How aware are you of harmful chemicals as ingredients?

Hey Guys!!

I wanted to do a couple of posts about safe ingredients in all of our personal care products. Now that means women, men , babies and everything in between. Everyone uses some type of product..everyday. It has been a topic that interests me and really continues to be quite mind blowing at times. It is alarming how unregulated the industry is; the companies can do whatever they want to make their products, and whatever they want as far as labeling the products (this really gets me). They certainly do not have the consumer's best interest in mind. 

Now this really does apply to everyone. It doesn't matter if you do not wear makeup regularly or get your nails done, or visit the salon. Everyone here brushes their teeth, right? That happens to be one of the worst offenders. (Triclosan) (sodium lauryl sulfate= responsible for foaming, the reason things have a poor taste if you eat them after brushing your teeth) (Propelyene Glycol - used in antifreeze, paints and enamels) (microbeads- bad for the environment) Not to mention that many of the ingredients have been linked to cancer. 

I have a hard time understanding why any of this can be allowed. It does not benefit anyone other than the bank accounts of the larget companies. 

I am going to touch on some of the major offenders, chemicals to avoid, and finish with some reviews on products that I have found that fit much stricter criteria yet actually produce results. That sounds like a win-win doesn't it??


I hope you guys tune in, and that I can give you tips to put to use to use with what you already have in your own kitchens and bathrooms. Have stuff that you think passes all the tests? Share it! I'd totally love to hear about it and try it as well.

Until next time,
Cheers,
Lindsey

Chemicals to avoid by product. Most commonly found harmful chemicals.

Here are some specific ingredients to avoid , broken down into the products that they are most commonly seen in .

*Soap: triclosan and triclocarban
*Skin moisturizer and lip products:  Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid  and retinol in day time products
*Sunscreens: avoid SPF above 50, retinyl palmitate, aerosol spray and powder sunscreen, oxybenzone and added insect repellent
*  Toothpaste: triclosan
*Nails: Formaldehyde or formalin, hardeners, Toluene and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
* Baby Wipes: Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, fragrance
*Diaper Cream: BHA, Boric Acid, Fragrance
*Acne Products: triclosan, parabens, PEG, ceterej, polyethylene
*perfume, cologne, body spray: diethyl phthalate, fragrance
*Make up: loose powders , vitamin A in skin and lip products
*Anti-Aging Products: alpha and beta hydroxy acids (Lactic acid and glycolic acid)
  *FDA-Sponsored studies find UV- caused skin damage doubles for users of products that contain alpha hydroxy acid

Quick Tips to Avoid Harmful Chemicals in Your Skincare

1. Simplify: choose products with simpler ingredient lists and fewer synthetic chemicals. Avoid synthetic fragrance by skipping products with "fragrance" listed

2. DIY: Personal care products can be easy to make! Check pinterest or other social media places for ideas on how to make them yourself!

3. Research products yourself: since the beauty industry is largely unregulated, its up to you to become knowledgeable about what you want and don't want in your personal care products for your own safety. There are no legal standards for personal care products labeled as natural or organic. Read labels carefully.

4. Use Apps like Think Dirty: To find out whether your go - to products are safe or not, Think Dirty's shop clean app ranks the safety of specific products on a scare or 1-10 and offers clean solutions.

5. Get Involved: It's becoming easier to find products that are safer for everyone. Stay informed and spread the word.

Safe Cosmetics Series: Arbonne Ingredient Policy

Arbonne Ingredient Policy 

Transparency and honesty. For 35 years, this has been the hallmark of our product integrity. From the beginning, Arbonne has developed products by combining the best of nature with leading science.m Our mission is to always improve and evaluate our ingredient policy as an ever- evolving standard of excellence. This means we continuously challenge ourselves to do better and better.

Pure
We're working diligently to understand the latest science, consulting our Scientific Advisory Board and adapting to new standards. Each product contains carefully selected, botanically based ingredients.

Safe 
 We rigorously test our products. We're vigilant about the latest research regarding chemicals to ensure were being mindful and cautious.

Beneficial 
Our products deliver results. As Trailblazers, we must educate, empower and inspire people to make better choices for the beauty, health and wellness of their families and friends.

**Our list of no-no ingredients has evolved over time, based on industry knowledge, research substantiation and establishing stricter guidelines before it became stylish.

*We formulate without:
-animal products or by products
-artificial products
-artificial sweeteners
-benzene
-bisphenol-a
-carbon black
-formaldehyde-donating preservatives
-hydroquinone
-mineral oil
-parabens
-petrolatum
-phthalates
-sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
-sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
-synthetic dyes
-talc
-triclosan
-triethanolamine (TEA)

We adhere to the standards of:
*U.S FDA, Health Canada, Austrailia Therapeutic Good Administration, United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, European Food Saftey Authority, Austrailia National INdustrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, International Fragrance Assoc, European Commission Cosmetics Directive, European Registration, Evaluation , Authorisations and Restriction of Chemicals Agency

Arbonne Self - Tanner

TINTED SELF-TANNER
FEATURES
■■ Lightweight, non-oily, quick-drying formula provides a natural-looking tan, visible within 2 hours after application
■■ Lightly scented, creamy lotion rubs right in with no sticky residue, streaking or color transfer
■■ Tan can be built to a deeper tone with continued application, delivering a healthy, natural glow to the face and body
■■ Hydrating, refreshing formula is recommended for ages 18+
■■ Allergy- and dermatologist-tested, vegan formulated
BENEFITS
■■ Aloe vera and green tea hydrate and soothe skin
■■ DHA is utilized to deliver a natural-looking, rich, bronze-colored tan

The Liquid Sunshine Story

THE LIQUID SUNSHINE STORY
Liquid Sunshine was developed to let you enjoy the positive aspects of sun exposure. Featuring a physical mineral sunscreen
rather than a chemical one, it delivers a collection of sun protection products that align with our core philosophy: pure, safe,
beneficial™. Chemical sunscreen works by absorbing the sun’s rays while physical sunscreen offers protection by deflecting UVA
and UVB rays. The collection contains 4 key ingredients utilized to deliver soothing benefits. The collection includes:
■■Aloe vera leaf juice: Soothes, moisturizes
■■Green tea leaf extract: Soothes; antioxidant
■■Edelweiss extract: Antioxidant
■■Grapeseed extract: Moisturizes; antioxidant

Arbonne Liquid Sunshine Suncreen for Face & Body

MINERAL SUNSCREEN BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30 FOR FACE
FEATURES
■■ Instead of using chemical actives, this mineral sunscreen is formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide along with botanicals,
antioxidants, minerals and moisturizers in a non-oily, lightweight formula suitable for the whole family
■■ Creates a physical barrier on the skin to protect against both UVA and UVB rays
■■ Non-greasy formula glides on easily and absorbs quickly without whitening
■■ Non-shiny formula can be worn alone, over the Tinted Self-Tanner, or under makeup for sun protection along with
soothing hydration
■■ Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
■■ Allergy- and dermatologist-tested, vegan formulated
BENEFITS
■■ If used as directed with other sun protection measures, reduces the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, and helps
prevent sunburn
■■ Aloe vera and green tea hydrate and soothe skin
■■ Vitamin E soothes skin
■■ Contains non-nano titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to help prevent sunburn
■■ Skin conditioners moisturize and soothe delicate facial skin

Understanding Sunscreens

** Labeling guidelines for sunscreens in the U.S are changing

*Only sunscreens that offer protection from both UVA & UVB rays can be labeled "broad - spectrum"

*Only broad- spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer or prevent early skin aging




Safe Sun Tips

Avoid the sun during peak hours (10-2) regardless of season


*There are two types of UV light that can harm your skin, UVA & UVB. A broad spectrum or full spectrum sinscreen is designed to protect you from both
*UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin. Too much exposure to UVA or UVB rays can cause skin cancer. The best sunscreen offers protection from all UV light
*SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. That is a measure of how well the sunscreen deflects UVB rays. Manufacturers calculate SPF based on how long it takes to sunburn skin that has been treated with the sunscreen as compared to the skin that has not been treated.






Theoretically, the best sunscreen has the highest SPF number. When applied correctly, a sunscreen with an SPF 30 will provide slightly more protection from UVB rays than SPF 15, but not twice as much. Sunscreens with SPF greater than 50 provide only a small increase in UVB protection.

Sunscreen is often not applied thoroughly or quickly enough and it might be washed off in any water.

Rather than looking at sunscreen's SPF, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that will protect you from both rays.

Sunscreen Ingredients
*Organic- Also called chemical sunscreens, organic sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it to a small amount of heat. This group of actice ingredients is the most widely used in sunscreens. organic suncreens might contain avobenzone, cinoxate, emasule, menthyl anthranilate, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone and sulisobenzone

*Inorganic- Also called phyiscal sunscreens. They reflect and scatter UV radiation. Inorganic sunscreens might contain titanium doixide or zinc oxide. Most broad spectrum sunscreens use both ingredients to block both UVA and UVB rays.


*Vitamins- Vitamin E can protect against UV-induced DNA damage. Vitamin C helps protect from sunburn

**Some sunscreens also contain the antioxidant retinl palmitate. A form of vitamin A or retinol. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells that cause wrinkles. While concerns have been raised about sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate, research currently suggests that it is safe. However, there are no recommendations regarding pregnancy