Beauty Product and Personal Care Tips

Conventional make-up and body care products may contain ingredients that have been linked to allergic reactions, birth defects, and even cancer.

Tips how to keep you and your family safe:

• Be Suspicious of Labels - Though words like “natural” or “hypoallergenic” look reassuring, on some products, they’re basically meaningless. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no control over these labels. Products labeled “natural,” for example, may contain some natural ingredients, but they may also include synthetic dyes and fragrances. “Hypoallergenic” merely means that the most common irritants are left out, but other potentially problematic chemicals may still be in the mix. “Fragrance-free” means a product has no perceptible odor—synthetic ingredients may still be added to mask odors.

• Scrutinize Ingredients - The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently launched its Skin Deep online database, making it easier than ever to check the safety of over 7,500 personal care products, from OPI nail polish to Aveda shampoo to Johnson’s Baby Oil. Visit www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep. If your product of choice isn’t yet listed on Skin Deep, you can enter suspicious-looking ingredients into Environmental Defense’s chemical database, Scorecard.org. Scorecard lets you know about known and suspected health effects caused by hundreds of chemicals, along with the sources (often government agencies) that have questioned each chemical.

• Use organic cosmetic products - Cosmetics that contain certified organic ingredients generally contain mainly natural ingredients, including those that have been grown without the use of toxic pesticides. Unfortunately, organic doesn’t necessarily mean problem-free. Even organic companies need to keep their products from rotting away on store shelves, in warehouses, and in your medicine cabinet. Some may turn to synthetic chemicals to keep their products fresh and useful. Be sure to check the ingredients list on your favorite organic products.

• Look out for The Compact for Safe Cosmetics: To date, 87 companies have signed the CSC’s “Compact for Safe Cosmetics,” pledging to phase the 450 chemicals banned by the EU out of all of their products. The vast majority of them are organic and natural products companies—including members of Co-op America’s Business Network, who are screened for their commitment to going the extra mile to protect their workers, consumers, communities, and the environment. In addition, cosmetics giants L’Oréal and Revlon say their cosmetics now comply with European law, though they haven’t signed the compact. You can find a list of the companies who have signed at www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm.