Smooth Moves
Anthony Verde
Camilla Slattery
photographs by
eco styling by
Freshen up with these
label-savvy choices
SpaRitual
Fluent
Conditioning
Lacquer Remover uses a
vegan solvent.
$7, shop.
fredsegalbeauty.
com
Pangea
Organics
Massage &
Body Oil has no
petrochemicals
or parabens.
$25, pangeaorganics.com
Burt’s Bees
Chemical-Free
Sunscreen
protects with
titanium dioxide.
$15,
burtsbees.com
Aveda
Outer Peace
Foaming
Cleanser aids
acne-prone skin
with no DEA or
TEAs.
$24, aveda.com
Korres
Absinthe Men’s
Shave Cream
moisturizes with
jojoba oil instead
of propylene
glycol.
$22, korres.com
Diethanolamine
(DEA)/Triethanolamine (TEA)
Found in: sunscreen, facial moisturizer,
antiaging products, shampoo, aftershave,
and acne treatments
Why you should avoid it: Research
suggests benzophenone may have endocrine disruptive properties that can
interfere with hormone regulation in the
body. And like DEA, benzophenone may
be harmful to aquatic life.
What they are: ammonia compounds
used to keep ingredients from clumping
together and also to create foam
Found in: cleanser, foundation, sunscreen
(SPF 15 or higher), hair color, moisturizer,
antiaging products, mascara, styling gel,
and eye cream
Why you should avoid them: Residues
from these two ingredients may react with
other ingredients in products to form nitrosamines, which are potential carcinogens,
says Lutrario. And DEA may also be toxic
to aquatic organisms.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
What it is: the ingredient in plastics
that makes them soft and flexible
Found in: nail polish
Why you should avoid it: It can be
toxic to both the respiratory and immune
systems, and it’s already been banned
by the European Union. Some studies
also suggest phthalates may cause birth
defects, says Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual, who created the first DBP-free nailcare line when she became pregnant. ✤
body wash, and deodorant
Why you should avoid it: Like petrolatum,
it’s made from nonrenewable fossil fuels and
brings to the table all the same environmentally damaging baggage. Plus, propylene glycol is known to be a skin and eye irritant.
Benzophenone-2
What it is: a chemical that blocks the
sun’s ultraviolet rays
>
California
Baby
Super Sensitive
Shampoo
& Bodywash is
safe for all ages.
$10, californiababy.
com
Terressentials
Organic Flower
Therapy Daily
Renewal Facial
Lotion bears the
certified USDA
Organic label.
$20, terressentials.com
So what should
we be looking for?
With no labeling regulations in place,
not everyone agrees on which ingredients we should try to avoid. Some
companies create unique natural
formulas (which may be tough to decode on a label), while others stick to
the herbal basics. In some cases, as
with benzophenone, the research is
strong enough to suggest you should
use sunscreens that contain titanium
dioxide or zinc oxide instead. But
other substitutes are murkier, and not
everyone agrees on the harm caused
by the ingredients on our list. Some
say the negative effects of many of
these chemicals are questionable
when present in such small doses.
The bottom line? A good product is
both simple and versatile. Aim to use
those that contain as many organic
ingredients as possible.
TO LEARN MORE: For a comprehensive look at ingredient safety, visit Skin
Deep, the Environmental Working Group’s personal care products database
at cosmeticdatabase.com. The search engine can give you the details
on nearly 25,000 products.
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