Gimme the Good Stuff

Is Blistex Toxic? (And What to Buy Instead)

Maia James — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 04:59:14 +0000

Every time the weather changes, my and my kids’ lips become miserably chapped.

Blistex lip products definitely soothe super chapped, sore lips. Perhaps this explains why Blistex sells more than $100 million worth of their “medicated” lip balm every year! But is Blistex non-toxic?

While Blistex offers short-term relief from the pain of chapped lips, it contains ingredients that may carry other health risks.

My Favorite Natural Lip Balm

I love the creamy texture and subtle scents of Green Goo’s line of lip balms.

$3.95 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Is Blistex Non-Toxic?

A tube of Blistex contains some 25 ingredients, including a variety of preservatives and dyes. Among the most concerning ingredients are the following, which you will find in various Blistex products:

Phenol. One of Blistex’s several active ingredients, phenol is considered toxic to the central nervous system and to the heart.
Saccharin. I won’t eat food with this artificial sweetener in it, and anything you smear on your mouth has sort of got to be considered food, right?
Parabens. Unsurprisingly, these notorious, carcinogenic preservatives make an appearance in some Blistex formulas.
Fragrance. We know that when we see “fragrance” on a label, that usually means the presence of phthalates.
Oxybenzone. That really bad sunscreen ingredient that’s linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, as well as endocrine disruption.
Mineral oil. A petroleum product.
Parraffin. Another petroleum product.
Petrolatum. Yet another petroleum product.

(See our glossary for more on many of these ingredients, including links to studies that back up all these scary claims.)

This chemical cocktail is especially concerning in a product that you smear all over your mouth. (I’ve likely eaten several ounces of Blistex in my life, since in high school it was all I used.)

The good news is that there are many natural lip balms that really do work. I’ve heard from a lot of you about how thrilled (and yes, surprised!) you are that these natural products are actually effective.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

Best Natural Lip Balms

Here are some of my favorite natural lip balms:

Soapwalla’s coconut-lime lip balm is probably my favorite flavor of any lip balm I’ve tried. It’s also made by a wonderful women-owned business in Brooklyn.
Green Goo makes healing balms in several flavors (my favorite is the honey), which come in a standard chapstick-style dispenser.
Tandi’s Naturals lip balms are rich in avocado oil and beeswax, and are available in either Mint & Grapefruit or Herb Garden and come in a cool little tin (extra points for no plastic!).
Weleda’s Skin Food for the lips has a cult following for a reason. It leaves lips noticeably hydrated and soft, especially in cold weather conditions.
Badger makes some nice extra-large cocoa butter lip balms, which are great for little hands and make a perfect stocking stuffer. My kids love these most.
If you like a lip balm that doubles as a lip tint, my absolute favorites are these from Olio E Osso. They also make a beautiful clear version, and all of them work for cheeks as well as lips.
If you like a little luxury in your lip balm, I recommend Beautycounter’s lip conditioner, which also works really well over any of their lip sheers (I wear Terra).

Thankfully, lip balm is one category of products where choosing the Good Stuff doesn’t mean a sacrifice in performance (as opposed to, say, deodorant!). When my lips are chapped and painful, these natural balms really do bring complete relief.

Stay sane, and I hope you’re enjoying the winter season, chapped lips and all!

P.S. Please share your favorite lip balm brands below, or ask away if you have any you’d like us to investigate.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Is Blistex Toxic? (And What to Buy Instead) appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Guide

Maia James — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:36:53 +0000

1. All Good / 2. for:good / 3. Soapwalla/ 4. Lumion/ 5. Aura Cacai

Research provided by Michael Hopkins, PhD

So you’re looking for non-toxic hand sanitizer…You’ve come to the right place! But buckle up, my friend, because there is a lot of info in this guide! (That’s what I get every time I hire Dr. Hopkins to provide research!).

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know when shopping for non-toxic hand sanitizers–from sprays, gels, foams and wipes.

(Since probably most of you are reading this through a lens of COVID-19 worries, here is the good news: the novel coronavirus is very easy to kill with truly non-toxic hand sanitizers.)

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer: Sprays Vs. Gels Vs. Wipes

Generally speaking, you’re more likely to find a non-toxic hand sanitizer in a spray form than either a gel or a wipe.

This is because gels usually have some kind of thickening agent that sprays don’t need, giving one more opportunity for Bad Stuff to get into the formula.

Wipes are least likely to be Good Stuff because they are by nature disposable and involve more packaging as well as the cloth itself, which may or may not be Good Stuff. and then for some reason almost all wipes have preservatives in the ingredient list, which is weird since they are soaked in disinfectant solution already.

Soap Versus Hand Sanitizers

As you surely know by now, the CDC recommends that any alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain 60% or more alcohol in order to be effective against the novel coronavirus.

The CDC also is clear that washing your hands with soap and water (for 20 seconds or more) will effectively rid your skin of the coronavirus. When using soap, you don’t need any disinfectant at all to kill the virus that causes COVID-19. Any old soap will work because of the virus’ lipid membrane, aka “envelope.” Enveloped viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, are among the easiest pathogens to kill.

Bottom line: if you’re only concerned with COVID-19, it’s okay to use soap that is not labeled as “antimicrobial” or “antibacterial.”

Sonett’s foaming calendula hand soap is one of my favorites.

This guide is a review of a broad range of antimicrobial hand sanitizing gels, sprays, and wipes that will kill more than just coronavirus–because this pandemic will end some day! Hand soap will be covered in a future guide.

Cleaning Versus Disinfecting

To truly disinfect a surface, you need to scrub an area until the entire surface is wet, and then let it dry with time.

The mechanical process of scrubbing physically wipes away the germs, and the disinfecting agent offers extra assurance that any remaining virus/bacteria will be killed.

It’s also crucial to use enough of the product—and to allow it to sit long enough—to make sure it really works.

Here’s how Clorox says to disinfect hard, nonporous surfaces with its wipes: “Use enough wipes for treated surface to remain visibly wet for 4 minutes. Let surface dry.”

What Are the Hardest Bugs to Kill?

Let me repeat the good news: the novel coronavirus is among the easiest pathogens to kill. This is because of it’s lipid membrane, or “envelope.” Enveloped viruses, which include influenza, are easy to kill. (By the way, a product is allowed to market itself as able to kill the coronavirus if it is proven to kill at least one virus that is harder to kill than this coronavirus.)

But what if you’re worried about other microbes?

Certain viruses, like the norovirus (which causes the stomach bug) and rhinovirus (which causes the common cold), are among the hardest bugs to kill, and both are resistant to ethanol-based antiseptics as well as quaternary ammonia (you’ll learn more about these ingredients later).

Rotavirus and adenovirus are also non-enveloped viruses, but they are bigger making them more vulnerable than their smaller non-enveloped cousins. Many bacterial endospores can be killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

And what about mold and yeast? Most people worried about a fungal infection will use a product that is specifically fungicidal. That said, the most common household fungal pathogens (like ringworm and athlete’s foot) are generally susceptible to common household antimicrobial products, such as alcohol or bleach.

(By the way, a product is allowed to market itself as able to kill the coronavirus if it is proven to kill at least one virus that is harder to kill than this coronavirus.)

Antiseptic Versus Disinfectant

“Antiseptic” refers to products used on living tissue (like your hands), and “disinfectant” is reserved for products that will be used on inert surfaces (like an airplane tray table).

The Essential Components in Hand Sanitizer

Any hand sanitizer, be in conventional or “natural” will likely contain a combination of the following components:

Antiseptic (“active ingredient”). The truth is, an antimicrobial hand product really only needs one ingredient–an effective antiseptic. You will read more about which active ingredients kill which microbes in the next section. The acceptable active ingredients for a product to meet our Good or Best Stuff designation are alcohol (either ethanol or isopropanol, 60-80%), thymol and/or citral, and hypochlorous acid. Note that alcohol enhances the absorption of other topical ingredients into the skin. It’s therefore especially important that alcohol-based sanitizers have an otherwise safe list of ingredients.
Moisturizer/skin conditioner. Given that alcohol is the most common active ingredient in non-toxic hand sanitizer, it’s important to consider what will counteract its drying effects, especially in these times where we are using it many times every day. The three most common moisturizing ingredients in the Good Stuff brands are aloe, coconut oil (or some other non-petroleum oil such as macadamia, or even olive oil), hyaluronic acid (this can be a tricky ingredient as this may be sourced from plants, synthetic, or rooster comb), and glycerin. Sucrose cocoate is another natural emollient that appears to be safe.
Aromatics. The third item that you will find in most hand sanitizers is some kind of pleasant aroma. The most common source of safe and clean fragrances are essential oil (EO) extracts, which are both natural and generally non-toxic. One caveat is that many terpenes (the aromatic molecules found in so many essential oils–for example, geraniol, linalool, limonene, citral, and eucalyptol) are known to be potential skin irritants. If you’ve had a reaction to topical essential oils in the past, you may want to avoid hand sanitizers with essential oils or any isolated terpenes from essential oils.
Thickening/gelling agent. For non-toxic hand sanitizers that come in a gel form, there is often an ingredient added to thicken the liquid into a gel. Good Stuff approved thickeners include aloe, hydroxyethylcellulose, xantham gum and guar. There are other thickening ingredients that we feel are Okay Stuff, all of which EWG rates as a 1, but because they are synthetic polymers we can’t quite call them Good Stuff.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Should We Be Worried?

Yes, you can be concerned about this generally, but not when it comes to hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants, says Dr. Hopkins.

Because of the way these products kill pathogens (physically breaking apart the microorganism or disrupting fundamental cell processes), they are not susceptible to resistance in the same way as antibiotic drugs are.

There are examples of microorganisms being forced into resistance in the laboratory, but no examples in the real world, according to this article from Infection Control Today.

Common Antimicrobial Ingredients

Here are the germ-killing ingredients you’ll find in hand sanitizers as well as disinfection cleaning products.

#1 Hypochlorous Acid

HOCl, also referred to as “superoxidized water” is produced by electrolysis of salt water (H2O + NaCL).

Dr. Hopkins describes hypochlorous acid as: “awesome, because it kills basically every type of pathogen very quickly and it also happens to be a substance that is naturally produced by our own cells and is even safe to ingest.”

HOCI does have a little bit of a chloriney smell, which may be a turnoff for some. The only hand sanitizer that we know of that uses HOCI is this one from Lumion.

#2 Alcohol

Alcohol is an effective broad spectrum antimicrobial, meaning it will kill most viruses, funguses, and bacteria.

Sanitizers that are 60% to 90% alcohol will kill germs most effectively, provided that at least 2.4 milliliters of hand sanitizer is applied for 25 to 30 seconds.

It’s important to note that 70% alcohol is better than 99% because it does not evaporate as quickly, meaning it continues working longer.

You’ll see ethanol or isopropyl on the label, and many non-toxic hand sanitizers (Best Stuff and Good Stuff, below) rely on alcohol as their active ingredient.

We Love For:Good’s Alcohol Based Wipes for cleaning hands and home.

#3 Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide

This is effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including H1N1 (Influenza A), norovirus, and MRSA.

Hydrogen peroxide at 3% concentration can be used to disinfect most surfaces, but can cause discoloration and must never be mixed with vinegar or bleach. Note that hydrogen peroxide will lose potency if exposed to light.

Aura Cacia’s non-toxic hand sanitizer uses both alcohol as well as hydrogen peroxide in its formula.

#4 Sodium Hypochlorite (Chlorine/Bleach) 5.25%

Bleach is effective against most bacteria and some viruses and is registered as effective against HIV, HBV, H1N1 (Influenza A), MRSA, and TB.5. Chlorine is a serious threat to the health of humans and wildlife (it’s linked cancer and endocrine disruption). You won’t find bleach in hand sanitizers, but you will find it in disinfectant cleaning products for the home.

#4 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Benzalkonium Chloride)

This ingredient is generally effective against a broad spectrum of microbes, including MRSA and H1N1 (Influenza A). It has not been proven effective against spores. This ingredient is found in many “natural” hand sanitizers, making it Sneaky Stuff.

#5 Botanicals (Thymol, Citral)

Both thymol and citral are effective against a broad spectrum of microbes including H1N1, tuberculosis, MRSA, and coronaviruses. The CDC includes thymol and citral in its list of approved active ingredients for destroying the coronavirus.

#6 Vinegar

Vinegar is a great household cleaner, and it will kill some germs–but it’s not as effective as most other household antimicrobials and not recommended as a natural hand sanitizer.

#6 Essential Oils (EOs) and their Constituent Compounds

I’ll quote Dr. Hopkins here: “Most articles I found seem to take a needlessly conservative position on essential oils as being effective antimicrobials.” Dr. Hopkins said he found a large and growing body of literature describing the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of many different components of many different essential oils. Some things to keep in mind:

Inhibiting the growth or proliferation of a pathogen and destroying the pathogen are two different things. For the purposes of a hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant, we want to know that the active ingredient destroys the pathogen, not simply inhibits its growth.
There is a tremendous amount of variability with regard to which EO compounds can destroy which pathogens and overall, much more research has been conducted to understand the antibacterial properties of EOs versus their antiviral activity.
Some key EOs containing compounds known to have powerful bactericidal activity are: Thyme, Verbena (Borneol, Geraniol).
Some key EOs containing compounds known to have powerful fungicidal activity are: Cinnamon, Pine.
Some key EOs containing compounds known to have powerful virucidal activity are: Cinnamon, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Thyme, Yarrow, Wormwood and Kumquat.laim.

So if you are looking to buy a hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant that does not contain alcohol, hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, or quaternary ammonium chlorides, you can consider the EO components listed above depending on what you’re specifically worried about killing.

More on essential oils and their antiseptic properties can be found here.

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers: Classic Four Ingredients

There is one combination of four key ingredients in many natural, non-toxic hand sanitizers. The list includes: alcohol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Aura Cacia makes one example of a “Classic Four” non-toxic hand sanitizer that we sell in our store. You can also find this combo of ingredients in many brands–and it’s Good Stuff approved.

Other Ingredients: Okay Stuff

Dr. Hopkins compiled the following list of common hand sanitizer ingredients whose “main crime is being unnecessary rather than outright toxic.” In most cases, if a product has one or two of these ingredients it may still receive a Good Stuff rating, but any more than that generally will drop the product to being rated as only Okay Stuff.

Allantoin: This is an emollient/skin conditioner/skin protectant. Although it can be isolated from plants, it is most often synthetic. EWG score: 1.
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate: This is a synthetic polymer that’s used as a thickening agent in some hand sanitizers brands. Because Dr. Hopkins was unable to find any safety data on this ingredient, any brand with this ingredient will not be designated as Good Stuff. EWG score: 1.
Carbomer (polyacrylic acid): This refers to synthetic high molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid commonly used as thickening, dispersing, emulsifying, humectant/gel-forming compound. Not Good Stuff because it’s synthetic polymer, but benign from a safety standpoint. EWG score 1.
Decyl Glucoside: This is a natural surfactant derived from glucose and is considered safe and non-toxic. Can be found in Good Stuff non-toxic hand sanitizers. EWG score:1.
Dimethicone: This silicone lubricant is problematic in cosmetics generally because it can form a barrier on the skin and clog pores. However, when it’s used in a hand sanitizer, that can be a good thing for moisture retention. Dimethicone alone will not knock a hand sanitizer out of the Good Stuff category. EWG score: 1.
Disodium EDTA: This preservative isn’t in itself Bad Stuff, but it is a penetration enhancer, which means any not-so-great ingredients in the product will be more readily absorbed. Sanitizers with EDTA in their formula will only be rated Okay Stuff or lower. EWG score: 1.
Glycerith-26: This is an additive in many foods as well as cosmetics, and it was difficult to find any studies on it. Dr. Hopkins finally found a good toxicity report and is confident that this a safe/non-toxic ingredient. EWG score: 1.
Hydroxypropyl cellulose: This is a propylene glycol ether of cellulose used as a gelling and viscosity increasing agent. This derivative is considered safe. EWG score: 1.
Hydroxyproyl guar: This is a propylene glycol ether of guar used as a gelling and viscosity increasing agent. This derivative is considered safe however I don’t love that it’s manufactured using propylene glycol. EWG score: 1.
Panthenol: This is a natural biologically active alcohol derived from plants, and is regarded as safe. EWG score: 1.
Piroctone olamine: This synthetic preservative/biocide is most commonly used in dandruff shampoo and there is no reason it needs to be added to hand sanitizers. Dr. Hopkins decided to allow it into our Okay Stuff category. EWG score: 1-2.

Problem Ingredients You’ll Find Even in “Natural” Hand Sanitizers

The most problematic ingredients in hand sanitizers are typically preservatives, colorants, fragrances and conditioning, buffering, or texturizing agents.

The following ingredients, if present in significant amounts, knocked hand sanitizers into Sneaky or Bad Stuff categories in our review. Some of them are okay if less than 1% of the product.

Aminomethyl propanol: This buffering agent is a possible skin irritant and can be contaminated with toxic nitrosamines.. EWG score: 1-3.
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK): This is a widely used quaternary ammonium antiseptic and is the active ingredient in many “natural” hand sanitizers. BAK is a known skin irritant at concentrations of 0.5% and above and induce and exacerbate allergic dermatitis. It is also known to cause respiratory irritation and should be avoided by people with asthma.
Copper sulfate pentahydrate: This biocide is a mixture of copper and sulfur. It’s not ranked by EWG, and Dr. Hopkins feels it’s basically safe for humans, but it is a pesticide that poses concerns as an environmental toxin.
Dyes/colorants: Even if they are “food grade,” at best these would make a hand sanitizer Sneaky Stuff because they are totally unnecessary!
Grapefruit seed extract (may be found on a label as “citricidal”): This is a synthetic compound which, in its final form, has a large percentage of diphenol hydroxybenzene. The chemical structure contains benzene rings, which are problematic due to their ability to mimic estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors. Do not confuse this with grapefruit essential oil.
Fragrance (or “parfum”): This is a very common problem ingredient that may contain phthalates.
Preservatives (found most often in hand sanitizing wipes): These include parabens (hormone disruptors), potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, methylisothiazolinone (EWG: 7), and methylchloroisothiazolinone (EWG: 2-5). There is simply no need for any of these in your hand sanitizer, and plenty of options without them.
Propylene glycol: This synthetic liquid absorbs water and is used as a solvent, skin conditioning agent, and viscosity controlling agent. PG is a penetration enhancer and can cause skin irritation.
Tocopherol/tocopheryl acetate: Vitamin E and synthetic Vitamin E, respectively. This is used to prevent the drying effects of alcohol-based skin products. Unfortunately, tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate can be contaminated with hydroquinone, which is a possible carcinogen (EWG score: 5-8). The rub is that although tocopherol is the natural form of Vitamin E, it can also be produced synthetically and potentially be contaminated with hydroquinone. You can’t tell from the label. If a hand sanitizer says “Vitamin E” or tocopherol and it is otherwise Good Stuff, we contacted that brand to find out how it was sourced.
Triclosan: This has been banned from topical skin products, so we didn’t come across any brands that contained it. Triclosan is decidedly toxic, so if you see any kind of disinfecting products that contain it, they should be avoided.
Triethanolamine: A a strong respiratory allergen and suspected immune system toxicant. EWG score 2-5.

38 Hand Sanitizer Brands, Reviewed

What you’ve just read is maybe 30% of the information that Dr. Hopkins provided in his final report. I hope you’re still with us;), because now is that time where we will just tell you what to buy and where to buy it–or why the brand you’re currently using is toxic–because we are fun like that!

The Best Stuff

For:Good Hand Sanitizer Wipes

BEST WIPE

We love this one for it’s short list of organic ingredients. This is our top recommendation for a natural hand sanitizer in wipe form.

All Good Natural Hand Sanitizing Gel or Spray

BEST GEL

This is my favorite natural hand sanitizer. Its active ingredient is ethyl alcohol (62%). It also contains a handful of other natural ingredients, like aloe, calendula, chamomile, and glycerin.

$4.49 — or subscribe and save up to 10%Buy Now

Aura Cacia Natural Hand Sanitizer

This is a very simple, clean option. This liquid formula contains just Alcohol (80%), glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, and purified water.

$12.00 — or subscribe and save up to 4%Buy Now

By HumanKind Hand Sanitizer

This one has a very simple ingredient list of just alcohol, water, and hyaluronic acid. We confirmed by contacting the company that the hyaluronic acid is vegan. It’s sold in arecycled aluminum bottle for refilling your existing disposable plastic bottles.

Cabinet Instant Hand Cleanser

Made from only two ingredients–alcohol and a blend of essential oils–it really doesn’t get more straightforward than this. My only concern would be that there is no moisturizing/skin conditioning ingredient so dryness will be a concern with frequent use.

Clean Smart Antimicrobial Hand Cleanser

This is good option for anyone who wants an alcohol-free non-toxic hand sanitizer without any essential oils. This formula contains water, salt, and NaCl hypochlorite ion.

Dr Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray

Alcohol, lavender, and with glycerin to hydrate your hands.

EO Hand Cleansing Wipes (Lavender)

With just four organic ingredients, soaked into a cloth made of environmentally sustainable bamboo, these are a great choice if you want a wipe. Just keep in mind these are individually wrapped, so this brand involves more packaging.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer Wipes, Coco + Lemon

Only 3 ingredients which is pretty exceptional for a wipe.

Garner’s Garden Natural Hand Sanitizer

This brand has a simple ingredients list of 70% alcohol with essential oils and moisturizing safflower oil. Black-owned business.

Buy now from Garner’s

Hairizon Hand Sanitizer

This formula is just glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils of your choice.

Buy now from Hairizon

Highline Wellness CBD Hand Sanitizer

This is made of only alcohol (70%), glycerin, and CBD.

Buy now from Highline Wellness

Lumion Medical Strength Hand Sanitizer

BEST SPRAY

This super clean formula is just hypochlorous acid.

Buy now from Lumion

Oliveberry Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray

This formula contains only grain alcohol, organic aloe, glycerin and essential oils. It comes in recyclable glass bottle.

Poofy Organics Clean Clappers Hand Purifier

Contains a blend of essential oils, with aloe and glycerin. Alcohol-free.

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Primally Pure Hand Sanitizer Spray

This one gets bonus points because it comes in recyclable glass bottle.

Buy now from Primally Pure

Skin Smart Antimicrobial Wound Therapy

This formula contains just water, salt, and NaCl hypochlorite ion.

Soapwalla the Spray

BEST FOR CLEANING YOGA MATS

With only two ingredients (rose water and a blend of essential oils), it doesn’t get any simpler than this. Litsea Cubeba, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Niaouli and Palmarosa oils discourage bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Note that this formula is not explicity approved to kill the coronavirus.

Tazza Hand Sanitizing Wipes

They make a great ethanol wipe, but their version that contains benzalkonium chloride should be avoided.

Touch Body Works Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Gel

This formula contains just five clean ingredients. We confirmed that the vitamin E is natural.

Buy now from Touch

The Good Stuff

All Good Citrus Hand Sanitizer Wipes

A great basic wipe with essential oils, 70% alcohol, glycerin, and panthenol.

$4.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

California Baby Natural Hand Sanitizer

This is mostly alcohol and essential oils, but is Good Stuff rather than Best Stuff because of the polygyceryl-6 esters.

EO Hand Sanitizing Gels

Again, alcohol is the antimicrobial here, and the other ingredients include glycerin, jojoba seed oil, and dimethicone.

Green Goo Hand Sanitizer

This is a simply formula with alcohol, carbomer, and water.

$1.75 — or subscribe and save up to 10%Buy Now

Young Living Theives Waterless Hand Sanitizer

This blend of alcohol, aloe, glycerin, and various essential oils would be Best Stuff except for the hydroxypropylcellulose.

The Bad Stuff

It’s no surprise that we don’t recommend Purell. We wrote about this here. The biggest problem is that their formulas are often heavily scented with synthetic fragrance. Other problematic ingredients include tocopheryl acetate, aminomethyl propanol, and isopropyl myristitate.

Germ X is the other big name hand sanitizer brand that should be avoided, mostly because of fragrance and artificial coloring.

The Sneaky Stuff

ArtNaturals

Contains propylene glycol.

Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash

This one weirdly doesn’t contain enough alcohol to even for sure be effective against COVID (58-62%, per the bottle). It also contains several PEG chemicals and is super expensive. The only upside? It comes in a glass bottle.

Babyganics Alcohol-Free Hand Wipes

These contain benzalkonium chloride,

Hugo Naturals

This one also contains undisclosed fragrance and we haven’t heard back from them with more details. It also contains allantoin.

Honest Company Hand Sanitizer

In general this brand makes Okay and Good Stuff, but the Coastal Surf “flavor” says it contains Citronellal, which is a synthetic derivative of a natural EO . The label says “no synthetic fragrance” so that right there makes it Sneaky. In addition, we never heard back from them about “proprietary ingredients.”

HoneySkin

Contains propylene glycol.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Sanitizer

This brand that you’ll see on most of our Sneaky Stuff lists, and unfortunately, hand sanitizer is no exception—thanks to their signature synthetic fragrance.

Naked Bee hand sanitizer

Contains fragrance oil, which it specifies is phthalate-free. We generally do not endorse products that don’t disclose exactly which ingredients are in fragrance blends. We called the company to get more details on the fragrance oil as well as their vitamin E, but we didn’t hear back.

Pura D’Or

Contains propylene glycol.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Face Cream Guide

Maia James — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 18:40:47 +0000

By Maia James, with research and recommendations by Michael Hopkins, Phd

You probably remember Dr. Hopkins from his invaluable research on our Disposable Diaper Guide and Prenatal Vitamin Guide. As a scientist, Dr. Hopkins is able to read peer-reviewed studies and make sense of the potential risks of hundreds of ingredients (including how these ingredients interact with each other) that you’ll find even in natural face creams. With his help, I’ve written what I think is one of our most comprehensive products guides yet, so let’s get to it!

My Top Pick for Basic Natural Face Cream

Acure Organics Brightening Day Cream is my pick for an affordable natural face cream for everyday use with absolutely no concerning ingredients.

$16.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

How We Came Up With Our List of Natural Face Creams

When we began researching this guide, we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products, even within the “natural” face cream space. [expander_maker id=”3″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]

To cull the list down, we eliminated any product that does not specify that it is for the face and for daytime, as well as any product with an SPF designation. We also weeded out products that were more of an serum or balm and wouldn’t necessarily be appropriate for daily use on normal skin. (Night creams, anti-aging creams, and facial sunscreens will be covered in future guides.)

As always, we used EWG for lots of our ingredients research. There are some inconsistencies on the EWG website–one face cream has grapefruit extract listed as a 2 (out of a hazard scale of 10) and another product has the same extract listed as a 1. Other ingredients, like dimethicone and sodium hydroxide, have even greater ranges (from 1 to 4).

After deciding on the appropriate criteria for what would make brands Best, Good, Bad, or Okay Stuff (more on this in a minute), Dr. Hopkins made a spreadsheet some 25 columns long, and populated it with the list of all the natural face cream brands that you guys asked us to review and that we’d found on our own (this ended up being a staggering 175 brands of face cream!).

For each brand, Dr. Hopkins evaluated every ingredient for its safety and environmental impact and calculated affordability. I then plunked all the reviewed brands into a Best, Good, Okay, Bad or Sneaky Stuff category, which you can review at the bottom of this post.

A Note About “Natural” Face Cream

With face cream as well as other products, we prefer to find what we consider “clean,” rather than just “natural.” Sometimes ingredients from nature are very problematic–because of unsustainable sourcing or other environmental concerns (e.g. the environmental cost of palm oil, the mica mines in India) or even health concerns (Japanese honeysuckle, for instance, is a natural preservative whose structure looks like a paraben). On the other hand, sometimes (albeit rarely) synthetic ingredients can actually be safer/more sustainable alternatives.

What Makes a Face Cream the Best Stuff?

In order to be included in the “Best Stuff” category, we decided that a face cream needed to be free of the following 18 compounds:

Benzyl alcohol. A preservative with carcinogenic and neurotoxic properties.
BHT. Another preservative with a MSDS that mentions toxicity to the liver, blood, and central nervous system.
Dimethicone. Safe from a toxicity standpoint, but these linear silicones do not biodegrade and are bad for the environment.
Disodium EDTA. A chelating agent used in a variety of applications in both food and skincare products. It’s usually included as a preservative/stabilizing agent, but it also helps with rinse-off products for anyone with “hard water” because the EDTA binds with heavy metals, thereby preventing them from forming a residue on the skin. At the quantities used as a food additive and in personal care products, disodium EDTA is non-toxic. The choice to use products containing EDTA is more an environmental concern than it is a personal safety concern.
Ethanol. Otherwise known as alcohol, ethanol is used as a solvent in various cosmetics. Among irritation concerns, ethanol is shown to enhance the penetration of other chemicals.
Fragrance. Generally, phthalates are added to fragrance to help the scent last longer, and companies are NOT required to disclose the presence of phthalates. Some products do list “fragrance*” with an asterisk on their label, and then explain that the fragrance contains no synthetic ingredients. For transparency purposes, any brand that maintains a proprietary blend or secret recipe will not qualify as Best Stuff. Some brands also specify that they use isolated compounds derived from natural essential oils, but that are not the complete, naturally occurring substance. These products can be Good Stuff or Okay Stuff.
Myristyl myristate. This naturally occurring ester is found in many types of oils and fats and serves as natural emollient, texture enhancer, or emulsifier in a range of skincare products. Although there are no toxicity risks with myristyl myristate, this ingredient can be an irritant when used topically. For that reason only, products that contain it will not be included under Best Stuff.
Parabens. These preservatives are notorious endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in the body.
PEG chemicals. These petroleum-based chemicals are are used in cosmetics as stabilizers and to aid the penetration of other active ingredients. The PEG number indicates the number of units of ethylene glycol, and the lower the number the more absorbent it is. One example you’ll see on many face cream labels polyethylene glycol.
Petrolatum is a petrochemical derived from crude oil (also known as “petroleum jelly” which is used as a lubricant). It can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are carcinogenic. Even without carcinogenic contamination, it can be a skin irritant and is not environmentally friendly–so you’ll never find it in Best Stuff or Good Stuff or even Okay Stuff.
Phenoxyethanol is an ingredient that we’ve debated fiercely here at the Gimme headquarters! When it comes to face cream, we’ve decided that no Best Stuff cream can contain phenoxyethanol. Still, we feel that phenoxyethanol is basically Okay Stuff when used in the concentrations found in cosmetics. It’s unlikely to be wdangerous, but hopefully cleaner preservatives are formulated in the near future.
Phthalates. We have a zero-tolerance policy with these super toxic endocrine disruptors (which you often won’t see listed on a label because they can hide out in “proprietary” fragrance blends). Nothing that we call Best, Good, or Okay Stuff will ever contain phthalates.
Polysorbate 20 is derived from sorbitol, which is a harmless natural sugar alcohol that’s been ethoxylated (combined with 20 parts of ethylene oxide). Unfortunately, during this process it can become contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is a toxic carcinogen. Although polysorbate 20 is not toxic, the risk of contamination precludes this ingredient from being present in Best Stuff or Good Stuff. However, this alone would not prevent an otherwise clean, natural face cream from being Okay Stuff. (See polysorbate 60 as well.)
Potassium sorbate is an odorless and tasteless salt that’s synthetically produced by combining sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. It is very commonly used as a preservative and has been ruled as generally safe to eat by the FDA and European Food Safety Authority when present in small quantities. When applied topically (in skin cream for example), potassium sorbate can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. This ingredient would not be found in a Best Stuff pick but if this is the biggest offender on a label, the product can still be Good Stuff.
Retinyl palmitate. This is problematic when used topically on the skin due to potentially carcinogenic properties when exposed to sunlight. If you want to play it safe, it’s better to avoid this for face cream that you’ll be applying daily in the morning. Thus, we didn’t include any products with retinyl palmitate in the category of Best or Good Stuff for this daily face cream guide.
Sodium benzoate. This food-grade preservative, when combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and potassium benzoate (another preservative), can create benzene, a well-known carcinogen. Research remains inconclusive and long-term studies are needed. You won’t find sodium benzoate in any of the Best Stuff natural face creams, but if there are not other offending ingredients, products with sodium benzoate may be included in the Good Stuff.
Sodium hydroxide. The EWG cites studies that show moderate evidence of metabolic effects even at very low doses and score this a 3 out of 10 in the hazard scale. Best Stuff won’t contain sodium hydroxide, but Good or Okay Stuff might.
Terpene alcohols. This list includes geraniol, linalool, nerol, camphor, citronellol, citral, limonene, eucalyptol, menthol and several others. These compounds occur naturally in the essential oils of many aromatic plants, and are often used for their fragrance. They have been shown to be anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and also have demonstrated anti-cancer activity against various cancer cell lines in vitro. On the other hand, terpene alcohols can produce skin irritation/allergic reaction/sensitization after prolonged industrial exposure. These compounds are deemed safe for human use, but if you have a particular reason to be concerned (such as a known allergy or very sensitive skin) there is enough Good Stuff on the market that you should have no trouble locating a product without these terpenes. For this reason, nothing in the Best Stuff category contains them, although I am not personally worried about them.
Tocopherol (vitamin E) is safe, but we are dinging products that contain tocopheryl acetate, which is the synthetic version, because of increased reported toxicity, risk of irritation, and contamination concerns (with toxic hydroquinone). Nothing in the Best Stuff or Good Stuff categories will contain tocopheryl acetate.

Surprisingly Not Sneaky Stuff

Many ingredients in skincare products might sound like synthetic compounds designed in a lab but they are actually just the latin or scientific names for naturally occurring/organic products, often extracted from plants. The following is a list of ingredients that are perfectly safe:

Tocopherol just means vitamin E.

Butyrospermum parkii is shea butter.

Nyacinamide is vitamin B3.

Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride is just a derivative of guar gum from cluster beans and is a commonly used conditioning agent that is natural and safe.

In addition, to be considered the Best Stuff, a face cream must be:

Organic (either entirely or mostly).
Vegan. I don’t eat a vegan diet, but it’s impossible to not recognize that veganism is better for the planet. When it comes to face cream, there are so many options available, that there is room to make a distinction on these ecological grounds.

(By the way, I don’t think there is any reason to worry about face cream being gluten-free, although several of these brands also check that box.)

Problematic Ingredient Combinations

There are a handful of ingredients that are basically safe on their own, but a problematic when mixed with other ingredients. For instance:

Potassium sorbate + ascorbic acid + ferric salts can potenially mutate cell DNA.

Sodium benzoate + ascorbic acid  can form carcinogenic benzene. We consider this low risk because the pH in cosmetic products are usually in the range where benzene will not form. Still, if you’re worried, make sure to choose something we call Best Stuff, since thouse brands won’t contain sodium benzoate.

What’s the Difference Between Best Stuff & Good Stuff?

When it comes to the Good Stuff category, there are several natural, clean face creams whose only crime is not being organic, or containing beeswax or terpenes from essential oils (which may be irritating for those with very sensitive skin), or perhaps they contain a bit of ethanol or potassium sorbate (also possible irritants).

Most of the 19 ingredients listed above will not be found in the Good Stuff, but there are a few exceptions worth mentioning:

Propriety fragrance. Any brand that maintains a proprietary blend or secret recipe will not qualify as Best Stuff, but–as long as the blend is natural and phthalate-free–it might still be Good Stuff.
Low-risk preservatives (phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate). These synthetic preservative may be found in Good Stuff–if there are no other offending ingredients in the product in question.

Dr. Hopkins and I agree that we are comfortable using anything that you’ll find listed below under Good Stuff in our own homes. What’s Allowed in the Okay Stuff?

The long list of products that we deemed Okay Stuff are mostly there because they contain phenoxyethanol or sodium benzoate. A few of them have neither but some other combination of not-so-good-stuff to keep them from receiving the Good Stuff stamp, such as:

Dimethicone, which is more of an environmental concern than a toxicity concern.
EDTA precludes inclusion in our Best Stuff or Good Stuff categories, but may be found in the Okay Stuff.
Polysorbate 20 is not toxic, but the risk of contamination precludes this ingredient from being present in Best Stuff or Good Stuff.

I am comfortable using the Okay Stuff if I don’t have access to Good or Best Stuff face creams.

Best Face Oils

We will do a serum/oil guide separately, but Dr. Hopkins did identify some face oils in his research that will definitely make our Best Stuff category, including:

Acure Organics Pure Argan Oil

Badger Face Oils (they make several—all are safe)

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

Ora’s Amazing Lightweight Daily Nourish Face Oil

Soapwalla Restorative Facial Serum (personal favorite)

The Best Stuff

100% Pure Hydra Drench Cream

$46 ($33/ounce)

I haven’t tried this one myself, so I cannot speak to whether it’s worth the high price point, but it contains no worrisome ingredients.

Buy Now from 100% Pure

Acu re Organics Brightening Day Cream

$17 ($10 an ounce)

I’ve used this for years as a basic natural face cream with absolutely no concerning ingredients.

$16.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Anadalou Naturals 1000 Roses Day Cream

$25 ($14.70/ounce)

Please weigh in if you’ve tried this super clean, super natural formula!

Carina Organics Daily Face Moisturizer

$15 ($3.57/ounce)

I love this organic, natural face cream that has none of the problematic ingredients mentioned above. It’s an affordable option, too, and is light, non-greasy, and absorbent.

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

LaCreme Luxurious Rose Facial Cream

$103.60 ($61.28/ounce)

I would love to try this clean, natural face cream to see if it’s worth the high price! Anyone want to buy me a tub of it? 😉

Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream

$64 ($37.65/ounce)

A light but substantial natural face cream with no concerning ingredients.

One Love Organics Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream

$58 ($27.62/ounce)

Unlike many face creams with a cult-following, this one is 100% natural and really works to renew dull, dehydrated skin.

Rejuva Minerals Ultra Hydration Moisturizer

$18 ($9/ounce)

There aren’t any ingredients of concern here, but not every single ingredient is organic. I haven’t tried this one myself, but it gets good reviews.

The Good Stuff

Alba Botanica Hydration Sensation Gel Cream

$16 ($9.41/ounce)

This one is widely available at Whole Foods and health food stores, but I haven’t tried it yet.

Andalou Naturals Probiotic & C Renewal Cream

$25 ($14.70/ounce)

This one borders on an anti-aging product, but I want to try it (my skin needs renewing!), so I am leaving it here.

Babo Botanicals Miracle Moisturizing Face Cream

$12.99 ($6.49/ounce)

If you have very dry skin, this is an awesome rich, natural face cream that can also be used on the body.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Beautycounter Nourishing Day Cream

$45 per bottle ($26.95/ounce)

I love many Beautycounter products, but this one isn’t my favorite. There’s nothing wrong with it in terms of its performance, but I there are simply other face creams that I like more.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Dr. Hauschka

$45 (1-ounce)

This was one of the first natural face creams I ever tried, and remains one of my favorites–even if it isn’t the very safest.

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Renew Face Cream

This one was reader-recommended, so those of you who love this brand–tell us why below in the comments.

$36 ($18/ounce)

Farmaesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream

$43 ($10.75/ounce)

We LOVE Farmaesthetics around here, and this cream has developed a devoted following among our customers as well as our staff. It’s rich enough to use as a night cream.

$44.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Farmaesthetics Nourishing Lavender Milk

$42 ($5.25/ounce)

Luxurious as it may be, this milk is still light enough for face or body–and a great choice for babies, too.

$42.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Cream

$48 ($28.24/ounce)

We give this one extra points for being a in a (beautiful) glass jar.

Kabana Crème Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$15 ($2.50/ounce)This one isn’t vegan as it contains lanolin, and is a little too thick and sticky for my taste. Still, it’s a safe option.

Living Nature Nourishing Day Cream

$36.82 ($21.66/ounce)

I’ve been using this day cream lately, and it’s nice and light and absorbs well.

Mad Hippie Face Cream

$26 (1-ounce)

Based on many of your rave reviews, this is the one I’m going to try next!

Nourish Organic Hydrating Face Cream

$25 ($14.70/ounce)

This hydrating formula is a really nice, pleasantly-scented basic natural face cream.

Osea

$48 to $108 ($24-$54/ounce)

Osea makes a variety of natural face cream formulations, and they all qualify as Good Stuff!

Poofy’s Flawless Face Daily Moisturizer

$33 ($16.50/ounce)

I’m a big fan of Poofy in general, but I have not tried this particular product.

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Tata Harper Reparative Moisturizer & Creme Riche

$119 ($70/ounce)

I know many of you love Tata Harper, but I’ve been to frugal to spring for this one! Would love your thoughts on this–should I splurge? Let me know!

Weleda

$20-$30 ($15-$20/ounce)

Weleda makes a variety of natural face creams, all of which I love for their thicker, creamier texture.

$19.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

The Okay Stuff

Aesop

$25-$120 ($15-$60/ounce)

Aesop makes several popular skin creams, all of which are just Okay Stuff because of PEG chemicals, disodium EDTA, and phenoxyethanol.

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion

$13.00 ($4.33/ounce)

Surprise! Cetaphil’s basic daily face lotion is actually Okay Stuff–and definitely the best thing you’ll find in a drug store.

Elta MD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

$30 ($17.65/ounce)

Can someone explain to me while every dermatologist is obsessed with Elta MD? I like this moisturizer, but it still isn’t my first choice.

Everyone (EO) Nourishing Face Moisturizer

$8.99 ($2.25/ounce)

You can find this brand at Whole Foods, and it’s fine in a pinch–but nothing special in terms of performance or ingredients.

FirstAid Beauty Skin Rescue Daily Face Cream

$22.00 ($11.00/ounce)

Several readers recommended FirstAid Beauty, so I plan to try this brand and will report back on performance.

Garden of Eve Clearly Lovely Face Cream

$66 ($50.77/ounce)

This is a nice basic face cream, but there are safer options at a lower price point.

Goodee Eco Marine Facial Cream

$62.00 ($30.56/ounce)

This brand is hard to find, but if you’re one of the readers who already is hooked, there is nothing too terrible lurking inside the bottle!

I nna Organic Frankincense Revitalizing Face Lotion

$40.13 ($23.75/ounce)

I haven’t tried this one yet, but it gets good reviews.

Kiehls Ultra Face Cream

$53 ($12.62/ounce)

Most Kiehl’s products are distinctly Bad Stuff, but this face cream is a notable exception.

Kora Organics

$48 ($28.40/ounce)

All of the face creams in this line–Hydrating, Purifying, and Soothing–are just Okay Stuff because of sodium hydroxide, benzyl alcohol, and sodium benzoate.

Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream

$22.99 ($6.76/ounce)

This one is widely available and gets decent reviews.

Sahajan Nourish Face Cream

$60 ($35.30/ounce)

Despite the high price point, I am tempted to give this one a try just because of how lush it looks in this photo.

Skinceuticals Daily Moisture

$63 ($31.50/ounce)

A facialist once gave me a sample of this, and I have to say that I loved it.

Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Face Cream

$40 ($16/ounce)

If you’ve used this one, please comment below on how it performs!

The Bad Stuff

As is often the case, the Bad Stuff when it comes to face creams isn’t much of a surprise. Estee Lauder, La Mer, Cerave, and Aveeno should be avoided. They contain synthetic fragrance and PEG chemicals, and Cerave even contains parabens!

The Sneaky Stuff

That distinctive scent in Aveda’s various skin creams is synthetically-derived, and you’ll also find phenoxyethanol and dimenthicone in this brand.

I was honestly surprised when Dr. Hopkins told me that Derma E Hydrating Day Cream contains retinyl palmitate (which receives a 9 from EWG!).

Eminence is a high-end brand that a lot of you love, and which makes several organic face creams. It’s not the worst stuff in the world, but contains a few problematic ingredients, including benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate.

Fresh, including their popular Peony Brightening Moisture Day Cream (which is more than $70 a bottle) contains synthetic fragrance, polycrylamind, PEG chemicals, and other Bad Stuff.

Honest Company Deep Hydration Face Cream is almost Okay Stuff. In the end, there are just too many not great ingredients (benzyl alcohol, which EWG gives a 5, dimethicone, etc.) to not call this Sneaky Stuff.

We are often asked about Norwex, as it purports to be natural and organic. Their Naturally Timeless Day Cream is, unfortunately, Sneaky Stuff. Norwex makes claims of “NO EDTA!” and then lists EDTA in the ingredients, so that doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Yes To! makes a variety of “natural” face creams, but they contain synthetic fragrance, phenoxyethanol, and other bad stuff.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Face Cream Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Here Are All the Beautycounter Products I Use

Maia James — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 14:38:01 +0000

Some of the Best Beautycounter Products (IMHO)–Plus the Other Stuff Mentioned in This Video

(My very favorite products are marked with the Best Stuff badge)

Beautycounter Daily Conditioner

Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Exfoliator

Beautycounter Brightening Facial Mist

Beautycounter Cleansing Balm

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

Beautycounter Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream

Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara

Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara

Beautycounter Retractable Foundation Brush

Beautycounter Color Pinch Cream Blusher

Beautycounter Touchup Skin Concealer Pen

Beautycounter Brilliant Brow Gel

Beautycounter All-Over Eye Brush

Beautycounter Eyeshadow Palette

Beautycounter Color Outline Eye Pencil

Beautycounter Sheer Lipstick

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Here Are All the Beautycounter Products I Use appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Honest Review of Beautycounter Anti-Aging Products

Maia James — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 19:25:03 +0000

Above is a photo of my nightstand, and on it you’ll see the three Beautycounter anti-aging products I’m currently putting on my skin before bed. A lot of you have written in raving about Beautycounter’s new Countertime line, so I was eager to try it myself–and to give you guys my honest review. (Spoiler: of the three you see pictured there, I love two and don’t like one.)

I’ve received a lot of comments and questions like this one from you guys.

Are Beautycounter Anti-Aging Products Good Stuff?

Before I tell you how I feel about the performance of Beautycounter anti-aging skincare products, let’s discuss the safety. There’s always a concern that for products to really work–particularly anti-aging products–they can’t also be toxin-free.

In the case of Beautycounter products, they are, miraculously, both effective and safe. Beautycounter managed to find an alternative to retinol, which is definitely toxic but also undeniably effective, in the form of plant-based bakuchiol.

The Beautycounter anti-aging line contains some ingredients that I can’t call Good Stuff, like phenoxyethanol, and I wish they were organic. However, most of my readers who are my age (myself included!) are tempted to try traditional retinols or even Botox to fight aging skin, and Beautycounter has come up with an unquestionably safer option.

Beautycounter Anti-Aging Products I’ve Tried

Here is a list of what I’ve tried so far, and my honest assessment of each one.

1. I use this peel three nights a week. It really works as well as more expensive (including the more toxic) ones. I’ve been using this for months, and it is legitimately brightening and softening my skin. This one gets a thumb’s up.

2. I recently started putting on this peptide cream on before sleep, too. I actually don’t use the cream on the nights I use the peel mentioned above, because I find that it doesn’t absorb as well when applied over the peel. There’s nothing I find more annoying than cream that kind of balls off when you rub your face afterwards.

3. I’ve also recently started using this eye cream, but it kind of does the rolling off thing mentioned above. I know some of you love it, though, so I’m going to keep using it to see if it helps with fine lines.

My Honest Review of Other Beautycounter Products

In addition to the above Beautycounter anti-aging products, here are some other Beautycounter things I’ve tried, and whether I’d recommend them or not:

Cleansing Balm. This was the first Beautycounter product I ever tried, and it lives up to the hype. Enthusiastic thumb’s up!
Brightening Facial Mist. I’m not a fan of this one; it sits on my skin in an almost soapy way, rather than seeping in.
Calendula Lip Conditioner. This little tub will last literally years, and it’s hands-down the best lip balm/gloss I’ve tried.
Sheer Lipstick. This is my favorite lipstick, and I love the Twig color best of all.
Lengthening Mascara. I love all the Beautycounter mascaras, but the lengthening formula is my favorite.
Cream Cleanser. This is one of my favorite before-bed face cleanser, and it removes makeup quickly without any tight or dry sensation.
Nourishing Day Cream. I don’t find this daily cream to absorb well, so I used up my bottle and then didn’t reorder.

Please comment below with which Beautycounter products you love (or hate!).

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Honest Review of Beautycounter Anti-Aging Products appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Bar Soap Guide

Maia James — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:04:02 +0000

1. Tandi’s Naturals / 2. Farmaesthetics / 3. Christina Maser / 4. Dr. Bronner’s / 5. Beautycounter / 6. Paleo Skincare / 7. Poofy Organics / 8. Soapwalla

When it comes bar soap, the good news is that there are tons of safe options for organic soap. The bad news is that many of these soaps are difficult to find, as they are produced by small manufacturers and not sold in most drug or grocery stores.

Thank goodness for Dr. Bronner’s (see review below), which you can find almost anywhere.Dr. Bronner’s is great option, although it does score a 1 on Skin Deep.

All other soaps below score a 0, or have not been reviewed by Skin Deep, but I put them at a 0 based on ingredients.

The list of Good Stuff below is by no means exhaustive. You can find many more safe soaps via a search on Skin Deep, although it always feels a little overwhelming to me.

Bar soaps were much easier for me to review than shampoos and other products; unless a soap really dries out my skin or smells offensive, I feel that it’s done its job!

My Top Pick for Best Bar Soap

I know it’s not cheap, but the most luxe bar soaps I’ve ever tried are the ones by Farmaesthetics. And the bar lasts a really long time, making the cost-per-use low.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

What’s Wrong With Conventional Bar Soap?

Depending on the brand, conventional bar soaps might contain any number of noxious chemicals, but two to look out for are:

Antibacterial agents. Typically this will be in the form of triclosan, an endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen. Soap may also contain triclosan’s cousin, triclocarban.
Fragrance. Unless the label specifies that it’s scented with essential oils, bar soap probably contains synthetic fragrance, which means it contains phthalates.

The Good Stuff

Aspen Kay

A bunch of you asked about this brand, and I’m pleased to find that it’s Good Stuff. Aspen Kay soaps are made with only organic ingredients, all of which are 100% natural.

Where to Buy: I’ve only found these on Amazon.

Tandi’s Naturals

My favorite bar soaps are made by Tandi’s Naturals. Tandi uses local ingredients–including beef tallow, although she does offer vegan options as well. Tandi’s soaps contain no concerning ingredients, are scented with essential oils, and come in delicious flavors like Minty Cocoa Swirl.

Where to Buy: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store or local farmers’ markets in Lancaster, PA.

$7.00 — or subscribe and save up to 8%Buy Now

Soap for Goodness Sake

Unfortunately, this brand no longer exists.

Soap for Goodness Sake makes tons of different formulas, most of which score a 0 on Skin Deep (a couple score a 1, due to ylang ylang oil, which carries some additive exposure concerns). Some of their soaps are organic.

Where to buy: Amazon.

Christina Maser Handmade Goats Milk Soaps

This line of handmade soaps are crafted from food grade olive, palm, coconut, sweet almond and castor oils, natural clays, goat’s milk, honey, herbs, grains and natural pigments, and scented with only pure essential oils. They contain no synthetic ingredients, no phthalates, no chemicals of any kind. These soaps are hand poured in small batches, cut, and wrapped by hand.

Where to Buy: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store.

$7.49 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Pangea Organics

Another great brand that no longer exists! 🙁

Pangea makes great bar soaps, and they smell delicious. Note that the Canadian Pine with White Sage soap scores a 2 on Skin Deep because it contains clove oil, which the EWG considers an immunotoxin (who knew?). Note: Pangea has added sodium benzoate to many of their products so we are no longer carrying this line in our store. Their soaps, however, do not contain the controversial preservative.

Where to buy: Amazon.

Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s is a great go-to soap because of its wide availability. All the varieties score a 1 on Skin Deep. The only ingredients of slight concern are tocopherol (Vitamin E) and citric acid, but I feel comfortable with both of them. The yummy scents include almond, lavender, rose, peppermint, tea tree, citrus orange, and eucalyptus.

Where to buy: Natural food stores as well as many mainstream grocery stores and pharmacies, plus Amazon.

Farmaesthetics Bath & Beauty Bars

These bars are organic and handmade, which helps to explain the higher price point. I’m a sucker for the pretty packaging on these soaps, but more important is the short list of ingredients–they change their formulas seasonally, but I’ve never seen anything of concern in any of their soaps.

Where to Buy: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Beautycounter Hand & Body Bar Soaps

Beautycounter’s soaps look pretty on your counter or in your shower, and feature safe ingredients like organic shea butter and an array of essential oils.

The Citrus Mimosa Body Bar is marketed for head-to-toe use, and Rose Neroli Hand Soap is meant for hands, but I think you can use either for both hands and body.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Paleo Skincare Tallow Bar Soaps

These tallow soaps use wildcrafted herbs for gentle, effective cleansing. Beef tallow is more moisturizing than other oils. Tallow contains a host of vitamins and other good stuff (much of which is missing from veggie oils). Tallow soap bars last longer than all-veggie ones, and have a fluffier, creamier lather.

Where to Buy: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store.

Poofy Organics Bar Soaps

Poofy’s line of vegan soaps include fun flavors like Creamsicle and Cotton Candy. The only ingredient that isn’t totally on the up and up is that vague “natural flavors.”

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Soapwalla Bar Soaps

We just started carrying this incredible line of bar soaps, which are formulated for the face, but which work beautifully for the body as well. These are hands down the best-smelling natural soaps I’ve found, and well worth the $14 a pop!

Where to Buy: Gimme the Good Stuff’s online store.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

Lever 2000 bar soap gets an 8 from Skin Deep because of fragrance, retinyl palmitate, and BHT.

Dial is perhaps not quite as bad as Lever, but does contain fragrance, and several other mildly concerning ingredients, such as PEG-12 and PEG-9.

The Sneaky Stuff

Lots of you ask about Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin, because it seems a lot of dermatologists recommended it. While it’s better than most conventional soaps, it contains cocamidopropyl betaine, which is on my personal Never list.

Fresh soap is expensive and it smells nice, but it has a bunch of gross ingredients, including BHT.

Although Ivory claims its soap is “clean and simple, and free of unnecessary ingredients,” it contains fragrance and–in some cases–artificial dyes.

Mrs. Meyers bar soaps–like the rest of the the Mrs. Meyers line–contains synthetic fragrance, making it Sneaky Stuff.

Neutrogena is the brand most recommended by dermatologists, but contains fragrance, cocamide DEA, and triethanolamine.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Bar Soap Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Baby Lotion Guide

Maia James — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:44:28 +0000

1. Babo Botanicals / 2. Beautycounter / 3. Attitude / 4. California Baby / 5. Earth Mama

I don’t think you need to slather your baby in lotion after every bath, but sometimes a baby’s dry skin will be screaming for a moisturizer.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of coconut oil, and we often put a little blob of the organic, unrefined good stuff in the bath with the boys.

My Top Pick for Best Natural Baby Lotion

If you’re looking for a creamy (not greasy), basic natural baby lotion with no sketchy ingredients, my pick is Babo’s Sensitive Baby Daily Hydra Lotion.

$13.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

DIY Skincare for Babies

Many readers have written in with their own strategies for keeping dry skin at bay, often without buying packaged lotions or creams. I’m always going to be the type to buy a natural baby lotion rather than lube up my kids with pure olive oil, but these strategies are still helpful:

Humidify, humidify, humidify. Lots of you suggested this. I bought an ionic humidifier to help clear Felix’s sinuses, and as an added bonus, I no longer wake up feeling like my skin is a size too small for my body.
Hydrate inside out. While at other times of the year I think the whole “drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day” wisdom lacks sufficient research to back it up, in the winter I do feel it helps to up the fluid intake. In any event, I tend to feel thirstier when I’m stuck inside a heated apartment all day.

Bathe less. One reader said her daughter only gets one bath a week and has no dry skin issues. I know that my own skin feels better when I take fewer showers, but I’m too grossed out by their germy classrooms to let me kids skip week-night bathing.
Get a chlorine filter. If you have a water baby like I do, the chlorine exposure might aggravate dry skin (and carries other health risks). We use this filter in the bath and this for the shower.
Apply organic shea butter. It’ll spread more easily when mixed with an oil (one reader suggests jojoba; another loves avocado). If you put the mixture near the stove while cooking dinner, it’ll melt and be perfect after a bath.
Lube your baby up with olive oil before her bath to ensure silky skin afterwards (but be careful, as she will be VERY slippery while in the bath).
Soap them at the end. Let your little one play in the bath first, and then after his skin becomes wrinkly, quickly use the soap to wash him. Less time in the drying soap prevents dry skin.

In addition to some of the above measures, I use a store-bought natural baby lotion on Felix and Wolf after baths (which is the best time to moisturize because skin is already full of water).

What About Eczema?

If your child summers from eczema, this post covers causes and treatments that our readers swear by.

We also love this Earth Mama Organics Eczema Cream

What Might Be Wrong with the Natural Baby Lotion You Have Now

Since pretty much everyone now knows that phthalates are bad, more and more cosmetics lines—especially those marketed for babies—are free of synthetic fragrance (although lots still do contain them).

Other common ingredients in baby lotion include:

Parabens (well-known endocrine disruptors)
Ethanol (a penetration-enhancing alcohol)
Phenoxyethanol (a suspected carcinogen)

Even lotions sold in health food stores and marketed as natural will contain some of these chemicals. Phenoxyethanol in particular is ubiquitous in “natural” baby lotion.

Coconut Oil: Refined vs. Unrefined and Virgin vs. Extra Virgin

Whether you are buying it to use as skincare or as food, definitely opt for unrefined coconut oil, as the refined variety is deodorized and bleached. Refined coconut oil has a higher smoking point and lacks the coconuty smell and taste, which is why it is sometimes preferred for cooking. And while there is a distinction between virgin and extra virgin olive oil, when it comes to coconut oil, these terms mean the same thing.

The Good Stuff

Attitude Baby Lotions

While Attitude’s baby lotion has tons of ingredients, many of which are synthetic, they all seem to be super safe. Attitude is also EWG verified.

Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Natural Baby Lotion

This is my new favorite line, which we are now carrying in our online store. Babo’s line of natural baby lotions are light, smell delicious (but not cloying), and contain none of the bad stuff discussed above. Babo Botanicals products are produced on a certified organic farm in upstate New York. Their lotions contain natural skin softeners like calendula and meadowsweet, and I love their new fragrance-free line.

$13.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

California Baby Everyday Lotion

I’ve been a fan of California Baby for more than ten years, and they continue to make a great line of natural baby lotions.

Enkido

This Australian line makes a super yummy natural baby lotion (including Soothing, Calming, and Sensitive formulations). You’ll pay about $20 for oughly 4.25 ounces, plus another $20 for them to ship it to you, which I realize is an insane amount of money for a lotion that’s mostly made up of the same ingredients as the other Good Stuff (like calendula and organic lavender oil). I’m including Enkido on this list because I like to support one of the rare companies whose entire line is safe. Almost every single product they sell—from eye makeup remover to anti-aging cream—ranks a 0 on Skin Deep, and nothing scores higher than a 1.

Poofy Organics

I love that Poofy’s lotions are made to order, which means they don’t need to use hardcore preservatives (although they still have a generous one-year shelf life). This fragrance-free natural baby lotion also has some cool ingredients, including kimchi seaweed and apricot kernel oil.

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Beautycounter Baby Daily Protective Balm

Unlike some Beautycounter products, this balm contains a short list of ingredients–mostly organic–such as sunflower seed oil, beeswax, and shea butter. It’s also garnered major praise from users!

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Earth Mama

Earth Mama’s Angel Baby lotion smells super yummy. Shea butter again makes an appearance here, along with olive oil, aloe, and calendula. Other good stuff about this Good Stuff: it scores a 0 on Skin Deep and all the ingredients are organic.

MADE OF Moisturizing Baby Lotion

MADE OF’s Moisturizing Body Lotion contains no synthetic ingredients of any kind, including fragrances or preservatives. It’s also non-greasy and contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera.

Buy Now from MADE OF

Pleni Naturals

Pleni sent us a sample of their natural baby lotion for review. This is a balm rather than a lotion or cream, but is nice for kiddos with very dry skin. It contains mostly organic ingredients.

Update: It’s come to our attention that Lac Larde has been using synthetic fragrances due to a dishonest chemist. They are rectifying the problem and we will report back as soon as their formula is safe.

Lac Larde Organic Baby Lotion

~~Lac Larde organic baby lotion is my husband’s current favorite (for himself!).~~

Thinkbaby Baby Lotion

Thinkbaby’s new baby lotion formula doesn’t contain dimethicone, so I can officially call it Good Stuff. Even though the ingredients aren’t organic, they are all low hazard

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

CeraVe Baby is almost what I would call Okay Stuff, because it’s free of fragrance and parabens. Still, it’s all synthetics, nothing is organic, and it contains dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, and sodium hydroxide.

Eucerin Baby Body Lotion seems to have an identical ingredients list to Cerave Baby, so it’s basically the best of the Bad Stuff, too.

When I wrote this guide in 2010, Johnson’s Lotions contained fragrance, three different kinds of parabens, benzyl alcohol, BHT, propylene glycol, and artificial colors. Things are much improved now! Johnson’s has responded to consumer demand (that’s you guys!), and cut the number of ingredients in their baby line by 50 percent. I also like that they disclose all of their fragrances now, rather than hiding behind the word “fragrance” on the label. Best of all, they’ve ditched the parabens and phthalates! Unfortunately, a bottle of Johnson’s lotion is still going to contain phenoxyethanol and dimethicone, both of which are considered moderately hazardous by EWG. Moreover, a few ingredients in their fragrance blend have no safety data available. Because lotion is something you slather on your baby’s entire body every day and don’t wash off, even the new version of Johnson’s lotions aren’t good enough.

~~To give credit where credit is due, however, Johnson’s Naturals lotion is actually pretty safe. The only thing I don’t love is the hydrogenated cottonseed oil it contains.~~ Johnson’s has discontinued its Naturals line–too bad!

Aveeno (also produced by Johnson & Johnson) makes a ;Calming Comfort Moisturizing Lotion, which, while free of phthalates and parabens, contains synthetic fragrance, dimethicone, and petrolatum.

The Sneaky Stuff

BabyGanics Smooth Move Daily Lotion isn’t totally terrible–but it does contain phenoxyethanol (a possible carcinogen), as well as several other ingredients that Skin Deep rates at least a 3.

Burt’s Bees Baby Lotion is doing some things right. They don’t use synthetic fragrance or parabens. Unfortunately, it also contains sodium benzoate, lactic acid, phenoxyethanol, and limonene.

Cetaphil Baby Lotion advertises organic calendula on the front of the bottle. Unfortunately, it’s full of chemical ingredients, including synthetic fragrance.

A lot of you have asked about Live Clean baby lotion. I can’t recommend it because of several gross ingredients, including “fragrance.”

Mrs. Meyers Baby Blossom Lotion contains fragrance, phenoxyethanol, and ceteareth-20, which is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane. Despite bragging about aromatherapy all over the label, I knew all of the Mrs. Meyers stuff smelled too good to be true (take a whiff of anything with the geranium scent—it’s heavenly), and so I asked for more details. I was told:

“To answer your question regarding our fragrances – our aromatherapeutic fragrances are a proprietary combination of natural essential oils and synthetic fragrance ingredients formulated in compliance with IFRA / RIFM’s (International Fragrance Association and Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) guidelines for safety. Please note…none of our fragrances contain phthalates.”

Perhaps Skin Deep would lower the score on this product if they knew that it was phthalate-free (they currently give it a 4), but I still don’t feel comfortable using it.

Mustela is fancy and France and calls itself “eco-friendly,” but it also contains “perfum” (AKA fragrance). Mustela did recently remove the parabens from their products.

Puracy makes a baby lotion that many of you have asked us about. Unfortunately, it contains benzisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol.

You guys ask me all the time about Tubby Todd. With phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, Tubby Todd not quite Good Stuff.

Yes to Naturals Baby Body Lotion says it’s 100% natural, but this is flat-out untrue because it has synthetic fragrance and sodium benzoate in it.

What About Baby Oil?

Baby oil is generally a combination of mineral oil (a petroleum byproduct) and synthetic fragrance. According to some sources, it seals up the pores in a way that doesn’t allow skin to breathe effectively. Baby massage oils are now readily available due to the popularity of baby massage (which, along with baby sign language, I never got around to trying). This one from Badger is my favorite.

Beautycounter also makes a nice Soothing Baby Oil.

Check out our Hand & Body Lotion Review for some more clean lotions that are safe for kids and babies.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Baby Lotion Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Toxin-Free Grandparenting: How to Support Your Children & Protect Your Grandchildren’s Health

Suzanne Weaver-Goss — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:36:48 +0000

Written by Suzanne, AKA “Nana”

This post is for all of the conscious grandparents out there – the ones trying to navigate this world of natural living so that a non-toxic lifestyle can be passed down to future generations!

Of course, parenting has changed over the decades and will continue to evolve. What we thought was safe and healthy for our children may be very different from what our own children think is best for their kids.

Perhaps you, like me, are a 1970s hippie who has been making organic smoothies for half a century. Or maybe your child is the one who has introduced you to a more holistic lifestyle. Maybe your daughter freaked out when you gave your granddaughter a plastic toy or your son quietly returned the non-organic crib sheets you sent his new baby.

Either way, we can help you!

Gimme the Good Stuff is a multi-generational company, and as a grandmother myself, I can imagine how sudden demands to be more “conscious” could seem overwhelming.

If you have any inclination to learn more from a fellow grandparent and “wow!” your children by being the hippest grandma on the block, here are some ideas.

Top 10 Natural Grandparenting Tips

1. Create a non-toxic sleep environment in your home.

Children spend so much time in their beds–even when visiting their grandparents–and non-toxic bedding, especially crib or twin-sized mattress, ensures that they won’t be exposed to a range of scary toxins. Learn more in our mattress guide.

2. Wear your grandchild.

Carrying babies is so much better for their developing brains than putting them in chairs and strollers. It provides other health benefits for both the baby and parent (or grandparent!), while also limiting baby’s exposure to outside toxins. I remember singing and reciting poems to my first grandchild when I “wore” him around the neighborhood in this carrier.

3. Invest in a water filter for your home.

There are so many nasty chemicals in most tap water, and a robust water filter protects your grandchildren from chlorine, trace pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals.

4. Opt for natural laundry products.

If you make the switch to natural laundry soap and dryer balls and sheets, your kids will be thrilled to do a load of laundry when they are at your house. (Wait, maybe you don’t want that?!).

5. Buy your grandkids organic clothing.

Skip polyester and other synthetic materials, and instead choose all natural fibers–preferably organic–when buying clothing or swaddles for your grandchildren.

6. Don’t wear perfume around your grandchildren.

Unfortunately, perfume is full of phthalates. I can always tell when a scented caregiver has snuggled a baby because the scent will linger on their little fuzzy heads! Instead, opt for alternative fragrances like all-natural lotions, balms, essential oils, and soaps.

7. Avoid plastic toys.

Most plastic toys contain an assortment of toxins like chlorine and PVC, which can be harmful when babies invariably use all toys as chew toys! (Not to mention the environmental impact of mass-producing all those plastic toys!) Instead, consider gifting your grandkids higher-quality, non-toxic toys. Check out our Non-Toxic Toy Guide for suggestions.

8. Upgrade bathtime.

Treat yourself and your family by investing in conscious bath and body products. Our Safe Product Guides provide tons of product options for bubble baths, shampoos, soaps, and bath toys to provide quality bath and body care, as well as some peace of mind knowing bathtime is chemical free.

9. Make Screen-Time Safer

For your children and grandchildren using tablets, iPads, smartphones, and other screen technology, investing in screen protectors that shield radiation will offer a drastic decrease in the amount of EMFs (electromagnetic radiation fields) they are exposed to.

10. Make Mealtime Healthy.

Your kids will undoubtedly applaud you if you offer their children veggie-heavy snacks and healthy desserts, ideally using organic ingredients. Garner bonus points by sending home leftovers in plastic-free food storage containers.

Are You a Natural Grandparent?

Okay, grandmas, I want to hear from you! What other steps have you taken to be a conscious grandparent?

And parents–what other things do you WISH your parents would do to give you peace of mind about your children’s health when they are with their grandparents?

Please share below!

To your health,

P.S. Let’s not forget that studies show that simply being in each others’ company is healthful for both grandparents and grandchildren.

Shop This Story

Naturepedic Crib Mattress

$259.00 – $289.00Buy Now

Moby BabyHawk Meh Dai

$99.95Buy Now

Under Counter Water Filter

$220.99Buy Now

Pura kiki baby bottle

$19.00 – $26.00Buy Now

Sonett Laundry Liquid

$29.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags

$9.99 – $21.99Buy Now

DefenderShield Universal Tablet Radiation Case

$104.99 – $114.99Buy Now

Babo Botanicals Calming Bubble Bath & Wash

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Under the Nile Dress Up Doll

$52.99Buy Now

Begin Again Bathtub Ball

$24.99Buy Now

Under the Nile Baby Gown

Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter System by ZIP

$469.95Buy Now

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Toxin-Free Grandparenting: How to Support Your Children & Protect Your Grandchildren’s Health appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

July: Switch to the Best Natural Skincare Products

Maia James — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:56:08 +0000

Written by Maia, President & Founder

In January of 2018, instead of making the usual resolutions that we’ve given up on by the end of the month, we decided to break it up by dividing some big goals into manageable chunks.

Each month, we invite you to overhaul one aspect of your life to reduce toxins, improve health, and increase your peace of mind. Our promise is that these changes will be easy to implement, helping you avoid resolution overwhelm.

(If you’re just joining us, here is January’s mini resolution on upgrading junk foods, February’s with a medicine cabinet detox, March’s on improving indoor air quality, April’s five ways to clean up your cleaning products, May’s on making your yard non-toxic, and June’s on water safety.)

Happy July! I want to dedicate this month to making over your collection of personal-care products. This is one of the our only mini resolutions that isn’t about your children; my bet is that most of you are much more careful about what you slather on their little bodies, and you are probably already using mostly Good Stuff on them.

So this month, I am going to recommend the best natural skincare products for the adults in your home.

Toxins in Skincare Products

As is the case with so many of the products we review on this site, synthetic fragrances are often the biggest offenders in skincare products.

Manufacturers don’t have to disclose exactly what’s in their fragrance blend. You’ll just see “fragrance” or “parfum” listed in the ingredients, but often this means dozens of chemicals, hormone-disrupting phthalates usually among them.

Other chemicals that you want to avoid in skincare products include:

Synthetic preservatives, like parabens (benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben etc.), which mimic estrogen and are implicated in breast cancer. Other toxic preservatives include BHT and methylisothiazolinone. Food grade preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are somewhat controversial, but safer than their conventional counterparts.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, both of which are endocrine disruptors. Safer sunscreen ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Foaming agents like cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which is often contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a suspected human carcinogen. Safer surfactants include lauramine oxide and sodium lauryl sulfate SLS).

(Read about the difference between sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate here.)

Best Natural Skincare for Babies & Kids

This post focuses on the best natural skincare products for adults, but due to their small size and developing immune systems, babies and children are even more sensitive to toxins.

Swap out conventional hair- and skincare products for truly nontoxic options. These Safe Product Guides can help:

Sunscreen

Kids’ body wash

Kids’ shampoo

Kids’ lotion

Diaper cream

Best Natural Skincare Products For Grownups

Here’s my strategy for upgrading to the best natural skincare products: start with the stuff that stays on your skin for extended periods, that you use on large areas of your body, and that you use daily or almost daily. You’ll then move on to the adult personal-care products that you rinse off immediately, such such as soap.

The list that follows is in order of importance (deodorant is first because your shaved armpits make for easy-entry of the many toxins found in conventional antiperspirant brands).

1. Deodorant
  
  Avoid these deodorant ingredients: parabens, fragrance, potassium alum
  
  Safest brands: Soapwalla, Schmidt’s, Native
  
  Read our Safe Deodorant Guide.
2. Body Lotion
  
  Avoid these lotion ingredients: PEG chemicals, parabens, fragrance, benzyl alcohol
  
  Favorite brands: All Good, Farmaesthetics, Seventh Generation
  
  Read our Safe Lotion Guide.
3. Shaving Cream/Soap
  
  Avoid these shaving cream ingredients: fragrance, PEG chemicals, benzyl alcohol, potassium hydroxide
  
  Favorite brands: Dr. Bronner’s, Badger
4. Body Wash
  
  Avoid these body wash ingredients: BHT, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance
  
  Favorite brands: Mama Suds, Dr. Bronner’s
5. Bar Soap
  
  Avoid these bar soap ingredients:
  
  fragrance, triclosanFavorite brands: Paleo Skincare, Christina Maser, FarmaestheticsRead our Safe Soap Guide.
6. Face lotions/toners/anti-aging products
  
  Avoid these anti-aging ingredients: avobenzone, PEG chemicals, BHT, fragrance
  
  Here’s my favorite anti-aging product, and this is the night cream I use.
7. Facial cleansers
  
  Avoid these face cleanser ingredients: PEG chemicals, fragrance, methylisothiazolinone
  
  Favorite brands: Acure, Beautycounter , Farmaesthetics

Stay Sane,

P.S. This month we focused on skincare since I think that’s most important when it comes to personal care. Check the following posts for help with other personal care products:

Shop This Story

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

Green Goo Body Lotion

$16.95 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Dr. Bronner’s Shaving Soap

$14.95Buy Now

Mama Suds Body Wash

Paleo Skincare Tallow Soap

$9.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Farmaesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream

Acure Organics Facial Toner

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post July: Switch to the Best Natural Skincare Products appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Deodorant Guide

Maia James — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 18:10:46 +0000

1. ThinkSport/ 2. Soapwalla / 3. Schmidt’s / 4. Weleda / 5. Green Goo / 6. Acure

UPDATED: January 2020

Let me start with the bad news: even the best natural deodorant isn’t going to work like Secret or any conventional antiperspirant you may be using now. That said, the longer I’ve used natural deodorant, the better it works, and I actually seem to sweat less (a lot of you say this is the same for you).

I now save my conventional, Bad Stuff antiperspirant for the occasional “emergency” situations when I’ll be nervous or hot and cannot afford to sweat at all. Like both of my appearance on Dr. Oz’s show—I was up there talking about the dangers of phthalates in food, and all I could smell was the phthalate-laden fragrance of the Degree Shower Fresh I was wearing!

The good news is that there are more safe, natural deodorants to choose from than ever. They come in sticks, jars, roll-ons and sprays. And, yes, many of them actually work.

My Top Pick for Best Natural Deodorant

Using Soapwalla has been nothing short of revelation for me. The application (with fingers) took a little getting used to, but I’ve yet to find another natural deodorant that is this effective.

$18.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

What’s Wrong with Conventional Antiperspirant and Deodorant?

In general, I’m concerned about deodorant and antiperspirant because of exposure–we tend to apply these products every day and leave them on for long periods of time. Also, more of the product’s ingredients can penetrate the skin thanks to little nicks left behind after shaving.

Here are the common ingredients that I’m most worried about in conventional deodorants or antiperspirants:

Aluminum is the reason that most people are worried about antiperspirants. Aluminum-based compounds prevent us from sweating by temporarily plugging our sweat glands. They may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, although evidence for both is contradictory.
Fragrance is the ingredient I’m usually most concerned about in deodorants. (This is the case with many other skincare products, too.) Fragrances generally contain hormone-disrupting phthalates, which you won’t see listed on the label. Even “phthalate-free” deodorants often contain synthetic fragrances, which have unknown phthalate replacements in them, some of which may be just as bad. Always opt for unscented products or those made with only 100% natural fragrances (essential oils).
Triclosan, the antibacterial agent that forms carcinogenic chloroform when it comes in contact with water that contains trace amounts of chlorine, is found in many deodorants.
Many deodorants contain parabens (preservatives that mimic estrogen) and artificial colors, which may be neurotoxins.

Best Natural Deodorant for Men

For those of you seeking a more traditionally “manly” smell, my husband is a big fan of Schmidt’s Charcoal & Magnesium formula.

What’s Wrong with Natural Antiperspirants & Deodorants?

There is a lot of Sneaky Stuff being marketed as natural deodorant and antiperspirant. The most popular sneaky label is “aluminum-free,” because many of these deodorants still have bad stuff in them.

Rock deodorants are natural–and effective–but I do not consider potassium alum entirely safe.

These are the sneaky ingredients that worry me most in natural deodorants:

Many “aluminum-free” deodorants, such as natural crystal deodorants, contain potassium alum. Potassium alum is natural, but it’s still a type of aluminum and therefore may carry the same risks. I do not recommend these products to women because of possible breast cancer links.
Even many natural deodorants contain propylene glycol, a softening agent linked to cancer and reproductive damage.
Concerning fragrances and preservatives are rampant among supposedly natural deodorants.Best Natural Deodorant Ingredients

Body odor happens when sweat meets bacteria on the skin. Good natural deodorants combine a variety of ingredients to do one or all of the following: inhibit the growth of bacteria that makes sweat smelly; absorb some of the moisture from sweat; and reduce the amount of sweat by shrinking pores.

Good Stuff products do not act like conventional antiperspirants, which block sweat from leaving the body.

The Best of the Worst

If you really need to NOT sweat, Ban is the best of the Bad Stuff. The unscented variety of antiperspirant contains aluminum and the moderately concerning cyclopentasiloxane, but it’s much better than other Bad Stuff. Just save this for when you really, really need it, and try not to apply to freshly shaven armpits.

Here are some effective ingredients to look for in Good Stuff:

Here are some effective ingredients that you’ll find in the best natural deodorant brands:

Alcohol (sometimes listed as ethanol) inhibits bacteria. Note that alcohol will increase the penetration of other ingredients in the product, so if you’re using deodorant with alcohol, make sure it’s Good Stuff!
Aloe soothes and conditions skin.
Arrowroot powder absorbs moisture.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) helps neutralize odors and absorbs moisture.
Coconut oil and other vegetable oils and butters (shea, cocoa, mango, etc.) moisturize and soothe irritated skin (hello, shaving). Coconut oil is also anti-microbial.
Cornstarch absorbs moisture.
Essential oils are added for natural fragrance and other properties (like antimicrobial tea tree, lichen, and rosemary).
Hops extract (yes, as in hops from brewing beer) is antimicrobial.
Kaolin clay (aka white cosmetic clay) absorbs moisture.
Vegetable glycerin and natural waxes (like beeswax and candelilla wax) bind ingredients together and are most common in stick deodorants.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is an antioxidant, so it serves as a preservative.
Witch hazel and other astringent ingredients help shrink pores to reduce sweating.
Zinc oxide is anti-microbial. Just be sure that it’s non-nano zinc.

Pro Tips for Success with Natural Deodorant

I’ve learned a lot about using natural deodorants from my own trial-and-error and the experiences of my clients and readers. Here are some tips to help you avoid common pitfalls (pun intended!):

Time: If you’re making a big switch from conventional antiperspirants to natural deodorant, your body might need time to adjust before the natural stuff can be effective. Some even claim that your pits might have some detoxing to do.
Staining: A common complaint about natural deodorants made with oils like coconut is that they stain clothes. Avoid this by using only a small amount (read the label) and giving the product a couple of minutes to absorb before you put on your clothes.
Shaving: Some people also report that natural deodorants sting or cause irritation after shaving. An easy(ish) work-around is to shave at night and apply deodorant in the morning.
Baking soda: Many of the most popular natural deodorants (Primal Pit Paste, Schmidt’s, Soapwalla, CocoPits, etc.) are baking soda-based. Baking soda can irritate some people’s skin, at least at first. Luckily, there are lots of baking soda-free formulas among the Good Stuff.
Hormones: If you’ve given birth recently and/or are breastfeeding, you might be sweating more than usual—it’s not just your imagination, and you’re not alone! You might need to apply your deodorant more often. I’m a fan of freshening up a couple of times a day with baby wipes.

Are you overwhelmed with the length of the list of Good Stuff? My favorite cream is Soapwalla, spray is EO, and stick is the Schmidt’s.

The Good Stuff

Beautycounter’s new deodorant skips all toxins while also getting great reviews for its efficacy.

Buy now from Beautycounter

Dr. Clark’s Zinc Deo is a roll-on deodorant that contains only two ingredients: water and zinc oxide. The zinc is non-nano and non-micronized. I haven’t personally tested this one for effectiveness, but I’m intrigued by the minimalist formula!

EO Organic Deodorant Spray is made from a short list of organic alcohol, water, and essential oils.

Fat and the Moon makes a deodorant cream that I haven’t tried, but that looks similar in ingredients to Soapwalla. This organic formula is totally safe!

I’m so pleased to move Green Beaver from Sneaky to Good Stuff, since they’ve removed the yucky ingredients from their formulations. I can’t say if this brand works well or not, so please comment below if you’ve used Green Beaver.

Green Tidings deodorant is the one very highly ranked on Amazon, so lots of you have tried it, though I haven’t. One of my best friends ordered it wasn’t impressed: “It kept the stink at bay, but was pretty messy to apply.”

Lafes twist-stick deodorantis is glycerin-based so it goes on clear. Lafe’s old formula contained potassium alum, but this new one gets our thumbs up.

Made with Love by Sama sent me sample deodorants and I liked them. However, when it’s warm they are reduced to a near-liquid form and require refrigeration to return to stick. This is common with oil-based deodorants. It wasn’t a huge deal for me, but it’s worth considering.

Naked Deodorant, by North Coast Organics, contains just five edible ingredients (like coconut oil and baking soda), and gets a big thumbs of from a few of our readers.

Nourish Organics makes stick deodorants that smell nice and don’t contain concerning ingredients, but don’t get great reviews for effectiveness.

A lot of you have asked about Lavanila. While many of the ingredients are “naturally-derived” rather than truly natural, nothing in these deodorants scores poorly on EWG’s hazard scale, so I call this Okay Stuff. Just don’t confuse it with Lanvilin, which is Sneaky (see below).

Piperwai was featured on Shark Tank and got a lot of attention. Some of you love it; others not so much. The only thing I don’t love is that it contains a proprietary blend of essential oils. I would rather know exactly what’s in any product I’m using.

Poofy’s line of Max Deo deodorants are free of all the Bad Stuff, and many of my readers say they are super effective. Like many Poofy products, these deodorants do contain the non-specific “natural flavors,” but it’s the last ingredient, so it doesn’t concern me. Poofy even makes a deodorant for kids!

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Primal Pit Paste makes popular jarred deodorants and stick deodorants. They’ve been really annoying about getting back to me (in that, they haven’t, and I’ve been trying to get in touch with them for literally years!), and I have not personally tried their products. Still, the ingredients completely check out as Good Stuff, so I’m giving them my stamp of approval. Note that a few of you have complained that this stained your clothing or darkened the skin of your underarms.

Purelygreat deodorant creams contain a handful of natural ingredients, but I haven’t tested any of them so I cannot promise that they work.

Real Purity is another brand that several readers asked about—you say you use it and like it, so good news: I’d call it Good Stuff! I should mention, however, that it does contain potassium sorbate, a food-grade preservative that I am not personally worried about, but which EWG ranks a 3.

Sam’s Natural is another brand that a bunch of you asked about. I haven’t tried it, but with ingredients that include only things like baking soda, shea butter, and a variety of essential oils, it’s definitely Good Stuff!

Schmidt’s makes a popular jarred deodorant, and recently launched a stick version as well. There’s nothing but the Good Stuff in both. My friend once brought over a tub of this stuff for me to check out after she bought it at Urban Outfitters. I was surprised by the legitimately clean ingredients, as Urban Outfitters (and Anthropologie, too) are FULL of Sneaky products well-packaged to look natural. Schmidt’s is a happy exception! We now sell the sticks in our store. Oh, and for those of you who DO find the baking soda variety irritating, Schmidt’s now offers a sensitive formula.

Soapwalla has quickly developed a cult following, and is my go-to and current favorite. At first it’s a little odd to apply deodorant with your fingers, but I got used to it pretty quickly. I love that Soapwalla is a small operation. They’re located near my home in Brooklyn, so I was able to go meet Rachel (the owner), pick up the products, and see their small-scale production. These factors bring Soapwalla to the head of the Good Stuff pack.

$18.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

All the obvious ones–Secret, Sure, Soft & Dri, Mitchum, Suave, Degree, etc.–are bad, mostly because of the phthalates/synthetic fragrance, but also because of butane in the aerosol versions, plus a variety of PEG chemicals (organ system toxicants), BHT, talc, and other really Bad Stuff.As I mentioned above, if you really need a conventional antiperspirant or deodorant, the unscented Ban is your best option.

The Sneaky Stuff

Alba Botanica UNSCENTED Clear Enzyme Deodorant is a glycerin-based stick deodorant that I consider Good Stuff. However, you’ll want to avoid the scented varieties of Alba’s line, as the fragrances are not natural.

Arm & Hammer Natural Deodorant contains triclosan, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrance. This is the Sneakiest of the Sneaky!

Aubrey Organics isn’t terrible, but does contain sodium benzoate.

I used to love Crystal Essence deodorant and used it for years, but it turns out that it’s so effective because it contains potassium alum. The same is true of those crystal deodorants (as in, the ones that are just an actual rock.)

Dr. Hauschka’s line of deodorants come with the same issues as their other products, which is natural but still unsafe ingredients, like geraniol, linalool, and limonene. I don’t like that their fragrance blend is “proprietary,” although they do say it’s only essential oils.

Every Man Jack deodorants are “naturally derived,” but contain sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, and a bunch of other chemicals on my Bad/Sneaky Stuff list.

I long considered Herbal Magic to be Good Stuff, but they recently changed their formula, and the fragrance is now synthetic. However, their unscented deodorant is still Good Stuff.

Herban Cowboy deodorants contain synthetic fragrance. Enough said.

Jason Natural deodorants contain synthetic fragrance, citral, eugenol, linalool, limonene, and other concerning ingredients.

Kiss My Face deodorants contain propylene glycol, synthetic fragrance, and—in the case of their roll-on deodorants—potassium alum.

Lanvilin deodorants are free of phthalates, but the fragrance is not natural, so I am suspicious of the undisclosed chemicals likely lurking! (Note: Don’t confuse this products with Lavanila, which is Good Stuff.)

Lume I’m not a fan of Lume. I like that they don’t use synthetic fragrances, but they do use a ton of other synthetics ingredient, and some other Bad Stuff, such as phenoxyethanol, PEG chemicals, and polysorbate 60.

Malin & Goetz works well and has the nicest packaging of any deodorant I’ve seen. Unfortunately, it’s got a bunch of problematic ingredients, including phenoxyethanol and propylene glycol.

Native Deodorant is probably the one we are are asked about most, and I know you guys are big fans. Although we previously considered this Good Stuff, Native is now using “a proprietary blend of oils” for their fragrance blend. They specify that they are phthalate-free, but unless they disclose specific oils–and most importantly clarify that only essential oils are used–we will keep Native Deodorant listed as Sneaky Stuff. And for those of you who have asked: the reason that EWG’s Skin Deep gives Native a score of just 1 is because they have an incorrect ingredients list, which doesn’t include “fragrance.”

Naturally Fresh crystal deodorant contains only two ingredients, but both are types of “alum” and should therefore be avoided.

Nature’s Gate deodorants contain propylene glycol and synthetic fragrance, although they recently went paraben- and phthalate-free.

Tisserand does contain tea tree oil and other natural ingredients, but it’s also got loads of synthetics, including benzyl alcohol and methylchloroisothiazolinone.

Tom’s of Maine antiperspirants and deodorants contain propylene glycol and glyceryl laurate (which causes enhanced skin absorption of other chemicals), but all fragrances are natural—so it’s perhaps the best of the Sneaky.

Weleda deodorants contain a number of natural ingredients that are nonetheless potential immunotoxins, including geraniol, linalool, limonene, and coumarin. It also contains benzyl salicylate, which EWG ranks a 7 on their hazard scale due to its potential as a hormone disruptor.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Deodorant Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

What’s Wrong With Sunscreen?

Maia James — Thu, 24 May 2018 12:54:05 +0000

This blog entry is part of our “What’s Wrong With” series, which profiles a different and gives you the bottom line on its safety. Think of these as cheat sheets for our more comprehensive Safe Product Guides.

I’ve written a lot about sunscreens, including a Safe Product Guide that reviews the Good, the Bad, and the Sneaky. Here’s a recap of the major points:

While dermatologists recommend constant use of sunscreen, this can lead to suboptimal levels of vitamin D in both children and adults.
Conventional sunscreen is loaded with chemicals, including parabens and oxybenzone, an endocrine disruptor that may generate free radicals when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Mineral sunscreens are safer than chemical sunscreens because they contain “barrier” ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which sit on the skin and deflect sunlight.
Nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are typically used because the application of these minerals leaves skin with a telltale white sheen, and recent research calls into question the safety of nanoparticles, as they are small enough to penetrate cell membranes and potentially affect DNA.
Instead of nanoparticles, some sunscreen makers use “micronized” particles—basically, these are just slightly larger than nanoparticles, so they should not penetrate the cell membrane. The process of micronization may result in some nanoparticles being present even in non-nano sunscreens. Note: All of the sunscreens we carry in our online store contain only non-nano, non-micronized minerals.

Bottom Line: What’s the Safest Sunscreen?

My advice is to let your kids enjoy a bit of sun each day without slathering on sunscreen. Seek shade during the hottest hours of the day, or use protective clothing. When you’ll be out in the sun for long stretches of time, use a non-nano mineral sunscreen, such as one of the ones recommended in this Safe Sunscreen Guide.

The Safest Sunscreen

Kabana Green Screen

Green Screen by Kabana has an SPF of 35, is made with only six organic ingredients, and is fortified with the U.S. recommended daily allowance of vitamin D3 (400 IU per ounce of sunscreen). Green Screen contains uses non-nano, non-micronized particles of zinc oxide.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post What’s Wrong With Sunscreen? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Baby Wash, Bubble Bath & Soap Guide

Maia James — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 14:42:34 +0000

1. Dr. Bronner’s / 2. Babo Botanicals / 3. Carina Organic / 4. Paleo Skincare / 5. Honest

Written by Maia, President

UPDATED: January 2018

Guess what–you probably don’t even need a non-toxic, natural baby wash. There is no reason you can’t use a non-toxic shampoo on your baby’s body as well as his head, and most products are labeled for use as shampoo and as baby body wash.

That said, shampoos, even the ones I consider Good Stuff, generally has more ingredients than a simple bar of natural soap, so I prefer the latter for babies.

Some companies do make a separate natural baby wash that doesn’t double as shampoo. This Safe Product Guide gives you the run-down of the best and worst of these, plus recommends some great bar soaps (which, by the way, can be used on your little one’s hair, too!) and bubble baths, which I use every night for my boys just because they love it.

My Top Pick for Best Natural Baby Wash

I love Dr. Bronner’s 4-in-1 Organic Baby Sugar Soap because it lacks any sneaky ingredients and can be used on their body as well as hair.

Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Soap

When it comes to soap for your baby’s body, the biggies to stay away from are fragrance, anything ending in “paraben,” and all the obviously chemically-sounding names (like PEG-40).

Adult soaps and shower gels often include harsh petroleum-based detergents, but baby wash does tend to be gentler, if not necessarily safer. Ideally, you should choose a baby wash or bubble bath that specifies 100% natural ingredients; choosing organic baby wash is an even bigger plus.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Is Ok…Sort of

One soap ingredient that has stirred a lot of controversy is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

After lots of research, I’ve decided that while I’m okay using products that contain SLS to wash clothing or dishes, I don’t want it in anything that I rub directly onto my kids’ skin because it can be irritating.

Fortunately, most natural baby wash doesn’t contain SLS. Note that sodium laureth sulfate–often found in natural baby wash–is a different ingredient all together, and one that should always be avoided as it is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1-4, dioxane.

(Here’s more on the differences between these two ingredients.)

Now that you have some basic info on what you should stay away from, here is my roundup of Good, Bad, and Sneaky body washes, bar soaps, and bubble baths for babies and kids. I hope this makes picking a natural baby wash much easier, and feel free to post questions in the comments section below.

The Good Stuff

Dr. Bronner’s 4-in-1 Organic Natural Baby Wash

This unique product is a shampoo, body wash, hand product, and also gentle enough to use on your own face. This unscented sugar soap contains no questionable ingredients, and is great for those of you who want zero scent in anything you put on your baby. It is my favorite natural baby wash.

Babo Botanicals Bubble Bath & Natural Baby Wash

Babo’s line, all produced on an organic farm in upstate New York, boasts a clean ingredients list and yummy scent, without any synthetic fragrances.

My kids enjoy nightly bubble baths in Babo’s lavender formula, which doubles as a shampoo.

Please note that we are no longer carrying Babo’s Moisturizing Oatmilk/Calendula Bubble Bath & Wash in our online store because they added sodium benzoate to the formula (read more on this below in the box titled “Some Okay Stuff”).

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Carina Organics Baby Tear-Free Bubble Bath

Scented with the essence of the sweet pea flower, this is an extra gentle and tear-free bubble bath formulated with certified organic plant, vegetable, flower and tree extracts. This formula lathers less, rinses easily, and leaves no irritating residue, making it gentle enough for even a newborn’s delicate skin. Perfect for infants, babies, and children.

$10.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Lafe’s Organic Baby Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash

If you want a very pure, basic fragrance-free liquid soap/shampoo for your baby, this is a good bet, although I don’t love the way it smells (a sort of castile soap smell).

Lafe’s wash is 100% organic, with hydrating saponified oils of sunflower seed, coconut, olive, and palm. You can buy it on Amazon for around $13. Like I said, this is a safe natural baby wash, but not my favorite in terms of performance.

Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser & Natural Baby Wash

This is the best of the best if you’re in search of a natural baby wash for a newborn. I originally bought it to use as a facial cleanser for myself, and then began using it on my kids as well. (Parenting.com calls it one of only three cleansers they “…would ever recommend using on a child.”)

The simple ingredients list includes witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and essential oils of geranium and lavender. Note that is won’t work as a bubble bath.

$42.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Farmaesthetics Homemade Bath Bars

If you love bar soaps, try Farmaesthetics Rainwater Bath Bars, which are gentle enough for babies and kids, and made of organic ingredients. I often prefer a simple bar soap to natural baby wash when I bathe my kids.

The soap ingredients are basic: just purified rain water, olive, palm, and coconut oils, and various herbs, flowers, and essential oils. You’ll pay $12 per long-lasting bar, and you can buy these pretty soaps from the Good Stuff Store.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

MADE OF Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Made’s Of’s Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is a great gentle soap option for kids– it’s free of synthetic fragrances and problematic surfactants.

Buy Now from MADE OF

Paleo Skincare Tallow & Herb Soap for Babies

I am not a Paleo momma (in fact, I barely eat meat), but I love this soap!

It’s mild, unscented, and made with a variety of seasonal herbs, which are gathered in the wild or grown by the soapmaker herself.

This soap–like the rest of the Paleo Skincare line, is beef-tallow-based, which means it yields a rich, moisturizing lather and lasts longer than vegetable-based soaps.

If you’re looking for the most environmentally friendly, natural baby wash on this list, Paleo Skincare’s tallow soap is for you.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Bath Blossoms

Earth Mama offers another safe bar soap option. With some slightly more interesting ingredients than most natural bar soaps—such as oats, cabbage rose, and lemon balm–this pleasant smelling soap is available on Amazon for $5.

Looks like this product is discontinued, Earth Mama’s Baby Wash & Shampoo is Good Stuff!

Beautycounter Kids Body Wash

I am normally not a fan of direct sales companies (Arbonne, Ava Anderson, etc.), but there are some exceptions.

Beautycounter is one of the companies that is genuinely committed to bringing safe products to market.

The only caveat here is that their stuff is definitely NOT all natural or organic–but they do choose all ingredients that EWG has rated as low concern–and conduct their own research to boot.

Beautycounter’s body wash for kids has a pleasant smell (and doesn’t contain any undisclosed chemical fragrances), and is free of sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates. It also doesn’t contain sodium benzoate. You’ll pay $18 for a 10-ounce bottle.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Honest Bubble Bath

While not 100% natural or organic, the bubble bath by The Honest Company is a safe option from a fairly reliable company (there are just a few of their products that I wouldn’t recommend–the majority are non-toxic).

You’ll pay around $12 for the 12-ounce bottle, and the bubble wand they include is a fun touch. Honest Bubble Bath is now available on Amazon.

Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap

This very basic soap contains only a few organic ingredients, but one of them is potassium hydroxide, which some readers have been concerned about (it gets a 3 from Skin Deep). Otherwise known as lye, potassium hydroxide is a caustic agent used to turn the coconut oil in Bronner’s soap into, well, soap. Fortunately, none remains in the finished product, and therefore, I consider this Good Stuff.

This is a solid natural baby wash choice, and you can use it for general household cleaning as well.

Seventh Generation Coconut Care Foaming Shampoo & Wash

There is nothing bad or sneaky in this product, but there are a large number of synthetic ingredients. This isn’t a natural baby wash, but I do believe it’s a safe baby wash.

Baby Mantra Natural Baby Wash, Shampoo & Bubble Bath

Baby Mantra is another brand that makes a nice, safe bubble bath (although it does contain potassium sorbate for those of you wanting to avoid that).

Baby Mantra sent me a free bottle of this natural baby wash to try, but of course this review is my own.

Baja Baby’s Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Body Wash

This natural baby wash and shampoo gets extra points for no icky presevatives and for being organic. I haven’t tried it, so I can’t speak to how it performs.

Tom’s of Maine Natural Baby Wash & Shampoo

Other than not being organic, I can’t say anything bad about Tom’s of Maine natural baby wash and shampoo.

It’s unscented and reasonably priced.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Okay Stuff

The following products are not quite Good Stuff because they contain sodium benzoate, an ingredient that Skin Deep rates a 3 and about which I have some concerns.

Beautycounter Baby Gentle All Over Wash

Despite the small amount of sodium benzoate it contains, I would feel comfortable using this wash on my own kids, as it has a short ingredients list and Beautycounter is committed to testing all their products for purity.

It’s not a natural baby wash, since nothing from Beautycounter is 100% natural, but it is safe.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

California Baby Bubble Bath & Natural Baby Wash

California Baby products are widely available and people ask about them all the time.

Despite a recent change in their formula (now containing sodium benzoate), I would be okay using this bubble bath.

Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Oatmilk & Calendula

Bubble Bath & Natural Baby Wash

As I mentioned above, we are no longer carrying this variety of Babo’s bubble bath in our store since they added sodium benzoate to their formula.

If you want a Babo bubble bath, choose their Lavender Bubble Bath, which does not contain this questionable preservative.

In a pinch, however, any of this Okay Stuff is fine.

Weleda Calendula Cream Bath

Weleda is a tough one. It’s one of those companies whose ingredients are all natural, just as they claim; unfortunately, some of the oils (limonene, geraniol, etc.) that make up Weleda’s fragrance are rated poorly by Skin Deep/EWG. So I can’t call Weleda Good Stuff.

But, strictly speaking, this is a 100% natural baby wash, and it smells incredible.

The Bad Stuff

Fisher-Price not only makes toxic plastic toys, but also toxic bubble baths and baby washes, complete with synthetic fragrances and PEG chemicals galore.

Johnson’s tops the gross list, since most of their baby washes and soaps include fragrance, parabens, and artificial coloring. Johnson’s has, however, recently launched a natural line that is free of phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and dyes (although none of it is organic).

Mustela, a high-end but noxious baby product line, makes several formulations of baby wash and bubble bath, full of fragrances and PEG chemicals.

Aquaphor’s Gentle Wash & Shampoo throws chamomile in their formula and hopes you won’t notice the PEG chemicals.

The Sneaky Stuff

Burt’s Bee’s Bubble Bath contains synthetic fragrance (which can be home to dozens of undisclosed chemicals).

Earth’s Best Soothing Bubble Bath contains a host of concerning natural ingredients, such a linalool and limonene (both linked with immunotoxicity), as well as benzyl alcohol.

Gaia Natural Baby Bath & Body Wash contains the scary formaldehyde-releasing sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. I don’t know how they get away with calling this a “natural baby wash.” Oh wait, yes I do: total lack of regulation over this terms.

Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash is not particularly gentle nor natural, with phenoxyethanol and several PEG chemicals among its ingredients.

Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath contains synthetic fragrance and immunotoxic cocamidopropyl betaine, plus a range of PEG chemicals.

BabyGanics Bubble Bath is better than the other products listed in this Sneaky Stuff section–but I don’t like that it contains phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate.

Dr. Brown’s Foaming Baby Wash claims to be a natural baby wash but definitely is not, and includes “fragrance” as an ingredient.

Yes to Baby Carrots Naturally Cleansing Bubble Bath contains retinyl acetate, which Skin Deep gives a 9 (out of 10) on their hazard scale.

Little Twig Organics Bubble Bath contains suspected immunotoxin cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium benzoate.

While in general I consider Shea Moisture products to be at least Okay Stuff, I don’t like their baby washes because they contain cocamidopropyl betaine, which is given a hazard score of 4 from EWG because of it’s immunotoxic properties.

It’s not that there is anything so terrible in the Tubby Todd products, but they are full of it with their 100% natural claims. There are plenty of synthetics in there.

So many of you have asked about Just Hatched brand, but it’s decidedly sneaky, with fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, and PEG chemicals.

Noodle & Boo is a Sneaky brand has phenoxyethanol, synthetic fragrance, and other questionable ingredients.

Read our Safe Bar Soap Guide for other great natural soap and organic soap options for kids and grownups alike.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Baby Wash, Bubble Bath & Soap Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Non-toxic Bath Products

Maia James — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 05:18:03 +0000

I love taking baths, but this little luxury has become nearly impossible since I had kids! I’m on vacation right now, so I’m able to sneak off and enjoy a bath every couple of days.

While sometimes I indulge in a really luxurious soak, with magazines, candles, and face masks (this is my current fave), often I just do the basics.

Here are the products I travel with for my baths:

Acure Clarifying Shampoo

I love this shampoo for daily use–the trick with this and other nontoxic shampoos is to use a generous amount and rinse very well. (I rinse off in the shower after a bath to make sure my hair and body are really clean.)

Beautycounter Daily Conditioner

This is the best nontoxic conditioner I’ve found; I’ve started putting it on more than just my roots and as long as I rinse well, it doesn’t make my hair greasy.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Guys, I swear this scrub takes years off my face, as least temporarily:). I use it a few times a week, and when I get out of the shower or bath my pores look littler and my skin all glowy.

$9.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Babo Botanicals Calming Bubble Bath

This is the sudsiest of the natural bubble baths I’ve tried, and smells wonderful. My kids get nightly baths in this, and whenever I take a bath myself I also enjoy sinking into the fragrant foam!

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Please feel free to share your own favorite self-care rituals in the comments below!

Stay sane,

P.S. I’m not quite neurotic enough to carry this with me when I travel, but when I’m home, I use a filter to get rid of chlorine–mostly for my kids’ sake.

Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter

$79.95Buy Now

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Non-toxic Bath Products appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

New Products in Our Store!

Maia James — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 16:45:51 +0000

We have a new warehouse, and in it we have a TON of new non-toxic products! I grabbed some of my favorites to show you in this video with my mom. You can shop all of this Good Stuff and more in our online store.

Products Mentioned in This Video

Earth Mama Angel Baby Baby Lotion

I’ve been using and recommending this non-greasy formula since I had my first son in 2009.

Dr. Bronner’s Shaving Soap

You have been asking for a shaving cream option for years–this is the safest on the market.

$14.95Buy Now

Jack N’Jill Natural Calendula Toothpaste

The strawberry flavor has been a game-changer for my kids! It’s the first they’ve EVER liked (no joke). We now offer a banana variety as well.

$6.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Jack N’ Jill Silicone Baby Toothbrush

This plastic-free brush is perfect for beginning brushers.

$6.99Buy Now

Eco-Kids Eco-Dough

If you’re like me and only find time to make playdoh about once a year, this Eco-Dough is a perfect solution for the other 11 months of the year.

$18.99Buy Now

CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes

These little wipes are perfect to carry around and wipe your kids’ hands before meals on the go (or to wipe down a restaurant highchair or airplane tray table!).

CleanWell Botanical Disinfectant Wipes

Killing 99% of germs with no scary chemicals, these larger wipes are perfect for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens.

$7.99 — or subscribe and save up to 10%Buy Now

Badger Damascus Rose Beauty Balm

You’ll be amazed at how quickly this beauty balm is absorbed into your skin, and how soft your skin feels.

$16.99Buy Now

Badger Argan Beauty Balm

This luxurious balm smells like creamsicles.

$12.99Buy Now

Leave me a comment below and let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, or what else you’d like us to carry!
Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post New Products in Our Store! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Poofy Organics Products Unboxing!

Maia James — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 13:01:17 +0000

You guys have been telling me how much you love Poofy Organics products for, like, ever. Once I investigated the ingredients in Poofy’s products, I quickly realized that it was ALL Good Stuff, and that I should sign up with the company and recommend it to my readers. But I still had never tried a single product myself, so I recently made my first order.

Watch here as I open up my first personal order of Poofy Organics products–you’ll be surprised by what happens with the nail polish remover!

Products mentioned in this video:

I am Goddess Dishwashing Liquid

None of the yucky ingredient found in conventional dish detergents.

Buy from Poofy Organics

Poofy Organics Orange Lavender Shampoo

I’m always trying new natural shampoos, and this is the latest in my lineup.

Buy from Poofy Organics

Baby Poof Sleepy Sleep Bubble Bath

My kids want a bubble bath every night, and who doesn’t love something that helps with sleep?

Buy from Poofy Organics

I Am Goddess Mascara

I tried this right after I shot this video, and it wasn’t at all clumpy. I was pleasantly surprised, even though you’ve all been telling me how great it is!

Buy from Poofy Organics

Poofy Organics Nail Polish Remover

At first I was certain this wouldn’t work at all, but as you see in the video, I was wrong.

Buy from Poofy Organics

Poofy Organics Fatigue Support Essential Oil

I’ve been using this here and there, and while I can’t say I feel any more alert, I do like how it smells!

Buy from Poofy Organics

What are your favorite Poofy products? Share them below!

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Poofy Organics Products Unboxing! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Beautycounter Skincare & Makeup Unboxing!

Maia James — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:40:57 +0000

Written by Maia, President & Founder

As most of you know by now, I love Beautycounter makeup products. You can read about my non-toxic makeup routine here. I just made a small order from Beautycounter, so I thought it would be fun to do an unboxing video of my most recent purchase. (Anyone else have kids who love toy unboxing videos?).

Check out the new items I just received from Beautycounter in this video:

Products Mentioned in This Video:

Please comment below with any questions, or suggest your favorite non-toxic makeup brands.

Stay sane,

P.S. If you’ve ever considered becoming a Beautycounter consultant, you can contact my friend Katya Johnson for (non-pushy) information on how she’s grown a super successful business with Beautycounter.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Beautycounter Skincare & Makeup Unboxing! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Maia’s Non-Toxic Makeup Routine

Maia James — Mon, 22 May 2017 12:39:21 +0000

Written by Maia, President & Founder

I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I have mentioned before how much I like Beautycounter makeup and skincare products.

Most importantly, Beautycounter makeup is non-toxic, with all products ranked low hazard by EWG. And I love that it performs as well as more expensive, more toxic brands. I trust Beautycounter makeup because the company’s ingredient selection process is among the strictest in the industry.

Honestly, the only hold up I had about Beautycounter makeup was the whole “direct marketing” structure of the company. However, because of the lack of other non-toxic makeup in the marketplace, we’ve decided to offer select Beautycounter products to our readers. So, if you’d like to try Beautycounter, you can here.

While I was on vacation this weekend, my girlfriend shot this quick video of me going through my makeup bag, so you can see the Beautycounter makeup products I actually use.

Please comment below with any questions, or suggestions of your favorite non-toxic makeup!

Beautycounter Makeup Products Mentioned in this Video

Lengthening Mascara

This doesn’t clump, and also doesn’t contain any of the typical toxic ingredients found in mascara.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

C olor Pinch Cream Blusher (in Caramel)

You can also totally use this on your lips.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Color Shade Eye Duo (in Fawn/Night)

I use this as both eye shadow and eye liner.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Sheer Lipstick (in Twig)

My absolute favorite lipstick on the planet (I also love the Terra color).

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Stay sane,

P.S. Here’s the post I wrote on eyelash extensions, which I mention in this video. And here’s where I talked about them in The New York Times.

P.P.S. If you’ve ever considered becoming a Beautycounter consultant, you can contact my friend Katya Johnson for (non-pushy) information on how she’s grown a super successful business with Beautycounter.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Maia’s Non-Toxic Makeup Routine appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

My Nightly Skincare Routine & Why I Love Lumion

Maia James — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:32:38 +0000

I’m not much of a product junky, but one of the perks of this job is that I get lots of samples! Most of these products are nice enough, but every once and a while I find something I truly love and incorporate into my regular skincare routine. Such was the case with Lumion.

Introducing Lumion Skincare

Last year, over a glass of rose with my friend Lisa Bonoff, she told me about a new product she was developing with her friend, Amy, and gave me some to try. It didn’t have a name back then, but Amy’s father—an entrepreneur with a passion for non-toxic living—had recently introduced Lisa to the magic that is electrolyzed oxygenated water, and Lisa was hooked.

Now, I’m excited to announce the official launch of Lumion, a skincare line that is at once super simple and also revolutionary. The ingredients list is short, and Lumion’s entire line consists of just two products: a mist and a serum.

What is the Secret in Lumion?

Both Lumion products are made mostly of electrolyzed oxygenated water, which is delivers oxygen to your skin and (unlike regular old water) actually increases hydration. The other ingredients in Lumion products are sodium chloride, hypochlorous acid, and hydrogen chloride, which are antibacterial and antiviral, protect against environmental contaminants, and slow the aging process by encouraging collagen production.

If you want to try Lumion, use code gimme15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

Oh, and one more cool thing about Lumion: they give one dollar of every bottle sold to the The Lonely Whale Foundation.

Are Any of Lumion’s Ingredients Toxic?

I want to point out that latter two ingredients listed above are rated 2-3 by the Environmental Working Group. In general, I like products where none of the ingredients are rated higher than a 1, although in certain instances I disagree with the EWG’s assessment (such is the case with potassium sorbate, which you’ll find in lots of the products I recommend). The reason I make an exception for Lumion is that:

No ingredients have any risk of being carcinogenic (which is always my biggest concern); the potential risk seems to be around allergenic properties.
If you want a product—particularly an anti-aging product–that really DOES something for your skin, you need to go for more intense ingredients. When compared with anti-aging ingredients like retinol or alpha hydroxy acid, what’s in Lumion is benign.
Lumion mist and serum aren’t products you’ll be using on babies or kids, and I’m always a little more lenient on products I use on myself instead of my sons.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

Here’s my nighttime skincare routine and how Lumion fits in. (Oh, also, I have become SUPER lazy, so only step one happens in the bathroom, while I’m upright.)

For cleansing, I use BeautyCounter’s Nourishing Cream Cleanser most nights, except twice a week when I use Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub. When I am feeling exceptionally lazy, I just use Acure’s Cleansing Towlettes, which I have in my nightstand.
Once I’m settled in bed, Kindle or remote in hand (yes, I have a TV in my bedroom!), I spray on Lumion Oxygen Mist and let that dry. (You can also spray the Lumion Oxygen Mist on your face throughout the day if your skin feels grimy or parched– it’s particularly nice after a workout).
Next, I pat on Lumion’s Oxygen Serum. Sometimes, that’s my last step, but in the winter when my skin is especially dry I do one more thing…
Finally, I slather on Farmaesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream. Zzzzzzzzz….

I used to barely muster the energy to wash my face by the time I got both my kids to bed, cleaned up the dinner mess, tossed in some laundry, picked up a bunch of toys, responded to emails…you know how it goes! Giving into my laziness and putting all my skincare products on my nightstand has been a game-changer. Now I look forward to the ritual of applying all this Good Stuff to my face (okay, the TV in the bedroom doesn’t hurt!).

Stay sane,

PS: When you use code gimmethegoodstuff to order Lumion, you get 15% off and I get a small commission. As always, the thoughts expressed in this review are my own. I accept offers to partner with companies only whose products I use myself and whom I believe are Good Stuff!

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post My Nightly Skincare Routine & Why I Love Lumion appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Lipstick Guide

Maia James — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:59:24 +0000

ipThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure page.

Written by Maia, President

The really good–and surprising–news about lipstick is that there is a lot of Good Stuff and Okay Stuff out there. Many brands have created beautiful, effective, non-toxic lipsticks using safe ingredients.

In fact, we found so many brands that met our strict non-toxic lipstick standards that we had to force ourselves to stop vetting products in order to finally get this guide published!

Also in the interest of time, we mostly limited our research to products that are lipsticks, lip crayons, or pigmented lip glosses– not color-less lip balms or other lip treatment products.

And, as you probably guessed, there is a lot of of Bad Stuff and Sneaky Stuff in the world of lipstick. Because you wear lipstick on your lips, where it can be absorbed and ingested, I encourage you to choose Good Stuff and Okay Stuff. This is especially true for all you lipstick addicts out there!

Read on to learn more about what’s in lipstick (including my take on tricky stuff like colorants and lead), why safe lipstick matters, and our brand-by- brand guide to Good Stuff, Okay Stuff, Sneaky Stuff and Bad Stuff.

Note: Products like lipstick are constantly being re-formulated. The information in this post is based on the most current ingredient lists we could find as of early 2017.

My Top Pick For Non-Toxic Lipstick

I use Beautycounter’s Lip Sheer and Lip Gloss. For me, these products strike the perfect balance between safety and performance and I’m a big fan of Beautycounter’s mission.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

What is Lipstick Made of?

Cosmetic labels often make my eyes cross—they tend to be long and involve a lot of complicated and problematic ingredients. In the case of lipstick, here are the types of ingredients you’ll generally find:

Oils, plant butters, and other emollients are the primary ingredients in lipstick. Some are natural, and some are synthetic; most lipstick brands use a combination of both. Emollients moisturize and give lipstick “glide” and shine. As a bonus, some natural oils and butters have anti-microbial properties.
Texturizers—typically really finely ground starches or powders from minerals or crystals—are found in most cosmetic products. In lipsticks, they help thicken and stabilize the formula. Some also have a pearlescent effect. Common texturizers include talc, kaolin, plant starches, mica and silica. Matte lipsticks have more of these ingredients to achieve that less shiny and more opaque look.
Thickeners like waxes and polymers also provide shape and stability to lipstick formulas. Waxes preserve moisture, give some shine, give thickness and shape to the product, unify the ingredients, and raise the melting point, so your lipstick is less likely to melt
in your purse on a hot day.
Colorants give lipsticks get their color. Also called dyes, pigments, or color additives, colorants can come from a variety of sources—earth, animal, plant, and chemical.
Flavor and fragrance/aroma/parfum ingredients mask the unsavory smell and taste that many lipstick formulas would otherwise have (who knew?), and in some cases, give lipstick a signature scent.
Preservatives and antioxidants prevent (or limit) the growth of microbes and keep oil ingredients from going rancid. Because lipstick formulas have little or no water ingredients and often contain oils and waxes with natural antimicrobial properties (like castor oil, coconut oil, and beeswax), lipstick formulas need little or no added preservatives—hooray! That said, you should pay attention to the expiration labels on your lip products.

Runner Up: Best Non-Toxic Lipstick
Although it’s only Okay Stuff, my second favorite non-toxic lipstick brand to use myself (behind Beautycounter) is Dr. Hauschka. I love how deliberate Hauschka is about how they source ingredients, and that they conduct purity testing for their lip product ingredients.

Why Safe Lipstick Matters

Lips are known to be sensitive and absorptive. They are covered by a layer of skin that’s much thinner than the skin that covers the rest of the face. Underneath is a sensitive mucous membrane. Lip skin also lacks hair and sweat glands, which means that our lips don’t have the same natural defenses provided by other types of skin.

Lips also deserve special consideration because they’re close to the mouth. You may have heard some “facts” about how many pounds of lipstick a woman supposedly ingests in her lifetime. These claims are usually exaggerated and poorly founded. However, it’s true that the majority of what you smear on your lips ends up being ingested. I don’t use lipstick that contains any ingredients that I wouldn’t want to eat (in small quantities, at least).

Lipstick Ingredients to Avoid

There are countless worrisome ingredients in many lipstick products (see Sneaky Stuff and Bad Stuff tabs, below). Here are the most common and concerning types of ingredients to look out for:

Conventional (non-organic) castor seed oil and its derivatives are used widely in lip products. Non-organic castor seed oil is potentially tainted with agricultural residues, as well as residues from extraction and other processes used to produce the oil. Castor seed oil is also a penetration enhancer, making the other lipstick ingredients matter more. Not all castor seed oil is bad—in fact, castor seed oil can have some very beneficial properties (see “Lipstick Ingredients That Are Safe” for more on good castor seed oil.)
Preservatives and antioxidant ingredients are tricky—we need them to keep products fresh and limit the growth of microbes, but they tend to be problematic. Concerns range from irritation and allergenic effects to hormone distruption and cancer. Fortunately, most lipstick formulas have minimal water content and need little or no added preservatives; also, some lipstick ingredients, like natural oils and waxes, have natural anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. You’ll still find preservative and antioxidant ingredients in a lot of lipsticks, including some of the Good Stuff and Okay Stuff (where applicable, I noted this for people who are particularly sensitive or concerned). In lipsticks, I look out for ingredients like parabens, terpenes (like synthetic limonene, geraniol, linalool, farnesol, and citronellol), phenoxyethanol, benzyl benzoate, and BHT.
Flavor and fragrance/aroma/parfum ingredients can contain many unlisted components, including phthalates, which are hormone disrupters and possible carcinogens.

Are Lipstick Colorants Safe?

When I began researching lipstick ingredients, I was most concerned about colorants, thanks to controversy over “natural” versus “synthetic” colors as well as concerns about lead contamination from mineral-derived pigments. Also, colorants are very confusing. There are many different kinds, as well as different systems for identifying them in the United States, Europe, and Japan. So I was pleasantly surprised when my research led me to be less concerned about most colorants in lipstick—and to conclude that, at least when it comes to colorants in cosmetics, the FDA’s regulations favor consumer safety.

Cosmetics are loosely regulated in general, but one area in which the FDA exercises a lot of scrutiny is colorants. All colorants (called “color additives” by the FDA) used in cosmetics must be approved for use in cosmetics (there are separate lists for food, drugs, or medical devices). The FDA is also specific about which colorants can be used in lip and eye makeup. So the FDA regulates which colorants can be used, for what purposes, and provides guidance on safe amounts. They also specify, colorant-by-colorant, the maximum allowed levels of potential contaminants, such as heavy metals.

There is even a category of colorants– FDA certified– that must be tested batch-by-batch before they can be used. This includes the FD&C or D&C colors, often identified by number (like “Red 6”). For all other colorants—most earth-derived ones, as well as plant-derived pigments—it’s up to the manufacturer to ensure purity and safety. I’m a fan of Beautycounter, because they have an extra level of scrutiny to ensure the purity of their products. Other companies, like Honeybee Gardens and Dr. Hauschka, also conduct some additional testing.

So—are cosmetic colorants used in lipsticks safe? My current conclusion is that most of them are. Here’s some detail:

Because of the FDA safeguards, I’m most confident about the safety of colorants that are FDA approved for use in cosmetics (and, specifically, lip products). Of these, synthetic dyes and lakes that are subject to FDA certification (identified by their FD&C or D&C numbers) are the most highly scrutinized for safety.
Earth-derived pigments from mineral and crystal sources (like iron oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and mica) that are FDA approved for cosmetic use are in the middle—they’re safest when used by companies who are diligent about ingredient purity (especially heavy metals, which are present in many of the raw materials). Companies have to trust their sources and, ideally, conduct additional testing to ensure safety.
Plant-derived colorants, a.k.a. phyto-pigments, are in a grey zone. They aren’t FDA approved for use in cosmetics (not necessarily because they are unsafe, but because no one has submitted petitions to have them reviewed for safety as cosmetic coloring ingredients). Their origins—fruits, vegetables, and flowers—sound nice, but plant-derived ingredients can be tainted with agricultural residues as well as residues from whatever processes are used to extract the pigments from the plant source. Natural ingredients can also be irritating or cause allergic reactions in some people. As with earth-derived colorants, I’m most confident about plant-derived colorants if they’re used by companies that are diligent about ingredient purity.

The line between “natural” and “synthetic” is blurry when it comes to colorants. Many companies claim that mineral-derived pigments are natural, but most iron oxides used in cosmetics are actually synthetically derived from the natural source material. (And that’s a good thing, because using raw iron oxides would expose us to higher levels of naturally occurring heavy metals, such as lead.) Most plant-derived colorants are also highly processed in order create pigments that are concentrated enough for use in cosmetics. When it comes to safety, neither natural nor synthetic wins—the safest colorants are those that are clearly identified and tested for potential contaminants.

(Note: We found that the EWG/Skin Deep entries for many colorants were inconsistent and inaccurate, so we did not rely on them for determining safety.)

Lead and Other Heavy Metals in Lipstick

In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics set off a media storm when they reported that they detected lead in about two thirds of the 66 lipstick products they tested. Eventually the FDA followed up with its own studies. The FDA found lead in more lipstick and other cosmetic products, often at levels higher than those originally discovered.

What is lead doing in lipstick? Lead and other “heavy metals” (such as chromium, cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic) are naturally occurring in the environment, including in the materials used to derive earth-based cosmetic pigments. Also the human use of metals has caused higher levels of contamination in the environment, including sources for cosmetic ingredients. This is why we have heavy metal pollution in our air, water and food supply.

Although it’s widely recognized that there is no such thing as a “safe” level of lead in the body, the FDA’s position is that cosmetic manufacturers can limit the levels of lead in their products so that they don’t pose a health threat. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and others argue that lead exposure is problematic at all levels because lead accumulates in the body over time, and the effects can be very serious for adults and children alike.

My take: I am concerned about heavy metal pollution in general. We use water filters and air filters in our home and limit our intake of foods like brown rice and brown rice syrup, which tend to have higher levels of arsenic. When it comes to lipstick, I prefer brands like Beautycounter and Dr. Hauschka because they source their ingredients carefully and conduct additional purity testing with conservative standards.

I balance my concerns by keeping in mind that the lead and other concerning metals in lip products don’t necessarily add to my toxic load—just because it’s ingested doesn’t mean it’s assimilated into the body. Also, Randy Schueller at The Beauty Brains blog suggests that even a heavy lipstick user would excrete more lead than she ingests.

Non-Toxic Lipstick

Among the Good Stuff and Okay Stuff, you’ll see non-toxic lipstick ingredients such as:

Organic waxes, oils and plant butters, such as beeswax, candelilla wax (a vegan alternative to beeswax), carnauba wax, cocoa butter, mango seed butter, shea butter, avocado butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil, to name a few.
Organic castor seed oil, if it’s hexane-free and cold pressed, has many benefits—it’s moisturizing and has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties—without the drawbacks of conventional castor seed oil (though people with castor allergies probably need to avoid even the organic forms).
Safer antioxidants and preservatives, such as rosemary extract, elderberry extract, neem oil, pure tocopherols (vitamin E), and jojoba esters.
Straightforward flavoring and aroma ingredients, like vanilla planifolia fruit extract–aside from smelling great, it also has antioxidant and preservative properties.

The Good Stuff

Axiology Non-Toxic Lipstick is made primarly from organic oils, waxes, and butters, including organic castor seed oil. I like the simplicity of their formula (which is vegan, BTW)—it’s short and involves non-problematic, natural ingredients. Due to customer concerns, Axiology recently stopped using phenoxyethanol as a preservative and instead rely on elderberry extract and neem seed oil. They use earth-derived pigments (non-nano) and manganese violet for colorants. I wish they did some purity testing, but they say that they get their colorants from a trusted source.

Babo Botanicals Hydrating Natural Lip Gloss

This EWG-Verified lip gloss is enriched with natural coconut oil and cocoa butter and free of dyes, fragrances, talc, mineral oil, and more Bad Stuff.

Babo Botanicals Lip Tint Conditioner SPF 15 is a nice daytime option, with just a hint of natural color.

Beautycounter’s Lip Sheer and Lip Gloss products are made with many synthetic ingredients and have few organic ingredients. I call them Good Stuff because their ingredients are safe–Beautycounter is very deliberate about every ingredient they use, and they provided us with detailed information on each of the ingredients we wanted to know more about. Most importantly, they conduct purity testing on every batch of color cosmetics, including screening for 12 metals. I also like that they skip concerning preservatives and use vanilla planifolia fruit extract in place of sketchy fragrances. For colorants, they use a combination of earth-derived pigments and FD&C colors. As I mentioned above, Beautycounter is my top pick for lipstick–and what I use myself.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Kjaer Weis uses organic castor seed oil in their Lipstick and Lip Tint formulas, both of which are relatively simple and straightforward. Many of their other waxes, oils and butters are also organic. For colorants, they use a combination of earth-derived pigments, carmine, and FD&C colors. Note: Both of these lip products also contain some citral and limonene from the essential oils.

Honeybee Gardens has recently transitioned to using more organic ingredients (including organic castor seed oil) in their Truly Natural Lipstick and Luscious Lip Gloss formulas. I also like that they are in the habit of having their products tested by a third party for potential contaminants such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. In the Lucious Lip Gloss, they use vanilla planifolia fruit oil rather than a more vague aroma or flavor ingredient. (Bonus: this oil also has antioxidant/preservative properties.) For colorants, they use a combination of earth-derived colorants and one of the D&C red dyes (which substitutes for carmine, making their formulas vegan). Note: When I last checked, the EWG/Skin Deep entries for these lip products were based on old formulas (from 2012).

$14.99Buy Now

Ilia makes its Lipstick, Lip Crayon, and Lip Gloss products from primarily organic ingredients (including organic castor seed oil) and safe colorants (earth-derived pigments and FD&C dyes). Their formulas are relatively simple and contain familiar ingredients. The ingredients they use for extra antioxidant, preservative, and aroma quality are of little or no concern (for instance, vitamin E and vanilla planifolia fruit oil). Note: Ilia lip products are absent on EWG/Skin Deep except for an inaccurate listing for one of their Lipstick shades.

Olio e Osso Lip & Cheek Balm are an essential, versatile product that is nourishing on lips and cheeks, soothing on the skin and hair, and adored by all who discover them. The colors we carry contain no ingredients rated risky by the EWG, and the base ingredients for each balm is shea butter, olive oil, and beeswax. Just simply swipe the Olio e Osso balm across lips or slide over cheekbones for a subtle glow.

Available in various colors

$28.00Buy Now

Poofy Organics uses mostly organic ingredients (including organic castor seed oil) in their Lipstick and Lip Gloss. Their ingredients are also easy to recognize and primarily natural. I also like that Poofy skips sketchy preservatives and fragrance/flavor ingredients. For colorants, they use earth-derived pigments and some plant powders (including annatto seed– you’ll want to skip the lipstick if you’re one of the few people who are sensitive to it).

Buy now from Poofy Organics

RMS Beauty makes their lip2cheek and lipshine products with mostly organic oils (including organic castor seed oil), waxes and butters. For antioxidant and preservative benefits, they use organic rosemary extract and non-GMO
vitamin E. Colorants include earth-derived pigments and some FD&C reds. EWG/Skin Deep gives these products a score of 1-2, depending on the shade.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Okay Stuff

100% Pure (Purity Cosmetics) makes several colored lip products with mostly natural oils, butters, and waxes, plus plant-derived colorants. Customer service was initially responsive to my questions but never followed up on my more technical inquiries. I call most 100% Pure products Okay Stuff for two reasons:
1. 100% Pure tries to source organically but it’s not clear if the ingredients I was concerned about (like rice starch and rice powder, which can be contaminated with agricultural residues if not cultivated organically) are organic. (The company does claim to do some purity testing in its own labs.)
2. There is little or no safety data available for the plant-derived colorants they use.

If you’re going to buy 100% Pure lipstick, some formulas are better than others: I like the formulas for Cocoa Butter Semi-Matte Lipstick and Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti Aging Lipstick. The Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze contains a form of cinnamon (cassia) that some people are allergic to. The Lip Caramel (flavored with vanilla extract) should be skipped by people sensitive to annatto seed. Everyone should be wary of the Fruit Pigmented Lip Creamstick because of the raspberry seed oil PEG-8 esters (contamination concerns) used in some shades.

Bite Beauty touts their products as being “edible.” They do use a lot of organic oils, butters, and waxes (including organic castor seed oil), but they also have a few ingredients we needed clarification on (for example, “natural flavors”), and they did not respond to our questions. I like the formula for the High Pigment Lip Pencil. The Multistick has as its primary ingredient a new emollient without much safety data available, but the raw material is supposedly certified by Ecocert. (Note: Bite’s Matte Crème Lip Crayon and Amuse Bouche are Sneaky Stuff.)

I like that Dr. Hauschka is very deliberate about how they source and conduct purity testing for their lip product ingredients. Customer service informed us that they use organic castor seed oil and organic hydrogenated castor seed oil; the purest lanolin available; non-GMO soy lecithin; and the purest earth-derived pigments. They also regularly conduct their own purity testing. The only thing I don’t like about their Lipstick and Lip Gloss products are the fragrance/parfum blends. They’re probably among the purest out there—Dr. Hauschka regularly tests for the presence of problematic subastances like phthalates—but the fragrances introduce small amounts of concerning sub-ingredients such as benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, farnesol, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, and citronellol (all with EWG/Skin Deep scores of 4-7). Use these products if you aren’t sensitive to any of these ingredients, and heed product expiration dates.

Ecco Bella gets major points for using just a handful of ingredients (seven, plus colorants) in their FlowerColor Lipstick and Good for You Gloss. I also like that they use vanilla extract for flavoring and complex vitamin E instead of more problematic preservatives and antioxidants. I call this Okay Stuff because they use conventional castor seed oil, though customer service said they are looking into switching to organic. For colorants, they skip FD&C colors in favor of iron oxides, titanium dioxide, carmine and manganese violet. The FlowerColor Lipstick gets its name from the flower-derived wax that’s used to coat the iron oxides; they say this creates a smooth application without the use of silicone or other “slip” ingredients. Note: When I last checked, the EWG/Skin Deep entries for these lip products were based on old formulas (from 2012).

Honest Beauty (of the Honest Company) makes Lip Gloss and Truly Kissable Lip Pencils. Customer service was initially responsive to our inquiries but failed to follow up on important questions, including whether the castor seed oil and other castor seed derivatives they use are from organic or conventional sources. Their formulas include a lot of synthetic ingredients, including relatively new ones, that are currently regarded as being safe. Nevertheless, I’m somewhat reluctantly calling these products Good Stuff; Honest Beauty does skip a lot of problematic ingredients and watches out for unsafe levels of toxins in ingredients such as earth-derived pigments.

Jane Iredale PureMoist Lipstick is Okay Stuff. I’m on the fence about the primary ingredient, triisostearyl citrate (a natural-ish alternative to petroleum-based emollients, lacking in safety data), and I’m concerned about several of the ingredients in the Cindy shade, but overall the formula checks out. (Note: Jane Iredale Playon Lip Crayon and Lip Fixation are Sneaky Stuff.)

Josie Maran Argan Color Stick is made primary of natural oils, butters and waxes, and they use earth-derived pigments, carmine, and FD&C dyes. I call it Okay Stuff because it also contains a few ingredients I’m mildly concerned about—ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol and hexylene glycol. (Note: Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick is Sneaky Stuff.)

I like that Juice Beauty uses some organic oils (including organic castor seed oil), waxes and butters in their lip products. But they also use a lot of new, untested ingredients (including plant-derived colorants, or “phyto-pigments”) with little or no safety data available, so I’m calling their PHYTO-PIGMENTS Liquid Lip, PHYTO-PIGMENTS Satin Lip Cream, PHYTO-PIGMENTS Luminous Lip Crayon, and Conditioning Lip Color Okay Stuff.

Buy Now from Juice Beauty

Tata Harper makes a few lip products using mostly organic and natural ingredients—a Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint and tinted lip treatments like Be Adored and Be Smitten. The ingredients are all of little or no concern, but I did have questions about some of them, and the company declined to answer.

I’m calling Tata’s lip products Okay Stuff based on lack of detail about their aroma and flavor ingredients, purity testing, and clarification about the colorants they use (there was incorrect or conflicting information on the ingredient lists on their website). EWG/Skin Deep gives the Volumizing Lip & Cheek Tint a score of 2 and Be Adored a 1, though there are some errors and omissions in the EWG ingredient lists for these products.

The Bad Stuff

We haven’t been able to identify any Good Stuff among drug store brands, and some of the biggest brands have the worst EWG/Skin Deep scores for their lipsticks. I can’t say that all stuff sold at the drugstore is Bad Stuff, but generally I recommend avoiding the drugstore when you’re shopping for lipstick. The same goes for most department store brands, too. The Bad Stuff below is just a tiny sampling of the sketchy lipsticks out there.

Clinique’s Different Lipstick and Long Last Lipstick have relatively short lists of ingredients, but because the primary ingredient is conventional castor seed oil—problematic in its own right, plus a penetration enhancer that makes all ingredients matter more—I’m wary of the other concerning ingredients, such as myristyl lactate, conventional lanolin and its derivatives, and glyceryl rosinate.

CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick gets an EWG/Skin Deep rating of 7 thanks to bad ingredients such as parfum/fragrance, polyparaben, and retinyl palmitate. The primary ingredient is castor seed oil, and I’m going to guess that it’s not organic.

Lots of you have asked about LipSense. Not all ingredients in LipSense products are problematic, but there are enough really worrisome ones that I have to call LipSense Bad Stuff. For example, I found: sketchy preservatives, like propylparaben (EWG score of 7); conventional castor seed oil; lots of surfactants, including several polyethylene glycol (PEG)-related chemicals, and octoxynol-40, which has an EWG score of 8; retinyl palmitate, a skin conditioning agent with an EWG score of 9 (!); and “fragrance” and “flavor” compounds.

Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick gets and EWG/Skin Deep score of 7 thanks to parfum/fragrance, geraniol, citral, farnesol, linalool, limonene, BHT, and benzyl benzoate. Also raising red flags are the primary ingredients—non-organic lanolin oil and castor seed oil.

According to the EWG/Skin Deep, Rimmel’s Moisture Renew Lipstick is the baddest of the Bad Stuff, with an abysmal score of 10. Rimmel and its retailers don’t publish ingredients lists, so we couldn’t confirm the EWG listing 100%, but EWG calls out Rimmel for using a bunch of bad ingredients like retinyl palmitate, fragrance, geraniol and linalool, BHT, and phenoxyethanol.

The Sneaky Stuff

The formula for Bite Beauty’s Matte Crème Lip Crayon is okay except for one glaring issue—they list a dye (Yellow No. 7) that’s not approved by the FDA for use in lip products. We contacted them for clarification (I’m hoping it’s a typo), but they did not respond. Bite’s Amuse Bouche is Sneaky thanks to its second ingredient, glyceryl rosinate, which has an EWG/Skin Deep score of 6, as well as a couple of other mildly concerning ingredients. (Note: Bite’s High Pigment Lip Pencil and Multistick are Okay Stuff.)

With several colored lip products now available, Burt’s Bees has come a long way since the lip balm that became their best seller in the 1990’s. We had several questions after looking into the ingredients used in their Lipstick, Lip Crayon, Gloss Lip Crayon, Lip Gloss, Lip Sheer, Lip Shine, and Tinted Lip Oil products, but customer service provided only shallow and unhelpful responses. These lip products are probably a lot safer than most of what you’ll find at drug stores and other big retailers, but I can’t call them Good Stuff or Okay Stuff without knowing more about the castor seed oil they use, what’s in their flavor/aroma ingredients, whether they screen for heavy metals in their earth-derived pigments, etc.

Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has been a cult favorite for decades, and it does get some points for being paraben-free and fragrance-free and having a short list of ingredients (just seven, plus color additives). Unfortunately, it’s made with concerning ingredients such as conventional castor seed oil, two other ingredients derived from what I assume is conventional castor seed oil, and polyethylene. Black Honey isn’t going to kill you, but it’s definitely not Good or even Okay Stuff.

Jane Iredale Playon Lip Crayon is Sneaky Stuff thanks to a complicated ingredients list, including conventional castor seed oil, myristyl lactate, PPG-3 myristyl ether, and diethylhexyl adipate. Lip Fixation is a lip stain and lip gloss combo. I like the lip gloss (it’s made with a handful of natural, easy-to- recognize ingredients, none of which raise any flags), but the lip stain contains silicone-based ingredients of which I’m wary. (Note: Jane Iredale PureMoist Lipstick is Okay Stuff.)

Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick is Sneaky thanks to several concerning ingredients (such as dimethicone, polyethylene, parfum, convetional castor seed oil, limonene, and geraniol), a long ingredients list (I counted almost 30, not including colorants), and lots of synthetic or highly processed ingredients with limited safety data. (Note: Josie Maran Argan Color Stick is Okay Stuff.)

LipSense wasn’t on my radar when I wrote this guide, mostly because they use some bad ingredients and don’t seem to have anything redeeming as far as good ingredients go. I’m not sure why they have such a big following among my readership, but Lipsense is definitely Sneaky Stuff.

Maia’s Mineral Galaxy—despite that great name;)–is Sneaky Stuff. The company claims to offer “a line of natural mineral makeup made from pure botanicals…non-synthetic, non-fragrant, non-toxic, and chemical and artificial color free,” and several of their Mineral Lipstick hues are even EWG Verified. But when you look closely at their ingredients, their claims do not hold—for instance, they do in use some synethic ingredients (including FD&C dyes), not to mention mineral ingredients themselves, such as iron oxides, which are usually synthetically derived. Boron nitride, which is synthetically derived, is the primary ingredient listed for several of their lip products. I’m okay with these ingredients, but I’m wary of Maia’s Mineral Galaxy based on the inconsistencies and the fact that they didn’t respond to multiple attempts to contact them for clarification.

Tarte may be the sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff. They tout their products as “high-performance naturals,” but a look at the ingredients in their lip products reveals a lot of synthetic and highly processed ones, some of them more concerning than others. Many of the truly natural ingredients in their lip products are not the primary ingredients, and none of them are organic. In Tart’s lippie lingerie matte tint, Amazonian butter lipstick, and Drench lip splash lipstick, we found sketchy ingredients such as polypropylene (a plastic), silicone-based ingredients, limonene and linalool, parfum/fragrance, glyceryl hydrogenated rosinate (an irritant and penetration enhancer with an EWG/Skin Deep score of 5), and BHT (a toluene-based preservative).

There’s a good chance that W3LL People’s lip products are Good Stuff, but I can’t find consistent ingredient lists (on their website or other retailers’), and we’ve tried multiple times (without success) to contact them for clarification. For example, their website currently lists only safflower oil and colorants for their Nudist Colorbalm, which most certainly contains many more ingredients. Also, they claim to use only natural ingredients and “no nasties” like dyes, but they do use FD&C dyes (which are synthetic) in some of their lip products, like the Nudist Multi Use Cream (formerly Universalist Multi Stick) and Bio Extreme Lipgloss. I am okay with these colorants, but W3LL People needs to get their facts straight and provide accurate ingredient listings on their website.

Don’t see your favorite brand in any of the Good, Okay, Bad, or Sneaky tabs? Comment below with your favorite brands!

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Lipstick Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Healthy Shampoo Guide

Maia James — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 00:06:26 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure page.

Written by Maia, President

UPDATED: 2018

When I first wrote this post on non-toxic shampoo, I also stopped using shampoo. I was closeted “no-pooer” for a while, and you can read about the no poo method here.

Despite the fact that my hair genuinely looks better when I’m not washing it (see the picture on the left), I can’t seem to stick with it and really miss a nice lather when I’m in the shower.

If you don’t want to skip the suds yourself, you might want to become familiar with the problematic ingredients in conventional—and many of the “natural”—shampoos on the market:

Surfactants. All soaps and detergents need a surfactant to be effective (surfactants basically facilitate water’s ability to do its dirt-removing job). Many surfactants found in conventional shampoos–such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), cocamidopropyl betaine, and cocamide DEA—come with environmental and human health concerns. Some natural shampoos use these questionable surfactants as well. Safer surfactants that you’ll find in non-toxic shampoos include decyl glucoside and laurel glucoside.
Preservatives. To extend shelf life, shampoos typically contain controversial preservatives, such as parabens, benzyl alcohol, methylisothiazolinone, and methylchloroisothiazonlinone. Click any of those hyperlinks to go to our glossary and read all the scary details about these chemicals, which you won’t find in a truly non-toxic shampoo.
Fragrance. When we were newlyweds, the lush, floral scent of Biolage lingered in our apartment for hours after my husband took his morning shower. Unfortunately, that strong smell is probably the result of phthalates, which usually hide in “fragrance” or “parfum” in a shampoo ingredients list, unless the label specifically says something like “scented with only essential oils” or “100% natural.” Phthaltes are known hormone disruptors and hard to avoid–but an easy way to slash your exposure is by avoiding scented personal care products. UPDATE: Daylon has found a non-toxic shampoo that he loves!
Retinyl Palmitate: Most shampoos on the market contain the probable carcinogen retinyl palmitate, which is a synthetic form of palm oil.
Sulfates. Many of our readers ask about sulfate-free shampoos. Most shampoos contain sulfates, which are types of surfactants (see above). A “sulfate-free” shampoo probably doesn’t contain any of the three most common sulfates: Sodium lauryl (SLS), sodium laureth (SLES), and ammonia laureth (ALS). Sulfates can be natural or synthetic, and aren’t necessarily bad in and of themselves. SLES is the most concerning sulfate in my opinion, as it is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1-4, dioxane. The same concern exists to a lesser degree about ALS. To make it simple, you can rest assured that all of the Good Stuff below are sulfate-free shampoos.

The Good Stuff

The brands listed below represent some of the only non-toxic shampoo out there–they are free of phthalates, parabens, SLES/SLS, and toxic preservatives.

The truth is that my hair looks best using the no poo method, but when I’m too lazy to deal with that, I reach for one of these guys.

Botanical Therapeutic Tree Essence Shampoo/Body Wash

This shampoo contains no ingredients of concern, and doubles as a body wash. In addition to saponified coconut for a nice lather, Botanical Therapeutics shampoo contains other natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar and extracts of nettle, clover, and olive fruit.

$10.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Green Goo Rosemary & Mint Shampoo

Green Goo has long been one of our favorite brands, and we are thrilled that they’ve branched into haircare! Their shampoo features a blend of coconut oil and other botanicals with no Bad or Sneaky Stuff!

Hugo Naturals Non-Toxic Shampoo

Hugo Naturals shampoos are available at Whole Foods, Amazon, and a variety of natural foods stores for around $10 for 12 ounces. I find that when I use this shampoo I have to wash my hair more frequently.

John Masters Non-Toxic Shampoo

John Masters provided me with samples of their shampoo and conditioner, but as always, samples don’t affect my reviews. I love John Masters products. You’ll pay $16 for an 8-ounce bottle of shampoo, and you can buy it on Amazon, as well as in select natural foods stores and salons.

Acure Organics Non-Toxic Shampoo

Acure shampoos are available in our online store and cost $9.99 for a 8-ounce bottle. I have found that Acure provides the best lather of the natural bunch, and all of them smell delicious. I use the Moroccan Argan Oil & Stem Cell formula since my hair tends toward being dry.

Beauty counter Daily Non-Toxic Shampoo

I love the way Beautycounter’s shampoo smells, and it’s solid in the performance department, too. The only ingredient of concern is the sodium benzoate; it’s a food grade preservative that I don’t like in products that I use for my kids, but which I’m okay with in stuff for myself. Beautycounter shampoo has a long ingredients list, and a lot of it is not natural. That said, Beautycounter tests all their products for purity after production, and carefully researches every single thing that goes into their line.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Carina Organics Non-Toxic Shampoo

Carina sent me some samples of their shampoo–which of course did not affect my positive review, as I don’t accept product samples that contain ingredients I consider Bad or Sneaky Stuff. Carina’s vegan, sulfate-free shampoo is made with organic ingredients, and unlike most shampoos—even some of those that I consider the Good Stuff—Carina’s line is 100% natural. The Extra Gentle formulation is perfect for babies and kids.

$10.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Juice Organics Non-Toxic Shampoo

Juice Organics’ line of sulfate-free shampoos contain natural and organic ingredients, none of which rank higher than a 1 on Skin Deep.

A bottle of Juice Organics shampoo costs around $10.

Living Nature Balancing Shampoo

Living Nature is my new favorite brand of non-toxic shampoo, because it smells wonderful and is easier on my hair than most natural shampoos (which often leave it a weird combo of greasy roots and dry ends). I was hesitant about this New Zealand-based brand because it’s pricey, but I know think it’s well worth the extra cost.

Shea Moisture Non-Toxic Shampoo

People ask about Shea Moisture products all the time, and while I wouldn’t call the entire line Good Stuff, I do like their sulfate-free shampoos. These all contain organic ingredients, and not too many of them.

You’ll pay around $12 for a bottle of Shea Moisture shampoo.

Poofy Organics Non-Toxic Shampoo

Poofy makes several shampoos, all of which have a nice short list of ingredients (including some interesting ones like apple cider vinegar and yucca extract). I’ve not tried any Poofy shampoos, so let me know if you have, and how they work!

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Plaine

I love Plaine for their commitment to the environment–their bottles are not made of plastic, and better yet, you send them back to be cleaned, sterilized, refilled, and returned to you! The fact that this shampoo is also totally clean (no phthalates, SLES or SLS, or toxic preservatives) makes Plaine shampoo some of the Best Stuff.

Buy now from Plaine

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

It’s interesting that the expensive brands that you might only find in a salon seem to be among the most toxic shampoos on the market.

A bottle of Frederic Fekkai shampoo, for which I religiously shelled out $30 for years (including during the beginning of my pregnancy—yikes!), contains all the usual suspects: parabens, retinyl palmitate, and fragrance (the smell was, in fact, what hooked me). It also has a couple of those nefarious preservatives I mentioned before–methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone.

Bumble and Bumble, c. Booth, Phyto, Fresh, and Nexxus all make shampoos that garner a whopping 9 or 10 on Skin Deep’s toxicity scale.

The lower-end brands (Pantene, Garnier Fructis, Suave) tend to get scores of between 5 and 7 from Skin Deep, containing fragrance, methylisothiazolinone, and methylchloroisothiazolinone, among other chemicals.

The Sneaky Stuff

Alterna Hemp with Organics Repair Shampoo sounds, well, alternative, but considering it contains parabens, fragrance, retinyl palmitate, methylisothiazolinone, and methylchloroisothiazolinone, I’d say it’s pretty mainstream. It gets a 9 from Skin Deep, and the rest of Alterna’s hair products score at least a 6.

Aubrey Organics shampoo only contains one bad ingredient, retinol, but Skin Deep gives this synethtic form of vitamin A a whopping 9 out of 10 on its toxicity scale.

Avalon Organics line of shampoos contain benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate. These aren’t the worst ingredients—so I would call Avalon Okay Stuff to use in a pinch…but not Good Stuff.

Aveeno Active Naturals shampoo is another case of greenwashing, since almost none of the ingredients is natural. Phenoxyethanol and cocamidopropyl betaine make an appearance on this label, but worse is the synthetic fragrance, rated a 9 out of 10 on Skin Deep.

Desert Essence shampoos contain a handful of ingredients that EWG considers moderately concerning–including phenoxyethanol and cocamidopropyl betaine.

Giovvani‘s line of haircare always looks weird to me in Whole Foods–its packaging is much more cheesy salon brand than natural brand, but the ingredients aren’t terrible. Still, none of it is organic, and it’s again got phenoxyethanol and cocamidopropyl betaine, so I still consider it Sneaky Stuff.

Jason Natural Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo contains fragrance, retinyl palmitate, cocamidoproply betaine, and benzyl alcohol. It also packs in four more ingredients that Skin Deep considers moderately hazardous: benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, lyral, and hydroxycitronellal. The rest of Jason shampoos are only slightly better, and not any safer than your average drug store brand.

Kiss My Face shampoo isn’t terrible, but it does contain cocamidoproply betaine.

Nature’s Gate Organics Organic Herbal Blends Soothing Shampoo, Tea Tree & Blue Cypress gets a 9 on Skin Deep, thanks to parabens, fragrance, PEG-150 distearate (which earns a 6 from Skin Deep), cocamidopropyl betaine, and diazolidinyl urea. The rest of Nature’s Gate shampoos score a 6 or the occasional 7 on Skin Deep.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Healthy Shampoo Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Are Eyelash Extensions Safe and Non-toxic?

Maia James — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:54:42 +0000

Written by Maia, President & Founder

I consider myself low-maintenance when it comes to fashion and beauty. Whether I make it to the gym or not, most days I wear exercise clothes and zero makeup. So friends of mine were surprised a few years ago when I got eyelash extensions. But they are actually the perfect solution if you’re low-maintenance but still maybe a tiny bit vain.

My natural lashes are really stubby and straight and pale. Mascara helps a lot, but there’s nothing like the boost I get from those gorgeous extensions. The first time I had them put on, I was so obsessed that my husband would catch me in the bathroom, combing out my new lashes with the special little brush I had been given.

I only have eyelash extensions applied about once a year, but every time I do, a little voice in my head wonders, Are eyelash extensions safe? What are these things made of, what’s in the adhesive, and are my natural lashes going to be okay? Is there such thing as natural eyelash extensions?

Worried about what I might find out about eyelash extensions, I’ve done what any reasonable person would—decided I’m too busy to look into it, and stuck my head in the sand! But recently I dove into research for the much-requested Safe Mascara Guide, and the next logical thing to do was confront my questions about eyelash extensions, especially because so many of you have asked about them!

Felix’s 1st birthday–these are my natural lashes slathered in mascara.

Felix’s 3rd birthday, when I had extensions. Look at those beauties!

Well, I have good news. Although eyelash extensions can be a disaster—most adhesives have toxic ingredients, irritation and allergic reactions are relatively common, and the extensions can be applied poorly and damage your natural lashes—they can be okay for your eyelashes and the rest of your body if you choose the right products, get them applied correctly, and care for them well.

Read on for five tips to help you get safer eyelash extensions. For the extension-shy, I’ve also included some recommendations for strip eyelashes (aka falsies).

Eyelash Extension Tip #1: Choose the safest adhesive

From the safety perspective, eyelash adhesives (sometimes called glues) are the biggest concern with eyelash extensions. They often contain toxic and allergenic ingredients, like formaldehyde and latex. The bad news here is that I haven’t yet found an adhesive that I could call natural, non-toxic, or completely safe.

The good news is that extensions should be applied to your natural eyelashes, not your eyelids, so eyelash adhesives aren’t coming into direct contact with your skin. This reduces your exposure to the ingredients. However, it isn’t an excuse to get lax about finding the safest adhesive. “Fumes” (off-gassing) can still expose you to ingredients and cause irritation, like a burning sensation in your eyes. I’ve definitely experienced burning eyes and even a slight sore throat while having extensions applied, which I’m sure is a result of the glue being used.

Formaldehyde is the most concerning ingredient found in most eyelash extension adhesives. Formaldehyde is a preservative that’s a known carcinogen and allergen. People who aren’t allergic to formaldehyde can develop an allergy from exposure. It can hide in an ingredients list under names like formalin and formaldehyde- releasing preservatives. For a list of formaldehyde-containing ingredients to watch out for, see the formaldehyde entry on Skin Deep.

There are approximately a gazillion eyelash extension adhesives out there, and like I said, I haven’t yet found one I can call completely safe. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the safest adhesive based on your needs:

Opt for a company that’s transparent about the ingredients in their adhesives. Review the ingredients with an eye for anything you might be sensitive to.
Ask for a patch test on your arm before you commit to anything being used around your eyes.
Ask your technician for an adhesive that is hypoallergenic or for “sensitive clients.” Hypoallergenic is an unregulated term and does not mean that a product is allergen-free. However, hypoallergenic adhesives tend to be latex free, “low fume,” and have the lowest levels of formaldehyde. They often don’t have the staying power of more toxic adhesives, but they are usually the safest choice. You can help extend the lifespan of your extensions with proper care and maintenance (see Tip #5).

This chick from The Bachelor had some malfunctioning extensions…

Eyelash Extension Tip #2: Choose a great technician

Although this is Tip #2, it’s tied for first place, because a good technician can help you avoid most or all of the pitfalls of eyelash extensions. A good technician helps you choose the right products, applies them appropriately, and teaches you about effective care and maintenance.

There are various certifications and trainings available for preparing people to apply eyelash extensions. They vary widely in quality. Bottom line: Find a specific, well-trained technician with lots of experience who comes very highly recommended. Yelp and word-of-mouth are good resources.

Don’t go cheap—when it comes to eyelash extensions, you often get what you pay for, and the consequences of forgoing quality can leave you with some serious regrets.

Eyelash Extension Tip #3: Go easy on the extensions

To minimize the negative impact of eyelash extensions on your natural lashes, don’t go overboard. A good technician (see Tip #2) will help you choose the right kind of extensions (they vary in material, length, curl, color, and thickness) and apply them in a way that maximizes their visual impact without damaging your natural lashes. Generally, only a single extension should be applied to each of your natural lashes, and you may get the boost you’re looking for from just a partial set of extensions.

Most eyelash extensions are made from synthetic materials. Natural extensions are available, too, made from silk, mink, or even human hair. From the safety perspective, the extension material, and whether it’s natural or synthetic, doesn’t matter much. However, mink extensions do tend to be lighter in weight and therefore lower-impact on your natural lashes. (PS: They are also more expensive!)

Kim K.’s EXTENSIONS have extensions (seriously, this is what my technician told me).

Eyelash Extension Tip #4: Skip the mascara (or use it wisely)

Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara is a safe non-toxic mascara.

Many technicians and extension-devotees recommend skipping mascara because it can be hard to remove effectively, leading to buildup (which can mean irritation) and causing wear-and- tear on your extensions/adhesive and natural lashes.

I always assumed that skipping mascara was one of the benefits of wearing eyelash extensions. I’ve since learned that some people with extensions use mascara, too, especially when they’re approaching a follow-up appointment. Based on my research, the best mascara for eyelash extensions is mascara that washes off easily—not a waterproof or water resistant formula– so you can remove it without damaging your extensions or natural lashes. You should also protect your extensions and natural lashes by only applying mascara to the outer part of your lashes; in other words, keep mascara away from the adhesive.

See my Safe Mascara Guide for non-waterproof mascaras I recommend.

Eyelash Extension Tip #5: Follow maintenance recommendations to a T

One of the main reasons people get eyelash extensions is that they make them look great without requiring much fuss in the morning. Some people forgo makeup altogether. However, extensions aren’t zero-maintenance. Getting eyelash extensions and maintaining them is a commitment of time and money.

Before you leave your appointment, make sure you know the ins and outs of how to care for your extensions, what kind of products you should and shouldn’t use around your eyes (typically depending on the type of adhesive and whether it’s oil- soluble), how often you should return for a “fill,” etc. Also, avoid rubbing your eyes and pulling on your lashes. If you want to quit, have the extensions professionally removed—pulling them off yourself can damage your natural lashes.

Bonus: What about falsies?

This is the Good Stuff when it comes to a lash adhesive.

If you’re not up for the expense and other potential pitfalls of eyelash extensions, but you still want to add some oomph to your look now and then, strip eyelashes (aka falsies) may be worth trying. As with extensions, the main concern here is the adhesives, especially since you apply them directly to your skin (eyelids). The fact that you wear falsies for a relatively short time (and ideally not frequently) does offset some of the problems that might come with adhesives.

Here are some safer strip lash adhesives to consider:

Good Stuff: True Glue All Natural Lash Adhesive is by far the safest and most natural product I could find in this category. I can’t vouch for its effectiveness, but I call it Good Stuff based on its ingredients: rosewater, chamomile extract, biotin, candelilla wax, pullulan, geranium, glycerin, and castor oil.
Okay Stuff: Georgie Beauty Faux Lash Adhesives (Clear and Black) are formaldehyde free and paraben free. They do contain latex and parfum.
Okay Stuff: House of Lashes White Lash Adhesive gets points for containing no latex, formaldehyde, parabens or phthalates. I call it Okay Stuff for occasional use because two of its ingredients, acrylamide/sodium acrylate copolymer and methacrylic acid, have EWG scores of 4 and 5, respectively.

Please share your own stories about eyelash extensions in the comments below.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Are Eyelash Extensions Safe and Non-toxic? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Mascara Guide

Maia James — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 17:45:12 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure page.

Written by Maia, President & Founder

Mascara is kind of magical, especially if you’re like me and are hashtag-blessed with stubby, pale, stick-straight eyelashes. I don’t often wear makeup, but with just a couple of swoops of a mascara wand, I look and feel refreshed and more put together. I guess I’m not alone, because many readers and clients have asked me to recommend the best non-toxic mascara. We are finally done with our research for this new Safe Product Guide, and thank you all so much for your suggestions–you guys put a bunch of brands on my radar that turned out to be Good Stuff. 🙂

I finally am able to recommend several mascaras that I consider to be Good Stuff or Okay Stuff. Because we’re talking mascara—and not some product that you smear all over your skin or put in your mouth—I think that using Okay Stuff truly is okay in this case. You’ll even find one Good Stuff pick that you can buy at the drugstore!

And, as always, I have lists of Sneaky Stuff and Bad Stuff, including some of your beloved favorites (sorry!).

Note: Products like mascara are constantly being re-formulated. The information in this post is based on the most current ingredient lists we could find as of October 2016.

My Top Pick for Best Non-Toxic Mascara

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara is the only mascara I use, not only because of how it performs, but also because I love that Beautycounter tests it for purity after production to ensure it’s not contaminated with anything sketchy.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

What is Mascara Made of?

Mascara ingredients range from familiar and harmless things, like water, to head-scratching ones like fragrance/parfum, which I was surprised to find in most mascara formulas.

Honestly, cosmetics are my least favorite things to research. They often have super long lists of ingredients, many of which are synthetic, impossible to pronounce, and problematic. Cosmetics can contain ingredients– including natural ones– that have little or no safety data to back them up. And some ingredients that are known to be toxic are permitted for use under certain “restrictions.”

I’m no cosmetic chemist, but my basic understanding of mascara formulas is that they usually include the following:

Solvents or diluents are the unifying base for the formula (water, isododecane, alcohols, glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.).
Pigments provide color (iron oxides, ultramarines, titanium dioxide, mica, etc.).
Waxes, gums, polymers, fibers and starches stabilize and thicken the formula; some form a film on the lashes and provide “volumizing” benefits; fibers “lengthen” lashes.
Fats like oils and butters provide moisturizing benefits; other ingredients with humectant/emollient/“skin-conditioning” properties include glycerin, silicone and some plant extracts.
Some waxes, fatty acids, and surfactants act as emulsifiers to mix water and water-soluble ingredients with non-water soluble ingredients.
Preservatives and pH adjusters prevent (or at least limit) the growth of microbes.
Fragrance ingredients mask the unsavory smell that many mascara formulas would otherwise have, and in some cases, give mascara a signature scent.

Why You Shouldn’t Freak Out About Mascara

Relatively speaking, mascara is a lower-concern product– you use small amounts of it, it’s not applied directly to your skin, and it tends to stay in place. (And if you’re like me, you don’t even use it every day any more!).

Unless you eat your mascara, have a habit of rubbing it into your eyes, and/or sleep with it on, don’t worry if you’ve been using the Bad Stuff for more years than you wish to count.

If you want to upgrade to a safer mascara, there is plenty of Good Stuff and Okay Stuff you that will give your lashes a boost without exposing you to a bunch of toxic ingredients.

Mascara Ingredients to Avoid

Although mascara is of relatively low concern, I don’t consider it to be zero-concern. Some of us do use mascara daily, and it can flake off and migrate into your eyes and onto the skin under your eyes, where ingredients can potentially be absorbed into the body. And a lot of conventional mascara has concerning ingredients, such as:

Retinyl acetate (aka vitamin A acetate) is a synthetic form of vitamin A that is used as a moisturizing ingredient (or “skin conditioner”) in some mascaras. EWG gives it a whopping 9 on their hazard scale. The FDA classifies retinyl acetate as a “known reproductive toxicant”; it’s also a possible carcinogen.
Parabens are a family of preservatives that are found everywhere, although many companies are now making paraben-free products. Parabens mimic estrogen and are implicated in breast cancer. No causal relationship has been proven, but because we’re exposed to parabens from many products, I recommend avoiding them wherever you can—including in mascara.
Diazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative with an EWG score of 6. In addition to the fact that formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, exposure to formadehyde-releasers can cause people to develop allergies to those ingredients and formaldehyde in general. Another formaldehyde releaser to watch out for in mascara is imidazolidinyl urea.
Propylene glycol is a skin conditioner known to be allergenic and potentially toxic to non-reproductive organs. As a penetration-enhancer, it can make the skin vulnerable to other harmful ingredients.
Triethanolamine is used in some mascaras as a pH adjuster and emulsifier. It’s considered a skin toxicant or allergen, may be harmful to non-reproductive organs, and can be contaminated with nitrosamines.
Be suspicious when you see fragrance or “parfum” listed on a any label, including mascara. Many nasty chemicals can hide under that umbrella, including phthalates, which are hormone disrupters and possible carcinogens.
Geraniol, limonene, linalool, citrol and citronellol are potentially irritating and allergenic components that have synthetic as well as natural versions (the latter being a naturally-occurring component of some essential oils). Honest companies disclose them on their ingredient labels. In mascara, they are scent ingredients, and some, like d-limonene, also have preservative qualities. If you’re particularly sensitive, try to avoid mascaras that contain them, and note that carcinogenic properties seem to happen only when these compounds go rancid, so adhere to the expiration dates on your mascara.
Pigments (colorants) can be contaminated with toxic substances, including heavy metals. Look for companies that disclose the specific “color index number” (CI number) of the colorants they use (such as “CI 77499,” an iron oxide), and skip aluminum powder, a neurotoxin.

Preservatives in Mascara

You’ll notice that many of the ingredients I’m concerned about in mascara are preservatives. Preservatives are necessary to keep mascara from becoming a host for bacteria and other microbes, but they’re also problematic.

Both natural and synthetic preservatives can be irritating to various degrees. Given that we use mascara around our eyes, which are sensitive organs, I worry about preservatives in mascaras. Even natural preservative ingredients that are considered to be safe can be contaminated with toxic parabens.

Non-Toxic Mascara Ingredients

There are a lot of companies using safe (or safer) ingredients to make mascaras, including many that get high marks for performance, like their more toxic counterparts.

Mascaras didn’t have to be “natural” in order to make our list of Good Stuff or Okay Stuff. In fact, many of those products contain lots of synthetic ingredients. You may have heard that not all natural ingredients are safe. It’s also true that synthetic ingredients aren’t necessarily unsafe (although in general, I am biased against too many synthetics, especially in products for babies and kids).

Here are some of the ingredients you’ll find in the Good Stuff:

When it comes to mascara, I think that “food-grade preservatives” like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are an okay choice. They’re definitely lesser evils than parabens and might be better than some naturally derived preservatives that are newer and haven’t been extensively studied for safety. Note: You’ll also see phenoxyethanol in some of the Good and Okay Stuff. I’m not nuts about it—it’s potentially irritating preservative, with an EWG score of 4—but it’s better than spoiled or contaminated mascara. Skip phenoxyethanol-containing mascaras if you’re sensitive.
Good mascaras include natural and organic waxes, such as beeswax, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax.
Good mascaras also contain natural and organic oils and butters, such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter.
I like to see starch, oil, wax and gum derived from organic rice, which doesn’t carry the same pesticide-contamination concerns as conventionally farmed rice.

What About Eyelash Extensions?

I’m working on a separate post about eyelash extensions, since I looooove them. (I mean, look at these stunners on the left!) Anyway, I always assumed that skipping mascara was one of the benefits of wearing eyelash extensions, but I’ve since learned that some people with extensions use mascara, too.

Based on my research, if you’re wearing extensions, you should choose mascara that washes off easily–not a waterproof formula—so you can remove it without damaging your extensions or natural lashes. There are lots of non-waterproof mascaras on the Good Stuff and Okay Stuff lists.

You should also protect your extensions and natural lashes by only applying mascara to the outer part of your lashes.

Be Kind to Your lashes

One of the best things you can do to enhance your lashes is to be gentle with them.

Here’s how:

Choose water-based, non-t0xic mascara for everyday use; they are gentler on your lashes because they’re easier to wash off than waterproof formulas.
Don’t sleep in your mascara! Remove mascara gently at the end of the day—minimize rubbing, and don’t tug. My favorite way to do this is with this incredible makeup remover that doubles as a treatment oil.
Condition your lashes overnight with a tiny bit of oil (like olive or coconut) brushed gently onto the outer part of your lashes. Wash off in the morning to avoid build-up and irritation. (I’m too tired at the end of the day to implement this, but it’s a goal for the future!).

The Good Stuff

100% Pure Maraca Non-Toxic Mascara (Black Tea) has mostly plant-based ingredients. The only ingredients of potential concern are the rice bran wax and rice germ powder, because they aren’t organic, and ingredients derived from conventionally farmed rice can be contaminated with pesticides. Note: As of this writing, the EWG listing for 100% Pure’s mascara, with a score of 2, does not match their current formulation.

Buy Now from 100% Pure

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara is my pick when it comes to performance, and the only mascara I use. Beautycounter includes organic plant oils in its mascara formula, and the only ingredient I’m not a fan of here is sodium benzoate, a preservative, but because mascara isn’t ingested or applied directly to the skin, I’m not worried about it. EWG gives this mascara a score of 2. I like that Beautycounter took three years to develop this mascara and tests it for purity AFTER production to ensure zero contamination. It’s also non-clumpy, which is hard to find among natural mascara brands and super important to me. Note: This isn’t officially a waterproof mascara, but it comes off easiest with an oil-based cream or cleanser.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Natural Non-Toxic Mascara

At just six ingredients, this mascara has the simplest formula of those we reviewed. (Real Purity is a close second). EWG gives it a 1; while I’m not nuts about their choice of preservative—phenoxyethanol– I get that preservatives are tricky and mascara needs them.

Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Non-Toxic Mascara is made with a lot of organic ingredients, all of which are of little or no concern. EWG gives it a 1, but there are several discrepancies between the EWG listing and Honeybee Garden’s current formula.

$13.99Buy Now

Jane Iredale mascaras are made from ingredients of little or no concern. Skin Deep gives the PureLash Lengthening formula a 2 (lowest concern). The regular PureLash formula does contain bisabolol, a terpene used for scent and anti-microbial properties. Bisabolol can cause enhanced skin penetration of other ingredients, but given the nature of mascara (you’re not smearing it all over your body), and the relative safety of the other ingredients in the formula, I’m not too worried about it. Bisabolol appears to be less problematic than the other terpenes, like limonene.

Not all ingredients in Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Ultra-Natural Non-Toxic Mascara are natural, but many of them are organic, and they are of little or no concern. I like that Juice Beauty is transparent about the source of their ingredients (plant-based versus synthetic).

Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze Mascaras are Good Stuff. The only mildly concerning ingredient is non-organic rice protein, which can be contaminated with pesticides. Note: Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Mascaras (water resistant) are Okay Stuff (see below).

Physicians Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Non-Toxic Mascara and Jumbo Lash Mascara have the same basic formula, with an EWG score of 1. This is the best (and only!) Good Stuff you can get at the drug store. Physicians Formula uses 70% organic ingredients in these products, and all ingredients are of little or no concern. Other mascaras in their “Organic Wear” line are Good or Okay, but beware that the rest of their mascaras have bad ingredients like propylene glycol, triethanolamine, parabens, and diazolidinyl urea.

Poofy Organics Non-Toxic Mascara is made with mostly organic ingredients. If anyone has tried this one and can speak to its performance, comment below!

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Real Purity Non-Toxic Mascara (Black) has just 9 ingredients and an EWG score of 1. They use extracts of ivy and sage in place of potentially problematic preservatives.

Rejuva Minerals Pur Lash Volumizing Non-Toxic Mascara is an EWG Verified product. Their Rejuva Minerals Resistant Mega Lash Mascara gets an EWG score of 1, but the EWG listing (and therefore their calculation) leaves out a few ingredients. The way the ingredient lists are written on the Rejuva Minerals website doesn’t instill a lot of confidence—some ingredient names are not complete—but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Zuzu Luxe Non-Toxic Mascara is made from a relatively short list of straightforward ingredients. The only semi-concerning ingredients are the preservatives– tocopherylacetate and potassium sorbate (both have an EWG score of 3)—but they’re less worrisome than many other preservatives.

Pure Haven Essentials, formerly Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, makes a mascara with just 11 ingredients, all of little or no concern. Earlier this year, Ava Anderson shut down because of a scandal involving the non-disclosure of ingredients, including concerning ingredients that they claimed to not use. Assuming the original company learned from these errors and had made the necessary changes to their supply chain and manufacturing practices, I call this Good Stuff.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Okay Stuff

Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara has an EWG score of 2 and only a couple of moderately concerning ingredients (propanediol and sodium hydroxide, both potentially irritating).

Arbonne It’s a Long Story Mascara gets an EWG score of 2, but due to the combination of several ingredients I’m wary of (butylene glycol, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, ethylhexylglycerin, tocopheryl acetate, and aminomethyl propanol), I think this mascara is just Okay Stuff, and am not a huge fan of Arbonne in general.

Dr. Hauschka’s mascaras contain “fragrance” (EWG give it an 8, but Hauschka specifies that it’s 100% natural, so I’m fine with it). Like all Hauschka products, this mascara contains naturally-occurring citronellol, geraniol, and linalool. Other ingredients that make this Okay rather than Good Stuff are castor seed oil and the fact that alcohol, which is known to be irritating, is high on their ingredient lists.

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara has a handful of ingredients that aren’t great, including phenoxyethanol and aminomethyl propanediol, but there are no major offenders. Note: other bareMinerals mascaras are Sneaky or Bad, as are most of their other products.

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara is made with a some good ingredients, but it’s borderline sneaky thanks to the combination of several moderately concerning ingredients—phenoxyethanol, propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, conventional rice bran wax, and laureth-21. Note: As of this writing, the EWG entry for Josie Maran mascara is not for this formula.

Kjaer Weis Mascara contains a lot of organic ingredients and has an EWG score of 2. I’d call it Good Stuff, except that it contains citronellol and geraniol from the essential oils used in the formula.

Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Mascaras (water resistant) are Okay Stuff, due to a handful of mildly concerning ingredients (butylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, and hexylene glycol). I did consider classifying these mascaras as Sneaky Stuff because of steareth-21, a PEG-related surfactant that can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, so this is the worst of the Okay Stuff in my opinion. Note: Pacifica’s Dream Big and Stellar Gaze mascaras are Good Stuff (see above).

Lily Lolo New Black Vegan Mascara is made with ingredients that are of little or no concern, at least based on current safety data. I’m calling this Okay Stuff rather than Good Stuff because they use several surfactants with limited safety data, and some of the company’s claims make me a bit wary. For instance, on their website, Lily Lolo says they use no preservatives, but they list potassium sorbate—a preservative– among their mascara ingredients. They also claim to use organic ingredients, but, unlike other companies, they don’t specify any organic ingredients on their ingredients list.

Origins Fringe Benefits Mascara qualifies as Okay Stuff thanks to many good ingredients and a few of moderate concern (aminomethyl propanediol, laureth-20—a PEG-derived surfactant, phenoxyethanol, and chloroxylenol—another potentially problematic preservative). Note: Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara is Sneaky Stuff!

The Bad Stuff

Almay One Coat Mascaras get EWG scores of 7-9, thanks to ingredients like parabens and retinyl palmitate.

Cover Girl uses yucky stuff like parabens, aluminum powder, and triethanolamine.

Dior doesn’t disclose or show ingredients on their website, but from what I can tell, they re-formulated to eliminate some of the worst ingredients, like parabens, diazolidinyl urea, and triethanolamine. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, Diorshow mascaras still include a lot of concerning ingredients, such as parfum/fragrance, surfactants like sodium laureth 12-sulfate and glyceryl hydrogenated rosinate, and geraniol, citronellol, linalool, cinnamyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, and BHT!

Elizabeth Arden doesn’t disclose its mascara ingredients on their website, and there are no current listings on EWG/Skin Deep. Elsewhere I found ingredient lists that include bad stuff like triethanolamine and parabens.

I haven’t reviewed all of L’Oreal’s mascaras, but one of their most popular–L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara, has triethanolamine, imidazolidinyl urea (a formaldehyde releaser), parabens, BHT, and several concerning colorants, including D&C Black No. 2/CI 77266.

Max Factor mascaras include a lot of common bad ingredients, such as propylene glycol, triethanolamine, polyethylene, benzyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, parabens, SLS, and phenoxyethanol.

Maybelline Great Lash mascara, the beloved classic in the green and pink tube, contains yucky stuff like triethanolamine, propylene glycol, and parabens.

Physicians Formula’s non-organic mascaras have yucky ingredients like propylene glycol, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, parabens, and diazolidinyl urea. However, I give the company props for making the only drug-store formulas that I recommend (see Good Stuff).

Rimmel makes a million different mascaras; just looking at one of them—Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black—I see worrisome ingredients like propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, retinyl palmitate, parabens, PEG- 40 hydrogenated castor oil, BHA (a toxic preservative), and D&C Black No. 2/CI 77266 (a toxic colorant).

Wet-n- Wild mascaras appear to be paraben free, but contain other worrisome preservatives that I don’t want near my eyes, like methylisothiazolinone. They also contain yucky ingredients like triethanolamine, polyethylene, butylene glycol, and PEG-26- PPG-30 phosphate, which can be contaminated with toxic ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

The Sneaky Stuff

bareMinerals uses a lot of concerning ingredients in their mascaras, including triethanolamine, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, tocopheryl acetate (can be contaminated with hydroquinone), ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, SLS, and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate. Their Flawless Definition Waterproof formula isn’t bad—I might even call it Okay Stuff. Note: The Skin Deep entry for the Lash Domination formula gives it a 2, but the listing is not current, leaving out several ingredients.

Beauty Without Cruelty formulates their products in favor of the wellbeing of animals, but their mascaras have a number of ingredients that are concerning for humans and their eyes: triethanolamine, benzyl alcohol, non-organic rice bran wax and rice bran oil, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, denatured alcohol, polyethylene, talc, and ethylhexylglycerin.

Benecos Natural mascaras are made with some organic plant oils and waxes, but this German company loses points for citral, limonene, and linalool, which come with the essential oils they use; having a relatively high concentration of potentially irritating alcohol; using sodium hydroxide (also potentially irritating); and “fragrance” (though they claim it’s not synthetic). Their Vegan Natural Volume Mascara is borderline okay except for glyceryl rosinate (EWG score of 6, and a potential irritant/allergen) and silver (a likely problematic colorant, especially around the eyes).

Neutrogena “Healthy” Mascaras have and EWG score of 6 and are anything but healthy, containing bad ingredients such as parabens and sketchy “fragrance.”

PUR’s mascaras are not so “pure.” In addition to using concerning ingredients like triethanolamine, ethyhexyglyerin, phenoxyethanol, polybutene, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and hexylene glycol, they rely on several ingredients with contamination concerns—steareth-20 and steareth-2 (derived from polyethylene glycol, aka PEG); styrene/acrylates copolymer; polyvinyl acetate; and PEG-8 dimethicone. They proudly state that several of their mascaras are paraben-free, but they do use methylparaben in their Impact+ formula. This is the sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff!

RMS Beauty mascaras are really popular among my readers, so I hate to say that they are Sneaky. Unfortunately, these mascaras contain many ingredients of concern, including benzyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide (plus geraniol and linalool.)

Tarte’s motto, “High-performance naturals,” is a stretch. Their formulas include propylene glycol, triethanolamine, and ingredients that are potentially irritating to the eyes (aminomethyl propanol, butylene glycol, castor seed oil, and polybutene). If you’re a huge Tarte fan, the product with the least concerning ingredients is their “Lights, Camera, Splashes” waterproof mascara.

W3ll People mascaras are another favorite among you guys, but after looking closely at their ingredients, I have to call them Sneaky. Their Expressionist Mascara is EWG certified, but the formula listed on Skin Deep misses a few key ingredients. Both the Expressionist and Expressionist Pro formulas include benzyl alcohol as the second ingredient. They also contain geraniol, limonene, and sodium hydroxide. And yes, this calls into question the EWG certification!

Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara is Sneaky Stuff thanks to a few ingredients of moderate concern (aminomethyl propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, laureth-20, urea, and phenoxyethanol) and a whopping 16 pigments. None of the many other mascaras I reviewed had anywhere near this number of colorants. No single pigment in this formula is a huge red flag, but many of them are potentially problematic, so the sum of them gives me pause.

Don’t see your favorite brand in any of the Good, Bad, or Sneaky tabs? Comment below with your favorite brands!

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Mascara Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Sunscreen With Vitamin D & What Sunscreen I’m Using This Summer

Maia James — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 19:15:45 +0000

Written by Maia, President

With temperatures feeling distinctly summer-like in much of the country, I’m not surprised that many of you are asking about my top sunscreen recommendation, and what I put on my own children.

Here’s the truth: my kids don’t wear sunscreen every day, even in the summer. Of course, if we are at the beach or even at the park for hours, I slather them up. But I’m convinced that some vitamin D is good for us, and that it’s hard to get enough from food or even supplements (if you do want to supplement, this is the one I give my kids).

You’ll have to decide how much sun, if any, you feel comfortable allowing your kids to have before applying sunscreen. Mine can handle an hour or so before they are at risk of turning pink, depending on the time of day and if they are in and out of direct sunlight (if we are at the beach midday, I wouldn’t do more than about 20 minutes). It’s worth noting that a client’s friend is a dermatologist specializing in melanoma and she feels that children shouldn’t be in ANY direct sunlight between the hours of 10:00 and 2:00.

Anyway, back to the question of the best sunscreen. I think there are two:

1) Kabana Green Screen has a short list of entirely safe ingredients (including zero chemical sunscreens and non-nano zinc oxide), and it is the only sunscreen on the market that contains added vitamin D, which can safely be delivered transdermally. If your kids wear sunscreen whenever they are outside, Kabana is a clear winner.

2) Despite my high regard for Kabana Green Screen, it’s actually not what we are using this summer. Although I figured out a way to apply it so it leaves almost no white sheen (the trick is rubbing it in VERY quickly after squeezing it onto the skin), my kids still hate the application process. Because of this, Babo Sheer Zinc Continuous Spray has been a total game-changer, and it’s all we use.

What’s your favorite natural sunscreen?

Stay sane,

P.S. We were reminded of the importance of reapplying sunscreen throughout the day after a 4-hour canoe ride resulted in pink thighs for my son–his first ever sunburn! 🙁 I felt terribly!

(By the way, this was his first canoe ride and he LOVED it, proving my mom’s point that kids need more time in nature!)

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Sunscreen With Vitamin D & What Sunscreen I’m Using This Summer appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Natural Eczema Treatment for Babies & Kids

Maia James — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 20:17:21 +0000

Written by Maia, President

I hear from a lot of desperate parents whose babies and kids suffer from eczema. An estimated 10-20% of infants and kids have eczema nowadays. Maybe there is more awareness about it now (when I was a kid, we probably often passed it off as a bad case of “dry skin”), or maybe it is occurring more frequently in the population. Regardless, eczema is driving many of you crazy, and the eczema experience often becomes a physical and emotional ordeal for the whole family.

Parents I hear from are usually worried about two things—first, what’s causing the eczema, and second, what are the most effective natural eczema treatments for babies and kids? I can’t relate personally because my sons haven’t had eczema (although my oldest is allergic to peanuts, and allergies and eczema often go hand-in-hand), but I’ve listened to a lot of people on the front lines and done research.

In this post, I share what I hope are helpful perspectives and strategies, including a method developed by engineers with a suffering baby, pro tips from the genius herbalist at Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage), and natural eczema treatments that we crowd-sourced from you, our community of readers.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is an umbrella term for a group of conditions involving irritated, inflamed skin. Itchiness is common, and babies with eczema often have crusty, oozy patches. Eczema often shows up in the first six months of life.

There are several different types of eczema and therefore many potential solutions (though conventional wisdom says that eczema can be controlled or treated, but not cured). As you probably already know, figuring out what’s going on with your child’s eczema can be a long process that involves a lot of guesswork and experimentation.

But Won’t My Kid Outgrow It?

Friends and health professionals (and the internet) may tell you that your child will outgrow eczema. This is probably nice to hear, and it is partially true; many kids with eczema do eventually stop having symptoms as they get older. But although the eczema may go away, the underlying problems that caused it can reappear as long-term issues like seasonal allergies (hay fever) and asthma.
You may have noticed that eczema tends to run in families with histories of these conditions. It’s not a coincidence; an allergy-prone immune system is the common thread. Eczema, hay fever and asthma are known as the “atopic triad.”

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema is generally understood as a symptom of the immune system reacting to an irritant. Sound vague? This is because eczema is a broad term that describes a wide variety of skin problems with different origins. Also, even the same type of eczema can affect people in different ways. Eczema is complicated.

Tallow-based laundry soap works as well as detergent and may not trigger eczema.

The Detergent Theory

I wasn’t totally satisfied by the mainstream explanations (or lack thereof) for what causes eczema. Then a client of mine led me to an intriguing theory by a parent-activist named A.J. Lumstaine.

In the early 2000s, A.J. and her husband had a baby with a bad case of eczema, and conventional treatments weren’t helping. A.J. and her husband are both engineers, so they applied their engineering minds to the problem and eventually discovered that their son was sensitive to detergents. Not just laundry and dish detergents, but the category of chemicals known as detergents.

Detergents can be derived from either petroleum or plant sources and have become ubiquitous in all kinds of products—from personal care products to household products to even foods—since the 1970s. Detergents are not in and of themselves bad—some are toxic, and some are benign. But it seems that for some people, detergents are the cause–or at least an exacerbating factor—for eczema.

According to A.J.’s theory of “detergent-reactive eczema,” synthetic detergents can compromise the skin’s natural barrier, making it more permeable. Increased permeability means that stuff outside the body, which normally couldn’t get in, can now penetrate the skin, causing the immune system to develop new sensitivities. As a result, exposure to mold, pollen, bacteria, household dust, pet dander, etc., may cause an eczema flare-up.

MamaSuds makes a dishwasher soap that’s detergent-free.

Increased permeability of the skin also means that stuff inside the body–like its natural moisture–can get out, leading to dryness. Super sensitive, dry skin is the hallmark of eczema.

A.J. started a website in the early 2000s to share her family’s story and the results of the exhaustive research and experimentation they’ve done. She developed an eczema solution that she calls “simple but not easy” because it involves removing all detergents and detergent residues from your home environment—including the products that all members of the family use. It’s a big undertaking, but it’s worth considering if your child is suffering and you’re still searching for answers.

A.J. believes that detergent-reactive eczema accounts for 20-40% of eczema cases in infants. Removing detergents can help kids suffering from other kids of eczema, too. A.J. also shares information and solutions related to these other types of eczema on her website.

Natural Eczema Treatments

Regardless of whether you’re able to eventually “solve” your kid’s eczema like the Lumstaines did, you’ll still have some symptoms to deal with. Here is a compilation of (mostly) natural eczema treatments based on our research and the hard-earned wisdom of some of our readers:

• Try a medicinal balm: Conventional eczema treatment involves steroid creams (for inflamed patches), antibiotics (for skin infections), and moisturizers (for dryness). A well-formulated medicinal balm, like Dry Skin Care from Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage), can hit all these bases without the yucky ingredients and side effects. (See below for more information on why Dry Skin Care has a cult following among people dealing with eczema, and some pro tips on how to use it.)

• Try coconut oil or shea butter: One reader said her friend had excellent results when she used organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil on her son’s skin. Coconut oil is good for eczema because it has moisturizing, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Another natural wonder with similar properties is shea butter. Look for shea butter that is 100% natural and unrefined.

• Use a gentle soap/shampoo: Several of you wrote in to give the name of what you feel is the best soap for eczema. These include Ruby-Blue Bunny Shampoo & Wash, Babo Botanicals products, and Beautycounter’s new line of baby products. Just be aware that most of these DO contain a detergent of some kind, even if it’s a safe one. Most of you know to avoid sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate, but what about the newer “coconut-derived” detergents like decyl glucoside? While studies suggest this ingredient is safe, it still falls in the “detergent” category. Which is why you might want to try this next suggestion if you’re still battling eczema after using gentler soaps…

• Use old-fashioned soap: The best soap for eczema is made with simple, natural ingredients. Our tallow-based soap for babies is formulated for sensitive skin and can be used for both skin and hair. If you’re trying to rid even your clothing of detergent residue, try Tandi’s tallow-based laundry powder, which is made of old fashioned soap, not detergent. (If you like liquid laundry soap, here’s a good one that’s free of detergent.) Another popular real soap company is Dr. Bronner’s, which my mom used to wash her hair, dishes, and even her car in the 1970s!

• Apply a lotion immediately after bath time: I’m not a fan of the ingredients, but one of our readers swears by Aquaphor to lock in moisture. Another reader gets good results with Babo Botanical’s Moisturizing Lotion, which has an ingredients list that I approve of. Others have had luck with Beautycounter’s Baby Daily Protective Balm and Baby Soothing Oil.

• Try urine therapy: Yep, you read that right. Urine, which contains urea, along with enzymes, hormones, minerals, etc., can help treat eczema and other skin conditions. One mom shared with us that her daughter’s skin improved when she started applying a cotton round saturated with her daughter’s urine to the affected skin, followed a few hours later by Medicine Mama’s Bee Magic. The pee really worked; Medicine Mama’s Bee Magic didn’t have any effect on its own. It makes sense that urine would help with eczema, because urea is a common ingredient in cosmetic products thanks to its moisturizing and exfoliating properties.

• Use only natural laundry detergent: Natural laundry detergents do the job without harsh chemicals that can irritate skin. Make sure you use natural detergent for everyone’s clothes and all of your household linens. As I mentioned above, if you’re looking for a soap-based (detergent-free) laundry option, you might try our best-selling Tandi’s Naturals Concentrated Laundry Soap or MamaSuds detergent-free liquid soap.

• Soften water: Some research from Europe and other countries suggests a link between hard water and eczema. Soft water alone might not fix an eczema problem, but it can be part of an effective treatment plan (and may help prevent eczema in the first place). One of our readers saw a dramatic improvement in her son’s eczema, in less than a week, when they installed a water softener, started using Babo lotion, and switched to Green Shield laundry detergent.

Natural Eczema Treatment Tips from a Pro

Jen Scott of Green Goo

Just about every approach to eczema treatment—natural or conventional–involves some kind of topical treatment. Our most popular product for treating eczema is Dry Skin Care from Green Goo (formerly Sierra Sage). We talked with Jen Scott, owner of Green Goo and the genius herbalist behind its products, to find out more about Dry Skin Care and get her tips on how to treat eczema with the medicinal ointment.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, eczema is seen as a condition involving heat. So oils that have neutral qualities, rather than warming ones, help soothe affected skin. Jen chose neutral olive oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil as the base for Dry Skin Care.

But it’s the calendula flowers in Dry Skin Care that Jen calls “the powerhouse” of her formula. Calendula helps soothe and heal eczema patches thanks to a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and other anti-microbial properties. Jen believes so strongly in Dry Skin Care that she offers a guarantee; if you go through a whole container without seeing results, you qualify for a refund (so let us know if you buy some through us!).

Jen shared some great pro tips for natural eczema treatment for babies and kids:

• Empower your little patient: Let toddlers and kids apply the ointment themselves, especially if they are in discomfort and have developed distress about their eczema. This helps them feel safe and more in control of their condition.
• Start strong: When you first start using Dry Skin Care, get ahead of the inflammation by applying the ointment two to three times a day. After that, use it once a day. You only need a small amount–it’s a concentrated, medicinal salve, not a lotion.
• Treat skin right, but get to the root, too: Products like Dry Skin Care are great for treating eczema symptoms. You should also investigate food sensitivities or whatever else might be the root cause of the condition. Indeed, one of our readers said that cutting out wheat has been the most helpful measure to deal with her kid’s eczema. Another reader has seen good results from using goat milk instead of cow milk. If you are breastfeeding a child with eczema, cutting out the problematic foods from your own diet is helpful, too.

Preventing Eczema

Most information on “preventing” eczema is about making flare-ups less frequent and less severe. But can eczema be prevented altogether? Maybe. Here are two things to try:

• Take a probiotic supplement while pregnant and give your infant probiotics, like this product, especially if eczema and other allergic conditions run in the family.
• A.J. Lumstaine also suggests limiting babies’ exposure to detergents early on in life by washing dishes with detergent-free (soap-based) products. MamaSuds makes a detergent-free automatic dishwasher soap. It’s not for everyone, but some people love this tallow-based solid dish soap.

Please share what has (and hasn’t!) worked for your own children’s eczema in the comments below.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Natural Eczema Treatment for Babies & Kids appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Get Your Skin Ready for Spring and Summer

Suzanne Weaver-Goss — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:51:15 +0000

Written by Suzanne, Chief Health Officer and Resident Grandmother

This has been a long winter for us on the East Coast and finally it feels like spring (or even summer) the last few days. I love this time of year with the return of plants, flowers, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. But the whole truth is that I also get a little intimidated by the opportunity to shed winter layers and bare more skin! Thanks to winter conditions, my skin is pale, dry, and generally not ready for show time.

Although I am mostly interested in boosting health and beauty from the inside out, I have two favorite external ways to wash away the yuck of winter and get ready for the yum of spring and summer. Both of them involve gentle exfoliation.

In our race to save time, we tend to leave behind self-care practices that are great for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Fortunately, you don’t need a time-consuming and expensive spa retreat to rejuvenate yourself.

As you check out my tips below, consider how many benefits you can get from simple bathing practices; from that perspective, these activities are actually very efficient and worth every minute.

Hot Towel Scrub

For your whole body, body scrubs are honored traditions in many cultures. And you don’t need any products, just a washcloth and water.

Body scrubs have stood the test of time because they offer many benefits, including: helping skin release toxins; easing muscle tension; increasing circulation; energizing the body and mind (in the morning) or calming them (at night); removing dead skin; and stimulating the lymphatic system. Plus, it feels really good.

Giving yourself a scrub is easy and requires nothing more than a sink of hot water and a washcloth. (You can also do it in the shower, but the ritual will be more relaxing if you do it at the sink rather than just squeezing it into your normal routine.)

If you can, do it once or twice a day, for two to 20 minutes. Keep in mind that scrubs are not just for adults–teaching your kids to do this from a young age can be a gift of life-long self care.

Body Scrub Directions:

1. Fill your sink with hot water.

2. Saturate and then wring out your washcloth.

3. Scrub your skin gently, working one area of your body at a time. Work your way around your whole body, reheating the washcloth with hot water as necessary.

Tips: Use candles and your favorite soothing music to deepen the relaxation. For a real treat, do a mutual scrub with a loved one. You can add a couple of drops of essential oil to the water to energize (citrus oils like orange, lemon and grapefruit) or soothe (lavender and chamomile), depending on the time of day.

Face & Body Exfoliation

For your face, adding a good exfoliating scrub is an easy way to get your face skin glowing. Farmaesthetics Sweet Milk Orange Exfoliate is one of my favorite ways to give my skin a glow. My ancestors were Swiss and cream and milk were part of their diet and their beauty routine. I often wonder if that’s why my grandmother had young-looking skin at 90!!

Milk has been used throughout the ages to enhance beauty. Apparently, even Cleopatra used sweet milk for beautifying and brightening her complexion. In traditional cultures, sweet milk products were as familiar on the dressing table as they were in the kitchen cupboard.

When mixed with Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser, the herbal exfoliate makes a creamy, freshly fragrant lather that is easily applied and thorough in its exfoliation. The healthy carbs and fats inherent in milk have known properties for feeding and plumping tissue, adding elasticity to skin, while removing dull, tired surface cells. This is also a great body exfoliant.

We like Farmaesthetics because the founder and formulator, Brenda, is from a long line of farmers; she knows how to combine natural ingredients to make lovely, effective products. Brenda began selling her skincare products back in 1999 at an organic farmstand in rural Rhode Island, where our family spends time every summer. These products were among the very first ones we carried when we opened our online store, and they quickly became customer favorites.

Be well,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Get Your Skin Ready for Spring and Summer appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Finally, a Non-Toxic, Paraben-Free Make-Up Brand!

Suzanne Weaver-Goss — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:14:06 +0000

Written by Suzanne, Chief Health Officer and Resident Grandmother

I’m not big on makeup. I believe the cliché that true beauty comes from within. I also believe that beauty can be enhanced greatly by healthy eating, sleep, and movement. Also, I am rather lazy when it comes to beauty routines. I don’t use a lot of products and I don’t spend much time on my hair or makeup. My daughter, Maia, has followed my example, for better or for worse!

Even though we are beauty product minimalists, Maia and I do like to put on a little makeup when we’re getting dressed up. So we’ve been disappointed to learn about the Bad Stuff that that’s in most makeup (see below), and we’ve struggled to find products that we can enjoy ourselves and recommend to readers and clients. We receive many requests from our readers for non-toxic makeup, but after reviewing ingredients we have been unable to recommend almost anything!

What’s Wrong with Most Makeup?

There are so many loopholes in federal laws that cosmetics can be labeled “natural” without containing ingredients that meet those descriptions. Even products that are certified organic can contain as little as 10% organic ingredients.

“Safe” is not a standardized term, either. The FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors does not define safety. So cosmetic companies consider carcinogens, though they are known to cause harm, safe to use in products because they are legal. The U.S. law that governs the $60 billion cosmetic industry was last passed in 1938 and it doesn’t provide the FDA with the power to ask cosmetic companies for safety data or issue recalls of cosmetics that aren’t safe. The European Union bans 1,300 ingredients from cosmetics. Here in the United States, only 11 ingredients have been banned or restricted in cosmetics! Yuck.

Until recently, we hadn’t been able to find a makeup brand that was non-toxic and high performing. But after discovering Beautycounter products through a friend, we are hooked!

Why We Like—and Trust—Beautycounter

We like that Beautycounter makeup is non-toxic, with all products ranked low hazard by EWG. We love that it performs as well as more expensive brands. Also, their products are attractive and chic. (I may be a beauty minimalist, but I’m still a sucker for pretty products!) We trust Beautycounter makeup because the company is truly committed to making safe products, and their ingredient selection process is among the strictest in the industry. For instance, they actually test products after production for any contaminants (which seems especially relevant in light of the recent scandals involving both Ava Anderson and Honest Company.) And all Beautycounter products of free of some of the very worst stuff–parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, mineral oils, BHA/BHT, SLES, and a bunch of other ones.

Honestly, the hardest thing for us about Beautycounter was the whole “pyramid” structure of the company. Here at Gimme the Good Stuff, we pride ourselves on our independent voice. While we adore Beautycounter’s products, Beautycounter’s business plan looks very much like Multi-Level Marketing (otherwise known as a “pyramid company”). They call it “Direct Marketing,” but the differences are minimal. So while we won’t personally be engaging in multi-level marketing with Beautycounter (we aren’t going to be asking you guys to sign up as consultants!), we do feel that because of the lack of truly nontoxic makeup in the marketplace, we should offer these great products to our readers. So, if you’d like to try Beautycounter products, you can do so here.

These are my 5 favorite Beautycounter products:

I love this concealer for hiding dark under-eye circles.

This blush gives me natural-looking flushed cheeks and comes in a cute little compact.

I have this retractable complexion brush and love it, and Beautycounter also sells a very nice blush brush.

This is the best lipstick I’ve found in a long time. I can’t tell you how many natural lipsticks I’ve bought and thrown out! I have the Currant color, Maia wears the Twig.

I wear this lip shine over my lipstick.

These are my favorites. What about you? Let us know what you think of the Beautycounter products you’ve tried. What other non-toxic, organic or natural makeup brands do you like?

Be well,

P.S. We are working on a Safe Makeup Guide, which will feature Beautycounter, as well as some other truly non-toxic brands of makeup.

P.P.S. For those of you wondering about Beautycounter products other than their makeup: it’s basically all Good Stuff, although in some cases Maia prefers other, smaller brands with fewer ingredients when choosing products for her kids. She will be adding Beautycounter products to all Safe Product Guides in the coming weeks.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Finally, a Non-Toxic, Paraben-Free Make-Up Brand! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Is Ava Anderson Sneaky Stuff?

Maia James — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:11:38 +0000

Written by Maia, President

Over the last few years, many of you have asked for my thoughts on Ava Anderson products, and I’ve always replied honestly that while I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to multi-level marketing (“pyramid scheme”) companies, the ingredients in Ava’s skincare and cleaning products are fine, and I’ve enjoyed the samples I’d been sent over the years.

As it turns out, Ava Anderson products were the worst kind of Sneaky Stuff–because the company didn’t list all ingredients on their label.

It recently came to light that Ava’s line contains undisclosed ingredients, including fragrance oils (as in, not organic essential oils as stated on the label, but instead synthetic blends that contain dozens of chemicals). The next day, Ava Anderson announced they were shutting down, citing online bullying as the reason.

Ava Anderson herself (who started her company when she was only 14 years old) supposedly wasn’t aware of the ingredients being added to her products, and the family claims that “several suppliers violated contractual agreements.”

What’s Better Than Ava Anderson

This scandal is a good reminder of why my very favorite products are from tiny manufacturers, preferably people who make their Good Stuff in-house, thus avoiding the possibility of contamination. It’s why I love Sierra Sage and Farmaesthetics for skincare, and Tandi’s Naturals tallow-based laundry soap.

Very few large companies take the extra step of testing their products for purity before putting them on the shelves, which means that consumers have to trust what’s on the label. One brand that’s been a leader in this space is Beautycounter, which happens to be another multi-level marketing company, but one that I feel is different. Beautycounter tests their cosmetics for impurities when they come out of production and although their stuff isn’t always natural or organic, it is legitimately nontoxic, with nothing getting more than a 2 on Skin Deep.

We’re getting involved with Beautycounter so that we can offer it to our readership–I won’t recommend every single product, but I think their makeup is the safest stuff out there right now, and it’s all that my mom and I have been using for the last year. You’ll also learn about other brands of Good Stuff makeup in the coming months when we roll out our Safe Makeup Guides!

Stay sane,

P.S.: The makeup product I am asked about most often is lipstick. This is the one I wear, in Twig.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Is Ava Anderson Sneaky Stuff? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

UPDATED Nontoxic Deodorant Roundup

Maia James — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:32:10 +0000

Written by Maia, President

Deodorant is probably the very toughest product for me to source for my clients. If you’re going to switch to safe, natural deodorant products, you’re going to have to accept the fact that none of them will work as well as Secret. I am not a big sweat-er, so natural deodorants work fine for me–I use baby wipes to freshen up once or twice throughout the day, after which I reapply whatever natural deodorant I’m trying (one big perk of this job is lots of product samples!).

At some point I will carve out the time to write a comprehensive Safe Product Guide for deodorants/antiperspirants, which will get into the nitty gritty on what to look for–and what to avoid–in natural deodorant, plus the usual list of Good, Bad, and Sneaky products. (One big issue is that the vast majority of natural deodorants contain potassium alum, which I believe carries the same risks as aluminum found in many mainstream deodorants).

For those of you who just can’t wait for the Safe Deodorant Guide, here’s a short list of the brands that I’ve vetted, tried, and liked–even if none of them compares to my 1990s favorite, Degree Shower Fresh.

Natural Deodorant Cheat Sheet

Lafes twist-stick deodorant is my current favorite.

-Alba Botanica Clear Enzyme Deodorant, Unscented

-EO Organic Deodorant Spray

~~-Herbal Magic Deodorant~~

–Lafe’s Natural Deodorant

-Primal Pit Paste Stick

–Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post UPDATED Nontoxic Deodorant Roundup appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Spotlight on 1,4-dioxane

Rebecca Stern — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:00:06 +0000

Written by Rebecca Stern, Guest Blogger

What is 1,4-dioxane?

1,4-dioxane is a stabilizing agent and is classified as an ether, as well as a probable human carcinogen.

Where You’ll Find It

You can be exposed to 1,4-dioxane contamination in the air, water, and cosmetic and cleaning products. 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater sites in the United States and can be inhaled through indoor contamination, particularly in the shower (1,2). In cosmetics, 1,4-dioxane is found in trace amounts due to contamination of other ingredients including PEG and polyethylene (3). In addition, the presence of this chemical can be a result of ethoxylation, a process that is used to improve the effectiveness of detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (4) (turning it into sodium laureth sulfate).

Why It’s Dangerous

1,4-dioxane contamination in cosmetic products is particularly concerning, as the chemical can be absorbed by the skin in toxic amounts (5). Studies have established linkages between 1,4-dioxane and cancer of the skin, lung, breast, liver, and gallbladder (6). In addition, the compound poses the threat of skin irritation – prolonged exposure may cause eczema, it exhibits acute aquatic toxicity, and its mild odor may lead to accidental inhalation in large amounts, which can be acutely toxic and lead to comas or death (7). Finally, given the water solvency of 1,4-dioxane, the chemical readily leaches into groundwater (8).

How to Avoid 1,4-dioxane Exposure

Unfortunately, until tighter regulations are in place, there isn’t much you can do about 1,4-dioxane in your air and water. But at least we can work to eliminate it from the products we buy and bring into our homes. Several ingredients used in cosmetics and cleaning products pose the risk of being contaminated with 1,4-dioxane impurity. These include:

PEG
Polyethylene
Polyethylene glycol
Polyoxyethylene
Sodium laureth sulfate (which may be called “coconut-based surfactant” or something else vague)
Compounds ending in –eth or –oxynol

By avoiding products containing these ingredients, you can protect your family from potential exposure to 1,4-dioxane.

Here’s more on the difference between sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate.

Here are some of our favorite cosmetics and cleaning products that are free of 1,4-dioxane:

Sonett Dish Soap
Paleo Skincare Laundry Soap
Tandi’s Naturals Scouring Powder
Babo Botanicals Bubble Bath
Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

Citations

1) http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/dioxane.asp
2) http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/dioxa-sd.pdf
3) http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/PotentialContaminants/ucm101566.htm
4) http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/dioxane.asp
5) http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=953&tid=199
6) NTP (National Toxicology Program). 2005. Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program.
7) http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/dioxa-sd.pdf
8) http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/dioxa-sd.pdf

The post Spotlight on 1,4-dioxane appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Spotlight on Phenoxyethanol

Rebecca Stern — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:00:25 +0000

Written by Rebecca Stern, Guest Blogger

What is Phenoxyethanol?

Also known as Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether, phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative used in consumer products and pharmaceutical drugs.

Where You’ll Find Phenoxyethanol & Why It’s Sneaky

You’ll find phenoxyethanol in personal care products including makeup (e.g. eye shadow, foundation, and mascara) and moisturizers as well as skin- and hair-care products for babies and kids. The compound has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it serves the manufacturing industry as a replacement to parabens, established endocrine disruptors. In addition, phenoxyethanol is used as an insect repellant and disinfectant and added to perfume to reduce the volatility of compounds dispensed as a spray. Phenoxyethanol is also an ingredient in some vaccines (1). You’ll find this preservative in many “organic” and “natural products.”

Why Phenoxyethanol Is Dangerous

Phenoxyethanol has been cited for hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) and may cause nervous system disease (2). A member of a class of glycol ethers, phenoxyethanol poses a threat of being toxic to reproductive and developmental health. Other glycol ethers have been shown to cause genetic mutations, testicular atrophy, and interference in reproductive health in mice (3). The chemical may also cause contact dermatitis in some individuals with allergic susceptibility (4, 5). Indirectly, phenoxyethanol can degrade and produce acetaldehyde, which is identified as a likely carcinogen (6).

How to Avoid Phenoxyethanol Exposure

Be aware of products that offer topical antiseptic properties. Safe antiseptic products include Healthy Hand Antiseptic Wipes and the all-natural white vinegar. For makeup and creams, oil-based compounds (rather than water-based) are less likely to include preservatives like phenoxyethanol.

None of the products in our online store contain phenoxyethanol.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

Citations

1) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
2) http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/category-details?id=1901&table=copytblagents
3) Hardin BD (June 1983). “Reproductive toxicity of the glycol ethers”. Toxicology 27 (2): 91–102.doi:10.1016/0300-483X(83)90014-8.
4) ZZug KA, Warshaw EM, Fowler JF et al. (2009). “Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2005-2006”. Dermatitis 20 (3): 149–60. PMID 19470301.
5) Heidary N, Cohen DE. Hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine components. Dermatitis. 2005 Sep;16(3):115-20.
6) International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group, Special Report: Policy A review of human carcinogens—Part E: tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, coal smoke, and salted fish. The Lancet 2009 10, 1033–1034.

The post Spotlight on Phenoxyethanol appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Updated Bubble Bath/Baby Wash & Soap Guide

Maia James — Wed, 27 May 2015 03:14:40 +0000

Some days we don’t make it to bedtime before needing a bath.

Summertime means no more skipping nightly baths here and there for my boys–they are covered in sand, playground grime, and sunscreen by midday. When your skin hits warm water, pores open and the ingredients in your bubble bath or body wash are more readily absorbed. Since kids will often hang in a bubble bath for an hour, it’s important to choose only products with no chemicals of concern.

Our updated Safe Baby Soap/Bubble Bath Guide has you covered.

In this version, we’ve added even more options for the Good Stuff (including a beef bar for Paleo enthusiasts and a bubble bath that is widely available.) We also reveals six brands that are marketed as natural and nontoxic but are anything but.

I hope this guide will help make nightly summer baths the fun and carefree experience they should be!

Stay sane,

Read the updated Guide

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Updated Bubble Bath/Baby Wash & Soap Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Introducing Paleo Skincare!

Maia James — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:40:56 +0000

Written by Maia, President

I don’t eat red meat, so it’s weird for me to be writing a post about beef fat in your skincare products. I’ve actually never even really tried red meat as a food, being grossed out by it even as a child.

However, my personal and professional mission is to find the safest, purest, most nontoxic products (and the ones that have the least environmental impact), so I have gotten over the ick factor and now exclusively use beef tallow to clean my skin and laundry.

John is the best grandfather, often babysitting while I attend work functions, such as this Huff Post event last year.

Here’s How it Happened…

My dad, John Goss, is always researching and reading and trying new lifestyles and hobbies. Over the last few years, he’s been into the Paleo movement. In fact, he and my mom, both Certified Holistic Health Coaches, have tried nearly every dietary theory in existence, and they continue to dabble in many simultaneously.

My dad has always been a less-is-more and DIY type when it comes to personal care products. I was embarrassed by his crystal deodorants and homemade toothpaste powders as a kid, but now realize they are great alternatives to the conventional, toxic brands I wanted to buy at the drug store back then. (In fact, my dad is working on formulating a Paleo toothpaste—stay tuned!).

Just this month, Dad–who has been a part of Gimme the Good Stuff since its inception in 2010–launched a line of skincare and laundry products for the Paleo crowd.

Here’s what he has to say about Paleo Skincare and how it came to be:

Since the mid 1970’s, I’ve been exploring alternative lifestyle and diet choices. I’ve eaten strictly vegetarian, and been a Macrobiotic. I’ve spent some time as a raw food enthusiast, explored Ayurvedics, and dove into Sally Fallon’s theories whole-heartedly. Through all of these phases, I would take what worked for me and leave the rest behind. The result is a lifestyle built on experience.

About 5 years ago, I immersed myself in information on the Paleo movement, and a lot of the theory really resonated with me (I tend to often go back to evolution for guidance on optimal lifestyle choices). While I don’t eat or exercise strictly as a caveman like some of my fellow Paleo enthusiasts (I do enjoy beans and you won’t see me at Crossfit), I think when it comes to skincare and cleaning products, there wisdom is going back to a more basic regime, particularly one that involves beef tallow as a cleaning aid.

While working with my family on Gimme the Good Stuff and sourcing green, clean products, I realized that there weren’t really any skincare/cleaning products that merged well with the Paleo lifestyle. I teamed up with a local soap-maker, and even get pastured tallow from a Brooklyn butcher. With Paleo Skincare’s offering of bar soaps and laundry detergent, there are now options for those of us interested in simple, effective products for modern cavemen and women.

The Tallow Difference

Paleo Skincare of Brooklyn’s line of tallow products are handmade, minimally processed, and never “preserved.”

Even before my dad launched this line, I’d been selling tallow soaps in our online store for years, and they have a very devoted following among my readers. Here’s some of what makes tallow the Good Stuff, whether you are into a Paleo lifestyle or not:

Tallow has a much smaller carbon footprint than do vegetable oils (palm oil in particular is implicated in massive deforestation). My dad is committed to using as many local ingredients as possible. He is sourcing tallow from a butcher in Brooklyn (their cattle is a few hours outside of the city.)
Tallow soap bars last longer than all-veggie ones, and have a fluffier, creamier lather.
Those with sensitive or dry skin love tallow soaps, as they are gentle and conditioning. Our skin is made of mostly saturated fat, and tallow is made of mostly saturated fat. The lipids in tallow are the same as those in sebum, so tallow is super skin-friendly and extra moisturizing.
Tallow contains a host of vitamins and other good stuff (much of which is missing from veggie oils). These include vitamins A, D, K, and E, plus conjugated linoleic acid and palmitoleic acid (anti-inflammatories and anti-microbials, respectively).

Where to Buy Paleo Skincare Products

Well, of course you can get the Paleo Skincare lineup in our online store. It is also available at One Stop Paleo Shop, and will soon be carried in a variety of brick-and-mortar stores. To learn more about the mission, ingredients, and process behind Paleo Skincare, you can visit www.paleoskincare.nyc.

$9.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

$24.99Buy Now

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Introducing Paleo Skincare! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

What Does “Organic” Skincare Mean? And Other Questions I Recently Answered

Maia James — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:53:31 +0000

I was recently interviewed by the natural beauty company Biconi as part of their Expert Interview program. Click here to read the interview, where I answer questions about why I started Gimme the Good Stuff, what sunscreens are safest, why kids are more affected by environmental toxins, and more.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post What Does “Organic” Skincare Mean? And Other Questions I Recently Answered appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Green Goo Heals Sore, Raw Noses from Spring Colds

Maia James — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:11:50 +0000

Written by Maia, President

Sorry for the lack of new blog posts this and last week! Our family business has been suffering from a multi-generational cold from hell. It started with our shipping manager’s grandson, and quickly spread to my mom, then onto my children and then me. From there, I infected nearly everyone I came into contact with–it was no joke of a virus and Wolfie’s nose is STILL running two weeks into it!

Green Goo is a miracle balm for everything from scrapes to bruises to dry skin.

Anyway, one upside to the misery was that I discovered yet another use for one of my all time favorite natural products–Sierra Sage Green Goo. This stuff is what we use for every boo-boo (I swear it even makes my bruises heal faster), and now it’ll join my arsenal of cold and flu products. Here’s why:

You know those ultra luxurious tissues that seem to be almost lubed up with aloe vera gel? Yeah, well they are of course loaded with a bunch of chemicals (not actual aloe vera) to make them such a soothing treat for your raw nose. I use sometimes use Nose Nuzzles for my kids, but don’t like wet wipes for myself, so usually am left scratching the sh*t out of my nose with box after box of Trader Joe’s tissues.

This week, my nose is all red and flakey, and I slathered some Green Goo on it yesterday (this was a gorgeous look, let me say). I felt immediate relief, and I reapplied at bedtime and woke up with a normal-looking nose–seriously! Here’s where you can learn more about the miracle that is Green Goo.

Stay sane and healthy,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Green Goo Heals Sore, Raw Noses from Spring Colds appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Updated Nipple Cream Guide & a Lanolin Horror Story

Maia James — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:35:01 +0000

Written by Maia, President

My big project for the next few weeks is going through all our Safe Product Guides and updating each one with additional information I have learned since their original publication, plus of course adding new products that have entered the market (or changed their formulas) and are Good, Bad, or Sneaky.

A recent email I received from a reader (pasted below) prompted me to start with the Safe Nipple Cream Guide.

In addition to a reminder that lanolin creams should be avoided, the new Safe Nipple Cream Guide features a couple more products that I’ve rooted out as The Sneaky Stuff.

Thanks as always to all of you who write to me with your own stories. I hope the following reader email will help someone with similar symptoms who is unable to find answers.

Stay sane,

Read our Safe Nipple Cream Guide

This lanolin-free nursing balm is the Good Stuff!

Hi Maia-

I just wanted to tell you I was so happy to find your article about lanolin and the problems with it! During my fifth pregnancy I developed an absolutely horrible lesion, raw-flesh based rash on both my nipples, which ultimately required me to stop nursing completely because the doctors thought I either developed a severe infection, or worse: Paget Disease (it was THAT horrible).

I had two rounds of IV antibiotics, multiple visits to a cancer center, along with guilt and despair beyond belief because NO ONE could figure it out. After months of this I decided to turn to a dermatologist because nothing was working. The course that I was told to follow after the IV treatments, sonograms to determine nothing was wrong internally and a biopsy to confirm it was in fact NOT cancer was to continue to treat my sore, inflamed open nipples with lanolin.

I went to the dermatologist figuring they would tell me to continue to “stay the course,” and that eventually whatever it was would clear up. He told me something completely different… He looked at my nipples and said, you are using lanolin aren’t you? I said yes.. I was told to keep my nipples moist to avoid friction. He gave me a combo steroid/antihistamine cream and said throw the lanolin away! I did, and within a week my nipples were significantly better, within a month the rash and all were completely gone! On my follow up visit with the dermatologist he said I had developed an allergic reaction to lanolin that tends to build up in your system over time (most likely from nursing over the years) and your body could no longer tolerate it. It’s common among women with wool allergies as well as those allergic to synthetic materials such as latex.

That was roughly 3 years ago, and sadly at the time, the lanolin issue was well “talked about.” For years it was pushed to help save nursing moms, to “relieve” them; pushed by doctors, nurses, nursing consultants. Everyone. I was devastated that I spent that much time and pain over a product that I was allergic to. I will never forget what I consider unnecessary pain and the unfortunate demise of nursing my child because a few “professionals” chose to ignore the simple truth in front of them.

I apologize for the longevity of this response, but again – I really did want to say keep up the wonderful articles and know that they truly help so many!

Best,
L.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Updated Nipple Cream Guide & a Lanolin Horror Story appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Scary Stuff: Oxybenzone

Rebecca Stern — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:36:08 +0000

Written by Rebecca Stern, Guest Blogger

In this installment of Scary Stuff, guest blogger Rebecca Stern shines a spotlight on a chemical called oxybenzone, examines why it’s scary, and provides easy tips on how to avoid it.

What is Oxybenzone?

Oxybenzone is a chemical that is able to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. It is the active ingredient in many sunscreens, and is also added to cosmetics to prevent degradation from UV exposure.

Why Oxybenzone Is Dangerous

Oxybenzone toxicity has been cited in studies published over the last several years, and one of the chief threats to human health posed by this compound is its potential for endocrine disruption (1,2). An endocrine disruptor (ED), causes harm to human health by interfering with hormone secretion and regulation in the body.

The symptoms that result from endocrine disruption vary widely within and among populations, but some more common illnesses associated with exposure to EDs include reproductive development problems, learning disabilities, and breast, prostate, and thyroid cancer.

Significantly, fetuses and infants are among the most strongly affected by endocrine disruptor exposure (3). In the womb, a fetus is extraordinarily dependent on maintaining the precise levels of hormones, as keeping these levels exact is important for healthy neurological and physical development. While a mother’s system is advanced and able to withstand exposure in small amounts to chemicals, concern has been raised that the same cannot be said for a fetus or infant.

Health problems associated with endocrine disruption in the womb include physical deformation, learning and attention disorders, and reproductive system abnormalities. In addition, exposure at an early age may be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer and reproductive illness later in life.

In addition to the health threats of endocrine disruption, documented dermatological concerns like contact dermatitis are frequently associated with oxybenzone exposure (4).

Sweden has banned the use of this ingredient.

Aveeno Baby’s Continuous Protection Sunscreen contains oxybenzone.

Where You’ll Find Oxybenzone

Given the photostabilizing effects of oxybenzone, the compound is found most commonly in sunscreens and lotions or lip balms with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. In addition, oxybenzone is added to common household cosmetics such as hair spray, nail polish, and makeup to protect from damage caused by sunlight exposure. Due to its risk of toxicity, current FDA regulation allows an amount of oxybenzone less than or equal to 6% in products.

It’s important to note that even brands that call themselves natural or “mineral-based” may contain oxybenzone. Aveeno Baby’s suncreen, for instance, contains oxybenzone, among other chemicals.

How to Avoid Oxybenzone Exposure

Luckily, oxybenzone isn’t the only ingredient that protects you and your family from sun damage and burns. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two ingredients found in natural, mineral sunscreens that provide sufficient UV protection without the toxicity of oxybenzone. Don’t trust what the front of a bottle says–always read the ingredients and stay away from anything that contains oxybenzone.

See our Safe Sunscreen Guide for the sunscreen brands we recommend, which include the following:

Sierra Sage Solar Goo

$9.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Kabana Green Screen

Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Sunscreen

$19.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

About the Author:

Originally from Upstate New York, Rebecca grew up with an appreciation for nature and love of the outdoors. This translated into her undergraduate experience at Yale, where she majored in Environmental Studies and Political Science. In addition to her studies, Rebecca enjoyed teaching yoga and contributing to the campus newspaper. With a passion about writing and sharing ideas regarding chemicals in consumer products, she is excited about the opportunity to contribute to Gimme the Good Stuff and eager to share information with its readers. Currently, Rebecca resides in Westchester County and enjoys spending time outside with her mini-bulldog, Burke.

Citations

Watanabe, Y., Kojima, H., Takeuchi, S., Uramaru, N., Sanoh, S., Sugihara, K., … & Ohta, S. (2015). Metabolism of UV-filter benzophenone-3 by rat and human liver microsomes and its effect on endocrine-disrupting activity. Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 282(2), 119-128.
Kim, S., Jung, D., Kho, Y., & Choi, K. (2014). Effects of benzophenone-3 exposure on endocrine disruption and reproduction of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)—A two generation exposure study. Aquatic Toxicology, 155, 244-252.
Meeker, J. D. (2012). Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and child development. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 166(10), 952-958.
Billsland, D., & Ferguson, J. (1993). Contact allergy to sunscreen chemicals in photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome (PD/AR) and polymorphic light eruption (PLE). Contact Dermatitis, 29(2), 70-73.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Scary Stuff: Oxybenzone appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Why Beef Tallow Soaps Aren’t Gross

Maia James — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:57:53 +0000

Written by Maia, President

My friend L. wrote to me the other day, and told me she was boiling beef tallow to use on her newborn’s dry patches, and that her husband, “as usual, thinks I’m insane.” While L. did have a natural birth and encapsulated her plancenta, she also lives in Manhattan and wears high heels and is actually a sorority sister of mine (yup, I was in one). So it appears that tallow is no longer just for the babes named Twig or Rainbow that my friends in Vermont are popping out. Tallow has made it to New York City!

I’ve been selling tallow soaps in our online store for a few years now, and they have a very devoted following. Here’s some of what makes tallow the Good Stuff:

Tallow typically has a much smaller carbon footprint than do vegetable oils (palm oil in particular is implicated in massive deforestation). In the case of Tandi’s naturals (the tallow soaps we sell), the company is committed to using as many local ingredients as possible, and in Lancaster, PA, animal fats are the only suitable soap-making oils that “grow” locally.
Tallow soap bars last longer than all-veggie ones, and have a fluffier, creamier lather.
Those with sensitive skin love tallow soaps, as they are gentle and conditioning. In the words of Tandi herself (who makes soaps both with and without tallow): “Tallow lends a special quality to soap that can’t be obtained with only vegetable oils.”
Tallow is more moisturizing than other oils. Our skin is made of mostly saturated fat, and tallow is made of mostly saturated fat. The lipids in tallow are the same as those in sebum, so tallow is super skin-friendly.
Tallow contains a host of vitamins and other good stuff (much of which is missing from veggie oils). These include vitamins A, D, K, and E, plus conjugated linoleic acid and palmitoleic acid (anti-inflammatories and anti-microbials, respectively).

So, all that said, as a sorta vegetarian, the idea that there is beef in my soap DOES kind of give me the icks. (I’ve actually never even tried beef–it’s always grossed me out–but I do eat chicken and fish.) I’ll often use tallow soap on the boys–both of whom love red meat, just like their dad–but use a nice bar of rainwater soap by Farmasthetics for myself. When I have used the tallow bar soaps, I have to admit that they are really fluffy, leave skin soft, and don’t smell even slightly of beef jerky (all of the Tandi’s soaps smelly incredible, actually.)

Some readers swear by rubbing tallow directly on their skin as an anti-aging night cream. I haven’t tried this yet, because like I said, I am still just slightly squeamish thinking about where it comes from. But if you want to go that route, here’s more.

Tandi does offer vegetarian soaps, and we sell a range of vegan bar soaps. But if you want to give tallow a try, here are some of my favorites:

Gentle Herb Soap is excellent for babies and those with sensitive skin. This mild soap is made with the soothing goodness of herbs, which vary by season and are gathered in the wild or grown by the soapmaker herself.

$10.00Buy Now

If you love the scent of the forest, this Siberian Fir Soap is for you. There is a touch of sweetness to its sumptuous, balsamic aroma, and sea clay, which is very rich in trace minerals, gives this soap a gorgeous green color. Cocoa butter adds extra nourishment for the skin. Great for all skin types.

$7.00 — or subscribe and save up to 8%Buy Now

People who are leery of patchouli generally like this lighter version of Patchouli Citrus Soap. This soap blends the earthiness of patchouli with the zest of citrus essential oils. Mineral-rich rhassoul and Moroccan red clay feed your skin while mango butter gives it a nourishing boost.

$7.00 — or subscribe and save up to 8%Buy Now

Lavender & Shea Dream Soap is our best-selling bar soap. Enriched with castor oil and unrefined shea butter, this soap is great for dry skin.

$10.00 — or subscribe and save up to 8%Buy Now

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Why Beef Tallow Soaps Aren’t Gross appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Win Summer Essentials Kit from Poofy Organics!

Maia James — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:51:37 +0000

This may be our best giveway yet! We love Poofy’s super safe , natural skincare products, and were psyched when they offered this bundle as a giveaway. The winner will receive:

Non-nano sunscreen lotion
Zinc sunscreen sport stick
Pest Protection Spray
Clean Clappers Hand Sanitizer

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Win Summer Essentials Kit from Poofy Organics! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

The Honest Company by Jessica Alba: Good, Bad, or Sneaky?

Maia James — Thu, 01 May 2014 05:19:09 +0000

We get multiple emails a day asking about Jessica Alba’s line of baby and household products, The Honest Company, whose mission is “to reduce the ubiquitous presence of toxic chemicals in our our natural environment, man-made environments, and our personal environments.”

It seems that Gimme the Good Stuff readers are all dying to know: Is The Honest Company truly good stuff?

I’d feel comfortable using most of the products in the Honest line (and give my private clients the green light on the diapers, which people seem to particularly love), but unfortunately there are a couple that are Sneaky: namely, the hand wash and the dish soap. Honest Auto Dishwasher Gel and Honest Laundry Detergent are questionable as they have undisclosed ingredients (see below).

I think Jessica Alba was coming from a sincere place when she created this company, and the website is more or less transparent, with a few vexing exceptions (see below).

Some people might not like the following:

The diapers contain SAP (less than conventional brands, however).
Some Honest products contain the preservative sodium benzoate.
Honest products are not 100% natural–they all contain a variety of synthetics, although for the most part these are synthetics that seem to be safe.
Some ingredients don’t have any safety data available (sodium lauroyl oat amino acid, for instance).
SNEAKY: Honest Hand Wash contains phenoxyethanol. This isn’t the very worst ingredient, but not the Good Stuff. Honest Dish Soap contains cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, and methylisothiazolinone.
MAYBE SNEAKY: Honest Laundry Detergent contains “100% biodegradable anionic coconut kernel-oil based surfactant” and the Honest Auto Dishwasher Gel contains “biodegradable low foam surfactant.” No one at the company can tell us any more detail about what these ingredients are, other than that they are “corn-based.” We’ve called several times.

Bottom Line: This stuff is much better than anything conventional you will buy, and stacks up well against most natural brands. Avoid the dish soap and hand wash.

Oh, and here are our picks for:

Hand Soap: Sonett or Eco-Me
Dish Soap: Sonett
Dishwasher Detergent: Seventh Generation Powder (avoid the gel)
Laundry Detergent: Sonett (liquid) or Tandi’s Naturals (powder)

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post The Honest Company by Jessica Alba: Good, Bad, or Sneaky? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Sneaky Stuff Alert: BabyGanics Sunscreen

Maia James — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:20:34 +0000

We just got back from a week in the Caribbean, before which I unknowingly made the rookie parenting mistake of not packing enough sunscreen (isn’t it amazing how MUCH you go through every day when at the beach?).

Halfway through the trip, we were out of the Good Stuff (which for us is either Kabana Green Screen or Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen), so I headed to the resort’s sundries shop to see what I could find. Surprisingly, they carried BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sunscreen, which is for sure better than the alternatives they had (ubertoxic Coppertone and the like).

I’ll admit that the spray-on feature of BabyGanics is really nice (I hope Kabana or Babo follow suit!), but the ingredients are far from natural, despite the “mineral-based” claim on the label. In addition to minerals, you’ll find octinoxate (which is a chemical sunscreen ingredient, as opposed to a barrier ingredient like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), phenoxyethanol, polysorbate-60, and lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone–all of which represent a variety of risks, from hormone disruption to worse.

The white sheen of Badger sunscreen

While my kids appear to have survived the week of chemical spray, I will be sure to pack three tubes of truly safe sunscreen the next time we travel. While Kabana (the very safest sunscreen on the market, I believe) leaves a white sheen unless you REALLY rub it in, the Babo Botanicals sunscreen we now carry is totally clear, so my husband and I opt for that on our own faces–otherwise, we look like our friend Joe, pictured here a few summers ago (in Badger sunscreen, when I made everyone test out all the natural brands I was reviewing).

If you want my top picks for sunscreen, check out our Safe Sunscreen Guide for our top picks.

Want the bottom line? I’d go with Kabana Green Screen for your kids (because it’s got added vitamin D) and Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion for you (because it goes on clear).

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Sneaky Stuff Alert: BabyGanics Sunscreen appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Skin Trip Lotion: Sneaky Stuff!

Maia James — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:56:50 +0000

Wah. Skin Trip’s delicious scent is far from natural.

When I was a kid, my hippie parents always had a bottle of Skin Trip coconut moisturizer on hand. My mom bought it at our food Co-Op, and kept an extra bottle next on an end table in our living room for easy reapplication during those long, dry Vermont winters. I continued to use Skin Trip (which is made by a company called Mountain Ocean) during college, never tiring of the yummy coconut scent–which somehow smelled so much better than actual coconut oil. And turns out there’s a reason for the suspiciously compelling scent. Skin Trip is NOT actually fragranced with just natural coconut oil.

Although Mountain Ocean assures us that Skin Trip’s top-secret fragrance doesn’t contain phthalates, they make no claims that it is natural. And while hormone-disrupting phthalates are usually the big problem with synthetic fragrance, phthalate-replacements are likely to be just as bad. (On a similar note, BPA is now often being replaced with BPS, which a scientist colleague of my husband’s is studying and finding is a worse hormone-disruptor than BPA.)

Bottom line: Undisclosed chemicals in a “fragrance blend” like the one used by Skin Trip puts Mountain Ocean in our Sneaky Stuff category. Other ingredients I don’t love in Skin Trip include phenoxyethanol and lanolin, plus a couple other synthetic additives.

Want to find a truly natural moisturizer?

Check out our Safe Lotion Guide for better natural body/hand lotions, or our Safe Baby Lotion Guide if you need help finding something extra gentle for your mini me.

For a body and hand moisturizer, my current favorite is Farmaesthetics Nourishing Lavender Milk, which is just as incredible as it sounds. It was formulated for the face, but I use it as a body lotion as well. Harper’s Bazaar editors agree with me, voting it “Favorite Organic Product.”

Sometimes in Whole Foods, I pop open a bottle of Skin Trip, just to breathe in the scent of “coconut.” Most people probably wouldn’t associate this fragrance with wintertime in Vermont, but it transports me right back to the cozy evenings in front of the wood stove, where our dry hands required a constant reapplication of what we believed back then to be an all-natural moisturizing miracle!

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Skin Trip Lotion: Sneaky Stuff! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

What is Skin Toner, Do I Need It, and Is it Toxic?

Maia James — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:35:43 +0000

I never used a toner on my face until I opened the Gimme the Good Stuff store and started sampling some safe lines we were thinking of carrying. I’m not much of a product junky when it comes to skincare. Even before I became obsessed with using only the good stuff, I used minimal products on my face–some basic face wash, a lotion, and maybe an exfoliator of some kind once or twice a week.

One of the fun parts of my job is trying all the products we review or sell. While of course we have to vet everything in terms of purity of ingredients and production process, I also make sure everything smells nice and works the way it claims to–of course we all know many natural and non-toxic brands that don’t live up to their promises (most deodorants come to mind!).

Now, two years after my first spritz of toner, I continue to use it at least twice a day, oftentimes more.

What Exactly Is a Toner and What Does it Do?
Skin toner is designed to clear your face of dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and any traces of cleanser or soap left behind after washing. Toners also balance your skin’s pH levels (although the truth is, if you are using a good cleanser and have healthy skin, your pH shouldn’t be thrown that much from washing). Ideal skin pH is 5.5, oily enough to resist bacteria and protect against pollutants, but not so oily that you wind up with acne. If you have oily skin, toners can help prevent breakouts. For dry skin, toners can provide extra moisture.

What’s Wrong with Conventional Toners?
Most toners on the market contain petroleum distillates and other synthetic ingredients. Those made for oily skin (sometimes called astringents) may contain salicylic acid or benzyl alcohol, both of which are skin irritants potential neurotoxins. As with most cosmetics, toners often contain phthalates in their fragrance blends and parabens as preservatives. Finally, formaldehyde-releasing DMDM hydantoin is found in many conventional toners.

Two Toners to Try
When it comes to natural toners, some are better than others. I was a huge fan of the dry skin toner by Pangea Organics. Unfortunately, Pangea started adding sodium benzoate to many of their products, so we stopped carrying their stuff (actually, we’ve got a couple of bottles of the preservative-free stuff left).

We replaced Pangea with toners by Acure Organics, which come in a formulas for either oily or dry skin and feature natural soothers like glycerin, calendula, and chamomile. I have dry skin and love that formula, and customers who use the one for oily skin have been unanimously positive in their reviews.

We recently expanded our selection further and now I’m hooked on Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist. I originally got this product to use after sun exposure, but when I did some more research about aloe, I began using this toner daily. It turns out not only is aloe a wonderful soother for burned skin, it also fights pollution-generated free radicals. Given our constant exposure to environmental pollutants, I love the idea that my toner serves as an antioxidant-rich, free-radical banishing skin treatment.

The Bottom Line As I See it

Is toner as important as a good cleanser or cream? No.
However, my skin definitely feels more hydrated when I spritz on a gentle toner after washing my face, or sometimes just in the middle of the day if I see that my skin looks dull or congested.
When buying toner, make sure to choose a truly natural brand like those listed above, and one formulated for your skin type.
Look for toners that are free of synthetic fragrance, sodium benzoate, parabens, or phthalates (which you won’t see listed on the label).

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post What is Skin Toner, Do I Need It, and Is it Toxic? appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Acure’s Superfruit Eye Cream Really Is Super!

Suzanne Weaver-Goss — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 01:05:47 +0000

-By Suzanne (“Nana”)

Mostly, I’m okay with being 62. I get into movies at a discounted rate but still feel as vibrant as ever (although feeling great probably requires a bit more work–sticking to a clean diet, getting to the gym every day, etc.—than it did when I was 32!).

However, like most women my age (well, any age!), I have some secret insecurities about my looks, and I am a bit vain about wrinkles in particular. Because I also like my skin to feel smooth, I’ve become increasingly into lotions and creams as I get older. (For most of my life, my skin looked fine without using any products—I literally just used natural soap and water on my face and that was it!)

Because I’m so picky about what I put in my mouth (almost exclusively organic whole foods), it only follows that I am also highly selective about what goes on my skin. I would probably just use olive or coconut oil if it weren’t so greasy and messy.

I started helping Maia with Gimme the Good Stuff almost two years ago, and I have become enamored with some of the products we have reviewed and/or decided to offer in our store. One of my favorites is Acure Organics Superfruit Eye Cream. It is creamy but not greasy, and so pleasant to rub into on my crows feet! It also seems to help keep bags from appearing under my eyes. First thing every morning, I reach for my eye cream and keep that area moistened and soft.

I loved when a reader recently told me that if you go to our website and search for “food,” the Acure Eye Cream shows up in the results! Indeed, it is full of food-grade ingredients—things like organic acai berry, blackberry, elderberry, cranberry, goji berry, raspberry, pomegranate, blueberry, coconut oil, avocado oil…you get the point. In fact, many of the products we sell in our store contain a lot of stuff you could probably eat (of course, don’t actually eat any of it please!)

In honor of my obsession with Acure’s eye cream, Maia has agreed to run a sale on it this week so everyone can see why I fell in love. Use code GIMMEEYECREAM at checkout for 20% off the already reasonably priced Superfruit Eye Cream.

Let me know what you think!

Be well,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Acure’s Superfruit Eye Cream Really Is Super! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

5 Super Easy Ways to Create a Safer Prenatal Environment for Your Baby

Maia James — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:43:29 +0000

When I was pregnant with my second child, I realized that all the clichés about how different the prenatal period is the second time around were really spot on.

I barely could keep track of which week of pregnancy I was in, at 8.5 months pregnant I had not yet taken any baby clothes/blankets out of storage (let alone buy something new for the little guy), and had no idea where the ultrasound pictures ended up (with the exception of the one that had to be fished out of the garbage after 3-year-old Felix crumpled it up and said he wanted to throw his baby brother away).

My diet the second time around was also much less healthful than it was during my pregnancy with Felix, which means there is really only one area in which I was more conscientious the second time around. My”beauty” routine (if you can call it that) was way, way, less toxic, as a result of running Gimme the Good Stuff. My clients ask me all the time what they should do about skincare, haircare, and makeup while they are pregnant, so I’m going to repost what I consider to be the five most important ways you can protect your unborn child from toxins in cosmetics (we now know that many chemicals indeed cross the placenta and wind up in your baby’s bloodstream).

How to Detox Your Prenatal Beauty Routine

Avoid fragrances. If you cut out just one unhealthy ingredient while you’re pregnant, make it synthetic fragrance, which unfortunately makes an appearance in nearly all beauty products and sometimes shows up on the label as “parfum.” Why does fragrance stink? Because it often contains phthalates, those nasty chemicals implicated in early puberty, autism, childhood obesity, birth defects–plus a bunch of other scary stuff. Opt for fragrance-free products (“unscented” may mean that chemicals are used to cover up another odor) or those that specify that they contain only natural essential oils.
Use less stuff. Take advantage of your full, shiny pregnancy hair and wash it less frequently (or, if you’re really brave, become a no-pooer. Skip the expensive anti-aging eye cream. Of course, you can’t be expected to go 40 weeks without wearing mascara or moisturizer. My advice? Be particularly discerning about products that you use on your whole body on a daily basis (lotion you smear on after every shower), as opposed to special occasion products that cover a small surface area (red lipstick for a wedding).
Get healthy on the inside. To lessen the potential damage of chemicals in your beauty products, boost your body’s immune system. Load up on organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and perhaps a bit of grass-fed dairy and meat. Keep exercising once you get your doctor’s go-ahead. A healthier body is better able to handle the blast of phthalates you encounter whenever you walk through the perfume floor in Bloomingdale’s.
Go to the pros. Visit the EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetics database to learn more than you ever wanted to know about the ingredients in all of your beauty products. Surfing this site is an overwhelming experience, which is why I created Gimme the Good Stuff; I strive to provide quick and easy info on the safety of a range of products, without sending you into a full-blown panic.
Stay sane. Stress and anxiety are bad–for both you and your growing baby. Your kid is super lucky to have a conscientious momma, but don’t turn a good thing into a negative one by bugging out about how toxic your shampoo is (easier said than done, I know).

I’ve been told these steps are pretty easy to implement. Many of you already do all this stuff and are ready for Level II detoxing. Of course, there are many more ways to reduce your toxic load even further, both by way of your beauty products, as well as a range of other easily avoidable household toxins to which most of us don’t even realize we are exposed.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post 5 Super Easy Ways to Create a Safer Prenatal Environment for Your Baby appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Hand & Body Lotion Guide

Maia James — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:05:26 +0000

I don’t believe that we need to slather ourselves head-to-toe in natural body lotion after every shower, but there are few things more satisfying than rubbing hand cream into parched palms. And in the winter, my legs and arms become dry as well, and I like to have something around to moisturize.

Of course, most conventional lotions (and even many “natural” ones) are full of the usual chemicals, so you’ll have to do some digging to find a truly clean one.

My Top Pick for Best Natural Body Lotion

All Good gets my vote for the best basic natural body lotion at a good price point with no scary ingredients. It’s totally non-greasy, too.

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

What’s Wrong with Conventional Body Lotion?

Our Safe Baby Lotion Guide outlines what’s bad about most moisturizers (namely, toxic parabens used as preservatives). Lotions for adults tend to include additional chemicals, mostly related to the fragrance. When you are reading labels, keep your eyes open for the following:

Fragrance or “parfum” (generally, this means the presence of hormone-disrupting phthalates)
Benzyl alcohol (likely carcinogenic)
PEG-100 stearate (sometimes contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which has high rates of carcinogenesis)

(Read about these ingredients and more by checking out our glossary.)

“Natural” and “Dermatologist-Recommended” Ingredients Do NOT Guarantee Safe Products
Unfortunately, many companies use these terms to mask sneaky ingredients in products; in fact, the more verbose the label, the sneakier the product tends to be.

Remember:

Read ingredients lists; don’t be persuaded by cooing advertising and buzz words on labels, which are all but meaningless.

Companies are not legally required to disclose the inclusion of phthalates in fragrances. Even if the product is phthalate-free, the presence of an undisclosed fragrance means the ingredients probably contain a mixture of other unknown chemicals.

“Naturally-derived” does not mean an ingredient is natural or safe. This tells us that the ingredient has undergone a chemical process.

If you want to combat dry skin without buying a pre-made lotion, check out our DIY skincare ideas or whip up a batch of homemade lotion (recipe below). I like to buy premixed lotions myself, and all of the brands recommended below should be safe and gentle enough for babies, although you should always perform a patch test to make sure there are no sensitivities.

A Lotion Alternative: Body Oil

Most body oils will contain fewer ingredients than lotions. Because oils don’t contain any water, preservative ingredients aren’t necessary, so body oils are often a cleaner choice. We love Ora’s Amazing Herbal Body Oil.

The Good Stuff: Natural Body Lotion

Acure Seriously Soothing 24hr Moisture Lotion

Acure Seriously Soothing 24hr Moisture Lotion is unscented with cocoa butter & colloidal oatmeal to protect & soothe. Seriously soothing hydration your skin will revel in. Packed with cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal and deeply moisturizing aloe. Clinically shown to provide moisture for 24hrs when used as directed.

$11.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

All Good Hydrating Lotion

All Good Hydrating Lotion are super silky, not at all greasy, and still free of all the gross stuff. They use organic ingredients, which is unusual for even most of the brands we recommend.

All Good also makes an awesome coconut oil Skin Food that’s as simple as it is deeply hydrating.

Babo Adult Daily Hydra Lotion

Great for adults with very sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin. Contains 2% colloidal oatmeal, natural shea butter, and sea buckthorn oil.

$13.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Beautycounter Lotions & Creams

Beautycounter offers several safe hand and body creams–including Citrus Mimosa Hydrating Body Lotion, Citrus Mimosa Body Butter, and two kinds of hand creams. While I don’t love that these contain phenyoxethanol and sodium benzoate, I think these are overall safe options, particularly for those of you looking for a product with nice packaging and more of a conventional feel/scent. I do use these products myself, but probably wouldn’t use them on children (anything else in this Good Stuff list is fine for kids, in my opinion).

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Botanical Therapeutic Tree Essence Unscented Cream

This unscented skin cream is formulated for extra dry skin to help improve your skin and scalp problems.

$30.99 – $35.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Christina Maser Olive Oil Natural Body Lotion

These small-batch lotions are 100% natural with no preservatives, but still have a shelf life of a year (more if you refrigerate). They are not greasy or balm-like, but nice and creamy, while still being light. The Citrus Garden is my favorite scent. You can now buy this lotion in our store, where it’s $16 for a 8-ounce bottle.

$15.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Dry Skin Moisturizing Salve by Green Goo

Green Goo is one of the oldest herbal salve companies in the U.S., and this moisturizing salve contains organic ingredients produced at their own herb farm. The Good Stuff Store sells this balm for $14 for a 2-ounce tub. We recommend this in particular for the hands and extra dry areas–it’s a bit of a challenge to smear it head-to-toe!

$17.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Farmaesthetics Nourishing Lavender Milk

This is what we now use in our home–my husband Daylon is picky about the consistency of his lotions; those that are super thick and balm-like weren’t going to fly. This one is nice and silky and I love that it comes in glass instead of plastic. We sell this lotion in our store, where it’s $34 for the 8-ounce glass jar.

$42.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Kabana Skin Care

Kabana is among the most transparent companies out there, and its website outlines the very strict standards for its products’ ingredients. Kabana’s Pure Shea moisturizer is sort of like a deodorant stick that you paint on your body, so it’s a departure from a more traditional lotion or cream, and a little bit greasier. I love that it’s just 100% organic unrefined shea butter–produced in Ghana by a woman-owned, fair-trade collective to boot! Two ounces cost around $6.95. Kabana also makes a more traditional cream–Kabana Créme––but this one contains lanolin, which I try to avoid when possible (although Kabana does use the highest grade available–USP superfine). You can have an essential oil of your choice added to your cream (their oils are steam distilled, cold pressed, or supercritical carbon dioxide extracted). Daylon doesn’t like this cream because it’s SUPER thick and somewhat hard to rub in (better for small areas and Daylon likes to rub lotion over his entire chest). You’ll pay $15 for a 6-ounce tub of Kabana Creme. All Kabana products are produced in their facility outside of Boulder, CO, while some ingredients come from overseas (but nothing is sourced from or purchased in China). You can find Kabana products in Whole Foods, as well as the Kabana website. We sell Kabana’s amazing sunscreen in our online store.

Plaine

I love Plaine for their commitment to the environment: the bottles are made of aluminum instead of plastic, and better yet, you send them back to be cleaned, sterilized, refilled, and returned to you! The fact that their lotion is also totally clean makes Plaine lotion some of the Best Stuff.

Buy now from Plaine

Poofy’s Lotions

Poofy’s lotions have a few ingredients that aren’t so great, namely the vague “natural flavors” there at end, but I still consider this line of lotions to be Good Stuff.

Buy now from Poofy Organics

Seventh Generation Moisturizin g Lotions

Not all Seventh Generation products are the Good Stuff, but this no-frills, basic lotion has a safe list of ingredients. Get an 8-ounce bottle for around $8 on Amazon.

Tandi’s Naturals

Tandi’s Ultra Rich Body Butter, made by hand in Lancaster, PA, is formulated with local ingredients like beeswax and a variety of plant oils, and is free of all preservatives. This lotion feels slightly greasy at first, but if you give it a minute it actually sinks in perfectly and leaves no sheen. We sell a 1.5-ounce tub in our online store for $12.

$12.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Weleda Evening Primrose Revitalizing Body Lotion

Weleda Evening Primrose Revitalizing Body Lotion helps skin look and feel firm, renewed and strengthened. Promotes the appearance of natural radiance and skin vitality with long-lasting care. Certified natural by NATRUE, vegan, dermatologically tested and approved.

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

Almost all the hand and body lotions you find at the drugstore are full of chemicals. Unfortunately, those sold at Sephora or in a department store aren’t any better.

Vaseline Intensive Care lotion garners a whopping 10 out of 10 on Skin Deep’s toxicity scale. Fragrance, DMDM hydantoin, retinyl palmitate, triethanolamine, parabens, and a handful of other chemicals are included in the various Vaseline formulas.

Lubriderm lotions contain fragrance, retinyl palmitate, BHT, diazolidinyl urea, and a cocktail of other synthetic ingredients.

In early 2014, I met the president of Bliss Spa at a Huffington Post luncheon. He was nice and suggested I check out some of their products. Unfortunately, Bliss’s body butters contain things like diethanolamine (linked with cancer), fragrance, retinal acetate (reproductive toxin), triethanolamine, and phenoxyethanol. I still do like getting a pedicure at Bliss, but maybe I will bring my own lotion.

Philosophy lotions, despite the high price, are still full of questionable ingredients (and the lower case “p” in their name annoys me, too). The Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion contains nine ingredients that are scored as 3 or above by Skin Deep (including PEG-100 stearate and polysorbate 60). Fragrance is the second ingredient in this lotion, although a customer service rep told us that Philosophy products don’t contain phthalates. When we asked what chemicals were in the fragrance blend, she said: “I do not have that information, but the fragrance is used to blend the product together and maintain effectiveness.” Philosophy’s website states that only a “handful of our original products still contain paraben-based preservatives and their “promise” is “to bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves…Our products are based on a rich, scientific heritage.”

Kiehl’s popular Creme de Corps contains parabens, propylene glycol, PEG-100 stearate, dimethicone, and undisclosed fragrance.

The Sneaky Stuff

Surprisingly, you’ll find Ahava products in some health food stores. Their Caressing Body Sorbet contains BHA, synthetic fragrance, artificial colors, and phenoxyethanol.

Terralina’s Natural Body Lotion contains phenoxyethanol and fragrance. Terralina’s website states that the product is “99.95% natural” and “contains light, natural fragrance.” When we asked a customer service rep to explain the ingredients in the lotion’s fragrance, she wouldn’t provide us with any information. Similarly, she couldn’t tell us which ingredients were organic and which were not.

Belli Specialty Skin Care Solutions claims to be the #1 recommended pregnancy skin care brand by OB-GYNS. Some of their products are clean, and their All Day Moisture Body Lotion is rated only a 2 by Skin Deep. However, it contains several ingredients that concern me:

Ceteareth-20 (Skin Deep score: 4-7, depending on usage.)
PEG-100 stearate
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (Skin Deep score: 4-6, depending on usage.)
Tocopheryl acetate
Phenoxyethanol

I also don’t like that Belli’s product ingredients aren’t posted on their website, and they were were exceptionally difficult to get ahold of. When asked if anything they used were organic, this was their response: “We are not fully organic, however we do use organic ingredients when possible. If an organic ingredient does not meet our safety standards and teratology screening, LACTMED screening, allergy testing ect [SIC]) we then substitute with a synthetic ingredient that does pass the screening.” This answer doesn’t make sense, since the opposite of organic is not synthetic, and nowhere on Belli’s website or on their labels does it mention ANY organic ingredients.

J.R. Watkins Naturals makes household cleaning products and specialty food items in addition to their popular skincare and haircare lines. Their lotions, sold in many healthfood stores, are free of some notorious bad stuff–namely, parabens and phthalates–but still contain unspecified (likely synthetic) fragrance and something called C18-22 hydroxyalkyl hydroxypropyl guar, about which there are no safety studies.

Kiss My Face‘s line of body lotions are free of phthalates and parabens, but contain a host of synthetics, including phenoxyethanol and polysorbate 80.

The every popular Skin Trip coconut moisturizer by Mountain Ocean contains synthetic fragrance and phenoxyethanol.

See our baby lotion review for other safe lotion options for the whole family.

Make Your Own Natural Body Lotion!

Elizabeth Flynn is an organic chemist and essential oil expert based in Santa Cruz. She generously shared the following recipe for a nourishing homemade body lotion. This is a very thick cream, so using squeezable plastic containers is not advisable.

Ingredients & Supplies

3/4 cup organic coconut oil

1/2 cup organic aloe (the purest you can find; most “aloe” has aloe as the third ingredient or more)

3 tablespons organic jojoba oil (the best skin oil; closely resembles the skin’s sebum)

3 tablespoons distilled water

2 tablespoons organic beeswax

1 teaspoon of essential oils of your choice (lavender is an excellent choice; it’s calming, soothing, and has antibacterial properties)

blender

rubber spatula (optional)

thermometer (optional)

Directions

1. Melt the coconut oil, beeswax, and jojoba oil together in a small pot on low heat, stirring just until they become homogeneous. Then turn off the heat so the oils don’t get too hot.

2. Heat the distilled water in another small pot on low heat, until it simmers. This will only take a minute or two. It is best to heat both the oils and water to the same temperature, but if you don’t have a thermometer, just heat them on the same burner level.

3. Pour the heated oils and water into the blender simultaneously and blend on low for two minutes.

4. Slowly add the aloe while blending on high for two minutes. You might have to use a rubber spatula to assist the blending process.

5. Add your essentials during those last two minutes of blending.

6. Voila! Your natural body lotion will still be warm and you can pour into glass jars of a suitable size. Elizabeth recommends recycling old food jars! A rubber spatula works well here to get every last bit.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Hand & Body Lotion Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Safe Baby/Kid Shampoo Guide

Maia James — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:41:33 +0000

1. Babo Botanicals / 2. Carina Organics / 3. Lafes Organic / 4. California Baby / 5. Earth Mama / 6. Beautycounter / 7. Made Of / 8. Poofy Organics

Written by Maia, President

Updated: November 2016

Hair washing was a pretty pointless exercise for Felix for the first several years of his life; he was bald until 2. Wolfie has a bit more hair, so we use a tiny dab of Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser as a shampoo for him about once a week.

Even once they are sporting longer tresses, babies and toddlers really don’t need baby shampoo at bath time. As babies, both my kids have gone weeks without anything other than warm water in their hair, and their scalps never were greasy–honestly! I will admit that sometimes their little heads did smell slightly like a puppy, but I sort of like it.

Now that Felix is 6, he likes to shampoo his hair every time he showers. The natural baby shampoo brands listed below (under The Good Stuff tab) are perfect for babies and kids alike (and even grownups, if you aren’t that picky!).

My Top Pick for Best Natural Baby Shampoo

I don’t use shampoo on my kids often, but when I do, my pick is Babo’s line of safe, delish-smelling shampoos.

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

The Truth About Tear-Free Natural Baby Shampoo

When avocado blobs (or worse) end up in your little one’s peach fuzz, reach for a natural baby shampoo that doesn’t brag “tear-free” on the label. “No cry” shampoos typically–though not always–contain a formaldehyde-releasing chemical called 1,4-dioxane. Note that most of the baby shampoos recommended below are eye irritants.

Natural Baby Shampoo Equals Natural Body Wash

In general, there is no need to buy different products to clean different parts of your little one (with the exception of his teeth, if he’s got any). The shampoos below will work just fine on your baby’s body.

(If you do opt for soaps or bubble baths in addition to baby shampoo, read about their safety in our Safe Baby Wash, Soap & Bubble Bath Guide.)

The Good Stuff: Natural Baby Shampoo

Babo Botanicals

Babo’s line of natural shampoos and washes are my go-to for Felix, who now also needs conditioner since his hair easily tangles and frizzes. Babo’s products, which are produced on an organic farm in upstate New York, come in a variety of very pleasant, 100% natural fragrances, and their shampoos all double as washes and/or bubble baths. Some of Babo’s line does contain sodium benzoate, but we do not carry these products in our online store.

Where to Buy: The Good Stuff online store

$12.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

An extra gentle and tear-free baby shampoo and body wash formulated with certified organic plant, vegetable, flower and tree extracts and scented with organic sweet pea essence. This formula lathers less, rinses easily, and leaves no irritating residue, making it gentle enough for even a newborn’s delicate scalp.

$10.99 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now

Nature’s Paradise Foam Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

This shampoo (which comes either unscented or coconut) is a pricey option ($21.95 for 8 ounces), but will be safe on even the most sensitive of skins, given that’s it’s made of just water and organic saponofied coconut oil.

Where to Buy: Amazon and other online retailers.

Lafes Organic Baby Shampoo and Gentle Wash

This shampoo is packaged in phthalate– and BPA-free plastic, so you don’t need to worry about these toxins leaching into the product, which itself does not contain any worrisome chemicals. This is good for those of you who want an unscented, no-frills shampoo for baby.

California Baby

California Baby makes a safe line of baby shampoo/body wash that is available in tons of stores. Note that theirs are tear-free but do not contain a 1,4-dioxane. California Baby shampoos contain sodium benzoate, a controversial–although food grade–preservative. In the concentrations present here, I feel okay about it, but we have chosen to offer only products free of sodium benzoate in our online store.

Where to Buy: Amazon and many brick and mortar stores. You’ll pay around $23 for a 17.5-ounce bottle.

Earth Mama Angel Baby

EMAB makes scented and unscented certified organic baby shampoo/body wash from natural castile soap. This is not a “no-tear” product and contains no fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, or phthalates.

Beautycounter Kids Nice Do Shampoo

While this shampoo does contain more ingredients than the brands listed above–and not all of them are natural or organic–Beautycounter is a brand that really does it’s research, and even tests its products after production to ensure purity.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

What about Beautycounter’s Gentle All-Over Wash?

I would feel comfortable using this wash on my own kids, as it has a short ingredients list and Beautycounter is committed to testing all their products for purity. However, this wash contains sodium benzoate, an ingredient that Skin Deep rates a 3 and about which I have some concerns. For this reason, I would call it Okay Stuff rather than Good Stuff.

Buy Now from Beautycounter

Pleni Naturals

Pleni sent us some samples and we really enjoyed the smell and overall performance of the product. While it’s not an all-natural option, the synthetics it does contain are of low concern.

MADE OF Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Made’s Of’s Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. The surfactant (foaming agent) it uses is decyl glucoside, which is much safer than the more common cocamidopropyl betaine.

Buy Now from MADE OF

While not officially a tear-free option, Poofy claims that this Baby Shampoo/Body Wash won’t sting little eyes. I like it for its nice short list of ingredients, which includes organic apple cider vinegar. The surfactant used in this shampoo is decyl-polyglucose, which appears to be safe, but about which studies are lacking.

Buy now from Poofy Organics

We hope you’re enjoying this post! Sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish or update our Safe Product Guides.

The Bad Stuff

I received a bunch of Mustela products at my baby shower, and they were appealing to me at first: they’re pricey, French, and even sold in some health food stores (check, check, check!). Sadly, it seems they are among the most toxic products you can use on your baby, for hair washing, poop wiping, or skin moisturizing. Almost all of the ingredients in their baby shampoo are concerning (including fragrance and parabens), and the Skin Deep ranks their Bebe Baby Shampoo as a “high hazard” product. What confuses me is this: On their website, Mustela claims that all of their products are free of parabens and phthalates, while the same site lists one the “main ingredients” of their shampoo as methylparaben. Until I can get a straight answer out of them, I will avoid Mustela. L’Occitane is another expensive French skincare line to be avoided (with the exception of one or two products); their Shea Mom & Baby Cleansing Gel contains dozens of ingredients, among them fragrance and PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate.

L’Oreal Kids line of shampoos should be avoided, despite the “now paraben free!” claim on the bottle. The rest of the ingredient list is devoid of anything safe–from fragrance to PEG chemicals to sodium laureth sulfate. This is the worst of the worst.

Aveeno’s skincare line for babies leaves much to be desired. The Baby Wash & Shampoo contains fragrance, sodium laureth sulfate, PEG-150 disterate (Skin Deep score: 3), and PEG-80 (Skin Deep score: 5).

The Sneaky Stuff

The ubiquitous Nature’s Gate makes a baby shampoo that, surprisingly, contains fragrance, as well as sodium laureth sulfate.

Despite its name, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Natural Lavender is far from natural. It contains the colorant Ext. D&C violet 2, a potential carcinogen, among numerous other questionable ingredients.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash contains synthetic fragrance as well as limonene, a definite skin and respiratory irritant, with potential carcinogenic properties.

Earth’s Best uses a tear-free formula that contains lauryl lactate (Skin Deep score: 4) and synthetic preservatives in their Sensitive Skin Shampoo & Body Wash.

Yes to Baby Carrots’s shampoo and body wash for babies and toddlers claims to have “100% natural ingredients,” yet Skin Deep rates this product with a 3, due to retinyl palmitate, and tocopheryl.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Safe Baby/Kid Shampoo Guide appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Pangea Adding Synthetic Preservatives to Some Products

Maia James — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:59:58 +0000

Pangea has long been one of my favorite skincare lines, and it was one of the first we carried in our online store. Recently, we learned that Pangea is intending to change the formula of some of their products. Notably, they are adding a couple of preservatives to some (but not all) of their products. This is too bad for several reasons–not the least of which is that some of the affected products are among our best sellers! However, our primary commitment is always to customer safety, so we are not going to be carrying the products listed below moving forward. Wah.

The good news? Gimme the Good Stuff is sitting on what may be the last of the pre-preservative Pangea stock…so go ahead and get it while it’s still the Good Stuff! Once it’s gone, we will remove it from our online store, although we will continue to carry other Pangea products that are still clean. So, to be clear: if you can still buy it on our site, it does NOT contain the following preservatives:

Potassium sorbate is a preservative that has raised concerns due to mild allergic reactions in some users. While potassium sorbate isn’t natural, it is food-grade and generally considered safe by natural health experts. I feel comfortable using and selling products that contain potassium sorbate and consider it to be of low concern.
Sodium benzoate is of much greater concern. While also food-grade, sodium benzoate is suspected to cause damage to mitochondrial DNA, and some researchers see a link with cancer, ADD, and other scary stuff. One thing that really freaks me out about sodium benzoate is that when it is combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and potassium benzoate (another preservative), it creates benzene, a well-known carcinogen (think cigarette smoke and car exhaust.). So if you apply other products with these ingredients, you wind up with a decidedly noxious formula on your hands (literally). Research on sodium benzoate is not yet conclusive and long-term studies are needed, but the concerns are real and we cannot in good faith sell products that contain this preservative.

The Bottom Line on Pangea
Pangea has always been a transparent company with a strong commitment to product safety. They have tried to convince us of the innocuousness of sodium benzoate, and I believe they genuinely don’t think it is present in concentrations that may be harmful. Perhaps they are right, but my job is to err on the side of caution. Until our stock runs out, we will carry carry the creams and cleansers that were manufactured prior to the change (I admit to being tempted to keep them for my own use!).

As always, Gimme the Good Stuff’s goal is to give our customers ultimate peace of mind when shopping. The following products are now being manufactured with the above preservatives.

Affected Pangea Products

Eye Cream

Turkish Rose & White Tea

We do not have this eye cream in stock.

Facial Cream

Italian Red Mandarin with Rose (for dry/sensitive/mature skin)

As of this writing, we have only 5 bottles of this cream without preservatives.

Facial Cleanser

Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange (for normal to dry skin)

Right now, we’ve got just 4 bottles of the preservative-free cleanser.

Body Lotions (all of them will now have sodium benzoate, unfortunately)

French Chamomile with Sweet Orange & Lavender

Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary

Pyrenees Lavender with Caramom

As of now, we have 13 body lotions without preservatives in stock.

Note: Some of the above products also now contain gluconolactone, a chemical about which I have not been able to make a definitive call. In any case, won’t be carrying Pangea products that contain gluconolactone.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Pangea Adding Synthetic Preservatives to Some Products appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

What Non-toxic Products Maia Uses

Maia James — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 02:55:51 +0000

One of the most frequent questions asked by readers and by clients is, “What products are actually in your bathroom?” Here’s what I’m using at the moment:

Shampoo: John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo.

Conditioner: My husband’s totally toxic Biolage detangler. I’m just being honest here. It smells really good, but once this bottle is gone he’s promised we are switching to only Good Stuff.

Body Soap: Tandi’s Naturals Patchouli Citrus Soap–I’ve always hated patchouli, but I weirdly can’t get enough of the smell of this soap. We cycle through Tandi’s collection, and I honestly like them all.

~~Face Cleanser:~~ Pangea Organics Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange facial cleanser for dry skin. It’s super moisturizing and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight, but my face still feels really clean when I’m done washing it.

Face Toner: Pangea Organics French Rosemary with Sweet Orange Facial Toner. This toner is so refreshing that I find myself using it throughout the day.

Read “Pangea Adding Synthetic Preservatives to Some Products.”

Daytime Face Cream: Italian Red Mandarin with Rose by Pangea Organics. I hate to think that at 32 I already have “mature” skin, but this face cream has the right amount of hydration for me.

Eye Cream: Aloe-E by Sierra Sage. I also use this skin repair salve on my entire face when I feel extra parched.

Nighttime Face Cream: Ultra-Rich Face & Body Butter by Tandi’s Naturals. I thought this was greasy when I first tried it, but now I love it. Incredibly, rubbing what feels like oil on my skin doesn’t result in breakouts. Instead, I wake up to skin that looks clear and hydrated.

Sunscreen: Kabana Green Screen D SPF 35. I’m not a big sunscreen person unless I’ll be out all day, and I love that this formula has added vitamin D. I don’t even mind that it goes on a little white, in fact there are some benefits to opaque sunscreen.

~~Body Lotion:~~ ~~Pangea Organics Pyrenees Lavender and Cardamom. I’ve converted all my friends into Pangea body lotion lovers.~~

Mascara: Nvey Eco organic mascara in black. One of the few mascaras to get only a 1 on Skin Deep’s cosmetics database.

Blush: Ecco-Bella Botanicals. This isn’t exactly Sneaky Stuff, but it’s probably not the safest either. When it runs out I’ll look for a cleaner option.

Tinted Lip Gloss: Neutrogena MoistureShine. Again, I’m being honest here. This is totally toxic, full of parabens and phthalates. And I end up eating a ton of it I’m sure. Good thing I only wear it about twice a year.

Lip Balm: Tandi’s Naturals Herb Garden. This actually serves as a pretty good gloss over lipstick. It cures my chapped lips super quickly.

Toothpaste: Tate’s, which I recently discovered in the health food store. Sometimes I use just baking soda, which is what my holistic dentist recommends.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post What Non-toxic Products Maia Uses appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

5 Tips for a Safer Prenatal Beauty Routine

Maia James — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:44:15 +0000

I recently wrote the following guest blog post for a local parenting website.

Pregnancy should be a stress-free time, but staying mellow can be easier said than done.

How do I know which skin- and hair-care products are truly safe to use while I am pregnant?

Answer: As you probably suspect, many beauty products advertised as “natural” or “organic” contain lots of questionable chemicals in their ingredients lists. Sadly, this is even true for those products marketed specifically for pregnant women. Sure, we should all learn to read and understand cosmetics labels the same way we do food labels, but this can be an overwhelming endeavor, especially when you’re living with pregnancy brain. Follow the tips below to easily mitigate your exposure to the worst offenders.

Five Tips for a Safe Prenatal Beauty Routine

Avoid fragrances. If you cut out just one unhealthy ingredient while you’re pregnant, make it synthetic fragrance, which unfortunately makes an appearance in nearly all beauty products and sometimes shows up on the label as “parfum.” Why does fragrance stink? Because it often contains phthalates, those nasty chemicals implicated in early puberty, autism, obesity, and birth defects. Opt for unscented products or those that specify that they contain only natural essential oils.
Go to the pros. Visit the EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetics database to learn more than you ever wanted to know about the ingredients in all of your beauty products. Surfing this site is an overwhelming experience, which is why I created Gimme the Good Stuff, where I strive to provide quick and easy info on the safety of a range of products, without sending you into a full-blown panic.
Use less stuff. Take advantage of your full, shiny pregnancy hair and wash it less frequently (or, if you’re really brave, become a no-pooer). Skip the expensive anti-aging eye cream. Of course, you can’t be expected to go 40 weeks without wearing makeup or moisturizer. My advice? Be particularly discerning about products that you use on your whole body on a daily basis (the lotion you smear on after every shower), as opposed to special occasion products that cover a small surface area (smoky eyeshadow for your sister’s wedding.)
Get healthy on the inside. To lessen the potential damage of chemicals in your beauty products, boost your body’s immune system. Load up on organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and grass-fed dairy and meat. Keep exercising once you get your doctor’s go-ahead. A healthier body is better able to handle the blast of phthalates you encounter whenever you walk through the cosmetics floor of Bloomingdale’s.
Stay sane. Stress and anxiety are bad—for both you and your growing baby. Your kid is super lucky to have a conscientious momma, but don’t turn a good thing into a negative one by bugging out about how toxic your shampoo is (easier said than done, I know).

Best Bets for Safe Cosmetics
Many companies (Burt’s Bees, Dr. Hauschka) make some safe products, but also some products that I call Sneaky Stuff. It’s impossible to remember which ingredients are problematic when you’re perusing a cosmetics counter, so it helps to know of a few companies you can trust across the board. Some of my favorites brands of truly safe products, for pregnancy and beyond, include:

Sierra Sage for belly balm, nipple cream, and sitz bath, plus lip balms, salves, and baby balm.
Nvey Eco for makeup.
Acure Organics for anti-aging treatments, body moisturizers, hair care, and facial cleansers.
Earth Mama Angel Baby for a range of prenatal and postpartum products.
Kabana Skin Care for sunscreens.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post 5 Tips for a Safer Prenatal Beauty Routine appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Two Cool Things About White Sunblocks

Maia James — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:43:08 +0000

Whenever possible, I keep Felix in the shade. When we switched from chemical sunscreens to mineral-based sunblocks, I hated the way we all looked like geishas. (Be suspicious if your “all natural” or mineral sunscreen does NOT leave a white sheen on your skin–it probably contains nanoparticles). Now I’m a convert, and when it comes to using a non-nano, all natural sunblock on Felix, there are two great benefits I’ve come to appreciate.

1. I can see when I miss a spot. Felix rarely sits still long enough for me to rub his entire body in sunblock, so if I do one leg and not the other and he runs off, it’s very easy to see which parts of his body are unprotected.

2. You don’t have to wait to go in the sun. Chemical sunscreens take a while to be absorbed by the skin–so technically you’re supposed to apply them about a half an hour BEFORE you get out in the sun. The beauty of a mineral-based sunlock is that it sits on your skin and deflects the sunlight–meaning it starts working as soon as you rub it on.

I still don’t like to overuse sunblock–I think vitamin D is important (which is why I love Kabana’s Green Screen with added vitamin D). But when we are at the beach for the day, we all need coverage. I tend to sit in the shade, but Felix prefers to be in direct sunlight. And now, I take comfort in the white sheen of zinc that covers him from head to toe.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Two Cool Things About White Sunblocks appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff

Maia James — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:43:11 +0000

Obviously, I’m obsessed with hunting down Sneaky Stuff and calling these companies out. Ecover, Burt’s Bees, Earth’s Best…lots of “natural” giants fall short when it comes to producing truly safe products.

For the most part, though, Sneaky Stuff is made by companies that avoid some of the most well-known toxic chemicals, like phthalates and parabens. More importantly, these companies are generally moving in the right direction, removing chemicals as evidence mounts about their toxicity, and–probably most influentially–as the media draws attention to the dangers of these ingredients.

Unearned Reputations

Then there is the sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff. I’m talking about those companies that enjoy a reputation for being green and clean, who throw around terms like “plant-based” and “earth-friendly,” but whose ingredients are identical to the mainstream brands that are always being torn for their toxic ingredient list. Here are my picks for the sneakiest stuff of all:

Aveda

If you ignore the ingredients it uses, Aveda could be considered a “green” company. It is a leader in the field when it comes to raising awareness about recycling, alternative energy, and sustainable practices.

Owned by Estee Lauder since 1997, Aveda was founded by Horst Rechelbacher, who says: “[A chemist] convinced me to use preservatives and phthalates because they were “safe”…They work under all conditions to make the products stable…So the chemist makes it stable and says it is safe.” (Source: No More Dirty Looks, by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt)

Aveda products contain parabens, retinyl palmitate, artifical colors, and lots of other bad stuff. Yet their tagline remains, “The art and science of pure flower and plant essences.”

UPDATE: I stand corrected! It seems that Aveda has very recently made some formula changes. While there are certainly still chemicals of concern in their products, they have gotten rid of phthalates and will soon be rid of parabens. I received the following email from a rep there:

Yes, Aveda fragrance is 100% natural essential oils with no synthetics. Aveda products are phthalate-free. Aveda has been actively researching plant-based alternatives to parabens and phasing in the removal of parabens from its formulae. We no longer manufacture any products formulated with parabens.

Kiehl’s

Owned by L’Oreal, Kiehl’s doesn’t provide a comprehensive list of ingredients anywhere on their website. When browsing through various products, you’ll notice that you can only see “key ingredients,” which of course features whatever plant extract is found in miniscule amounts in that product. You’ll have to actually get your hands on a bottle of Kiehl’s to see that it contains phthalates, phenoxyethanol, parabens, chlorphenesin (a neurotoxin that is restricted in Japan), triethanolamine, sulfates, various penetration enhancers, alcohol, and oxybenzone, among other bad stuff.

The Body Shop

Also owned by L’Oreal, The Body Shop was super popular among my friends when we were in junior high in the ’90s. I thought I was a sooo earthy when I slathered myself in the cloying mango body butter. Of course that scent was not a result of actual mango oil, but rather phthalate-ridden fragrance. In addition, Body Shop products contain benzyl alcohol, parabens, and artificial colors.

Still, the Body Shop proclaims: “We believe there is only one way to be beautiful: nature’s way.”

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Sneakiest of the Sneaky Stuff appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Natural Mineral-Based Sunblocks Linked to Melanoma

Maia James — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:51:36 +0000

Choosing a sunscreen that is truly safe has become an increasingly confusing endeavor. And now, a new study shows that the type of sunscreen often touted as the safest may raise the risk of melanoma!

Zinc oxide=free radicals=DNA damage=melanoma?
According to this study, zinc oxide–an ingredient commonly used in natural sunscreens–undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to ultraviolet light that may release free radicals. Free radicals can damage DNA, thus increasing the risk of skin cancer.

It is important to note that this new research only looked at nanoparticles of zinc oxide. Hopefully, the same free radical formation doesn’t occur with micronized or larger particles. (Read on for more about nano and micronized particles.)

Chemical Sunscreen Versus Mineral Sunblock

You can read about my feelings on sun safety (and vitamin D deficiencies) in our review of natural sunscreens, but I’ll try to give you a not-too-confusing rundown of sunscreen/sunblock safety here:

There are two types of sun protection lotions–chemical (sunscreens) and physical (sunblocks).
Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin and absorb the sun’s rays.
The most common active ingredient in chemical sunscreens is carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting oxybenzone, which–when exposed to sunlight–is associated with the production of free radicals (ironically, free radicals are what lead to wrinkles and premature aging).
Physical sunblocks, on the other hand, contain minerals (usually zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that form a barrier on top of the skin that blocks or deflects the sun. Most sunscreens advertised as “natural” do not contain oxybenzone and instead are mineral-based, although there are some exceptions.
Because mineral sunscreens leave a white sheen on the skin, manufacturers usually use nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in their formulas, and these microscopic molecules are suspected to contribute to the formation of free radicals. The newest study, mentioned above, looked at nanoparticles of zinc oxide.
In response to the bad press about nanoparticles, many natural sunscreen manufacturers now use micronized particles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are slightly larger than nanoparticles, and may or may not carry with them similar health concerns; there is a lack of research on their safety.

So what’s a concerned parent/human to do?

My recommendation is to skip the sunscreen, and let your kid enjoy a few minutes of vitamin D exposure each morning or afternoon. Get inside during the hottest hours of the day. Use hats and umbrellas if you can. When you’re at the beach or otherwise unable to avoid heavy sun exposure, stick to a non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunblock (I might favor the titanium dioxide formulas for the time being). And remember: the whiter the sunscreen goes on, the better!
Read Gimme the Good Stuff’s Sunscreen Safety Review for your safest bets.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Natural Mineral-Based Sunblocks Linked to Melanoma appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

The Green Festival

Maia James — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:53:36 +0000

Last Sunday, my parents, Felix, and I went to the Green Festival here in Manhattan, hoping to find great under-the-radar Good Stuff to review. We are launching the Good Stuff online store next month, so I’m always in search of truly safe products that aren’t widely available.

While I was too busy meeting vendors to enjoy any of the presentations the festival offered, the show itself was fun and interesting, even if there was a considerable bit of “greenwashing” going on. My sweet dad (dubbed “Meep” by Felix) volunteered to be on toddler duty so that Nana and I could work the event unencumbered. Despite the prevalence of Sneaky Stuff, we did connect with the following artisans/producers of Good Stuff:

Karmalades household cleaners and skincare (find them on Etsy)
Eco-Me cleaning products
Essence of Vali aromatherapy
Map to the Imagination skin and hair products

Several other vendors appeared to be offering really wonderful safe stuff, but I am doing some more due diligence before I recommend them!

While Nana and I were flapping our gums with new like-minded friends, Meep was hanging out with Felix. Here’s what he had to say about the experience:

As for Felix and me, the show left a bit to be desired. The “food court” consisted of two or three vendors, none of whom offered anything organic, and one of whom sold us a so-called sugar-free smoothie that tasted sweeter than Pixy Stix. Luckily, there were several companies representing healthy food products with lots of samples.

Felix is a huge fan of SeaSnax, a line of packaged foods made from sea vegetables (seaweed), sea salt, and olive oil. They are quite tasty and healthy, so I’ll give them a big shout-out for feeding us!

If you ever want to have a really great time, spend a day at a trade show with a two-year-old! The trick is to stay unattached to any adult-type goals. Once I figured that out, we had a fun time. We went to the Kids Zone, which seemed pretty lame to me. I can assume that Felix felt similarly because after talking about it all morning and finally attending, Felix seemed to not realize that he had been at all. As we were leaving the Kids Zone, Felix asked, “Nana…when are we going to go to the Kids Zone?” Impressive.

Wrestling my umbrella back to the car through the squalling canyons of west-side Manhattan, I was glad we made the effort to attend the show. The greenwashing was somewhat severe but there were many vendors who had high-quality products/services.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post The Green Festival appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

No Poo Method No More

Maia James — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:51:12 +0000

My hair looked pretty good at this Christmas party, but not as good as my friend Amanda’s. Several months ago I blogged about how great my hair was looking using the no poo method. Unfortunately, this was short lived. Turns out I’m just too lazy to stir up the baking soda/water and apple cider vinegar/water combo every time I want to wash my hair (see below for a refresher on the basic no poo method).

I’m Not the Only Quitter

My mom quit the no poo method, too, partly because she also thought it was a hassle to stir up the concoctions before her shower, but also because she felt that the baking soda was drying out her hair. So now she shampoos once a week with John Masters Organics (see our full shampoo review). On the other days, she just massages her hair with water. She’s happy with how it looks.

Help Me No Poo!

I want to start back up with the no poo method, but am hoping one of my readers will suggest an easier way to go about it! I kept the baking soda and apple cider vinegar in my kitchen and mixed them with water in glass jars, which I brought into the shower with me and then returned to the kitchen afterwards. Has anyone come up with a way to prepare the mixtures in the shower and/or leave them there?

Basic No Poo Method Instructions

Stir one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of warm water (increase the amount of each if you have very long hair).
Pour over your scalp and massage thoroughly (the massaging is important).
Let sit in hair for at least one minute.
Rinse thoroughly.
Stir one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into one cup of warm water (increase the amount of each if you have very long hair).
Pour this over all of your hair, and especially the ends, and allow it to soak in for at least one minute.
Rinse thoroughly.
Repeat whenever your hair gets greasy (for me this was twice a week).

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post No Poo Method No More appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

Johnson & Johnson’s Toxic Suds

Maia James — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:29:52 +0000

Johnson & Johnson is under fire for its continued use of two carcinogenic ingredients in its baby washes and shampoos. On November 1st, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report–“Baby’s Tub Is Still Toxic”–which reveals that the J&J baby shampoo sold in the United States contains the formaldehyde-releasing chemical quaternium-15.

Formaldehyde is listed as a known carcinogen by to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and has been imploring J&J to reformulate their baby washes and shampoos to rid them of quaternium-15 as well as another carcinogenic byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

The study found that the baby shampoos sold in certain countries (Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) do not contain these toxins.

Johnson & Johnson was quick to respond, and has promised to phase out the chemicals gradually, while also reminding consumers that all of their products always “meet and often exceed the government safety standards for every country and market in which [they] operate.”

J&J recently launched a line of pretty safe baby products (I’ve researched all the ingredients) under the name Johnson’s Naturals. Check out our Safety Reviews for even better choices for baby shampoo or baby wash.

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post Johnson & Johnson’s Toxic Suds appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.

The No Poo Method Doesn’t Stink!

Maia James — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:40:11 +0000

In the ’90s we rocked some horrendous bobs.

Anyone who knows me—or just knows this website—is well aware that I almost never claim that natural, healthy stuff works as well as conventional stuff. I bemoan the loss of Tide in my life, surreptitiously takes whiffs of Herbal Essence in Duane Reade, and fantasize about an alternate reality where I slip my hands into a big sink of foaming Dawn to wash dishes.

Thus it was unsurprising that while testing safe shampoos for an upcoming section of this site (to be posted next week), I was less than thrilled with the condition of my hair, which has basically looked bad since I gave up my Frederic Fekkai Glossing Shampoo about two years ago. Update: I’ve since discovered Acure Organics’ shampoos–these do actually work and are safe.

I have read about the “no poo method” everywhere from The New York Times to mothering.com, so I decided to try it for the sake of research. (I’m assuming you all know that the employing the no poo method means skipping shampoo, not holding your bowels indefinitely.)

I was quite confident that I’d soon be blogging that the no poo method left my hair that stunning combination of greasy, heavy roots and crunchy, crispy ends, with plenty of fly-aways in between.

The No Poo Method in Action

For the past month, my mom and I have been “washing” our hair twice a week, and that’s with baking powder and apple cider vinegar (see text box below for the no poo method we’re employing). Believe it or not, our hair looks great! Two caveats:

Neither of us has particularly nice hair to begin with, so “great” is a relative term.
We’ve been using natural shampoos for so long that our standards might be a little skewed.

But seriously, both of our hair looks better employing the no poo method than it did using natural shampoos. And weirdly enough, it doesn’t smell gross. It doesn’t smell sweet and nearly edible like it did with certain shampoos in our pasts, but it doesn’t have that gross scent of a teenage boy’s baseball hat, either.

Even with our hair professionally blown out, neither Mom nor I is blessed with gorgeous tresses.

Basic No Poo Method

Just google “no poo method” for a wealth of resources on washing your hair without shampoo.

Below is what my mom and I have been doing:

Stir one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of warm water (increase the amount of each if you have very long hair).
Pour over your scalp and massage thoroughly (this is important).
Let sit in hair for at least one minute.
Rinse thoroughly.
Stir one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into one cup of warm water (increase the amount of each if you have very long hair).
Pour this over all of your hair, and especially the ends, and allow it to soak in for at least one minute.
Rinse thoroughly.

If the no poo method leaves your scalp dry or you develop dandruff, use less baking soda. If your hair seems greasy right after washing, use a little less apple cider vinegar.

Yikes. Getting bangs in 2007 was a horrible idea.

To minimize the time that your hair needs to “detox,” (read: be incredibly greasy), people recommend that you do the above routine as much as necessary (maybe every other day) and slowly wean yourself off of it all together, until your hair stops producing so much oil. I don’t see myself ever getting to that point, but I’ll obviously report back if it happens. Neither my mom nor I noticed increased greasiness when starting the no poo method—quite the opposite, in fact—but I’ve heard of enough people experiencing this “detox” to believe it happens to some.

A good place to learn more about the no poo method is on Nature Mom’s blog.

Have any of you tried the no poo method? If so, do you care to share tips or disaster stories?

Stay sane,

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

The post The No Poo Method Doesn’t Stink! appeared first on Gimme the Good Stuff.