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