The average adult uses nine personal products a day with roughly 120 chemicals included in their composition. Daily exposure to toxins over a lifetime can add up and simple changes can greatly reduce the risk of compromising the immune system, causing diseases like cancer and increasing the risk for obesity, fertility problems and respiratory issues. Learning how to read your products and the labels associated with safe cosmetics will help you feel confident in buying the right one.
Make-Up Labels:
Many claims on personal care products, as on beauty products specifically appear sound but are actually meaningless. The term hypoallergenic, for example, does not have to abide by any federal standard or regulation. Safecosmetics.org is one good resource for discovering news about ingredients and cosmetic laws and companies.
The top tips for greening your beauty and make-up routine is to study the labels and look for certified organic products. Choose products that are petroleum and paraben free. Avoid products that use animal testing. Make simple changes like brushing your teeth with natural toothpaste and using aluminum free deodorant.
Here are some eco-friendly beauty certification standards:
Natural Organic Program (NOP), USDA certified-Cosmetics and body care products are eligible for the same 4 organic labeling categories as all other agricultural products, based on their organic content and other factors:
“100 percent organic”–Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.
“Organic”–Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt).
“Made with organic ingredients”–Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.” Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.
Less than 70 percent organic ingredients–Products cannot use the term “organic” anywhere on the principal display panel. However, they may identify the specific ingredients that are USDA certified as being organically produced on the ingredients statement on the information panel. Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and may not display a certifying agent’s name and address. (Water and salt are also excluded here.) source: USDA.gov
Here are just a few of the companies that meet this standard: Miessence Certified Organics, Terressentials, Dr. Bronner’s, and Little Angel.
Esocert-Founded in France in 1991, this European company is an organic certification company and primarily certifies food, food products, cosmetics, detergents, perfumes and textiles. They pride themselves in certifying “bio-cosmetics” or environmentally friendly natural cosmetics.
BDIH-This company represents the Association of German Industries and Trading Firms for pharmaceuticals, health care products and food supplements and personal hygiene products; they developed comprehensive guidelines for certified natural cosmetics. Products bearing this seal must use natural high-quality ingredients obtained whenever possible from organic cultivation methods.
NaTrue-An international non-profit, this organization of natural and organic cosmetic manufacturers aims to provide guidance and reassurance to green-minded consumers.
Vegan Cosmetics- A not for profit subsidiary, dedicated to helping the environment. VC is the only certifying agent exclusively serving the personal care industry. This organization strives to focus on the environmental practices related to ingredients in all types of skin, hair, bath and body products.
Natural Seal-Only brands with at least 60% of their products meeting the association standard are permitted to use this seal. The products must have 95% all-natural ingredients and contain only synthetic ingredients specifically allowed under this standard. Committee partners include Weleda, Aubrey Organics and Burt’s Bees.
Nickie Knight
Founder and Editor in Chief
Hip Moms Go Green
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