Our skin is efficient at absorbing whatever we put on it ... and that includes the hundreds of synthetic chemicals used in shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, makeup, powders, perfumes, skin softeners and nail polish. Many ingredients in these products have well-documented health risks, but the FDA allows cosmetics and other personal care products to be marketed without third-party testing for safety. The "suspect" ingredients in these products are primarily fragrances, preservatives and colors, many of which have been associated with health problems, ranging from contact dermatitis to endocrine disruption and cancer.

Look for simple products that contain the fewest ingredients (for example, soap made from olive oil) and those which contain certified organic ingredients. Select the safer alternatives for products you use most often, or those that are used on large body surfaces, such as moisturizers. This is especially important when selecting products for use on children.

SUGGESTED PRODUCTS

Aubrey Organics (www.aubrey-organics.com) A leader in all-natural hair and skin care for more than 33 years, Aubrey Organics is found in more than 4,500 health food stores and maintains a catalog of products for everyone in the household, including the family dog.

Avalon (www.avalonnaturalproducts.com) With three leading product lines, Avalon Organics, Alba and Unpetroleum, Avalon Natural Products is inspired by organic agriculture and the ongoing cause of sustainability -- both of health and of the environment. Avalon uses 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing.

Dr. Hauschka (www.drhauschka.com) A holistic skin-care regimen that uses plant and mineral ingredients carefully selected based on their individual effects and their interaction with other ingredients, ensuring their source is ecologically and ethically sound. Because the packaging is eco-friendly, products remain free of artificial preservatives.

Jurlique (www.jurlique.com) Jurlique natural skin care uses active herbal ingredients, natural antioxidants and plant based ingredients and herbs grown organically on their own farms in South Australia. Products are hypo-allergenic and pH balanced, with no animal testing or content.

Lavera (www.lavera-usa.com) Lavera is committed to skin care products with only the purest organic ingredients and the absence of synthetic preservatives, additives, petroleum-based ingredients, emulsifiers, colors and fragrances.

Logona Cosmetics (www.logona.co.uk) A leading supplier of natural facial care, hair care, body and oral care and cosmetics products utilizing high quality, natural raw materials, including premium vegetable oils and waxes, herbal extracts and floral distillates. Logona conforms to strict ecological manufacturing standards.

Terressentials (www.terressentials.com) Using only 100% USDA-certified organic ingredients, Terressentials handcrafts a wide range of organic products: skin care, hair care, baby products, and other goods made with certified organic herbs and certified organic essential oils.

Weleda (http://usa.weleda.com) All natural, organic, biodynamic, and fairly traded ingredients that are certified by the strictest governing boards in order to bring high quality products.

WEB RESOURCES

California Safe Cosmetics Program
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cosmetics
The California Department of Public Health recently declared all manufacturers, packers, and/or distributers of cosmetic products sold in California to list all products with ingredients found or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive damage.

Skin Deep: News About the Safety of Popular Health and Beauty Brands
www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep
Environmental Working Group created this personal care product safety guide with information on over 14,000 products, safety ratings and brand comparisons to help consumers choose safer products.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
www.safecosmetics.org
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, women's, environmental and consumer groups seeking to protect consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems and replace them with safer alternatives.

Poisoned Cosmetics, Not Too Pretty
www.nottoopretty.org
This site, created by a coalition of organizations, is a base for the campaign to remove phthalates from cosmetics and includes international press releases, an electronic form to submit your concern to the FDA and a list of companies that make phthalate-free products.

Cosmetics Companies and Breast Cancer
thinkbeforeyoupink.org
A project of Breast Cancer Action, this article asks readers to consider that many of the cosmetic companies that claim to contribute portions of their proceeds toward "the fight against breast cancer" actually contain the chemicals linked to cancer development.

PUBLICATIONS

Makeup Goes Organic, by Rose Marie Williams, MA (Health Risks and Environmental Issues, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April 2006)
Williams discusses the toxins that have been identified in makeup as well as the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and names of those companies that have signed onto the Compact for Safer Cosmetics.

Drop Dead Gorgeous, by Kim Erickson (Contemporary Books, 2002)
Erickson exposes the truth behind the cosmetic industry -- that skin, hair, body, and beauty products are loaded with potential irritants, carcinogens, neurotoxins and hormone disrupters. Erickson includes simple recipes for shampoos, bath salts, lotions and hair dyes as well as specific manufacturers and products that contain no damaging substances.

A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, by Ruth Winter, M.S. (Crown, 1999) Winter's book lets consumers know what is in their health and beauty products and gives information on how to protect from possible irritants, confusing chemical names or exaggerated claims of beauty from additives.

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