I have opened a (toxic) can of worms.... I decided to investigate what kinds of chemicals are in the grooming products I use. Yikes! I didn't realize that cosmetics and grooming products aren't regulated, they can pretty much just put what they want in there, and there are still companies that put lead in their lipstick. I found a website by the Environmental Working Group that gives products a 1-10 "hazard" rating... pretty much everything I've been using is "hazardous." Great. (Especially nail polish and deoderant.) I'm not sure yet how reliable this is or how seriously I should take it... But have you ever read your tube of toothpaste? Notice it says that if more than is used for brushing is swallowed, contact the Poison Control Center immediately. Hmmm.... so I'm brushing my teeth with poison? What about all the tiny amounts of toothpaste that I've swallowed over the years? Of course I have heard before that nail polish has some nasty chemicals in it, for instance, but I just let it go in one ear and out the other because I like to have pretty toenails. And I realize I'm not going to drop dead immediately after I brush my teeth tonight. But after what Josh has been through over the past year, I thought maybe I should pay more attention to what I'm ingesting and absorbing. (Not to suggest that Josh got cancer from makeup and nail polish, of course). So I know some of you who are reading this have already been pondering these issues for awhile and trying to use nontoxic products... give me some input. Where do I shop now? I want to try to slowly replace my products with safer, nontoxic options, preferably without looking and smelling like a dirty hippie. :)
Peace,
Kimberly
6 comments:
This is the entire focus of my job. Tell me what you want from Burt's and I will send it your way.
Don't put anything on your skin you won't eat. That is the rule to live by.
Shop at Whole Foods but read the labels. Some of the stuff they sell is as toxic as VO5.
just listen to mary... you'll be a convert now too! i have my favorites...
dr. bronners (all soaps)
weleda (toothpaste)
avalon (hand soap, but be careful with them, some products are not clean)
no luck with deo-d. i tried various clen products, but smelled like a dirty hippie. those are reserved for weekends.
BURTS BEES!
good luck...
Hey that is a real buttom pusher for many. Just ask Kim F.
She is reading all the labels because of the kids.
A.C.
Well, if you are made of money you can start buying Aurbon(sp) products. They are the best company for all natural beauty products.
If you want something a little more close to home go to the organic store down 31...before ya hit the 65 overpass.
My mom's right...I have gotten a little nuts with the organic stuff but once you start reading labels you start adding things up and it gets scary.
Kimby, I use Tom's of Maine deodorant (and sometimes toothpaste) and use Avalon organics hair product. Hope you have found some products you like! :)
Savannah
Kim,
I don't know you, but I know Josh through Wade and my cousing Pat Marston (I think). Anyway, I read your blog occasionally and I wanted to let you in on a little secret. My husband has never used deodorant, so I stopped using it a while after we met. Amazingly, I don't really miss it - and I haven't had any weird complaints from anyone else either! Anyway, you might try eliminating it all together (give it a few days and don't forget to shower daily, of course) but it sure has saved me some time and energy...
For what it's worth!
Sarah
P.S. Now if we ever do meet, you're going to think I'm totally weird! Oh well. ;)
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