I found myself using the dreaded toxic options ‘for special occasions’ until a friend recommended Nine Naturals. With four simple ingredients, both my husband and I found a satisfactory alternative to chemical land. The product is sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, BPA-free, triclosan-free, DEA-free, petrochemical-free and contains no artificial chemicals, dyes or synthetic fragrance. It’s nice to know that what you wash off in the shower isn’t contaminating the water supply or otherwise harming the environment too.

Everyone’s chemistry is a little different but I hope this might at least be a common replacement for your more nuclear options. Admittedly, the research is inconclusive thus far on both the effect of aluminum (which blocks sweat from reaching surface of the skin and can promote both cancerous and non-cancerous cell growth in breasts by affecting estrogen levels) and parabens (concentrations of which are found in breast tumors). However, research was inconclusive on smoking once upon a time too. Go with your gut.

INGREDIENTS: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the FDA to also review other known carcinogens contained in the caramel coloring that companies like Coke and Pepsi use. This isn’t the caramel you make from sugar on the stove. As CSPI explains, the caramel color in soda is made by reacting sugar with ammonia and sulfites. At high temperature and pressure, these chemical reactions form 2-methylimidazole and 4 methylimidazole, which “in government-conducted studies, caused lung, liver, or thyroid cancer or leukemia in laboratory mice or rats.

No thanks. I’ve got my bkr full of H₂O.

photo credit: Jorge Bach, CSPI

Lead is a neurotoxin and potentially carcinogenic. Thanks to Charlotte in Paris for pointing out that one of my favorites, Burt’s Bees tinted lip shimmer, does in fact contain lead. Blisstree lays it all out here noting that the Burt’s lip shimmers tested contained between .43 and 2.24 parts per million of lead. The average of the 400 lipsticks the FDA tested was 1.11 ppm. Among the top offenders were Cover Girl – Maximum Red, Revlon – Red Velvet and The Body Shop’s Garnet. For a full list, see below.

This is a reminder that we must all train ourselves to remember that “natural” means nothing. Naturally occurring chemicals can also be harmful. The best way to avoid ingesting these toxins is to read ingredients and do the research for yourself. The EWG skin deep database isn’t perfect either – do pay attention to the level of data contained and take ratings with a grain of salt. Vaseline for example is rated a O even though it contains petrolatum.  The Daily Green has a good guide on buying nontoxic lipsticks.

Coastal Classic Creations repeatedly comes up as a good nontoxic option but I have yet to try it. I’m still a recovering gloss addict.

Have a brilliant idea for nontoxic lipstick, gloss or tinted balm? Send me your favorites!

List of lead-laden lipsticks tested by the FDA:

^a Lipsticks selected are 20 of the same brands and shades analyzed by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=327¹¹)
^b Lot numbers embossed or printed on lipstick cases or end labels.
^c Results are for total lead content determined by FDA’s validated method [Reference 1].
^d Reported in units of µg Pb/g in Reference 1.
^e Combination of several lots.
^f Result not used for determining average value of lead content by FDA’s validated method.
^g No shade number on lipstick.
^h No lot number on lipstick.
 

FDA Analyses of Lead in Lipsticks – Expanded Survey

The following results for lead content in 400 lipsticks were obtained by Frontier Global Sciences, Inc., under a contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The lipsticks were purchased from retail stores between February and July 2010.

p.s. if this guy died of natural causes, I do like orange and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

“But my jar just says 100% ‘petroleum jelly’.”

That’s right, you won’t find these red flag ingredients on the package. Thanks to the lack of regulation of cosmetics and products in the US, they are not required to list all ingredients. See the actual contents of standard Vaseline (Unilever) here, thanks to EWG Skin Deep testing.  These additives have been shown to cause cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), biochemical and cellular level changes, allergies and other skin irritations.

Under the circumstances, it’s quite disturbing that Tyra Banks started a “Vaseline Frenzy” when she told the world it was her #1 beauty secret and that teens are being advised that Vaseline is their best friend. Add this to the 16 (on average) other toxic beauty and skin products people use on a daily basis and it’s not hard to see why we have sky rocketing infertility, cancer, and allergy rates, in additional to a significant increase in many behavioral disorders. (That’s another topic entirely but check out this simple list of toxins affecting learning and behavior in children from the Healthy Children Project.)

So please, do not slather this on your baby’s butt to prevent diaper rash (this doesn’t work anyway because you’re most likely trapping moisture in if you just used a wipe, which causes … wait for it … diaper rash). Note that popular products like Desitin contain petrolatum, in addition to sodium borate and methlyparaben (the worst paraben).

Don’t use petroleum jelly on yourself for that matter.

For dry skin or lips, try organic Badger Baby Balm. I linked around and Avalon Organics Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly received good reviews and even recommendations for being nontoxic. Unfortunately it does contain tocopheryl acetate, a chemical compound that consists of acetic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E). The chemical concerns surrounding tocopheryl acetate, although moderate, include cancer (one or more animal studies showed tumor formation at high doses), environmental and other issues. For details, see EWG’s Skin Deep database.

Organic olive oil works well too (even on cradle cap). We also like Burt’s Bees Nourishing Baby Oil and, for lips, Burt’s Bees Wax Lip Balm. Everyday Shea’s Baby Lotion looks promising (we use their Baby Shampoo and Body Wash). If you must use a cream for each diaper change, we’ve noted before Burt’s Bees great diaper ointment. If you are treating a rash or irritation, use a zinc oxide cream that doesn’t have added chemicals. Bourdreaux’s Diaper Rash Ointment in Natural has the highest percentage of zinc that we’ve found and worked like a charm on my 4 month old.

 Happy lubing.

I like Priti Nails in Keepsake Rose and Pink Jewel Carnation. Many of their colors are on sale now for $8.75.

Piggy Paint is also adorable and sure to please little ballerinas everywhere. Check out their cute gift sets.

And since apparently no nail color is off limits even to adult women, go ahead and get yourself the Color Me Happy …

Helpful article and useful page sorting out the ‘vinyls’ from Healthy Child.