Eco-friendly or Green Cosmetics are starting to become mainstream. Companies are touting their products as being natural, no animal tested, organic, etc. There have been lawsuits over the wording.

What should you look for in a green cosmetic, makeup, lotion, or hair care product?

A good place to start is the EWG skin deep guide to cosmetics and personal care products database. They also have a nice printable guide.

The key ingredients to avoid include the following:

• Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA, and  BHA acids – Additive that preserves fats and oils
• DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea
  Fragrance and dyes – allergies, cancer, nervous system
• phthalate or dibutyl or diethylhexyl or just “fragrance”
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone
• Parabens or “-paraben” – Hormone disrupter
• “PEG” and “-eth”
• Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate – May cause hormone disruption, skin irritation
• Triclosan and triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (TEA)

Here are some specific products with ingredients to watch for

• Hair dyes  with ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine, diaminobenzene; all dark permanent hair dyes
• Hair Removers – Stick to Razors (Electric rechargable or blade replaceable, avoid disposable razrs), waxing with Soy based compounds.  Avoid depilatories and Oral Contraceptives and Hormonal Treatments.

• Liquid hand soaps with triclosan
• Nail polish and removers containing formaldehyde, Toluene, Pthalates, Ethylacetate & N. Butyl Acetate
• Skin lighteners with hydroquinone
• Moisturizers containing paraben
• Sunscreens with oxybenzone – Oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption and low-birthweight babies.
• Body washes with sodium lauryl sulfate
• Feminine sanitary and hygiene products with bleached with chlorine or loaded with chemical fragrances
• Oral hygiene products with propylene glycol

Many cosmetic make up products have expiration dates, so be sure to observe them.

Aftershave for Men

Men take note, slapping on some burning aftershave on your face is probably not the best thing for your skin.  Skin irritation and dryness may occur with products containing petroleum and other chemicals. Make some herbal aftershave.