By Jill Sonlin• Cardinal Contributing Writer
One of the toughest parts about making the switch to clean non-toxic skin and body care products is knowing where to even start. With the plethora of products on the market claiming they are clean and green, how can one figure out the best options to choose? Remember that many skin and body care products contain numerous ingredients (chemicals) in them that are endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens, and irritants. Taking steps in making healthier choices starts now for a healthier you and in your future.
Here are some helpful resources for anyone looking to reduce chemical exposure to their skin, body, and makeup use.
Let’s start with EWG (Environmental Working Group) a nonprofit nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people live healthier lives. The company truly set the gold standard in clean ratings above all others. It ranks products from one to 10 (one best, 10 worst) for those containing hazardous ingredients that could negatively impact our health. On its website, you can look up products by name, type, and barcode to search the safety database and ratings. EWG gives very detailed information on each product reviewed and tested.
Next is the app called YUKA, which examines product labels and analyzes the health impact of various food items and cosmetics. You simply download the app and scan the barcode with your smartphone for safety data. Yuka vows “no influence from brands to influence scoring, no ads allowed or advertising on their site, and no conflicts of interest with financing their organization.” This app rates ingredients on a scale of low risk to hazardous. If a product scores poorly, YUKA suggests a healthier alternative for consumers.
Finding the right clean products can get a bit overwhelming. I know, I’ve been there. Start by taking steps to try just one new clean product at a time. See how it compares with what you already have been using. Does it work the same? Then why not make the healthier switch? If it’s not as good, then keep trying new clean options until you find your best swap. I’m going to save you time and money by listing here my personally tried and true clean favorite products and brands. Also, begin first by swapping out a product that you use a lot in order to maximize the overall reduction of chemicals you are exposed to daily. Your body will absolutely thank you!
Jill’s Favorite Clean Swaps:
*Many listed are organic and EWG Verified:
Attitude brand products and lip balm, Babo Botanicals soap/skin/sunscreen, Honest Beauty skin, body, and makeup, Henry Rose perfume, Bare Minerals makeup, Tom’s deodorant, David’s toothpaste, Biossence sunscreen and lip balm, Innersense hair care products, Eminence Organic coconut moisturizer, Alba UNpetroleum jelly, Acure brand skincare, Mad Hippie skin care, Avalon Organics shampoo/conditioner, Dr. Bronner’s soap.
Additional recommendations based on EWG best ratings: Honest flushable wipes, Each & Every body wash, Kinfield face and body, Crunch makeup, Lowen’s skin care, Baja Baby.
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