"Everyone needs one of these in their wallets!"
Green-wash (green'wash', -wôsh') – verb: the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.
Parabens and companies going “paraben-free.” What does that mean?
Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as anti-microbial
preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, including
underarm deodorants. Parabens are absorbed through intact skin and
through the gastrointestinal tract and blood. U.K. researchers found
measurable concentrations of six different parabens in 20 human breast
tumors. The study highlights the need for more research on the potential
link between products containing parabens and increased breast cancer
risk.
Many companies, including Compact signers, have begun
phasing out parabens from their lines by marking their products as
“paraben-free.” Parabens are commonly listed on product ingredient
labels as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben.
Phthalates, Where are they found
Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are plasticizing chemicals that are
probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine
disruptors. Phthalates cause reproductive birth defects in laboratory
animals, particularly males.
Don't forget Humans are animals too!
Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and
diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Unfortunately,
phthalates are still found in some nail polishes, hair sprays and almost ALL shampoos, and
are commonly hidden on ingredient labels under the term “fragrance.”
How do I know if a particular product is safe?
To find safety information on specific products, check out EWG's Skin Deep, the online database of nearly 25,000 personal care products. You can search the database for specific brands or ingredients, or for product types, like nail polish, to see how brands within that product class compare.
