FAQs: Sunscreen Questions, EWG's Answers. 2011 Sunscreen Report From EWG's Skin Deep

David Madden photo

Environmental Working Group (EWG) posted the link below on my Facebook page. It's contains really good information about sunscreen. No surprise there. They asked it be passed along. So I am. Please do the same!

FAQs: Your sunscreen questions. Our answers. | EWG's 2011 Sunscreen Report | EWG's Skin Deep

Jessica Alba Lobbies on Capitol Hill for Safer Chemicals

I'm staying up late, late, late tonight. The news is good and I want to make that happy feeling last a little longer by sharing.

Many of you may already know that Jessica Alba has stepped up to advocate for safer chemicals in consumer products. She was on Capitol Hill yesterday to support a bill that will secure tighter safety standards for chemical manufacturers.

ABC caught her in the halls of power. You can watch the interview below, then read Rick Klein's report here.




Here are links to more information: 

Safer Chemicals Healthy Families
Environmental Working Group
The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

Don't Know Cocamide From Formaldehyde?

I need to reduce the amount of potentially harmful chemicals in my world. Not just for my own health, but also because of the obligation I feel to do something useful for this embattled world. There are so assaults on Earth's flora and fauna that are so far out of my ability to diminish or influence, safely managing my own sphere is a good place to start.

Ferreting out and safely destroying dangerous and potentially dangerous ingredients hiding in products in my cupboard, under the sink, in the shower... that's the least I can do. Well, actually the least I can do is make sure they're not there in the first place. 

It isn't easy. Even wearing my glasses the small print on those jars and bottles is just a blur. I'm thinking of bring my husband's "optiVisor " next time I go shopping... Despite the challenges I've found a lot of very helpful sites and research on the web. 

Here are some links and information if you're interested-

The Environmental Working Group posted the following help on their Facebook page:

How to read a label
Every personal care product must list its ingredients. Here's how to navigate the labels:

• Start at the end of the list with the preservatives. 
• Avoid:
   
• Words ending in "paraben"
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (or "TEA")
   
• Then check the beginning of the ingredients list, where soaps, surfactants, and lubricants show up. Avoid ingredients that start with "PEG" or have an "-eth" in the middle (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
   
• Read the ingredients in the middle. Look for these words: "FRAGRANCE," "FD&C," or "D&C." Avoid these as well

If you've read my other posts you already know I think Environmental Working Group is doing important work. One of their projects is the Skin Deep database. I've learned a lot through the research the site has already done. And even if a product isn't already on their list I can "key in" the information from the product label here and get a preliminary product report. 

Also- I clicked here, scrolled down toward the bottom of the page and got a download called "Shopper's Guide to Safe Cosmetics". I've printed it out and have a copy in a few of my shopping bags. It's really helped me keep things straight when I'm shopping.  A large magnifying glass has helped, too.

The Cancer Prevention Coalition  (CPC) has posted some very helpful lists about hidden carcinogens and what they call "Frank Carcinogens" on their website. A few of the ingredients listed are below. As always, it's best to do your own research to know exactly what you say you believe and don't believe. CPC has some very interesting and bold ideas. 

more after the jump...

...read more after the jump...

Ouidad Botanical Boost

When I stumbled onto Ouidad's website: Ouidad in the '90s I was incredulous- What!? Someone is actually making products to enhance curls? What? Is this some fairy tale? WHAT?!

Because I had given up on having socially acceptable hair long ago I was definitely behind the curve on new hair products. There may have been another company already producing products to help the natural curly cope, but I was clueless. No...that's not true. I was FAR past that. I was in total denial that my waves and curls- and even some of the frizz might be attractive. So I was still using the products my friends with straight hair used, continuing to have mostly hideous haircuts and wearing lots of ponytails. 

How I looked up from my misguided path and found Ouidad I don't remember. I only know that I gratefully used their products for years, eventually buying it by the truckload. Well, by the 33.8 fluid ounce size anyway. Every product I tried worked really well- my hair had never looked and felt so good. And, "they lived happily ever after", right?

Well, not exactly. Eventually even the handsome prince snores and Snow White's patience grows thin. And so it goes with hair care products. I put Ouidad products to the research test here and discovered that although they made my hair do what I wanted it to do... there are some ingredients in there that I'd rather do without. Actually quite a few. A score of 8 out of 10 for me is unacceptable.

As always, I would never attempt to tell you what you should you. Since you know your self, your body and your values better than anyone else it's best to do your own research. You may go here for the complete Skin Deep results and to see the information for yourself. 

What follows is the beginning of the full report taken directly from Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database

OUIDAD BOTANICAL BOOST® MOISTURE INFUSING & REFRESHING SPRAY

SCORE

8

high hazard (out of 10)

80%

data gap

84% of hair sprays have lower concerns
93% of detanglers have lower concerns

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep. Legal Disclaimer

Ingredients in this product are linked to:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Use restrictions
	Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns

Ingredients from packaging: Water, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Rosa Canina Leaf Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Methyl Gluceth-10, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone-4, Benzalkonium Chloride, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin.

Directions from packaging: -After showering, spray product evenly and sparingly onto damp hair to detangle.-In the morning or throughout the day, use to product to refresh and revive your curls.

Ingredients                       score		data gap	concerns
DMDM HYDANTOIN	9	61%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE), Use restrictions
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
POLYSORBATE-20	4	72%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE	6	62%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Use restrictions
SULISOBENZONE BENZOPHENONE-4	3	64%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
PROPYLENE GLYCOL	4	60%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
SODIUM HYDROXIDE	3	77%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE	3	71%	Allergies/immunotoxicity
PANTHENOL	2	93%	Multiple, additive exposure sources
DISODIUM EDTA	2	80%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN	1	99%	Contamination concerns (PESTICIDES)
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN	1	95%	Allergies/immunotoxicity
HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN	1	94%	Multiple, additive exposure sources
PANAX GINSENG (GINSENG) ROOT EXTRACT PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT	1	91%	None Identified
BUTYLENE GLYCOL	1	78%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF EXTRACT ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT	1	75%	None Identified
CENTELLA ASIATICA (GOTU KOLA) EXTRACT CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT	0	100%	None Identified
HYDROLYZED WHEAT STARCH	0	100%	None Identified
ROSA CANINA (DOG ROSE) EXTRACT ROSA CANINA LEAF EXTRACT	0	100%	None Identified
SPIRULINA MAXIMA (ALGAE) EXTRACT SPIRULINA MAXIMA EXTRACT	0	100%	None Identified
METHYL GLUCETH-10	0	94%	None Identified
WATER	0	0%	Innocuous

L'Oreál Paris EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo

L'Oreál Paris photo

Last night I Googled, "smooth hair paraben silicones free" hoping to find some new and uplifting information about products, ingredients ... anything. The most interesting result was a product from L'Oreál Paris called, "EverSleek". With one click I was on "L'Oreál's very slick website.

There I found several products in the EverSleek line, all promising to smooth and de-frizz and to, "put you in control" because, "we're worth it". I was definitely intrigued. I watched a short video of the talented and inspiring Jennifer Lopez dance, pose and whip around some amazingly long, shiny, smooth and healthy looking hair.


I remember watching Jen at the beginning of her career. She was a "fly-girl": an amazing dancer on that great, groundbreaking show, "In Living Color". Back then her hair had a lot of texture and curl, a lot of beautiful natural "bling".

Being the owner of textured haired myself I understand its stubborn nature. When it used to be important to me to beat my curls and waves into sleek submission it bounced back to its natural state with even a hint of breeze or moisture.

So this sleek shiny hair she was swinging...  well, this was nothing short of amazing. And Jennifer, along with the text promised I could have this hair with, "no bad stuff...no parabens, no sulfates..." She so had me.

But I wrestled myself free from the bait long enough to go to Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database to look up the product. I couldn't believe how excited I felt. A lot of L'Oreál products were already listed, but not this one. So slowly, laboriously I typed in the long list of ingredients. I wanted the results and I wanted them NOW. The suspense was killing me...

And ... I was mightily disappointed at the reveal.  L'Oreál Paris EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo's score was 7- a high hazard. That doesn't mean I think it's a bad product. It's just not for me...might be wonderful for other people.

So with another hope shattered, l pass along my findings.
What follows are the full results with a disclaimer first of course. If you're looking for a quick synopsis the first few paragraphs should suffice.

Here's the link if you'd like to do your own research: Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep. 

Please note - If you're doing your own research you won't be able to search for my report on this product. Whenever the ingredients are provided by someone other than the company, Skin Deep has to review and okay the entire report before it becomes search-able. You can still get your own report. Either use the ingredient list I've provided or go to  L'Oreal Paris to get the product ingredients. Then input the information into the Skin Deep database.

If you want any assistance with using Skin Deep just leave me a comment. I check for comments daily and will get back to you ASAP.

...read more after the jump...

Not So Sexy: Ingredients in your perfume?

About 10 years ago -  much to my disappointment - I noticed perfume was bothering me. I'd sneeze when applying it and experience runny eyes, and a pounding headache until I could wash it off.  Anything in a spray bottle was definitely out.

Luckily the response was limited to only a few bottles in my collection. But the problem wasn't only with my own products, I began to have the same reaction to the perfume and aftershave I encountered on other people throughout my day as well.

As I've gotten older I've become increasingly sensitive. I seem to be irritated by so many scents that abstaining totally has been the simplest solution.

Today I stumbled onto a great report on this subject from Environmental Working Group. Really, is there any other kind from them? But I digress. According to this report there are multiple "secret" ingredients in many perfumes and some of the known ingredients are chemicals associated with allergic reactions and hormone disruption. Potentially worse, many of the ingredients haven't even been assessed for safety in personal care products.

If you'd like to read the full report here's the link : Not so sexy

M Moroccanoil- Original

Moroccan Oil photo

About a year ago I visited a stylist who I was told used only non toxic, "healthy" products.

After wrestling with all my frizzy salt and pepper hair for a few minutes she brought out a product in a beautiful amber colored glass bottle with a bright teal label marked, M "Moroccanoil". It smelled divine and when she worked it through my hair it tamed the wild and smoothed the frizz beautifully. A magic elixir! So naturally I bought the big bottle. Mmmmmm....good and good for me...

I've been using this product sporadically ever since. A little goes a long way- even with all my frizzy hair, so I'm still on the same bottle I bought a year ago. It still works great, but I've noticed that when I apply it I can't get it too near my scalp or my hair will lay flat against my scalp- not a good look for me.

So- the reason I'm talking about it now... I've noticed I experience allergy-like symptoms: pounding head, pressure behind my eyes and tearing up a lot. My ears feel full, and they "pop" occasionally. Then there's the sinus headache, I feel a bit woozy and have trouble concentrating. Please understand- I'm NOT saying the product is causing these symptoms- only that when I use it, I also notice these symptoms. They could have nothing to do with this product, be a combination of this product and other irritants or be none of the above...

Skin Deep photo

I went to my most favorite source: Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep website: Skin Deep , but the product wasn't in their database. I checked the bottle's label for the ingredients so I could plug them into the Skin Deep database, but the only thing I could find was the "argan oil" from Morocco. The ingredients must have been on the box which I had pitched long ago.

So a few weeks ago I stumbled onto Essential Day Spa's Forums (EDS) : http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/ and found a resourceful reader had the same questions as me and had found the ingredients. You can follow the above link for yourself, or just read on.  Here's what s/he typed in as the ingredients:

...read more after the jump...