Go Green in 2017: Step 2 - How green are you?

January 22, 2017 0 Comments

 

In our first blog of the year - Step 1 - Know the Ingredients, we told you about some ingredients to avoid. In Part 2, we help you figure out how green you currently are and ultimately help you pick green beauty products.

 

Step # 2 - How green are you? 

Have a look at the beauty products you currently use, do they contain some of the ingredients listed in Step 1? Beauty product ingredient lists can be long so you may want to focus on a few ingredients. Do you products contain parabens, artificial fragrances or SLS's.

One way to find out how green your current products are is with an app called Think Dirty. 

"Think Dirty is the easiest way to learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. It’s an independent source that allows you to compare products as you shop. Just scan the product barcode and Think Dirty will give you easy-to-understand info on the product, track dirty ingredients and shop for cleaner options."

 ThinkDirty rates products based on the health impact of its ingredients, there are three categories

1. Carcinogenicity (Carcinogenicity Tumor promoter, Documented links to breast cancer, Known human carcinogen, Carcinogenic in lab studies, Carcinogen)
2. Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity (Hormone Disruptor, Systemic Toxin, Neurotoxin, May cause blindness if used near the eyes, May interfere with male 

   reproductive health)

3. Allergenicity & Immunotoxicity (Allergen, Asthma Trigger, Immunomoxin)

 

Based on this, it gives products a rating of 0 to 10 on the 'DirtyMeter'. Products with a low content of ingredients with documented potential negative health impact are rated 0 to 3; products with ingredient that have potential serious negative long term health effects are rated 8 to 10 and products in the middle are 4 to 7.

 You can look up products you currently use to see how green they are. Here's an example of what the app looks like with my beloved Dr. Bonner's soap.

 

 

 

With this new knowledge you will know which one of the beauty products you may want to get rid off. Is your favourite serum rated 10 on the Think Dirty App? Does your holy grail lip gloss contain ingredients you are not comfortable with? You may decide to get rid of some products based on this and get some cleaner beauty options.

Green beauty bloggers 

If you'd like some more inspiration, here are my favourite green beauty bloggers.

• SunkissAlba is a YouTuber who shares Organic Beauty and Non-Toxic Health, Beauty and home products. 
• If you want to try DIY beauty products, then Hey Fran Hey is your girl. She talks about going natural from the inside out...with a bohemian twist! 

• Tiffany DeSilva is focuses on  green, natural, organic and non-toxic beauty brands that are also cruelty-free.
• Sarah from Australia writes a blog called Organic Shine 
• Little Green Dot is from Singapore  and she has the most beautiful pictures on Instagram. She share natural skincare recipes, green living hacks, and healthy and tasty recipes.

...and for my francophone readers:

• Julie - The Soul Hugger - A health wellness and green-living enthusiast 
• Coralie  - Pepermintbeauty - An Ethical and organic beauty blogger

 

Its up to you how 'green' you want to be - we'd love to hear about what you will be doing?

 

À bientôt!

 

D.

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