The KInd Life Community Forum

Hi everyone! I am trying to makeover my home with products that are as free of chemicals and animal products as possible, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to buy. In terms of make-up and beauty products, I've been spending a lot of time looking things up on this database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and it is disheartening because it seems like everything has something nasty in it! There are many products I've wanted to try that I see other Kind Lifers enjoy (Lush, Jason, Alba, Gabriel/Zuzu etc.) but when I look them up on this database, it seems like even they are all toxic and full of harmful chemicals. Am I being too much of an idealist here? I'm thinking of trying some make up from Coastal Classic Creations b/c everything they make is rated "0" on this database, does anyone have any feedback on their products? I'm used to liquid foundation, pressed powder, blush, pencil eyeliner and mascara, so I'm not sure how I'll fare with powder foundation and powder eyeliner. Thanks for any help you can give!

PS - What are your thoughts on parabens and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? I have seen so many negative opinions of these, but many "natural" companies that seem to be very conscientious and cool (i.e. Lush) still use them... it's confusing!

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A study published in 2004 (Darbre, in the Journal of Applied Toxicology) detected parabens in breast tumors. The study also discussed this information in the context of weak estrogen-like properties of parabens and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer. However, the study left several questions unanswered. For example, the study did not show that parabens cause cancer, or that they are harmful in any way, and the study did not look at possible paraben levels in normal tissue.

Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body's naturally occurring estrogen. A 1998 study that was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology found that the most potent paraben tested in the study butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). This information combined with the knowledge of what a small amount of parabens that we use in our products stands to reason that there is little cause for concern.

We as the manufacturers are responsible for making safe products and if we have any doubts will drop an ingredient or a product. In this particular case we do not have any plans to stop using methyl and propyl parabens if we need to preserve a product although we will as always try not to preserve a product in the first place.

We manufacture many products that contain no parabens. Most of the products that you see in our stores or online that are solid contain no preservatives whatsoever. This includes our solid shampoo and conditioning bars, solid facial care products, massage bars and body butters, all of our soaps and buttercreams.

I don't really use a lot of cosmetics...but when I do photoshoots and stuff I typically will use products homemade products from people selling on Etsy. From Lush, I use a body bar for the shower and also their solid shampoos. And for my skin (moisturizers, etc.) I use Arbonne. I also take a vegan omega-3 suppliment from Arbonne when I feel I need it...best of luck on your journey!

I have to say - yes, I avoid as many chemicals as I can, especially SLS, Parabens, stuff like that. I used to religiously use the cosmetics safety "skin deep" database. However, I have come to believe you really need to take this info with a grain of salt, so to speak. I have noticed that some products in the database have an ingredient (lets say zinc oxide) and its rated a 5... in other similar products, the exact same ingredient is rated a 1 or 2. I have seen some products "score" go from a 0 or 1 to a 3 or 4 without any change in any ingredients. I basically have come to just distrust this system. I think you should look at the score, but also do your own research and decide for yourself. A lot of the Skin Deep ratings are based on "data gaps" (lack of any conclusive evidence on an ingredient).

I personally try not to use anything with a "3" or higher on the Skin Deep database, yet I also look closely at WHY those items are rated the way they are. Some pretty innocuous essential oils get really high scores and some scary chemicals get low scores!

I have recently started using Gabriel Cosmetics liquid moisturizing foundation, and I think its fabulous. Comapres to any high end brand i have ever used. And I don't see anything in the ingredients that is really a scary chemical. I love ZuZu Luxe Lipsticks, and I love Alima blushes, eyeshadows and eyeliners (although they are loose powder and take a while to get used to using).

Oooh - I knew Tom's of Maine had sold to a bigger company but didn't think to check the ingredients - I'll have to check out Weleda toothpaste now too! Aubrey Organics makes some good shampoo/conditioners that are SLS free and vegan too (not all their stuff is vegan but its clearly labeled).