By Taylor Romonowski

Published 1.26.11

We all use them… toothpastes, shampoos, lotions and cosmetics fulfill our daily routines but are those personal care products that sit in our drawers and showers safe? Some of them are, but many of them aren’t…

The skin is the body’s largest organ and being that, it’s the most typical absorption point for everyday toxins. It’s been found that up to 60% of certain ingredients in body products, such as creams, lotions and bubble bath will absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream. With that little bit of knowledge it makes us wonder what we’re really putting on our skin.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish, and our government doesn’t require companies to test products for safety before they’re sold.” With many products on shelves containing harmful chemicals and ingredients that have been found to contribute to diseases such as cancer, reproductive toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity and irritations to skin, eyes, or lungs it’s hard to believe the government would allow these products to be sold on shelves without the publics’ knowledge.

With all those confusing ingredients listed on bottles and packaging, it’s like you’re trying to read a language you’re not fluent in. The good news – The Environmental Working Group has come out with the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database that tells you just how toxic your cosmetics and personal care products really are. Rating over 64,000 products on a scale from zero being of low hazard to ten being of high hazard, you can find out the truth about what you’re putting on your body.

Your best bet: invest in products made with healthy and organic ingredients. The truth is… what you put on your body is as important to your health as what you put in your body. Instead of using products injected with synthetic colors, fragrances, phthalates or parabens, choose products packed full of plant-based, nourishing ingredients like organic shea butter and aloe vera. If it’s better for you, it’s better for the earth and those are two things not worth compromising.