You hear the words "natural" and "clean" thrown out a lot when hearing about product ingredients but what do these words really mean? When it comes to Earth friendly ingredients for cosmetics and personal care products, there's a lot to sift through.
Considering there's no regulatory body that certifies "natural" products, many cosmetic companies will plaster this term on anything they make to add some earth-friendly fluff to their brand. This is becoming somewhat meaningless, and many customers are starting to find out the truth behind these brands.
In this blog, we'll discuss all the ways you can make sure you're buying Earth friendly ingredients safe for you and the planet!
Natural Ingredients
People generally take the term "natural" to mean found in nature and not made in a laboratory by white coat-wearing scientists. While this is one interpretation, you may be surprised to find that some natural ingredients are still easier and cheaper to synthesize in a lab.
Despite this, many of us are committed to using sustainable ingredients so leaning toward products marketed as "all natural" is a no-brainer. After all, ingredients that come from the Earth can't be bad for the Earth or our bodies, right?
Well, sort of. Be wary of absolutes like this. There are definitely natural ingredients that can be irritating or even toxic, and plenty of things made in a lab that are perfectly safe for you and our Earth!
So how can you tell what's what?
Sustainable Products
Fortunately, as younger generations become more conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability, companies with similar ideals are emerging with transparent policies and operating habits.
If you want to be sure you're buying the best ingredients all-around, make sure you're buying from companies that give you all the deets about what's in their products. Full ingredient lists and honest advertising are a must, but if you're not a lab scientist, it probably won't be easy to know what those long ingredient names mean.
Ingredient Resources
We get it, reading the back of a bottle of shampoo can sometimes feel pointless and confusing. More often than not, it's total gibberish!
The good news is, in the world of personal care and cosmetics, the same ingredients are often used across numerous product types. So, over time you'll start to become an ingredient whiz when it comes to understanding certain ingredients and the functions they serve.
To help you get your bearings, though, there are reputable sources that can give you a break down of any cosmetic ingredient including origin, use, safety concerns, environmental impacts, products containing the ingredient, and more! Pretty cool right? Simply type in the name and gain a wealth of knowledge.
Here are a few to get you started:
What To Avoid
Some ingredients may be cause for concern for only a certain group of people. For example, those with certain skin or health conditions might have a longer list of things to avoid than the general population. What might be perfectly safe for one person could be highly irritating to another and that just comes down to personal situations.
However, there are some ingredients we should all try to avoid, and experts agree.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, but despite this it's still found in many cosmetic ingredients due to lax oversight in the industry. You might find it in hair straightening products, nail polishes, or eyelash glue.
Pthalates
Phalates are most often found in synthetic fragrances to help them last longer on skin. They've been shown to disrupt hormone levels and are very dangerous to aquatic life. When phthalate levels accumulate, they disrupt growth and behavior in fish.
Parabens
Parabens are types of preservatives that are harmful to the environment and have been linked to breast cancer.
Sulfates
Sulfates aren't necessarily harmful, but in certain products they can be. This type of ingredient is a surfactant and they're found in pretty much every form of cosmetic. They're often derived from natural ingredients like coconuts.
Sulfates are detergent used in cleansers and they do their job really well. For shampoos in particular, sulfates might be a little too effective, stripping your hair of all its natural oils and drying it out. Same can be true for skin in body washes and hand soaps with frequent use.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an an antibacterial agent that's found in soaps, toothpaste, and sanitizers. Generally used in products that are rinsed off down the sink, the compound can accumulate in aquatic environments and negatively impact organisms vital organisms like bacteria and algae. It's also been banned in sanitizers in the US for its risk to human health as well.
Packaging
Aside from individual ingredients, product packaging and sourcing of ingredients can have detrimental effects on the environment. Try to purchase from companies with recyclable or biodegradable packaging and refill options.
Green Product Certifications
Companies that make the effort to be green and put Earth first are always proud of this achievement (as they should be!). It can be difficult and expensive, but always worth it. To recognize their efforts, plenty of organizations exist to certify green businesses.
Some of the most popular include Green Seal, Green Business Bureau, Green America, Fair Trade Certified, EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny and more.
These are trusted names in sustainability and finding these logos on company websites and product labels generally means this company cares about their impact.
Where To Shop
MOXĒ is dedicated to safe products for you and the environment. We're Leaping Bunny Certified, Green America Certified, all our packaging is recyclable, and we are dedicated and thrilled to continue making products that don't harm the Earth and serve you the best!
No harmful ingredients, 100% cruelty free, and always sustainably minded. That is our promise to you.
Shop MOXĒ here.
The Bottom Line
Taking the step to make sure you're buying Earth friendly ingredients is the right decision for you and our planet's future.
Whether it's harmful ingredients, wasteful packaging, dangerous manufacturing practices or a combo of all three, companies that don't put an emphasis on health and safety should be avoided and there are resources out there to help you discover the truth behind your purchases.