Although shoppers are more aware of which foods and supplements contain natural ingredients, they may not read labels quite as carefully when it comes to choosing personal care products.

In a recent assessment of ingredients in 15,000 selected cosmetics and personal care products, the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit focused on threats to public health and the environment, found that 22 percent of all conventional products may be contaminated with harmful ingredients. That’s 3,300 commonly purchased items.

According to Natural Solutions magazine and the retailer Whole Foods, five of the top toxic ingredients most commonly found in personal care products are parabens, polyethylene glycol (PEG), petrochemicals, sulfates and synthetic fragrances.

Side effects caused by these chemicals may include hormone disruption, pore clogging, skin rashes, eye irritation or damage to the reproductive system.

Many times a product may be marketed as “natural” on the front label, but this can be misleading. That’s why it’s important to also read the list of ingredients.

An example of a safe personal care alternative is Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care by XanGo. The product is made from select botanical ingredients that are free from harmful ingredients.

The cold process used to create this product preserves the mangosteen fruit and other active ingredients, optimizing the antioxidant power while minimizing the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.

The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition striving to phase out the use of chemicals in health care products, now sets the standard in the personal care products industry. Members of the Compact pledge that their products meet European Union (EU) formulation standards, which are much stricter than U.S. regulations concerning the use of chemicals in health care products.

XanGo has signed the Compact as all their products are free of harsh chemicals. You can also find the company listed among phthalates-free cosmetic organizations on ThinkBeforeYouPink.org. The Web site is a project of Breast Cancer Action that encourages the use of products free of chemicals known or strongly suspected of causing adverse health conditions.

In addition, Glimpse Skin Care carries the Natural Products Association seal of approval on its packaging. To learn more, visit http://www. glimpseskincare.com.

Are You Dying to Look Good?
Cancer-causing ingredients have been found in make-up, shampoo, deodorant, hair dye, nail polish, sunscreen and more.

If you buy cosmetics or personal care products without reading and understanding the ingredients on the label, you are most likely using products with ingredients that cause cancer, and are skin irritants. Learn how to protect yourself from the many harmful ingredients in the products you use every day.

Learn More…

Reader Reviews:
“I was shocked at what some of the ingredients in my shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and sunscreen can do to my health. Now, I’ve got a list of safe and healthy personal care products. Do your health a favor; read and use this book.” - Larry Gibbs

“In this well-researched and well-presented book we learn of some of the limitations of the Food and Drug Administration in protecting our health…” - Jack Samuels, President, Truth In Labeling Campaign

Learn More…

• Clean your dryer lint trap and enable clothes to dry more quickly.
• Use warm or cold water rather than hot water to wash clothes.
• No more partial loads–do a full load of laundry every time.

Give your clothes that fresh look from the dry cleaner by steaming them out at home without the use of any chemicals. Rowenta, manufacturer of high-end garment care products, offers a Pro Compact Steamer that refreshes those slightly worn garments in just a few minutes. In addition to saving time and money, with fewer visits to the dry cleaner, refreshing your garments at home is one small step in limiting the amount of hazardous chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process.

The company’s newly introduced Pro Compact Steamer quickly and effectively refreshes shirts, suits and other garments while attaining professional results. A unique motor-driven pump provides a powerful, continuous flow of steam. Its portable size makes it ideal for use around the house. Whether it’s eliminating wrinkles from curtains and drapes, or rejuvenating tired garments, the Pro Compact Steamer with its adjustable steam output, is the perfect at-home alternative without the use of chemicals or additional cost.

More good green news, workweek shirts and blouses or Saturday-night button-downs and cocktail dresses can all be refreshed at home within minutes, and items around your house can achieve that same fresh look as well. Steam and be green!

Conscientious parents want to minimize their child’s exposure to the many products on the market that are known to contain harmful chemicals and pollutants.

Here are a few pointers on what to look for:

• When buying baby bottles, teethers, formula and snack dispensers–things that come in contact with baby’s mouth or food– avoid buying any that contain chemicals such as BPA, PVC, phthalate, latex and chloride.

• Avoid diaper changing mats that also contain chemicals such as PVC. There are stylish models available such as ZoLi’s Baby OHM changing mats that look like adult yoga mats, but are made of safe, nontoxic material.

• Recycle and reuse whenever possible. Look for items that can be reused for other purposes, such as a ZoLi snack dispenser that can be used for baby formula and then for toddler snacks.

“Parents today want to feel confident that the choices they are making for their baby are smart and environmentally responsible,” said Julianna Shaw, the company’s founder. “They need products that work well but they also want them to be safe and serve a purpose.”

For more information, visit www.Zo-Li.com.