordable day cream with SPF in the green zone. I finally settled on Desert Essence Gentle Nourishing Day Cream, SPF 15 for Dry and Sensitive Skin. It scores a 2 in the EWG database. The SPF protection comes from zinc oxide (mineral sunscreen) only. There are no parabens, artificial fragrances/dyes, SLS, PEGs, phthalates, etc.
This lotion has a drawbacks. It is thicker because it is a mineral sunscreen, so it is harder to spread and you use more because of that. It doesn't moisturize as well although it's not horrible. The major issue is that it's expensive! It is double the cost of Oil of Olay and you have to buy it on Amazon.
I know there are plenty of cheaper yet safe options without sunscreen that I can explore. I also know that sun exposure has a lot of health benefits in moderation. Once I use this tube up I think I will switch to a day cream without SPF but keep Desert Essence around for days I know I'll spend a lot of time in the sun.
Here's a helpful link to non-toxic beauty products that's worth examining. I like the way it's divided into lists of "Best" and "Good" options. I often choose from the "Good" options because I like to strike a balance between safety and affordability. My goal is to lower our family's exposure to these potentially unsafe ingredients but within reason.
Next time I will update on our adventures in shampoo and conditioner. Other topics to tackle: paper towels/napkins, hand and dish soaps. So much to talk about, so little time!
I am slowly switching over my make-up as I weed out all the parabens in our house. I use the following things daily: concealer, pressed powder, blush, and mascara. I do use eyeliner and eyeshadow if I'm going out or something, but it's so rare that I'm not worrying about those things yet. So far I've tackled mascara and pressed powder.
Mascara
I used to use whatever was on sale. Often it was Maybelline or Cover Girl. On EWG's database I see mascaras that I've used ranging from a rating of 4 to as high as 8. Not good. A quick summary of the concerns (copied from this article):
- Parabens. Mimic the hormone estrogen, which can play a role in the development of breast cancer.
- Phthalates. Chemicals that could damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system.
- Diazolidinyl urea. This chemical releases formaldehyde and acts as a preservative. It could contain carcinogenic impurities and is associated with other significant health problems.
- Ethyl acetate. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the lungs, heart, kidney and liver.
- Petrolatum. May contain harmful impurities that break down into chemicals linked to cancer.
- Sodium laureth/sodium laurel sulfate. SLS can penetrate into the eyes, as well as brain, heart and liver, and show long-term retention in the tissues.
I switched to Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara. It scores a 3 (low yellow zone) in the EWG database, due to one ingredient, magnesium aluminum silicate (scores a 4). Everything else scores in the green zone (0-2). I really like this mascara, and it's affordable, too. Technically the entire container is recyclable, but again, that depends on what your neighborhood actually recycles.
The only issue I have is that the brush is plastic and every so often I am an idiot and slip and hit my eye -- the plastic wand HURTS! So just don't be a klutz like me and you should be fine. Other than that I find this mascara to be equally as good as any other brand I've used. I'm not too picky about my mascara though. This mascara is a bit of a compromise because it does fall in EWG's yellow zone (4), but it is only due to one ingredient and to get in the green zone you have to shell out more money. I feel okay with my decision. I'm especially happy to get rid of the parabens!
Pressed Powder
I typically used Cover Girl pressed powder. Sometimes I used Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, but even though that ranks as safe in the EWG database there are concerns about loose powders and inhaling them, so I prefer a pressed powder. The Cover Girl powder I used scores a 5 in the EWG database. There are four ingredients rating a 5 or 6 and two rating a 3.
I switched to Physicians Formula Organic Wear Pressed Powder. It scores a 1 in the EWG database which is comfortably in the green zone. There are no parabens, synthetic preservatives or fragrances. The compact is made of cardboard and can be recycled. It comes with a little brush and when applied feels very light on my face and lasts all day (better than Cover Girl). It was maybe a dollar or two more than Cover Girl, and I did have to purchase it on Amazon because I couldn't find it at the store.
Daily Face Lotion with SPF
I was using Oil of Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with SPF 15. It scores a 5 in the EWG database, and if you click the link you'll see a very long list of ingredients in the red and yellow zones. Yikes.
I actually had a lot of difficulty locating an affordable day cream with SPF in the green zone. I finally settled on Desert Essence Gentle Nourishing Day Cream, SPF 15 for Dry and Sensitive Skin. It scores a 2 in the EWG database. The SPF protection comes from zinc oxide (mineral sunscreen) only. There are no parabens, artificial fragrances/dyes, SLS, PEGs, phthalates, etc.
This lotion has a drawbacks. It is thicker because it is a mineral sunscreen, so it is harder to spread and you use more because of that. It doesn't moisturize as well although it's not horrible. The major issue is that it's expensive! It is double the cost of Oil of Olay and you have to buy it on Amazon.
I know there are plenty of cheaper yet safe options without sunscreen that I can explore. I also know that sun exposure has a lot of health benefits in moderation. Once I use this tube up I think I will switch to a day cream without SPF but keep Desert Essence around for days I know I'll spend a lot of time in the sun.
Here's a helpful link to non-toxic beauty products that's worth examining. I like the way it's divided into lists of "Best" and "Good" options. I often choose from the "Good" options because I like to strike a balance between safety and affordability. My goal is to lower our family's exposure to these potentially unsafe ingredients but within reason.
Next time I will update on our adventures in shampoo and conditioner. Other topics to tackle: paper towels/napkins, hand and dish soaps. So much to talk about, so little time!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Body lotion
Every morning after my shower I put on body lotion. My lotion of choice for many years has been Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer. I don't have extra dry skin ... I don't even know why I buy this lotion honestly. I like it, it lasts all day, it feels good, isn't too expensive, whatever. Sadly, this lotion is a 6 on EWG's database (used to be a 7 with the old formulation I'm sure I used in the past).
There are 6 yellow zone ingredients (including parabens) and 3 red zone ingredients. Ugh. Parabens are preservatives that are rapidly absorbed and metabolized through the skin. They can cause contact dermatitis and have been found in breast cancer tumors. They might mimic estrogen. There's no concrete evidence yet, but I think it's time to find a new lotion, don't you?
I switched to Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It scores a 2 (green zone) on the EWG database. It has 2 ingredients in the yellow zone: benzyl alcohol (6) and dimethicone (3). Not perfect, but a lot better than Jergens. It is paraben-free and fragrance free.
Cost comparison at Target:
Jergens: 32 ounces for $7.29
Aveeno: 18 ounces for $7.99
*Clearly much more expensive, however I have to admit I have access to highly discounted Aveeno lotion, so the price is actually cheaper than Jergens for us.
Convenient access:
Equally convenient. You can also purchase Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion if you don't want to buy a baby lotion, but this way I can use it on our babies, too.
I like this lotion. If anything, I'd say it moisturizes almost too well. When I take a shower the next morning I can tell it is still there. I definitely prefer the feel of Jergens, but it's not a big deal to switch.
There are 6 yellow zone ingredients (including parabens) and 3 red zone ingredients. Ugh. Parabens are preservatives that are rapidly absorbed and metabolized through the skin. They can cause contact dermatitis and have been found in breast cancer tumors. They might mimic estrogen. There's no concrete evidence yet, but I think it's time to find a new lotion, don't you?
I switched to Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It scores a 2 (green zone) on the EWG database. It has 2 ingredients in the yellow zone: benzyl alcohol (6) and dimethicone (3). Not perfect, but a lot better than Jergens. It is paraben-free and fragrance free.
Cost comparison at Target:
Jergens: 32 ounces for $7.29
Aveeno: 18 ounces for $7.99
*Clearly much more expensive, however I have to admit I have access to highly discounted Aveeno lotion, so the price is actually cheaper than Jergens for us.
Convenient access:
Equally convenient. You can also purchase Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion if you don't want to buy a baby lotion, but this way I can use it on our babies, too.
I like this lotion. If anything, I'd say it moisturizes almost too well. When I take a shower the next morning I can tell it is still there. I definitely prefer the feel of Jergens, but it's not a big deal to switch.
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