Review Wednesday: The Wet Brush

Pros                                                                      Cons        
-Most effective, ouch-free brush ever!                      -Made of plastic
-Made in the U.S.                                                 -No company envi policy
-Affordable                                                           -Greener brush options available
                                                                          -Not rated on Good Guide

Conclusion: I have to admit, this brush is fantastic. I have long curly hair that is usually pretty knotty when I get out of the shower. The wet brush cuts through my hair like butter, and I love it. The downside, however, is that this brush is made entirely from non-biodegradable plastic. With this in mind, I will take good care of this brush so that I can use it for years to come. I don't want it to end up in a landfill! The one eco aspect of the Wet Brush is that it is made in the U.S., so at least it has a smaller carbon footprint than the millions of plastic hairbrushes produced in Asia. Still, I highly recommend looking into more sustainable alternatives to the wet brush (see link above).

Review Wednesday: Should You Avoid Retinyl Palmitate?

image courtesy of www.annmariegianni.com

Today, rather than a product review, we are going to explore a common product ingredient, so you can make informed shopping decisions. I hope that the "ingredient spotlight" feature will become a monthly column, so let me know what you think! First up: retinyl palmitate. 

Last week while researching my review of Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation, I noticed that the main reason the product got a bad rating from the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database was because it contained retinyl palmitate - this got me curious.

Retinyl Palmitate is a vitamin A supplement often used in skincare products. It is also added to milk to add back the antioxidants lost during the fat-removal process. However, high doses of topical retinyl palmitate have been linked to cancer in lab animals. For this reason, EWG has rated the ingredient 8, or high hazard (on this 1-10 scale, the most dangerous chemicals are rated a 10). 

Adding to this concern, the EWG website explains that when retinyl palmitate is exposed to UV light, it can break down into toxic free radicals, which can also lead to cancer, or speed tumor growth in existing cancer. So when wearing this product, or other products containing retinyl palmitate, make sure to avoid sun exposure (check your sunscreen labels to make sure they don't contain this ingredient). FDA also raised a concern that extensive, daily skin application of vitamin A creams may build up in the woman’s body a high enough level of Vitamin A that may be toxic to the developing fetus. 

However, a 2010 study concluded that that retinyl palmitate is safe except for in very high doses. The American Academy of Dermatology has concluded that the ingredient does NOT cause skin cancer (even in sunscreens). 

Conclusion: There is still major confusion about this ingredient. I have decided that I will continue to buy products that contain this ingredient, but that I will use them sparingly (as indicated on the product label, or less), and will try to purchase retinyl palmitate-free sunscreens just in case! 

Review Wednesday: Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation

Image courtesy of Gabriel Cosmetics

Pros                                                          Cons     

-Good coverage                                        -Wipes away easily

-Natural looking                                        -Not good for oily skin

-Cruelty Free                                            -Medium Price ($28)

-Company recycling program                     -Rated 5 on EWG
-No artificial fragrance                               -Rated 3.4 on GoodGuide
-Easy to apply                                         -Not widely available (try Whole Foods)

Conclusion: Well, I had to do some research on this one. Both third-party rating systems that I reference (the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database and Good Guide) say that this product is a medium hazard due to the ingredient Retinyl Palmitate. Um, what is that?!

Retinyl Palmitate is a very common vitamin A supplement used in skincare products. High doses have been linked to cancer in lab animals. Adding to this concern, when Retinyl Palmitate is exposed to UV light, it can break down into toxic free radicals, which can also lead to cancer. So when wearing this product, or other products containing Retinyl Palmitate, make sure to avoid sun exposure (Hint: check your sunscreen labels to make sure they don't contain this ingredient).

On the upside, Gabriel Cosmetics has an awesome recycling program. For every 5 product containers you return, you get a free lipstick! So, not only are you recycling, you also get a free product - love it!

Review Wednesday: Method Hand Sanitizer

image courtesy of soap.com

Pros                                                           Cons  

-Effective                                                   -Rated 5 on EWG (moderate hazard)

-Rated 8.5 on Goodguide                            -Contains artificial fragrance

-Company has envi policies                        -Contains dyes

-Price $4

-Widely available

-No triclosan

Conclusion: I am a big fan of good old fashioned soap and water when it comes to hand-cleaning. But, when your colleagues are all coming down with colds and you want to be extra careful about germs, Method hand sanitizer is the way to go. Method has very thorough environmental and health commitments that almost make you forget it comes in a plastic bottle! 

Review: Shikai Natural Tea Tree Shampoo

Pros                                                          Cons     

-Cleans hair well                                       -Doesn't help detangle

-Affordable ($8)                                         -Not widely available (try Whole Foods)

-Smells nice                                             -Contains Diazolidinyl Urea (formaldehyde concerns)

-Rated 2 on EWG                                     -No environmental commitments on website

-No artificial fragrance

-No animal testing

-Made in USA

Conclusion: This product really works. In the past I've used natural shampoos that didn't foam, and the ones that did were considered hazardous by the EWG, so I am thrilled that Shikai is both effective and only a 2 on EWG! Healthwise, this is my ideal shampoo, the only negative is that Shikai has no company-wide environmental commitments (i.e. packaging, reducing carbon footprint, etc.).                                        

Review: St. Ives Deep Restoring 24 Hour Moisture Body Lotion

Pros                                                               Cons             

-Effective, long lasting moisturizer                    -Rated 5 (moderate hazard) on EWG SkinDeep

-Great price, $5                                              -Contains artificial fragrances

-Widely available                                            -Term "100% natural" used on packaging (greenwashing)

-Besides fragrance, all ingredients rated

    4 or below

-Large bottle, lasts a while

-Company has environmental commitments

-No parabens/phthalates

Conclusion: I am pleasantly surprised by this product. I am always wary of items that claim they are "100% natural" because the word "natural" doesn't have a standardized meaning - so its difficult to tell what this 100% claim is all about. This greenwash-sounding claim combined with the low price of the product had me ready to believe that it wasn't sustainable, but I was quite pleased with St. Ives after doing a little research. Though their products use artificial fragrance (grrr!), the company has a thorough commitment to health and the environment. St. Ives is committed to sourcing from sustainable vendors, using post-consumer recycled material for their packaging, and making sure all of their products are paraben free. This product may not be the absolute greenest on the market, but it is definitely the best choice for the price range! 

Book Suggestion: Four Fish by Paul Greenberg

image courtesy of Fourfish.org

I am halfway through Four Fish by Paul Greenberg, and I'm not even going to wait until I'm done to recommend it - I can already tell you it is a must-read! It is a detailed explanation of how salmon, bass, cod, and tuna became our four main food fish and the environmental consequences of a globalized seafood industry. Seafood is one of our healthiest animal food choices, but we are running many species to extinction, leaving fish farming and genetic engineering as the only viable way to feed human populations. I especially admire Greenberg's ability to look at the issues from many angles. After reading the first few chapters, I feel as though I have a well-rounded knowledge of things like salmon farming and "fair trade" seafood. 

image courtesy of pages.vassar.edu

Review: Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

Pros                                                                      Cons                 

-Effective detangling conditioner                            -Nozzle makes it difficult to spray hair evenly
-Protects against heat & sun damage                    -Rated 5 on SkinDeep (moderate hazard)
-Company has socioeconomic commitments         -Contains artificial fragrance
-Affiliated with non profits                                  

Conclusion: As you may know from reading my past reviews, I really don't like to endorse products that are rated above a 3 on EWG's SkinDeep Database. Even though this product is rated a 5, there are many redeeming qualities. For example, Jane Carter's mission:

"Above all, we believe that "hair is hair," and that segmenting hair care by ethnicity does not encourage diversity, love and multicultural coexistence. We also believe that what you put on and in your body should promote wellness, and also be kind to the earth. Finally, as a company, Jane Carter Solution supports grassroots initiatives that contribute to the protection, growth and development of our global communities in need."

It is wonderful to find a cosmetics company that is committed to health, environmental responsibility, diversity and global equality. Furthermore, the only two ingredients rated above a 4 are artificial fragrance (GRRR WHEN WILL COMPANIES STOP?!) and Butoxyethanol. I didn't know what Butoxyethanol was, so I did a little research. It is illegal in Canada, but has been deemed safe for cosmetic use in the U.S. because it is only an irritant when used near the eyes or mouth. So, if used only in the hair, the product should be safe.

Review: Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo

image courtesy of amazon.com

Pros                                                                    Cons            

-widely available                                                  -rated 4 on skindeep  (moderate hazard)

-good price (under $5)                                         -contains artificial fragrance

-contains natural oils (coconut, almond, etc.)         -contains formaldehyde

-cleans & conditions effectively                            -no info on policies re envit/social responsibility

Conclusion: Though this shampoo does a great job cleaning hair, it is certainly not an eco-friendly product. It contains a few potentially hazardous ingredients and the company doesn't seem to have a regard for environmental packaging or other product line concerns. The price is tempting, but I will probably pay the extra few bucks to get a safer and more responsible product next time. 

Review: Bio-Oil Scar Treatment

Pros                                                           Cons                                    

-Easy to use bottle                                      -Rated a 7 on the SkinDeep database (high hazard!)

-Contains lavender oil                                  -Contains artificial fragrance and retinyl acetate

-No parabens or palm oil                             -Marketing targets pregnant women

-Recyclable packaging                                 -No information regarding animal testing or green policies

Conclusion: This is a prime example of tricky product names. Just because the word "bio" is in the title does not mean that the product is green, healthy, or natural in any way. While Bio-Oil is paraben free and somewhat effective, its ingredient list contains some concerning substances. Small doses of artificial fragrance or retinyl acetate (which are both considered a high health hazard by the Environmental Working Group) may not do much harm, but the fact that this product is marketed towards pregnant women is worrisome. 

The Skin Deep Database is Back!

Good news makeup lovers, the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database, which lists health, environmental, and labor concerns of thousands of products, is back in action. The new site looks great, and is more complete than the old one - so I look forward to reading more updated information.

Get ready for lots of beauty reviews over the next few weeks!

Required Reading: Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano

Not unlike Starre Vartan's Eco Chick Guide to Life, Gorgeously Green is a fun, girly, and informative guidebook to making your daily life as sustainable as possible without giving up style or little luxuries. The 8-step guide is a great resource, I want to carry a copy with me whenever I go shopping! It has lists of chemicals and products to avoid, product recommendations, and even recipes. The book also corresponds with Sophie's website Gorgeously Green - which has countless more green lifestyle ideas. The book and the website have checklists and quizzes to test your progress (like a girls-only version of Practically Green). 

Gorgeously Green is a New York Times Bestseller and has been recommended by many of the world's most stylish women (I mean, come on, the foreword is written by Julia Roberts!). Its easy to see why people love this book - it is super user friendly. I highly recommend checking out a copy from the Boston Public Library or surfing the website. 

Review: Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave

Pros                                                                          Cons                                      

-Works well on dry skin                                            -Rated 5 (Moderate Hazard) on EWG

-Easy to use bottle                                                     -Contains ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE (hazard)

-Contains some natural ingredients                              -Contains artificial frangrance

-Lasts a long time                                                       -Company conducts animal testing (as of 2009)

-Company has sustainability commitments                   -Contains parabens

Conclusion: I don't usually use shaving cream because I find soap and warm water equally as effective. (See my Eco Friendly Guide to Smooth Summer Legs). I will probably go back to my trusty old soap and water after I finish this bottle of Skintimate, because, despite the moisturizing aspect, the product is not worth the artificial fragrances, aluminum products, and parabens. I do love the new bottle though - much more user-friendly than the old Skintimate bottle design. 

Kneipp Natural Anti-cellulite System

I recently tried a sample of Kneipp Anti-Cellulite Exfoliating Body Scrub and the corresponding moisturizing body oil. Below is my list of pros & cons of the products.

Pros                                                                           Cons                 

-Exfoliating scrub is a good texture                             -Products not yet rated on SkinDeep Database

-Kneipp committed to holistic concepts                      -Products not widely available in U.S. (try online)

-Most ingredients are natural and plant-based             -Contains artificial fragrances

-Moderate price ($20 each)                                       -I still have cellulite :-(

-Skin feels smoother after daily use of each product    -No commitments regarding packaging

-No parabens or animal testing

Conclusion: Massage and exfoliation are key to reducing the appearance of cellulite - so in order to get the best results, I need to use the oil and exfoliating scrub more often. Luckily, this product is pretty cheap as far as anti-cellulite products go. My main issue with Kneipp is that they still use artificial fragrances in their products despite being a "natural" company. Kneipp has been around for a long time and has made continuous efforts towards sustainability, so hopefully they soon come out with fragrance-free formulations. 

Review: Avalon Organics Lavender Hand & Body Lotion

Pros                                                                           Cons                   

-Good consistency, effective                                       -Rated a 5 on EWG (moderate hazard)

-Avalon is Champion Status on Compact for               -Has multiple "moderate hazard" level ingredients

  Safe Cosmetics                                                         -Not sold at most drug stores (try Whole Foods)

-Doesn't test on animals

-Good price ($12)

-Bottle made from 100% recycled materials

-Company has sustainability commitments

-Smells amazing

-No artificial fragrances, GMOs, petroleum products

-70% of ingredients are organic

Conclusion - I am bummed that this product has a "moderate hazard" rating on EWG because other than that, this product is perfect! It smells fantastic, is relatively cheap, and really works to keep skin moisturized but not greasy. I also love Avalon Organics' thorough commitment to sustainability and health. I'm not sure if I'll buy this again or not - its hard to find products much better than this, but if I do, I'll let ya'll know ASAP!

Suki Facial Treatment at G2O Salon

Last week I had the opportunity to visit G2O Spa and Salon on Newbury St. and get an organic Suki facial treatment. I'd been to G2O once before, for a spray tan last winter, and knew that the salon has a good reputation, calming atmosphere, and helpful staff. The facial was a wonderful treat. I got ready in the locker room which is decked out with modern amenities like a steam room, automatic locker locks, natural soaps, lotions, mouth wash, and deodorant, and nice clean showers. In fact the building is LEED certified, and is Boston's first "green" spa! (Mayor Menino attended the ribbon cutting ceremony in 2010!). I donned a super-soft spa robe and went to my treatment room. There I met Victoria St. James, my estechian. I discussed my past skin problems with Victoria (acne, dry skin, redness, etc.) and then she began the treatment while describing each of the products to me.



The entire treatment was done with items from Suki, which are high-end skincare products made with organic ingredients. Though Suki products are not USDA certified organic, they are all rated between 0-3 on the EWG SkinDeep Database (this is a fantastic rating meaning that all of the ingredients are safe!). In addition to the Suki cleanser, oil, masque, peel, and moisturizer treatments, Victoria also conducted lymphatic drainage on my face and neck. This is simply a way of moving tissues and massaging the skin to encourage the lymph system to stay active. It was an interesting and relaxing experience.

Through my discussion with Victoria, I learned that my mild acne occurs because when the skin resurfaces every 5 weeks, if I don't exfoliate properly, the dead skin stays on top, looking like dry skin and traps new skin and oils underneath. This is a fairly easy problem to solve - exfoliate! She also recommended 2 specific Suki products for me to use at home: the creamy foaming cleanser and the balancing day lotion. Both products help regulate the skin's moisture level so that it is neither too oily or too dry. What I also love about both of these products is the scent. Lemongrass and lavender - fantastic! When I walked out of the spa, my skin was so soft I couldn't stop touching it. My chin was a little red (that is one of my problem areas) but the redness was gone by the next morning and my skin still feels soft and balanced 4 days later.

I highly recommend going to G2O Spa and Salon and trying out one of their eco-friendly offerings. The one I tried was the Organic Clarifying Facial. I can't wait to go back and do it again!

Review: CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara

Pros                                                                      Cons                          

-Effective, non-clumpy                                           -Rated 4 on EWG database (moderate hazard)

-Good price ($8)                                                   -One ingredient rated 6 (Benzyl Alcohol)

-Widely available                                                   -CoverGirl has not signed Compact for Safe Cosmetics

-Fewer synthetic ingredients than                            -Description says "a touch of nature" but doesn't specify

 other CoverGirl mascaras                                      

-Paraben free

-No animal testing (anymore)

Conclusion: CoverGirl is certainly not the greenest cosmetics company around, and their NatureLuxe line seems like greenwashing to me, but it is a great step for such a big player in the makeup industry. I like the way this product looks and feels, and though I probably will not buy it again, (I'm still on the hunt for a mascara without ANY synthetic ingredients) I'd recommend this product to green-beauty beginners. 

Review: VitaCare Toothpaste

Pros                                                                  Cons                   

-Clean feeling after brushing                               -Tastes sweet (might be better for children)

-Good Price ($6)                                               -Rated 6 on EWG (Moderate Hazard)

-Balanced pH                                                    -1 ingredient = 8 on EWG (high hazard)- RETINYL PALMITATE 

-No parabens, pthalates, or petrochemicals        - 7 ingredients listed in moderate hazard range

-No animal testing                                              -Non-signer to Compact for Safe Cosmetics

-No artificial sweetener

-Made in the U.S.

-Company commits to responsible packaging

Conclusion: This product baffles me a little because the company's website claims that they use no hazardous chemicals in their products, but they in fact use chemicals that are rated hazardous and moderate hazard by the Environmental Working Group's SkinDeep Database. This is disappointing since I love that this product is both made in the U.S. and is committed to using post consumer materials in their packaging. The toothpaste is also a bit sweet for my taste, so I'm likely to switch back to Tom's of Maine after this. 

Review: Tarte Cheek Stain

Pros                                                                             Cons                                     

-Gorgeous, easily blend-able color                                -Price ($30)

-Widely available (Sephora, Department Stores)           -Rated 4 on EWG (Moderate Risk) 

-Only ONE ingredient listed as high hazard                   -Contains artificial fragrance

-Contains fruit extracts                                                  -Tarte has not signed Compact for Safe Cosmetics

-No parabens, mineral oil, or pthalates

Conclusion: I bought this product in "blissful" and it looks great! It gives a fresh dewy look that is perfect for summer. What isn't so perfect is tarte's use of artificial fragrance in this product. There is no need for blush to have fragrance, but it is in this product and it seriously hindered its rating on EWG. I'm certainly glad that it doesn't contain parabens, but for $30, I can probably find another blush I like without fragrance. If you're wondering why I'm so obsessed with avoiding artificial fragrances, read this!

Review: Bumble & Bumble Hair Tonic

Pros                                                                         Cons                      

-Effectively de-tangles and smooths hair                    -Rated 4 on EWG/Moderate hazard.

-Smells great/No artificial fragrances                          -Moderate price - $20

-No single ingredient is rated above 4 by EWG         -Company has not signed Compact for Safe Cosmetics

-Widely available                                                      -No green commitments listed on website

-Not tested on animals

-Salon preferred

Conclusion: As I've written in other reviews, I am a big fan of tea tree extract - especially in hair products because it soothes the scalp. I was also drawn to this product because it doesn't have artificial fragrances, which is rare in the world of hair products. On the downside, this super-chic company does not have any green commitments! So while, the product contains many natural ingredients, it is not part of a sustainability or health goal. Next time I'm going to grab a product that soothes my scalp AND is consciously mindful of its environmental impact.