organic makeup?

http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/formaldehyde-allergy.html

There are quite a few sites on line...I found this one informative, and bookmarked it a while ago.

Formaldehyde is also known by several other names. These include:

Formalin

Methanal

Methyl aldehyde

Methylene oxide

Morbicid acid

Oxymethylene

Take care...x

Victoria

vivre,I asked two unrelated sources about the accuracy of EWG's data and got the thumbs up (and their list of veggies with the most and least amount of pesticides has been quoted all over). That said, some of their reports are vague. For example, many products list "fragrance." Without more detail, EWG assumes the worst risk of any fragrance. (but if they don't have more detail, I'm not sure what the alternative is) Everyone has a different perspective on this. I'd like to reduce my exposure to potential environmental toxins, so I'm trying to reduce suspected carcinogens when it's easy. (for me it's easy to switch to shampoos with suspected bad stuff, toothpaste w/o SLS, and to eat all organic when feasible, etc)

Re: hair dye. I've heard it's worse for dark dye. FWIW, when my hairdress highlighted my blond-ish hair last time, she made a point to mention that she doesn't touch my scalp (or anyone's). So maybe that helps. I've seen hair dyes in the health food store but haven't done any research. Maybe an option?

Veggiegal-funny you should ask about hair dyes. This is one thing I just cannot give up. I am not ready to look like a grandma yet, since it looks like a long time before my sons will make me one. lol I just got my done professionally for the first time in years, and she used something she said was less toxic and it burned like hell. I tried all those "non toxic" things and they just do not work. So I am going back to my preference by l'oreal. It does not irritate or smell too much and since the hair is basically "dead" I do not worry about it absorbing much. I think people who have trouble are those who work in the beauty business and are exposed to a a lot of it on a daily basis. Since I do not use much else, I am not giving up on the hair dye.

Peggy-I just have not been able to find any real scientists, other than political scientists behind the EWG. Who is making their assertations? Nobody knows. They are an anticapitalism group that does a lot of propaganda to solicit donations. Yes, there are ruthless companies out there, but lets not condemn every ingredient that there is not real science behind. We have to be careful of course and keep it as simple as possible, but we do not have to be paranoid of everything. There is a lot of misinformation out there. But do not take my word for it. Do the research and make your own conclusions who to believe. If you like left wing lobbying groups that spend millions buying politicians, then go ahead and take the EWG and their sister orgs for their word. I no longer trust anyone with a political agenda.

Victoria-great breakdown on the formaldehyde. I have such unfond memories of smelling that stuff when I took anatomy in college as the cadavers were preserved with it. It is great for dead people but not for us still walking! That smell was so horrible. I remember my teacher eating his lunch in the cadaever room. It was freaky. It made me gag.

Vivre, I don't want to sidetrack this thread into a flame war, but a quick scan of EWG's staff page shows 2 chemistry PhDs + 1 immunology PhD plus others with MS and/or BS in the sciences. The first topic I clicked on "Survey of BPA in Canned Foods" contained a long page of references, maybe 100 or more. The site lists their staff, board and sources of funding so they aren't a complete unknown. I agree we don't need to be paranoid, but right now I'd rather take a cautious approach to environmental influences. I don't treat their website as the bible, but I think it's ok to use it as one source of data, among many. 

I find the commentary against EWG surprising but I do agree it's always good to get information from more than one source. David Suzuki's website has "Sustainable Shopper's Guide to Dirty Dozen Ingredients to Avoid in your Cosmetics" : http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/

 I recently tried Herbatint hair dye http://www.herbatint.co.uk/herbatint/using/herbatint-ingredients.php that I found in my health food store. Not sure how much more wholesome it is but the claims on the box indicate that it is a healthier alternative. It does not come with an applicator! Very awkward!

Something to keep in mind is that companys quite often change their ingredients.  For example, after reading through these posts, I looked up Aubrey Organic's Herbal Mist on Amazon and the ingredients included PABA, which I thought was a bad ingredient.  When I looked it up on the safe cosmetics database, the ingredient list was different and that version included soy, which is a no-no for breast cancer patients who are ER+ PR+.  So, no matter what we look at, I think it is wise to still look at the ingredients.  

I have been trying for quite a while to find products I like that are safe and it is not easy as we all know.  Here are some fun things you can make yourself so you know what you are putting on your skin:    http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=233

David Suzuki seems to get his talking points from the EWG

Here is a source that looks much more credible:

http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/resources.php

Found a few physical block sunscreens that I thought I'd share:

 John Masters Organics Natural Mineral sunscreen SPF 30.  Have used it 3 times on my face, neck, and chest.  At first I was worried about white residue and greasiness, but it worked right in and left my face soft and not pale and 'lilac' (I have olive skin).  

http://www.saffronrouge.com/john-masters-organics/natural-mineral-sunscreen-spf-30

The other is Erbaviva.  I felt the tiniest bit pale at first (on my arms and legs), but nothing like a few other physical blockers that I have used.  Also, it is nowhere even near greasy, so good for those with oily skin.  Worked really well, didn't burn at all (or tan for that matter).  Need to try it out on my face next. 

http://www.saffronrouge.com/erbaviva/sunscreen-spf-15 

I'm using some Tarte and Korres products, I really like them.  Ulta and Sephora both carry Tarte, Sephora for Korres.  Also, some good online web sites that carry these and others.

Re: sunscreen - I have used Alba and Elta MD.  Alba is available at Whole Foods and some regular groceries.  Elta is online.  A friend had some and I used it and liked.  Also, I like the mineral sunscreens for my face, they are light and don't increase likelihood of breakouts.  My skin is so weird from chemo that I am trying to be really careful with it.

re: nail polish - Butter London (available at Ulta) and Zoya (available at certain salons or online) are two that I have used that are 3-free (Toulene, Formaldehyde, and one I can't remember thanks to chemo).  There are others out there too, but these have good colors and various treatment products like ridge filler, etc. 

I came across two more websites with organic makeup

 http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm  my local whole foods had a product display i tried

http://www.zuiiorganic.com/  a local health food store has this display.  i think i will go back because they were having a sale with 20% off and with organic prices you need something

 i know this is he makeup thread but i found organic eye makeup remover.

 http://www.alkaitis.com/Organic_Mascara_Eye_Makeup_Remover_p/14.htm

 I love the Dr Alkaitis line.  To start off i purchased the trial sizes to see if I really liked it and it worked.  I do and it does for me.

Tigsun - I found the Zuii brand at a small cosmetics boutique here locally.  I am using a lipstick of theirs and love it!  Also mascara, but I'm not in love with it.  It's good, but the darkest color she had was charcoal and due to thinning of eyelashes I would prefer black to give me all the help I can get.  Both smell great - like flowers, which the product is made from.  I'd recommend it, particularly with the 20% off coupon!

Thanks for the eye make up remover tip - had not yet found one that was organic. 

Thank you for your reality check, Melizzard. I'm six months after surgery and with a positive prognosis but found myself spinning more and more into fearfulness about every morsel that goes into my body and every element that touches my skin -- all a denial that life is short no matter when it ends and ours to enjoy as much as we can. While some thoughtful choices are smart, we can't control everything, and living in fear doesn't allow us to enjoy whatever time we have. Blessings to you.

I like the Burt's Bees products ... their unfragranced lotion rocks.

xxoo

Melissa

I am trying to change my makeup as I need to replace it.  I need to replace my concealer and my mascara.  What brands to you gals like the best?