You have made a decision to change to healthier products. The information below will help you make good choices for your health and a healthier environment.

It can be challenging to choose healthy products, especially since there are so many on the market, and so many of them make claims such as “natural”, “eco-friendly”, “green”, “biodegradable” or “good for the environment”. How do you know what to believe? Here are a few tips that can help you.

Avoid the following chemicals:

  • Aluminum
  • Benzene
  • BHA or BHT
  • Bisphenol A
  • Carbopol (Carbomer)
  • Colours
  • DEA (diethanolamine): Cocamide, Oleamide, Lauramide DEA
  • DEET and other pesticides
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • Flavours
  • Formaldehyde
  • Glycol ethers: Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Propylene glycol (PG)
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • MEA (Monoehanolamine)
  • Methenamine
  • Mineral oil, White oil
  • Nitrates/Nitrites
  • Parabens
  • Parfum/Perfumes or Fragrances
  • Petrolatum
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • p-Phenylenediamine (PPD)

  • Phthalates (DMP, DEP, DBP, DnBP, BBzP, DEHP, DINP, DIDP, BBP, DNOP)
  • Quarternium-15
  • Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
  • Silicone: Dimethicone (PDMS)
  • Siloxanes: Cyclomethicone, Cyclotetrasiloxane
  • Sulfites
  • TEOA/TEA (Triethanolamine)
  • Triclosan

1. Always read ingredients and avoid the products if there is parfum/perfume or fragrance on the label.

2. Do not rely on labelling such as “natural”, “eco-friendly”, “green” “biodegradable” or “good for environment”.

3. Buy unscented or fragrance-free products.

4. Choose clear products, free of colourings.

5. Seek out products with a short list of ingredients.

6. Use fewer products and use them less often.

Consult websites such as www.ewg.org/skindeep and www.lesstoxicguide.ca