And I'm not talking about when your husband sneaks up behind you while you're applying mascara. I mean that cosmetics are full of toxic chemicals! Even the ones advertised as "natural" or "organic" can have some pretty nasty things in them.
I have spent several years researching different cosmetics products and lines that are safe both for my body and the planet. My biggest resource has been the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
Not only do they tell you which products are safe and unsafe, but they also tell you why! Listing ingredients that are carcinogens, allergens and more. Each product is given a safety rating and color code: 0-2 is green and safe; 3-6 is yellow and moderate in concern; 7-10 is red and contain products that pose a "high hazard."
While this data base has been a huge help to me, there are still some challenges in my research. I am continually trying to balance price, safety rating, and effectiveness.
1. Finding drug store (ie. affordable!) brands and products.
2. Finding products with-in brands that are safe (one company may have safe mascara, but hazardous bronzer or one color (ivory) may be safe while another color (fair) is hazardous)
3. Finding safe, affordable products that work!
4. Companies reformulating products (formerly safe products are now hazardous, formerly hazardous products are now safe).
I don't use a ton of make-up, but when you apply this thinking to your entire bathroom of products from hand soap and shampoo, to deodorant and moisturizers there are many more products than one would first imagine. Then broaden the concept to include dish soap and laundry detergent - it gets a little overwhelming.
(Side note: If you have been following the blog, you may have run across some of my attempts at natural, home-made housekeeping/cleaning.)
As I said, I have put years of leg work and research into the products I am currently using and I am no where near close to "loving" every product I use. In case you didn't know, mascara is a (forgive my french) be-otch!
Make-up products I am currently using (along with their rating). I would not be using them if they weren't affordable. Anything with SPF seems to automatically have a higher rating.
Moisturizer: Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion (rating: 2). Now that the sun is out and I'm no longer bundled up in sweaters, I use the SPF 15 version of this moisturizer (rating: 3).
Daily facial moisturizer: Cetaphil, SPF 15 (rating: 3)
Night cream/ Facial cleanser: Yes to Carrots, fabulous for my uber dry, sensitive skin (rating: 3/2)
Eye cream: I once heard somewhere that if you want to minimize crows feet, you start using eye cream before they appear, not after. I have been using eye cream since my early 20s (about the same time I found my first grey hair. Coincidence?) I currently use an old Earth Science formula: "Azulene Eye Treatment." (rating: 3)
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| photo from: Erth Mineral Makeup |
As far as liquid foundations go: For a while, I was using Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer. I found this product to be a bit on the "oily" side. May not be a good choice for some. My skin is VERY, chronically, dry and flaky - my skin was not bothered by this factor. I only went away from it because I don't need much coverage and wanted to try mineral makeup.
Sunscreen: For the summer, it's the most important, right? Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (rating: 2 - by the way, I was shocked by this awesome rating for a cheap, drugstore product. Especially a suncreen! Score. Major score.)
So, I've been at this research for a while now. I've been trying my hand at home-made housekeeping formulas. I recently stumbled upon this while perusing Pinterest. Will this be my next route? Watch out!
Incase you're wondering, I use other products beyond this list (including a really unsafe hairspray, yikes!). These are just my researched, routine products.
Hope I didn't scare you off.
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