The answer is probably “yes.” I have a very difficult time finding a product I can purchase off the shelves that does not contain toxic ingredients. Even products from Arbonne, Mary Kay, Avon, etc. are not free of toxins. Makes me mad that Arbonne touts the whole “Pure. Safe. Beneficial.” slogan, because it’s simply not true.
One lady has set out to educate the public on toxins in beauty products and has created her own website called OrganicDivas.com.
Another organization has started a Campaign for Safer Cosmetics www.safecosmetics.org, where cosmetic and beauty care companies sign a compact that their products do not contain certain toxic ingredients. They are a coalition working to protect the public health by calling for the elimination of chemicals used in the cosmetics industry linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.
They look at several factors when evaluating companies including global compliance with the EU cosmetics directive (strictest standards in the world for cosmetics), fully disclosing all ingredients, have a safe rating in the EWG’s cosmeticsdatabase.com, among other things.
You can download their PDF of campaign signers. Unless you already have eliminated such toxins from you home, it’s unlikely you will recognize many, if any, of these companies. Many of these are small companies who were started by mothers, women and other consumers who wanted safer products and were not able to find them. Some people had medical conditions that were aggravated by traditional skincare products, thus they created their own.
Organic Diva’s Fave Brands
• Suki facial cleansers and foundations
• UV Natural sunscreens (they have a baby version too)
• Zum soaps and lotions
• Afterglow lipstick and blush
• Wee soaps, lotions and sunscreens for babies
Diva’s Dirty Dozen
Here’s a list of synthetic cosmetic ingredients known to cause or strongly suspected of causing cancer, birth defects or endocrine (hormone) disruption, as compiled by nutritionist and author Ann Louise Gittleman for the Organic Diva website.
• Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben
• Imidazolindyl urea
• Diazolindyl urea
• Petrolatum
• Propylene glycol
• PVP/V copolymer
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Stearalkonium chloride
• Synthetic colors
• Synthetic fragrances
• Phthalates
• Triethanolamine
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California Baby sunscreen product review
Natural families and lifestyle 
I’m glad you posted this. Most people don’t know about all of the harmful ingredients in cosmetics. Fortunately some new books have increased exposure.
Nice site ‘Diva Organics’. The prices are a little much, but the skin and beauty products look very inviting. Another site that deals with toxins in beauty products and skin products is called dyingtolookgood.com.
toohip — i will have to check out that other site — i definitely like the name of it! very catchy and true! 🙂
Chae organics and the Toxic Free Foundation are of great help and they have wonderful products but better yet truthful information so you can check the products you have in your home for ingredients that can cause cancer and other harmful side effects. Linda Chae had cancer, so she understands why products should be toxic free.
While I believe your intentions are good with the information you are posting on your site you may want to do a little more research again before reposting an article that is over a year old. Products have been eliminated. Products have been reformulated. Products have been introduced that address the concerns many of us are now on the lookout for that are toxic and address the elimination of toxic materials we are exposed to on a daily basis. Please don’t give someone who’s never heard of Arbonne the wrong impression.
Don, thank you for your comments. The post and article were timely at the time they were published. This post was published in Sept 2008. At the time, I still had my Arbonne login and access to the ingredients. I am glad to know since then they have reformulated their products. However, it is my understanding many products still contain formaldehyde and likely dioxanes as well. If this in not accurate, I’d love to see their updated ingredient lists. Additionally, they are not have not become a signer of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/display.php?modin=50. But for now, I am still not comfortable using or recommending Arbonne products. Again, glad to see they are reformulating to take the products in the right direction. Thank you for your comments!
NYR products DO NOT contain any chemical or toxic ingredients!
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a
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