style
living
by
Mia Owen
Be Label Smart
Read the fine print on your natural and organic beauty bottles
If you’re reading this, your bathroom is probably already stocked with products labeled
natural and organic. But don’t assume that tells you the whole story. Unlike food, beauty
products don’t need to meet government standards to include the word organic on the label.
“There’s no one regulating the labeling of these types of products,” says Celeste Lutrario, director of research and development for Burt’s Bees in Durham, North Carolina. Some companies call their goods natural or organic though they contain only some ingredients that are.
The good news is that the Natural Products Association is working with several beauty
companies and within a year hopes to define a standard for natural personal care products.
(Companies can go through a rigorous process to receive USDA organic certification, but
few do.) Because beauty labels don’t always mean what they say, we asked experts which
common ingredients we should try to avoid. If you spot any of these, consider leaving the
product—and its potential health and environmental hazards—on the shelf.
Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate
What it is: the detergent in cleansers that
creates a bubbly lather
Found in: shampoo, body wash, facial cleanser, moisturizer, hair color, acne treatments, and
exfoliating scrubs
Why you should avoid it: This harsh ingredient can strip your skin of its natural protective barrier, causing irritation. Plus, if it gets
into the water system, it can harm plants,
birds, and fish.
Parabens
(Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, Ethyl)
What they are: a preservative that inhibits
microbial growth in products, giving them a
longer shelf life
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, styling gel,
hair lotion, body lotion, sunscreen, and many
types of makeup
Why you should avoid them: Parabens
have a greater-than-normal potential for causing allergic reactions, and studies suggest they
might interfere with your hormones, explains
Lutrario. Preliminary research has also linked
them to an increased cancer risk.
Petrolatum
What it is: a mineral oil derivative used to
soothe and soften the skin
Found in: lip balm, moisturizer, facial
moisturizer, products with SPF, styling gel,
and anti-itch cream
Why you should avoid it: It’s a by-product of petroleum, so it’s not biodegradable
and comes from a nonrenewable energy
source, says Daniel Fabricant, PhD, vice
president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Natural Products Association.
It also may contain low levels of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are
suspected carcinogens.
Propylene Glycol
What it is: a synthetic used to retain
moisture in the skin
Found in: facial moisturizer, moisturizer,
antiaging products, facial cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, st yling gel, hair color,
58 | february-march 2008