When Did You First Learn About the Toxics in Cosmetics?
The team over at Mother Nature Network are asking if 2010 will be remembered as the year of living safely. It’s a good question. It certainly seems that way to us. Here’ssome big reasons why.
—Our book came out (cough!)
—The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 was introduced
—The Story of Stuff video came out
—BPA panic (and news coverage) exploded
—Canada deemed the stuff toxic
—Parabens were back in the hot seat
—The California Attorney General is suing over the Brazilian blowout
—And there’s an insane increase in the amount of greenwashing about toxics in personal care products—which is a great measuring stick for increased consumer awareness and concern.
So we ask you, smartypants readers. When did you first start thinking about the toxins you put on yourself every day? What was your a ha moment? Where did you learn about it?
I came across a book called “The Green Beauty Guide” by Julie Gabriel. I have re-read that book about three times- mostly to keep myself in the beginning from buying the unsafe brands when I looked at the prices of the truly green products vs those I used to buy in the stores. A year later, it is second nature to read the ingredient lists and fork out the extra dough if it is truly a green product. I literally have a recipe box bursting with home-made recipes for everything from lotions to shampoos.
Before reading that book, I never thought about it. If I had a reaction to a conventional beauty product, I simply tossed it out and made a mental note to never use that type/ brand again. I didn’t stop to think that it contained harmful chemicals that my skin was reacting to as a way to tell me it was unsafe. I did not connect my insane daily level of exhaustion to the possible contribution of all the dirty products I used on a daily basis.
I devoured over a dozen books (No More Dirty Looks among the list) on this subject and that in turn has led me to make healthier choices in all areas of my life. And the more I read, the angrier and more upset I became over the fact that these big companies are in no way shape or form regulated and that the only thing they truly care about is their bottom line. That in turn has prompted me to tell my friends about it- especially one friend who uses dirty products on a daily basis and has had several allergic reactions. I can not force people to do something, they have to make the decision on their own,
I have noticed that my energy levels are amazing now, my skin has never been so clear, and my thin, straight hair seems thicker. Overall, I have noticed slight changes for the better. I have also noticed that when I interact with people who wear perfume or body spray, my nose begins to literally burn from the smell. Going to get my hair cut can be a bit of a pain when I tell them my hair doesn’t need to be washed and they try to do it anyway or when they try to pitch various hair products to me.
All I know is that I made the switch from dirty to clean products and there is no way I can possible go back. Nor will I ever.
I first learned about it in Jillian Michels’ “Master your Metabolism” book this spring. She only mentions chemicals in Cosmetics briefly, and mainly focuses on eating organic and getting your home chemical-free to get your endocrine system back on track, but it was enough to make me curious. I then read through “Not Just a Pretty Face” in two days. I was so angry about the cosmetic companies and their bs and at that time tossed most of my dirty makeup-and there was a ton! I was feeling so lost about where to go for clean products and was just making my own list based on the cosmetics safety database, then your book came along.
I love the knowledge I have gained about products over this year and can only hope that this information gets more mainstream so that it can no longer be brushed under the rug.
The original Story of Stuff came out quite a while ago.. I have a blog post from 2007 linking to it. But I think you meant their Story of Cosmetics, which definitely did appear this year. (Much to my delight.)
I got into organics and clean products about three years ago now, and its taken about that long to really find products that I love, that work, and that are clean all at the same time. I didnt really have much of an “A-ha!” moment as much as it was an “Aaaieeee!!” scream. I was working for a zoo at the time, teaching outreach courses on watershed ecology and had a student ask me a brilliant question: “If oil pollution is so bad for the lagoon, why don’t we just pour a bunch of dish soap into the water? The bottles say that the soap cleans birds.”
I then told her that soap pollution isn’t really a great trade off for oil.. but I couldn’t tell her WHY it would be so bad and as a teacher, that bugged me. That’s when my quest to learn more about soap (and from there all of personal care products) started. It’s been quite the evolution, and I thank the heavens and my lucky stars everyday for the EWG and the cosmetics database online. Without them I would be completely at sea instead of armed to the teeth with interesting information and data that I can share with just about anyone.
2006: decided to go on a more natural approach with skincare.
2007: found a job at a “natural” skincare co.
2008: found out a bit more about how “natural” that brand was.
2009: freaked out about ingredients. Wanted to know more. I knew this could not be the end!
2010: tons of Wikipedia, mostly due to that “natural” skincare company releasing new products with synthetics and being open about it.
2010: More research— what are these peeps not telling me?
2010: freaking out, google, planet green, google, whole foods… where the hell can I find answers?!
2010: No More Dirty Looks!!!
I’m a new person.
I’m still a bit scared though… I’ve been using cosmetics since I was 12. How long until by body is detoxified? I’ve been eating a mostly-organic diet (about 90% of what I eat everyday is), don’t smoke (anything), and, well… I’m still trying to erase my ideas of oils being dirty and clean being or feeling differently… little by little…
Your book has been such a tremendous help! and it came in just the right time for me!
I would say I have had inklings of this nastiness most of my life…I was kind of a pretentious kid about the environment, save the manatees thing anyway….
I always thought make-up was gross when my mom wore it (tom boy anyway), and once I got the “privilege” of wearing it, it clogged my pores and made my acne worse and dried out my eyes etc etc..
I remember gasping for air and escaping the bathroom when my mom did her hair up w/ hairspray when I was a kid. (tho hairspray is now one of my last vices) I balk at the taste and look of traditional lipstick- ew. I remember the smell/headaches of plastics-bowls, toys, paint, wallpaper- chemicals and chemicals and chemicals- the cleaners at school, the perfume that would make my stomache roll. My hair has been dry and flat and thin as can be ever since I can remember- of course, we always just used Suave cuz it was cheap, and when i got older Herbal Essences cuz it smelled good (*sigh* oh my goodness).
But we never thought much about it, of course. Poor Kansas folk; you buy what you “need” at the best price you can find, and when all you have is a local grocer and a dollar general…
2007- moved to the “big city” and learned of the amazingness of “whole” food stores… peaked interest in organic eating… etc…
My sister had her first kid, and I moved to nanny- she becomes a doula for the Bradley Method of childbirth- and I’m now an advocate for natural child birth…leading to more green interests including immunizations
Also interested because I was infected with West Nile in High School and have had a seriously compromised immune system ever since- not to mention my mom was diagnosed with a “generic” autoimmune disease, her family has heart/diabetes/blood pressure/weight issues (starchy, meaty Swedes- I swear i have seen a trend in Scandinavians and autoimmune- our systems were never meant for all the additives, nor did they get enough vitamins)…
2009- bored googling at work; keyword: green!
found http://www.greenplanet.com
Cosmetics articles all over: me? Agasp!!
… lead to 2010- No More Dirty Looks, Ultra Longevity, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body- books books books-
No more conventional shampoo-body wash or conditioner, no sacyclic acid face wash, no body wash- no more covergirl, no more suave- on the quest for clean, affordable products, and DIY living for a heathlier me and earth (without breaking my already broken budget)
Thanks again, guys!
I started using more natural skincare around 2007. I figured, if there was bad stuff in non-organic food, the same probably applied to skin care.
I got a couple books, I read more.
But it was late last year when i started being able to confidently say to my hair stylist “Excuse me, are there any parabens in this product? Gimme that, lemme look.” I also started exploring other options beyond just organic skin care, like ditching certain products that really don’t do anything! Goodbye bodywash, fancy lotions, shaving creams. Hello olive oil, coconut oil, and almond oil!