NON-TOXIC PERSONAL CARE

If You Can’t Say It, Don’t Buy It.

  • As a general rule, if you cannot pronounce the ingredients in a product, then they are probably toxic. Try to find items that are 100% natural. It will mean having to search harder for these products, but they will be better for you and your family.
  • Claims that state “natural”, “dermatologist recommended are usually marketing hype. Some natural ones to consider are:  Lush, California Baby, Alba Botanica.

 

Avoid “Fragrance”

  • If the word fragrance is listed in the ingredients you should be weary. The word fragrance is often used in place of toxins that are included in the product to create a faux scent. These toxins may cause allergies and other problems for your family. Instead, look for real ingredients. If it says it’s peppermint scented, then peppermint should be an ingredient. For safe laundry, try: Vaska Home

 

Say No To Fluoride and Triclosan

  • Fluoride, present in most toothpastes and mouthwash, can actually cause discoloration of the teeth over time. Use products with lower amounts of it. For children under 6, it is recommended that you use toothpaste with .08% fluoride. A safe toothpaste for the entire family is: Toms of Main

 

Buyer Beware

  • When buying products like diaper cream, be especially careful and do not buy products containing BHA. BHA is a highly toxic chemical that can cause skin discoloration or depigmentation. It is banned in all countries in the EU, but continues to be used in products here in the U.S.
  • Avoid SPF above 50 and sun screens containing Oxybenzone. Some alternatives include: sage sunscreen, Jason Natural, and Episencial
  • Avoid aerosol sprays, and insect repellents.  Safe insect repellant, Badgerbalm

For a complete list of what to beware of click here .

Navigating store aisles can be difficult. Environmental Working Group researchers have evaluated hundreds of safety studies and thousands of ingredient labels to bring you our top recommendations for what not to buy. Visit: ewg.org

Something additional for you and your family to be aware of, public health laws allow:

  • Almost any chemical as an ingredient in personal care products
  • Misleading and incomplete labeling of ingredients
  • Unsubstantiated claims about product benefits
  • No required safety testing of products or ingredients

Angela’s Teachable Moment: When you go shopping with your children, teach them the importance of looking at the ingredients in personal care products. When they become conscious of it, they will care about what they are using on their bodies and continue to practice healthy buying habits.