3 QUICK & SIMPLE SHOPPING RULES

 

NO. 1

If you need a set of training wheels to get you started: ditch the app and turn to Gemini, Chat GPT or similar.
Take the time to look at where the ingredient is derived from.
Don’t rely soley on apps which can be biased, based on their own ethos.
Asking Siri, Gemini or Chat GPT simple questions like “tell me about Disodium EDTA, where it’s derived from, and common concerns around this ingredient in skincare.”

NO. 2

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Just because a lavender field is on the box, doesn’t mean garden cherubs tended to it with sun cleansed rain water and hourly songs.
Turn the bottle over, and read the ingredients.
It only takes a few times researching a few key ingredients to begin to know exactly what you are looking for.

NO. 3

Consider how the product will be used.
Rinse off, leave on, contact with eyes etc.
Remember: your lashes, and hair does not absorb into the blood stream; so if you’re concerned about one ingredient in your hair product, chances are it won’t even touch your scalp. But also keep in mind: everything in your shampoo and conditioner is rinsing down thanks to a little thing we like to call gravity.

 

and, what to look for

 

  • Also listed as / or being derived from: diaxolidiyl urea imidazolidinyl urea quaternium-15DMDM hydantoinPolyoxymethylene ureaSodium hydroxymethylglycinate2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol)GlyoxalFormalinFormic aldehydeMethanalTrioxaneMethylene glycolParaformaldehydeDisodium / Sodium Calcium / Tetrasodium EDTA

  • Interferes with hormone production and mimics estrogen when absorbed.

  • A class of preservatives also listed as: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben.

    A 1996 study biopsied 20 breast cancer tumors and found parabens present in the tissue of each. Previously, it had been believed that paraben chemicals were excreted from the body. The conclusion ny Professor Philippa Darbe: “their detection in human breast tumors is of concern as parabens have been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen.”

  • Directly linked to Ovarian cancer, it carries a 60% increased risk when used in the genital area and a 90% increased risk when using feminine deodorant products.

  • Not to be confused with INCI listings of “natural derived fragrance” or “plant based fragrance.”

    Synthetic Fragrance houses over 3,000 chemicals. Many of which have not been tested since the Cosmetic Safety Act of 1976. Thanks to the MOCRA, testing on such chemicals is now being reviewed. The first review of many, in over 80 years.

    Fragrance houses chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
    Fragrance has been identified as being more detrimental than second hand smoke.

    Short term toxicity includes: coughing, skin irritation, headaches, nausea, irritability.
    Long term toxicity includes: cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and reproductive complications




  • Has been linked to carcinogenic properties, and severe skin irritation due to high contamination levels with 1,4 dioxane

  • Also look for: oxybenzone, benzonephenone, avobenzone, PABA

    Benzones are linked to endocrine disruption and mimic estrogen in the body




  • Linked to central nervous system disruption

  • Linked to central nervous system toxicity and poisoning

  • Red 3 | Red 40 Yellow 5 | Yellow 6 have been found to be heavily contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens

    Red 40 | Allura Red AC has been linked to the rise of early onset colorectal cancer

    “Organic Dyes” refer to carbon based dyes

    “Inorganic Pigments” refer to colors derived from iron oxides, titanium dioxide and ultramarines.

    “Lakes” are insoluble pigments made by combining metal salts (aluminum an barium or calcium). They are made by taking dye that can dissolve in water, and blending it onto a solid material such as aluminum that can not dissolve. Aluminum alloys contain lead, and cadmium.

    Highest Risk:
    Sudan Dyes (unregulated)
    Butter Yellow (Dimethyl Yellow) (unregulated)
    Certain Azo dyes: Red 2, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6

    Moderate Risk:
    Red 40 | Allura Red
    Blue 1
    Green 3
    Yellow 5
    Yellow 6

    Low Risk:
    Carmine | Natural Red 4
    Annatto
    Beetroot
    Turmeric

    Safest:
    Iron Oxides
    Titanium Dioxide
    Zinc Oxide
    Ultramarines

 

understanding PFAS

Not all PFAS are silicones, and not all silicones are PFAS.
Let’s break down this commonly misunderstood, and feared category and empower you with the education that helps you decide, and decode.

‘FLUORO’

I wanted to REALLY spell this one key word out because this, is the key word you are looking for to distinguish if an ingredient is a PFAS category ingredient. Take for instance “dimethicone;” This ingredient is derived from silica, and would be classified as a silicone however it has passed all testing to show no signs of toxicity, or endocrine disruption. HOWEVER, if you see Perfluorononyl dimethicone, it IS a PFAS. So the key you are looking for, is the “fluoro” in the first part of this ingredient. If dimethicone is listed as a standalone, it has not undergone a further process that classifies it as a PFAS. Below is a chart of the complete ingredient list.

SOURCE: CLEARYA