Do your cosmetic labels mean anything?

Labels are being plastered on beauty products that give you the sense of safety or health, but they may not really mean anything.

In this Green Divas Health & Beauty episode, I talked to Green Diva Meg about the various terms for “natural” used in cosmetics and skincare products and what they really mean. Listen up then read on for more…

LISTEN:

Have you ever gone to the store with good intentions to buy a more natural beauty product, and picked out the one that had the most symbols with bunnies, trees and green leaves on it trusting that it must be all natural and healthy?

Or maybe you saw a cosmetics product that declared that the ingredients were vegan or gluten-free and thought, “hey that’s even better!”

Stop right there!

Unless you have celiac disease gluten-free cosmetics are not a priority and gluten-free doesn’t mean the product is better for you.

A denotation that something is “Vegan” is actually a warning signal that the product probably contains a bunch of synthetic chemicals. Some of which you may not want on your skin at all. Yes, vegan does mean that you aren’t getting animal derived ingredients, which is valid and important to many folks. Just be sure to look beyond that symbol for what else really matters to you.

Sadly natural and organic claims don’t really mean anything.

Private standards have shown up in place of the lack of government regulations. Whole Foods Market is a great example with their Premium Body Care Standard.

It’s still overwhelming to go to the store and try to remember all of what you are supposed to have or not have in your products.

If you’re looking for a list of ingredients I think are the most toxic to be avoided in cosmetics check out the glossary which lists them all and explains why here.

More than that, there’s an issue with a lot of natural products having the reputation for not being very effective, particularly in makeup. While nice ingredients are nice, makeup that slides off your face just won’t cut it.

Ten years ago we just didn’t have great options in the natural, organic world of beauty. Technology and chemistry have truly improved in this realm.

Luckily now there are a large array of companies that are very trustworthy, but it’s taking a while to shake the bad wrap the natural industry has gotten.

A Few Makeup Brands I Trust

~ Ecco Bella
~ RMS Beauty
~ W3LL People
~ Sante
~ Logona

One of my favorite overall personal care and wellness brands is Intelligent Nutrients. Horst Rechelbacher built Aveda and after he sold it, he took the knowledge, passion and commitment that he had to build an purely organic, healthy line. I was lucky enough to meet him, visit his farm and see the inner workings of the brand. It’s from that experience that I have been a staunch supporter of Intelligent Nutrients ever since.

If you’re curious to see more watch my video that takes you through his headquarters and personal farm, and where I share three of my most favorite products.

At the end of the day, you’ll have to do your own research based on what is most important to you. Sites like mine (GreenBeautyTeam.com), can be essential tools in cutting through the marketing mumbo jumbo and getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Best of luck to you on your journey in Green Beauty and cosmetic label reading!

Bonus:

Listen to the latest full episode of The Green Divas Radio Show…

 Eco beauty maven Kristen Arnett has helped thousands of women around the globe detox their makeup bags with amazing results. She’s been called a “Green Leader” by ELLE Magazine, a “Top Eco Influencer” by Eileen Fisher and a “Natural Beauty Guru” by Whole Living. As one of the few sustainable makeup artists in the world, and the founder of GreenBeautyTeam.com, Kristen uses her talents to educate people about natural beauty solutions (that really work!) as a pathway to total well-being. Carla Hall, co-host of The Chew said, “What Kristen Arnett taught me was so simple, yet so profound!” Find out for yourself why top models and celebrities say working with her has transformed their lives. During a one-on-one consultation in NYC or via Skype, you’ll learn how to maximize your best assets at any age, so you can you take on the world feeling vibrant and beautiful every day. Get your free guide to the Top 25 Green Beauty Buys when you subscribe to GreenBeautyTeam.com. 

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