Chemistry 101: Reading Product Labels

One of the keys to living my simpler, cleaner, greener life is to use products that are simple and clean on my body.


I have recently been on a search for "healthier" products to use on my skin. (Healthier also read: NOT expensive)  For instance, I love my face wash.  I've used the same product for the last 5 or so years.  It boasts of being "oil-free, soap-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic."  These all seem like great things to me!  Recently I've heard chatter about how certain ingredients in skin care products can alter hormones (which doesn't sound like a great thing...).


Today, I watched a video on www.gorgeouslygreen.com, where Sophie breaks down what to look for on the back of the bottle.  You can watch the video here.  The abbreviated version:


She says to look for three ingredients:
1. "parabens" (also look for methelparaben, etc.)
2. "PEG" (usually PEG with a number)
3. "fragrance" (loop hole word for ingredients that don't have to be disclosed)

So of course, I went to my face wash and found ALL THREE of these ingredients in them!

After a short lived freak out, I decided to do my own research and present to you, my audience, both sides of the story...

1. According to the FDA, they have tested the dangers of parabens and found no significant danger.  This is because the instances of harm where a very small percentage.  You can read about it here.

2. PEGs are used in many products for emulsifying and stabilizing.  Over at Truth In Skincare, Dr. David points out that there is no conclusive evidence either way, to show PEGs are harmful (in the concentrations found in skincare and other products).

3. While I think that trademarks and trade secrets should be respected, it worries me that I might not know everything I'm putting on my skin.

My Conclusion:  It's better to be safe, than sorry!

I will continue to use my face wash, while I look for a successful formula that has ingredients that I understand.  A renewing theme I am starting to find with living a greener life is that I must know what I am putting in my body and on my skin.  Knowledge is power!  I would rather use a product that has no controversial ingredients than one that seems like a chemistry experiment!

What do you think about it?  I want to know your thoughts!  What products do you use?