A useful tool is Skin Deep's Cosmetics Database. You input the name of a health & beauty product, and it will give you a safety rating based on a synthesis of available research. It also measures to what degree the product is untested (see "data gaps").
Its not just for cosmetics, but anything such as deodorants, shampoos, etc. Check the FAQ section of the website for tips on how to use it to create custom shopping lists and target certain products to avoid.
I was surprised to see that plain ole baking soda receives a rating of 2. This is on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being the lowest level of toxicity. The rating of 2 is still very low, but since I've been using it as a deodorant in order to avoid other toxic options, this was somewhat unsettling. Granted, most commercial deodorants look to be in the 4-6 range, which is significantly higher.
Lately, I've been using plain ole vinegar. It is even easier to apply than baking soda--dab it on with a washcloth or use a spray bottle. The smell of vinegar dissipates after a short while. It has a whopping rating of 0. I've been using it for a few days already, and it controls the smell flawlessly.
I was also surprised that some of my Mary Kay products have high ratings... :/
ReplyDeleteWell, my deodarant is a 3, but it could be lower if I didnt use the powder fresh scent. Man, I'll miss that scent if I give it up. Men have thought it was my perfume... :(
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was surprised to find out that the frangrances are often the parts with the worst ratings!
ReplyDeleteThe hairspray my boyfriend uses rates 4s and 5s!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=160850
ReplyDeleteHOLY SH*T!!! I use this stuff! What the hell? It protects me from skin cancer caused by UV, but will still give me cancer?!?!
Great... I use Coppertone Sport 50spf too and that's still a rating of 7... but, gee, it sure has a great UV protection score...
ReplyDeleteWell, most people pollute themselves with products in the 4-5 range every day.
ReplyDeleteActually, his hair looks messy, so I'm not sure he's getting his money's worth on that one :)
Some of these warnings are for reproductive toxicity--so if you don't plan to have kids, eh... who cares.
ReplyDeleteMy sunscreen has reproductive as well as cancer toxicity warnings. Great.
ReplyDeleteI have to use sun screen or I burn like you wouldnt believe. I have found that anything less than 45spf will cause me to burn even after multiple reapplications. My skin is so fair.
Now I dont know what to do. I dont trust that a natural sunblock would work with me...
You have to weigh the risks. At least sunscreen is sensible to use because it protects your skin from the sun, which can lead to cancer. So at least it is a calculated risk.
ReplyDeleteI am more concerned about cosmetics that are purely for, well... cosmetic purposes. You are putting yourself at risk and the only benefit is appearance.
We are immersing ourselves in chemicals every day. It is not a surprise that for a lot of people that turns into a disease like cancer. We know that high exposure to toxins and radiation can lead to cancer. What is usually harder to determine is the effect of long-term low doses, but to me the likelihood is high that these chemicals are having an effect on somebody.
If cancers were a purely random or a genetic condition, you would expect to see them show up in the same rates from place to place and through all periods of history. That doesn't seem to be the case. Something in our environment or lifestyle is contributing.
I think 1 out of 8 women get breast cancer in America... that's ridiculous and unacceptable. When you consider all the chemicals American women lopp on themselves daily it shouldn't be a surprise. Again, it is not proven that normal uses of these chemicals will cause cancer, but they have been shown to have a certain degree of toxicity and you would be wise to avoid them.
Well, I only wear makeup occasionally (and I do like to wear it when I get dressed up, but not on a daily basis cuz dressing up for work does not count). I do use some facial scrubs to help me get rid of my acne. If I dont keep my face clean, I break out. Which may be a healthy biological function, but I do care about my appearance enough that having a big whitehead on my face is not appealing (and makes me feel self-conscious, not to mention that I am afraid it make me look younger than I am, which can make people be condescending to you in the workplace sometimes).
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm too conscious of my social status and appearance...
I guess sunscreen is really the only product I use regularly... oh, and my foundation, which I always wear, to cover up my baggying eyes and said zits, and it also makes my face look less reddish and also covers the sun damage on my face from years of NOT wearing sunblock...
According to wikipedia, I can reduce my chances of getting breast cancer by having children... and breast-feeding... Do you think perhaps one of the reasons breast cancer is so prevalent in our population is because women are waiting longer to have children? (Or not having children at all?)
ReplyDeleteI'm told that being on the Pill reduces the risk of breast cancer...
Maybe. The body is designed to be used, and when you don't use it, maybe that makes it easier for disease to develop.
ReplyDeleteMy hunch is that something like breast cancer has multiple contributing factors--perhaps not enough exercise to cleanse the body, not the right foods to build it up, exposure to toxins, etc, all that wears on your body and makes it easier for cancer cells to develop and establish themselves. Your genetic make-up factors in, of course. Both depression and anxiety also seem linked to a weakened immune system (and just about all emotional problems can be labeled as depression or anxiety of some kind).
Eat right. Exercise. Stay away from bad stuff. And don't worry about it. :)
How can I not worry about it when you keep posting all this stuff? ;)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm worried about it. You cant take that back!! =)
I have found that mineral makeup gets a better rating and I think it gives good coverage too. Might be worth looking into.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to keep in mind is the crazy exposure to hormones in our culture. From contaminated fish to milk, there is estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals that we are exposed to regularly. If the pill reduces the risk of breast cancer, it could be because it is managing (and limiting) some of these hormones in your body. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteThis is all speculation, but these are the kinds of questions that many folks have been raising.