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As the world goes greener (or at least talks a whole heck of a lot about going greener) I've started seeing a new infiltration of eco-cosmetic pitches in my overflowing inbox at Cool Mom Picks. There are organic moisturizers, all-natural eye shadows, cruelty-free cosmetics brushes. It almost seems that the only folks doing the same old skeery petrochemical formulations are the established mass drugstore brands. And even they're starting to get with the consumer demand. Why do you think Clorox bought Burt's Bees? Ahem.
I know it makes me feel better to know that no innocent rabbits or kitties or streams or scenic hillsides were hurt in an effort to give me vampy lashes or pouty lips but it's more than that.
The skin easily absorbs the toxins of the world which can then build up in your organs. So when there are parabens in your bubble bath or petrochemicals in your
deodorant, they may not just stay on your skin.
I think what's difficult for consumers however is that there are all sorts of misleading "pure" and "natural" claims out there that aren't. Let's just say that that totally organic experience shampoo isn't actually totally organic (shocker!) and it probably passed legal because it was the "experience" they claimed was organic. Or something. Lots of so-called natural shampoos and soaps contain sodium lauryl sulfate which is the source of some controversy. In fact, evidently as much as 76% of eco-labeing is innacurate according to a TerraChoice survey, although that's better than the 86% it was two years ago.
Part of the problem is, there's no US standard for "natural" so you have to
do a
bit of work to figure out who's legit and who's not. One thing that helps, is looking for a respectable certification label, like:
-Germany's BDIH certification
-Europe's EcoCert
-Voluntary signatories to Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Each has its own logo, its own standards and its own governing board, so when you see it on a package you can feel pretty confident that you know what you're getting. You can also check the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic safety database which I previously covered here.
How about you? Do you buy the whole natural/organic is better line? Any products you thought were all natural and fabulous that turned out not to be?
[image: Cargo natural cosmetics]
Liz Gumbinner is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the shopping blog Cool Mom Picks, the author of Mom-101, and a contributing editor to BlogHer BeautyHacks
