SAFER Organic Personal Care Products

Organic personal care products are probably your best bet if you are avoiding nasty chemicals.

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID AND WHY

• DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea

toxic contaminants

• Fragrance and dyes

allergies, cancer, nervous system

• Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone

allergies, nervous system

• Parabens or “-paraben”

hormone effects

• “PEG” and “-eth”

toxic contaminants

• Sodium lauryl or Laureth sulfate

skin damage, toxic contaminants

• Triclosan and triclocarban

thyroid and environmental concerns

• Triethanolamine (TEA)

allergies, a toxic contaminant

Here are PRODUCTS TO AVOID

Anti-aging creams
with lactic, glycolic, AHA, and
BHA acids
Hair dyes
with ammonia, peroxide, p-phenylenediamine,
diaminobenzene;
all dark permanent hair dyes
Liquid hand soaps
with triclosan
Nail polish and removers
with formaldehyde
Skin lighteners
with hydroquinone

ALSO
• Use fewer, simpler products.
• Don’t trust claims like “dermatologist-tested,”
“natural,” or “organic.” Read the ingredient
label instead.
• Take label warnings seriously. They indicate
hazardous chemicals.
• Look up your products’ reviews at EWG’s cosmeticsdatabase.com

SUNSCREENS
• Stay in the shade from 10
am to 4 pm
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, &
protective clothing
• Use SPF 30 or higher
• Avoid sprays and the
ingredient oxybenzone
• Use 7% or higher zinc
oxide or titanium dioxide
• Avoid added bug repellent

CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS
• Avoid boric acid and
sodium borate in diaper
cream
• Avoid 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-
1,3-diol in baby wipes
• Avoid toothpaste with
fluoride for children under 2
• Avoid play makeup like
lipstick, perfume, and
nail polish