Getting made up with makeup (Credit: Linda Mackie)
How many cosmetics make up your daily dose? Not just lipstick and nail polish — shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, makeup, toothpaste, shaving cream, sunscreen, deodorant, and on and on — it's not uncommon for the average person to use 10 personal care products each day. Quick — do a tally in your head of the stuff you smear on your body daily — guys, too!
Surprised?
Perhaps more shocking than the sheer number of products we slather on ourselves is: what are pit stick and body wash made of anyway? Turns out, the ingredients in ''beauty products" aren't all that pretty. Inside those 10 average personal care products are more than 100 unique chemicals — not including the ones lurking under "fragrance".
U.S. researchers found that 1 in 8 of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals. Many are also cancer causing, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, and plasticizers. Yikes.
Just how common are these key chemicals of concern in the products Canadians use each day? To help find out, the David Suzuki Foundation is asking you to pull back the shower curtain and really look at the products you use. Dig them out and read the labels on your favorite soap, toothpaste and hair care products. Look for the Dirty Dozen in the ingredient lists, then log on and take our online survey. (Update: Online survey is now closed)
Everyone who participates in our survey is eligible to win fabulous prizes. You'll also receive an exclusive all-natural cosmetic recipe from yours truly.
Lindsay Coulter,
Queen of Green
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4 Comments
12:53 PM
I believe there is huge value for our environment, our animals, future generations and ourselves and loved ones, in taking the time to source safe, toxin-free personal care and cleaning products, as a start.
What goes on our skin, really is going in to our body, our cells, within minutes.
My skin care regime is 100% safe, and the bonus is it’s really changed my skin for the better.
The facial line my husband and I use is Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care by XanGo; the hair and body line is Juni by XanGo. Check their ingredients… www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. These are the best ‘clean’ products I’ve used in the ten years since I became aware of toxins in products.
Looking forward to a Canadian version of the above site!
btw — I am a distributor with XanGo, so do welcome any inquiries into the above products. dfroehlick[at]shaw.ca
12:53 PM
PROJECTING CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL launches today (Earth Day!), April 22-25 . You may be interested in Chemerical which explores the lifecycle of everyday household cleaners and hygiene products which proves we are drowning in a sea of toxicity.Chemerical is screening for our youth day at 10am for Students and Teachers followed by our speaker Emily Jubenvill. Public screening Friday, April 23, 7:00pm. All screenings take place at Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard Street.
To view the full program and to purchase tickets, visit: projectingchange.ca On Facebook? Become a Fan of PCFF: http://bit.ly/cwoFyE
12:53 PM
The Skin Deep database is a fantastic resource! It really helped me to make some decisions when I was looking at alternatives for the products I previously used.
12:53 PM
we should save the enviroment right now!!!
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