August 30, 2011

Ingredient Spotlight: Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is typically used as a preservative in personal care products. It can also be one of the ingredients under the umbrella term "fragrance" listed on a product label. Phenoxyethanol began replacing parabens when the backlash against them started up. So the question is, are they any better than parabens?

Let's look into it, shall we? Phenoxyethanol is created from benzene, which is a known carcinogen, and then is treated with ethylene oxide (also a known carcinogen) and an alkalai.

August 23, 2011

A Pure and Natural Makeup Remover


When I started my search for safer products, I thought sunscreen, makeup remover and nail polish were going to be the hardest products to replace. As it turned out, the sunscreen replacement was easy. And I've just found out that makeup remover might be even simpler.

August 15, 2011

Bubble and Bee Coconut and Lime Lip Balm Review


I've been holding out on you guys. I found an amazing company with dozens of products I approve of and have been diligently testing out oodles of their concoctions. However, none of my tests had reached maturity, until now. 

August 12, 2011

What Exactly Does Organic Mean?


Organic isn't quite as simple as it sounds. Most people think it just means that a crop is grown without the use of pesticides. However, "Certified Organic" covers a lot more than just pesticide use. If you are thinking about whether you should spend more on organic skincare, or whether eating organic food is worth it, taking a look at what the term "organic" covers will probably clear some things up for you.

August 9, 2011

Guide for Using the EWG's Skin Deep Database


My quest for healthy products began with Skin Deep. It was one of the first resources I utilized to translate all the long winded ingredients on the backs of my bottles. Since singing its praises from the rooftop (despite being the tone deaf caterwauler that I am), I have now come to realize the limitations of its powers. In order for you to be the most educated consumer, I am going to share the tips for fully understanding the product ranking system on the EWG that took me so long to discover.

August 7, 2011

The Answer to the Vitamin D and Sunscreen Controversy


There has been a lot of debate regarding sunscreen and vitamin D recently. Let me give you the quick run down. Vitamin D is an important nutrient for the body. Deficiencies in vitamin D are suspected to lead to osteoporosis, high blood pressure and some cancers. There are two ways for your body to increase its levels of vitamin D: through diet, and through sun exposure. The first method can consist of supplements, food rich in vitamin D and food fortified with vitamin D. However, it is suspected that the most efficient method of vitamin D production is through exposure to sunlight. The dilemma is, how do we get enough vitamin D while not risking melanoma?

Your Shampoo Might Be Giving You Split Ends

My hair obsessed housemate got me into healthy shampoo. That actually may have been the beginning of my interest in safe personal care products. Which I'm glad I remembered, because now I have a scapegoat for this obsession of mine. She became devoted to products that wouldn't damage her locks because she wanted to grow her hair long like Rapunzel. From her, I found out that the cleansers in our shampoos are actually so harsh that they strip our hair and damage it. The ingredient that she wanted to stay away from was sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS is a detergent, a very harsh detergent. It is so harsh that by cleaning your hair, it is damaging the follicle and giving you split ends.