Learn what earth-friendly buzz words to look for in your skin care, hair care and makeup ... and which harmful ingredients you should avoid on your beauty product labels
"Pure" and "natural" might be the buzzwords of today's hottest products, but don't believe everything you read, says Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry". In fact, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, because the personal care industry is unregulated, even the word "organic" can be slapped on products chock-full of chemicals that can be dangerous to your health and the environment. But who has the time to read through the laundry list of ingredients on the back of your products? If you do -- great. If not, use this cheat sheet to know what ingredients to avoid, and what ones are the best earth-friendly alternatives.
By Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
Great article, I so happy someone finally posted this information. Thanks!
by dynamicsApril 25, 2009 at 10:21AM Report as inappropriate
WHAT????? UREA IS ACTUALLY URINE?!!!! GROOOOOOOSSSSSSSS!!! I THREW AWAY ALL MY VICTORIA SECRET BODY LOTIONS!
by kmontes30April 23, 2009 at 02:16AM Report as inappropriate
I really like that you not only tell what to beware and why, but what to look for to replace these products with. It was so helpful.
I rated this article: 8 out of 10
by Racquel87April 21, 2009 at 02:11PM Report as inappropriate
Maybe the title of the article should have been: "The Bad and the Beautiful - Dangerous ingredients to avoid in your beauty products and those to embrace."
I rated this article: 9 out of 10
by DeLuxApril 21, 2009 at 01:28PM Report as inappropriate
I am so glad someone FINALLY let everyone know about the chemicals companies put in their products!! And yes-I have found many products that state "Organic" and still found chemicals in the ingredients. I actually returned it to the store! One thing not mentioned though in this article is QUANTERNUIM anything is Fermaldyhyde and dangerous. No matter if it's polyqunaternium or just quanternium and no matter the number associated. Thanks again for making users aware. Since the lovely FDA doesn't care about our health, someone's got to!!
I rated this article: 9 out of 10
by ShortstopApril 21, 2009 at 09:32AM Report as inappropriate
This is awesome. I agree with the other ladies about making it printer-friendly . Thanks so much for doing this, I think everyone should know about the dangerous things in their cosmetics.
I rated this article: 9 out of 10
by ROdiamondUGHApril 21, 2009 at 07:17AM Report as inappropriate
I agree with chistmascar62 a list needs to be printer friendly so it can be taken with when shopping
I rated this article: 6 out of 10
by mogamom1April 21, 2009 at 06:14AM Report as inappropriate
Really important facts...needs to be printer friendly to keep in purse w/shopping list. Thanks for the great info. Makes you wonder why the FDA allows the bad stuff on the shelf
I rated this article: 10 out of 10
by christmascar62April 21, 2009 at 05:37AM Report as inappropriate
Ladies, you can also check out the SkinDeep website (cosmetic safety data base) for any products you are using. You'd be surprised at some of the name brand ingredients!
I rated this article: 10 out of 10
by HeartsApril 21, 2009 at 05:36AM Report as inappropriate
This is a great article. I'm surprised they didn't mention parabens. Found in most lotions, soaps, etc, and also found in breast cancer tumors. Although the FDA say it isn't harmful in small doses, when you consider how many products you put on your skin that have parabens in them, sometimes 3 or 4 different kinds of parabens, it does add up! This article was also very helpful.
by BillieBApril 27, 2009 at 07:34PM Report as inappropriate