Many chemical contaminants have been linked to diseases such as cancer. These contaminants can be found in our food, water, and everyday skincare products. On average, American women use 12 personal care products a day that contain a total of 168 different chemicals. While men use an average of 6 personal care products with a total of 85 different chemicals (1). Since these products are applied directly onto the skin, the ingredients are absorbed and diffuse into the bloodstream. As a result, they pose the same threat to our health as food additives.
Moreover, some chemicals, like parabens and phthalates, can pose risks at low doses. These chemicals are particularly risky during prenatal and early postnatal development. In addition, these chemicals have been linked to endocrine diseases and certain cancers (1). These endocrine disrupters can harm the immune system, making us more vulnerable to viruses and diseases. Fortunately, EWG developed a list of chemicals that we should be wary of while glancing at ingredient labels.
What is the EWG?
With the advent of social media and digital marketing, companies have capitalized on tactics such as greenwashing to create the appearance of being non-toxic. Greenwashing is the practice of providing misleading information about how a company’s products are environmentally beneficial. With all these different stimuli influencing our purchasing habits, how can we make more informed decisions, even while on a budget?
This is where EWG comes to the rescue! The Environmental Working Group, also known as EWG is a nonprofit organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability. Moreover, their mission, “to empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment” is evident through the wealth of information they provide through their website and app (2).
EWG’s “Toxic Twelve” List:
The EWG database provides a list of chemicals and contaminants that should be avoided. It includes:
- Formaldehyde – known carcinogen
- Paraformaldehyde – type of formaldehyde
- Methylene glycol – type of formaldehyde
- Quaternium – releases formaldehyde
- Mercury – damage kidneys and nervous system
- Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates – disrupt hormones and damage reproductive system
- Isobuytl and isopropyl parabens – disrupt hormones and harm reproductive system
- PFAS – linked to cancer
- M- and o-phenelyndamine – damage DNA and cause cancer; found in hair dye
Now that you have a brief overview of the importance of using non-toxic skincare products, here are some resources and solutions that you can implement in order to optimize your health:
EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database
Similar to a search engine, EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database provides information on a variety of skin care products. You can either search for a specific type of product or navigate to the various tabs they have featured.
For each product, EWG features a scale from 1-10: 1 having low ingredient concerns to 10 having the highest level of concern. The information for each product also displays the level of toxicity for certain ingredients within the products and potential side effects associated with ingredients of concern.
In addition, the “EWG Verified” symbol represents products that meets EWG’s strictest standards for transparency and health. EWG Verified products cannot contain any ingredients of concern, must provide complete ingredient disclosure, and are produced under good manufacturing practices.
EWG’s Sunscreen Guide
EWG also lists research conducted on sunscreens currently on the market. They feature a free sunscreen guide that you can download through their website.
Some ingredients you should avoid when looking for sunscreen include:
- Aluminum
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Homosalate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Avobenzone
- And more, listed here
Since we are now fully embracing summer and preparing for hotter weather, here are a few sunscreens that EWG recommends. Your skin and body will thank you! (3)
- Bioassance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 (EWG Verified)
- Badger Clear Zinc Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30 (Rated: 1)
- Raw Elements Face + Body Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (Rated: 1)
- 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Mineral Sunscreen Sport Lotion, SPF 30 (Rated: 1)
- All Good Sunscreen Butter, SPF 50 (Rated: 1)
- Earth Mama Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 25 (Rated: 1)
- Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Face Gel-Lotion, SPF 30 (Rated: 2)
- Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum Lotion, SPF 30 (Rated: 2)
- Up & Up Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (Rated: 2)
Most sunscreens with a rating of 1 can be found at various drugstores and health food stores (i.e. Sprout’s, Mother’s Market, Whole Foods). You can find affordable, non-toxic sunscreen with the click of a button thanks to EWG’s database!
Find Non-Toxic Skincare Products
For more information, check out EWG’s app, “EWG’s Healthy Living,” as well as their website for more articles on good-quality skincare products and other tips on how to optimize your health! Furthermore, for tips on how to incorporate these products into your everyday routine, read Rebecca’s blog My Natural Skincare Routine for inspiration.
