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Starting on the path of green cosmetics,
Starting on the path of green cosmetics - Research, Research, Research!
So, you've read an ingredients list for the first time and have a vague idea of the most common ingredients in there. What next?
RESEARCH!
There is no shortcut to this. If you want to get a complete and balanced picture you will spend a lot of time reading product ingredient lists, company websites, books, other websites and depending how inquiring you are, scientific research.
You need to make a decision on each ingredient to see if you personally are happy using it. Don't just rely on other websites, books and scaremongering media articles. Form an opinion you would be happy giving to someone as a valid reason why you do/don't use something, not just "this book/website/article told me not to". Use those sources as your start point and then look into it yourself.
Try and get both sides if you can. Most things will have an entry on the Cosmetics Toiletries and Perfumeries Association website as being completely OK and will have another one on Skin Deep telling you you will probably get very ill using your shower gel one more time.
Ask yourself:-
- Where did they get this information from?
- Can I check their sources myself?
- Is that source completely independent?
- Is the information reliable/scientifically sound?
For each product, you also need to ask yourself:-
- Who makes it?
- Who is the parent brand? Most brands are owned by one of the much bigger companies like L'Oreal or Estee Lauder. Subsidiary brands may have different polices to the parent company so make sure you check both to make doubly sure.
- What are their policies on ingredients?
This will take you time and will probably feel like a complete maze but it will give you the knowledge to make your own decision on if you want to use it or not.
The most important point is natural brands will be open and honest and will tell you what they do because they are proud of doing it. If it isn't there in plain English and easy to find, there is usually a reason why.
If you struggle with research, ask the companies directly. Counter staff tend not to know the sort of information you want to know so you will likely have to email them. Be aware you might not get replies!
If you are also worried about animal testing, look at the BUAV website. They have put together a "Little Book of Cruelty Free" that lists companies that do not test on animals
Once you have a good grasp of what ingredients you do and don't want to use anymore (and companies that don't test on animals), you need to check everything you own to see if it is in anything. If anything does have something in it you'd rather not use, see Part 3 where I'll tell you how to start sorting your things out.
