Many substances that can be harmful are permitted in everyday products. This guide will help you identify the ingredients to avoid, as well as make a few suggestions for alternative choices. Nevertheless, it is important to remain vigilant since finding truly healthy products is not always easy.
Things can change!
In this guide you will find hundreds of products. The contents of these products can sometimes change and the scientific knowledge of the dangers associated with the various ingredients is continually evolving. The products in this guide were chosen based on the knowledge available at the time of writing, and are healthier alternatives than most available on the market. We will make sure to update the information regularly, however it is important to read labels.
Beware of greenwashing
Greenwashing is a marketing tactic that creates a misleading impression of ecological responsibility for certain products. Terms like ‘natural’, ‘green’, ‘ecological’, ‘botanical’ etc. are not regulated by law and can be misused to mislead consumers.
In the same way, certain logos or patterns of flowers, plants, etc., are used to influence our consumption choices. Companies may promote products as ‘natural’ or highlight a single ingredient while hiding less desirable ingredients.
Always read the ingredient list carefully and familiarize yourself with quality certifications to make informed choices.
Natural doesn’t mean healthy
Just because a product looks “green” doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you or the environment. Be cautious of words that aren’t regulated by law, such as “‘green”, “ecological”, “fresh”, and “natural”.
Always consult the ingredient list, use apps like Think Dirty (for cosmetics) and check for quality certifications such as the ones mentioned below.
| Certification | Ecolabel | Types of products | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecologo |  | Cleaning Electronics Office supplies Renovation and construction materials Personal care | Canada |
| Green Seal |  | Cleaning Food packaging Personal care Renovation and construction materials | United States |
| EcoLabel |  | Cleaning Electronics Furniture Personal care Textiles | European Union |
| EWG Verified |  | Baby products Personal care Cleaning | United States |
| ECOCERT |  | Food Personal care Textiles | France |
| USDA Organic |  | Cleaning Food Textiles | United States |
| Safer Choice |  | Cleaning | United States |
| Canada Organic |  | Food | Canada |
Unscented (scent-free) and fragrance-free: an important distinction
Unscented products are formulated to be scent-free, but this can be misleading. They may still contain added fragrances. In fact, the product listed as unscented may contain various fragrances whose odour has been neutralised by other chemical masking agents in the product.
In contrast, fragrance-free products do not contain any ingredients that are added for scent. However, they may still have naturally occurring odours from some components. These products are present for their beneficial properties rather than for fragrance.
To clarify this, here are two examples:
Fragrance-free (with scent): A cream contains coconut oil, which has a scent, but the oil is used for its properties and not added to perfume the product.
Unscented (with fragrance): A cream contains lavender oil, which has a scent, or other chemicals that represent a scent, but to hide or mask this odour, other products (often chemicals) have been added to the cream.
If you are sensitive to fragrances, it’s important to understand this distinction. Opt for fragrance-free products rather than unscented products, which are more likely to be harmful.
Read the labels
This guide will help you identify the most harmful ingredients. Remember that the ingredient at the top of the list is the one present in the highest concentration.
Some derivatives are not listed on the label. Stay alert and avoid the product if you have any doubts about its composition.
Choose products with few ingredients that are easily identifiable.
Benefits of reading labels: Find out the health effects of some chemicals found in cosmetics
Cosmetics can have ingredients that you may not be familiar with. To make an informed decision when choosing what to put on your skin, here is some information on chemicals found in make up, and their health effects. Read more here.
Become eco-responsible
It is by becoming eco-responsible that you will be able to regain control over your health and the environment. There is now a growing awareness related to environmental well-being.
You will find a variety of literature on the subject, including the following examples:
- Non-Toxic: Guide to living healthy in a chemical world, Cohen A. and S. vom Saal F. (2020)
- Plastic-Free: How I kicked the plastic habit and how you can too, Terry B. (2012)
- Raising healthy children in a toxic world: 101 smart solutions for every family, Landrigan P. J. (2002)
- Toxic: Heal your body from mold toxicity, Lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, and chronic environmental illness, Neil N. (2018)
- Your body’s environmental chemical burden: A resource guide to understanding and avoiding toxins, Klement C. (2018)
In addition to the above, several mobile applications and internet guides will help you make the right consumer choices on a daily basis:
Coop La Maison Verte (food)
Eco home (construction, renovation)
EWG Guide to healthy cleaning (household products)
EWG’s Skin Deep (personal hygiene)
Sustain Ecostore (varied)
Think Dirty- Clean Beautique (personal hygiene)
Other sites such as CNESST and Guide to Less Toxic Products (Nova Scotia) will provide you with information on the composition of certain products and information on the toxicity of ingredients.