The Never List

Have you ever met someone that taught you something you totally didn't expect? That happened to me this past week. Rachel came over interested in my green cleaning caddy makeover, and as we sat down to chat, I think I ended up learning more from her that she did from me. I love it when that happens! 

As we chatted about DIY cleaning products, essential oils and why I made the switch from commercial cleaners, she shared a bit about why she was interested in them and why she switched to BeautyCounter safe skincare products. I went green and DIY for my kids and my health. Check out my post about green cleaning products and you'll see more on that. Rachel switched to these products because of a friend she had who was battling cancer. This was one more way to pay attention to and feel safe about what she was putting on herself and her family. She also shared...

The NEVER List

It sounds ominous, right? It should. According to BeautyCounter, "when it comes to the personal care industry...Companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, hormone disruption—without telling us." 

Wait, there's more.

"Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including, but not limited to asthma, learning disabilities, cancer and infertility) are on the rise, and due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it's in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home.

There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don't have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry.

Only about 10% of the 10,000 chemicals commonly found in personal care products have safety data.

What's worse is the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful (lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates) in the products we put on our bodies and on our kids every single day, day after day." www.beautycounter.com

Is there a better case for going green in our cleaning, reading the labels on the products we're buying, and thinking about what we put into our mouths? If I find one, I'll let you know! And, seeing how I lost my mom to breast cancer, and more people in my family than I'd like to admit to some form of cancer, well, I think it's worth paying attention to. 

Oh wait, how about this one?
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The United States has not passed a federal law to regulate the ingredients used in personal care products since 1938.
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I think Wayne said it best. 

Really?! 1938? That's seems plain crazy, doesn't it? Then add to that the fact that so many beauty products contain microbeads which are now causing pollution problems. 

If you don't know, microbeads are tiny plastic beads used in exfoliating personal care products and toothpastes. When we use them they are "washed down the drain, pass unfiltered through the sewage treatment plants and make their way into rivers and canals, resulting in plastic particle water pollution.[6] Plastic microbeads have been found to pollute the Great Lakes in high concentrations, particularly Lake Erie. Microbeads accounted for 90 percent of these plastics." Thanks Wikipedia!

So, while Rachel and I chatted, and I perused the Never List, I started thinking about the stuff I use on a daily. I'm a pretty low-maintenance gal. I don't use makeup much. I "wash" my face by putting fractionated coconut oil on it. I don't shower every day. But I still use at least six products almost every day: 

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand wash

Not to mention what my husband uses, our bubble bath and hair stuff for the girls, etc.

​Rachel generously offered to let me try out a few of the kid's products from BeautyCounter. She dropped off shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Since it was a bath night, we put them to the test right away!

The verdict? LOVED them! Not only do I know they contain nothing harmful or potentially harmful for my girls, they also smell great AND this is the first time I've NOT had to use a spray-on detangler for my three year-old. That alone was so nice. No tears combing out wet hair? Priceless! Add to that the fact that the company partners with non-profits, such as the Environmental Working Group, quoted in a previous post, and they are not just for profit, but for people and the planet, well, they've got my vote!

Now I'm on a mission to find out just what's in the beauty products I've got in the house and the pantry while I'm at it. The Environmental Working Group makes that a lot easier with two  apps. 

EWG's Food Scores App is an amazing resource to take with you when you shop. Their data base "houses information on tens of thousands of foods in a simple, searchable online format designed to guide consumers to healthy, affordable food that’s good for people and the planet."

All you need to do is scan the Barcode or type in the name or type of product. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 

The second app is called Skin Deep. Their Cosmetics Database "is the world's largest safety reference tool for personal-care products...it provide(s) you with easy-to-navigate safety ratings at your fingertips for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market." 
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Image courtesy of itunes.apple.com

Just downloaded the apps today so as I go through my products and my pantry I'll let you know what I find! Let me know what you think of the apps and what you find your home.
Also, if you're interested in trying out the kids products, or any products for that matter, check out Beautycounter.com/rachelbridge