Europe leads the way - look for the label

The European Union Cosmetics Directive bans the use of chemicals that are known or suspected of causing cancer, reproductive scrambling and birth defects.
Hmm you're thinking already.. if a US company wants to sell in both the US and Europe we'll end up with safe products right? Not necessarily, since we export many chemicals that are banned for use in the US, turnabout is fair play. We also have US companies creating a EU version and a more toxic US version. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a compact of companies who agree to apply these EU Cosmetic Directive principles worldwide. The world’s largest cosmetics companies, including L'Oréal, Revlon, Estée Lauder, Gap, Avon, OPI and Proctor & Gamble have refused to sign the Compact (as of 2007).
Read your labels and look for EU Cosmetic Directive Compliant

What are phthalates?

The problem..
Phthalates are chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. This means they can cause cancer, sterility and developmental problems. The most worrisome aspect by far is the phthalates' effect on the reproductive development of fetuses and infants.
Why are they used?
When manufactures produce plastics they add chemicals to increase flexibility so that they can create medical tubing, toys, and construction products. Phthalates are one group of these chemicals, called plasticizers, that also are used in beauty products to increase texture and add lustre. Phthalates have been used for so many years in manufacturing that they are found in virtually all corners of the globe and recent testing shows that they are present in humans.
The Outrage
The FDA does not regulate phthalates in beauty products so manufacturers are not required to list them as ingredients. They are often lurking under the generic term of "fragrance" . If you use multiple personal care products your exposures add up. Teenage girls have the highest use of phthalate laden beauty products as they use, on average, 17 products a day.

Label Reading 101

Methylparaben in a carcinogenic so if you read the labels you ought to be able to avoid it right?

Here are all the possible aliases:
BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, METHYL ESTER; P-CARBOMRYHOXYPHENOL; 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; P-METHOXYCARBONYLPHENOL; METHYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-; METHYL ESTER 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; 4-HYDROXY- METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID; METHYLPARABEN

I guess at this point I also wouldn't underestimate the cosmetic companies stealth, they could even create a name like Daisy juice -
D= detrimental
A= alarming
I= insidious
S = substances
Y= you can't find cus we renamed it Daisy juice - ha

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - what is it?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are caustic detergents that are used to produce foam and degrease. They are used in garage floor cleaners and car washes. They are both highly irritating chemicals that cause damage to the hair follicle, skin damage and eye damage. The Laureth version is slightly less irritating but cannot be metabolized by the liver so it has long term negative effect.

I had though that maybe this chemical would be one I could live with as I remember it being in products as a kid. Having read the descriptions of irritation and toxicity I've changed my mind. I notice that the natural products without this (some Tom's of Maine toothpaste) do not have that foamy feel.

Note that many products that claim to be natural and organic still contain SLS's. Tom's of Maine toothpaste has SLS unless it says naturally foaming. 7th Generation dish soap has SLS.

READ LABELS....

The Lineup

Unbelievable - apparently they're all toxic and even the products I consider green are not! It's like the terrorist scale: red, orange, yellow, blue, green. Only I don't own any blue or green! The method soap LOOKS so green with a green tea and aloe label... creeps.

1. Alba Very Emollient Body Lotion
2. Cetaphil
3. Ban Deodorant Intensely Fresh
4. Crest Whitening fluoride Toothpaste with Scope
   
5. Suave Shampoo Daily Clarifying
   
6. Suki Hand and Body Creme
7. Method Liquid Hand Soap Green tea and Aloe
   
8. Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser
9. Great Lash Mascara
10. Biolage Shampoo Matrix
    
11. Bobbi Brown Tinted SPF 15 moisturizer - not on database
12. Bobbi Brown Summer Wash Eye Shadow - not on database
    
13. Whole Foods 365 Shampoo - not on database
    
14. Herbal Essence Shampoo Body Envy
15. Herbal Essence Conditioner Color Me
    
16. Aussie Sun Touched Shine Gel
    

The Collection

I've collected all our shampoos and conditioners and some makeup. I'm going to use a list from Environmental Working Group and the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to see how many ingredients are toxic. It looks like a pretty typical collection, a few organic, upscale- looking brands, lots of CVS purchased name brands, a couple that you gotta know are going to be bad.