The problem is that a lot of these products may say they’re “natural” or “organic,” but fail to actually live up to their claims. Manufacturers know that today’s savvy customers are willing to pay a few pennies more for a product they believe will be better for their health, so they pile on the hype, shouting about how green their products are, when in reality, they may have simply thrown in a plant extract or two and called it good.

Why does this happen? Profit, plain and simple. Imagine you’re Joe CEO, head of a huge corporation, and you’re tasked with improving your bottom line for the following year. You haven’t hit the “green” market yet, so you set your teams to work on a new product line. They come back with two scenarios: 1) use real natural ingredients and either increase prices to cover the costs or take a hit on profit margin; or 2) keep the same standard formula, but add a few green-sounding ingredients to satisfy the health-conscious consumer, while keeping prices low and profits high. I don’t  have to tell you what many corporations choose!

This is why it’s so necessary for us to read labels and continue to educate ourselves about what’s safe and what’s not. I’ve already given you a convenient “Ingredients to Avoid” card you can take with you when you go shopping, but here are a few more tips to help you determine the wheat from the chaff.

1. Read the label. It’s the easiest way to discover the truth. Read to find out what’s really inside the product!

2. Look for ingredients you can pronounce, and use caution with words like “natural” and “organic.” So far, we have no regulations in this country concerning the use of these words, so even if a product puts just one organic ingredient in a formula, they can call the whole thing “organic.” Some organic products can still contain potentially harmful carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and other harsh chemicals. Real organic stuff will contain simpler ingredients you can actually pronounce. If you see a USDA seal, that’s also a good sign, as that means that the product is 95 percent organic. Just make sure the other five percent doesn’t include phthalates, petrochemicals, and the like.

3. Pay attention to pecking order. In the world of personal care products, being first is important. What’s the first ingredient on the list? How about the second and third? Lots of products claiming to be natural or green will throw in herbs and extracts, but you can tell they’re frauds when you see these near the end of the ingredient list.

4. Don’t be deceived by “naturally derived.” Boiling hot water may be “naturally derived,” but does that mean it’s safe? Of course not. The source may be water—perfectly natural—but at a boiling temperature it’s plenty dangerous. Manufacturers love to put “naturally derived” on their labels to make you think they’re natural. Take something like PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate. Yes, it comes from coconut oil, but the problem is what happens between the coconut and the product. In this case, the ingredient is put through a lot of processing, which can include the use of chemicals and may result in dangerous by-products. Don’t be fooled. Just because the source is safe doesn’t mean the end product is.

5. Forget fragrance. I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: the word “fragrance” is a handy term manufacturers can use to cover up whatever they’re using to create that fragrance—which is often lots of chemicals.

Do you have other tips for scouting out safe products? Please share.

Photo courtesy the dnotley2002 via Flickr.com.

Produce: If you see the USDA Organic seal on produce, it means it was produced without most conventional pesticides or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge. Organic farmers also emphasize renewable resources and conservation of soil and water. On the whole, organic fruits and vegetables have less pesticide residue and lower nitrate levels than conventional fruits and vegetables.

Meat & Dairy: Organic means the livestock were not given antibiotics or growth hormones. A new regulation requires that the animals graze on open pastures for at least 120 days, and 30% of their dietary needs must come from pasture. Organic milk has more vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids then regular milk. Organic meat also has higher levels of omega-3s and lower fat overall than that from animals fed a high-corn diet.

Cosmetics: Chemicals in personal-care products have been linked with cancer, asthma, hormone-disruption, skin irritation, and more. However, organic cosmetics are not as closely regulated as organic foods, so you have to be careful and read ingredient lists. Even those that have certified-organic seals—such as the USDA seal—do not provide a guarantee of safety for sensitive skin. Organic standards are not safety standards, but are more about promoting greenness and sustainability, while pushing organic agriculture. Learn what ingredients to avoid, and rely on the back of the label, not the front.

Processed: Believe it or not, processed foods are now coming in organic versions. We’re talking things like cookies, crackers, and pasta. These are regulated by the USDA, and if the product carries the seal, it must have at least 95% organic ingredients. Read the ingredient label—organic crackers and cookies often stay away from high fructose corn syrup, which we can all do without. The label on your baby food items may also give you peace of mind in that the product is low on pesticides. However, just because it says “organic” doesn’t mean it’s healthy—organic cookies may still have a lot of calories and sugar, for example, so consume sparingly!

Cotton and Coffee: Since these two crops are usually heavily covered in pesticides, organic brands have come to light. Most of the pesticides are removed during processing, but they can affect the land where the crops are grown. Buying organic can help preserve environmental health.

Do you buy more organic than you used to? Please share your thoughts.

Photo courtesy volatile1966 via Flickr.com.

If so, you may be a little frustrated. It’s all well and good to want to buy better, safer products, but sometimes it’s another thing to find them! We think if we go to health food stores or places who claim to sell “natural” or “organic” products, we’ll be able to pull most anything off the shelf and feel good about it, but unfortunately, even these stores can sometimes have products with toxic ingredients. Rule of thumb: Always read ingredient lists no matter what the product claims.

To help you out, we’ve put together a list of places where you’re more likely to find the products you’re looking for. Again, always read labels, but if you start with these locations, you’ll have better luck getting what you need.

Skin Deep Database: Whatever product you choose, you can always check it out at the Skin Deep Database, which will list the ingredients and give you toxicity scores on each.

Health Food Stores: Though you must still be careful, health food stores typically have more safe products than will your typical department store. Try whole foods markets, vitamin cottages, natural health stores, organic shops, and the like.

Organic Departments: Many grocery stores now have organic sections that carry organic and natural brands of personal care products. You may find what you’re looking for there.

Beautorium: A natural and organic beauty emporium, Beautorium offers a hand-picked selection of the best in natural and organic beauty products from around the world. They screen the products so that all are natural or organic (most are certified), cruelty-free, and effective. A unique “good to know” system summarizes the information you need to know to make wise choices.

Bella Floria: Subtitled “truth in beauty,” this site takes beauty seriously—but naturally. They feature carefully selected natural skin care, cosmetics, aromatherapy, bath and body, soap, hair care and other beauty products. All are chosen for quality certified-organic and all-natural ingredients. Brands are eco-friendly and do not contain parabens, artificial fragrances, or dyes.

Best in Beauty: Confused about reading labels? This site has a new “Labels for Life” page that teaches you how to read cosmetic ingredients just like you’ve learned to read nutrition facts on food labels. A shopping site as well as an advocate for safer products, Best in Beauty has all-natural skin care, hair care, body care, fragrances, and gift packages.

Caren Online: Here you’ll find products to help you create simply beautiful skin—natural and organic items free of parabens and other toxins. Products are screened to be chemical-free. Even the site looks fresh! Also has a men’s care department and a blog.

Cathys Organic Super Store: This site prides itself on offering organic products at lower prices. Members get items at 25-70% off. The store is huge—everything from beauty to clothing to gifts to home to pets to babies. Lots to choose from!

Edible Nature: This is a discount web site carrying popular natural & organic health and beauty products from famous brand names including Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bees, Waleda, Ecover, and more. You can find vitamins, natural beauty products, natural cleansers, organic tea & coffee, and wholesale bulk organic foods.

Future Natural: Go to this site for Soleo Sunscreen—voted #1 by Skin Deep Database—and for organic perfumes, lip glazes, shampoos and conditioners, makeup, and just about anything beauty related. You’ll even find a blog and a glossary of ingredients.

Good Earth Beauty: Focusing exclusively on beauty products, this site screens all products to include only those that are natural, organic, and have not been tested on animals. You’ll find body scrubs, eye shadows, face & body oils, and much more, plus a blog, ingredients glossary, and even a vegan shop. Includes products from smaller companies as well.

Mint & Berry: You’ll find regular sales on this site, founded by Charmaine Leah, skin care therapist. Products include organic skin care, hair, and body care that are free of synthetic ingredients. They also avoid parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, phthalates, PEG, artificial colorants and dyes, BHT, petroleum, and more. These products contain more herbal extracts, fruit-based ingredients, and certified-organic essential oils.

Natural Solutions: Natural brands such as Living Nature, Primavera Life, and Brigit True Organics can be found here, as well as other natural and organic alternatives in the bath, body, skin, and cosmetic realms. No parabens or synthetic dyes. You’ll also find beauty advice.

Nimli: With sales of the week, featured brands, and a blog, this site seeks to show you stylish but sustainable natural and organic products, including beauty, home décor, accessories, and clothing. Founded in New York City, Nimli seeks to offer everyone green products that embrace style.

Pristine Planet: Selling aromatherapy, bath & beauty, cosmetics, personal-care items, skin care, and even products for pregnancy, Pristine Planet lists products from socially responsible merchants all over the world. The revenue from purchases goes to green businesses. Each product is tagged with a label to help you decide for yourself who you want to buy from.

Saffron-Rouge: This website has makeup, hair, and bath products all made without unsafe ingredients.

Spirit Beauty Lounge: Shop by brand or type of product on this site that carries all organic and sustainable products.

The Nature of Beauty: Makeup, skin care, hair care, mom & baby, & men’s products are all here—and all either organic or natural. Founders of the site claim to read every label and research every ingredient. The site also includes a blog, an ingredients-to-avoid list, and samples.

Do you have other places our readers can find safe products? Let us know.

Photo courtesy Snap Village.

Though adults can now find, with some effort, safe personal-care products that contain few toxic ingredients, the tween scene continues to be dominated by brands full of propylene glycol (a hormone disruptor); sodium laureth sulfates (harsh on skin); and DMDM hydantoin, a skin, eye, and lung irritant. Add to that the sparkly packaging dancing with idols like Hannah Montana and Hello Kitty and your own plain-colored organic products will never compete, no matter how much you plead.

Fortunately, things are changing. We’re thrilled to hear of some new things happening for the well being of girls who are not yet full-blown teeneagers, but are starting to experiment with being young women—the “tween” set. “Good For You Girls” has hit the shelves, a brand of skincare for teens and tweens that combines natural and organic ingredients and avoids toxic chemicals like parabens, petrochemicals, dyes and irritants, and synthetic fragrances. Finally, young girls have a choice in the products they buy!

Another one—Sparklehearts—makeup, bath, and beauty products that steer clear of chemicals, avoid animal testing, and stay away from artificial colorants. Better yet, these companies know their audience—you’ll find no plain-Jane packaging with little color and pizzazz. Colorful pink and yellow labels that appeal to young girls help make the sale.

Young girls are more at risk from all the toxins we find in most mainstream products, as their bodies aren’t as able to detoxify. We mentioned in an earlier post how the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found 16 chemicals in the blood and urine samples of 20 teen girls—including phthalates, triclosan, and parabens. Young girls are still growing, and since they’re going through puberty, they’re just starting to develop reproductive systems. Hormone-altering chemicals present in the blood stream could be particularly harmful. Tween and teen girls also use more products than adults as they go through a period of experimentation, exposing themselves to over 100 different cosmetic ingredients.

Many girls in the tween years know little about the dangers present in the ingredients in personal-care products, but some are starting to change that, as well. An organization called “Teens Turning Green” (TTG) is a student-led movement educating other teens about eliminating toxic exposure. Started in 2002 as “Teens for Safe Cosmetics,” the group has grown to encourage teens to look for greener alternatives, with grassroots efforts that raise awareness. They’re also working with natural beauty companies to create new TTG products.

We invite you to support these companies and organizations by introducing your teen or tween girl to the new options available in safe products. With the power of our purchasing dollars and our voices, we are changing the marketplace, and can help continue and expand such changes so that more of our young people have the option to live safer, healthier lives—through the teen years and beyond.

Has your teen or tween girl tried some of these new, safer products? What did she think?

Photo courtesy K. Walls via Flickr.com.

Great. You’re convinced, but now you may be saying: Just how am I supposed to make heads or tails of these things? I can’t even pronounce half the words!

Don’t worry. When you’re looking at labels, just follow these few tips.

1. Check the first five-to-eight ingredients. Ingredients are listed according to their concentration. (The only exception is if the product contains an ingredient classified as a drug, or an “active” ingredient—like Retin A or zinc oxide. Then that ingredient will be listed first, regardless of concentration.) The product contains the most of the first ingredient, and the least of the last. So even if a product brags about its vitamin C content, if vitamin C is one of the last ingredients, you know that there’s probably not enough in there to do you any good. Not only that, but according to Life123 author Heleigh Bostwick, “…the rule of thumb is that about 90% of the skin care product is made from the top 33% of the ingredients.” That means if the product lists 25 ingredients, at least 90% of it consists of the first eight. If you can’t pronounce them (or if they’re ingredients you should avoid), pass the product by.

2. Toxic ingredients accumulate. Based on this information, you may be thinking, “Well, okay, so if I’m supposed to avoid parabens, but the parabens are listed last on the ingredient deck, then surely they are present in such small amounts that they won’t hurt me?” This is actually what manufacturers think, and the reason the FDA hasn’t taken any action to disallow these ingredients. But studies have found parabens in the tissue of breast cancer patients, and remember—you use many personal-care products on a daily basis, and most of them will have parabens or other potentially toxic ingredients. Multiply that “little bit” times your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, toner, face cleanser, night cream, eye cream, makeup, and more—used 365 days a year, for over 80 years—and you end up with significant buildup.

3. Take the words “natural” and “organic” with a grain of salt. When you’re looking for less toxic formulas, organic products can be a good place to start, but always check the label. Unlike the food industry, which has standards products must follow to claim “organic,” the cosmetic industry has no such standard—unless you see an organic seal. Most seals do come with certain requirements. (Read our post about organic labels.)  But if the product just says “organic” or “natural,” that’s no guarantee. Make sure the ingredients echo the claim.

4. Brush up on our ingredients to avoid. Some companies try to make ingredients sound better than they really are. For instance, many will list sodium lauryl sulfate (a harsh cleanser) and qualify it as “from coconut oil.” Don’t be fooled. The product isn’t coconut oil. They take an alcohol from the oil and process it through a chemical reaction that can result in impurities like dioxane 1,4.

5. The more ingredients you can pronounce, the better. Manufacturers are learning that natural herbs and essential oils have many properties that are good for the skin. So when you’re reading the label, if you see things like “aloe, orange extract, olive juice extract, patchouli essential oil,” and the like, you’re better off than if you read “bis-diglyceryl Caprylate, Ceteareth-12, methylparaben and sodium laureth sulfate.”

6. Check the expiration date. When using truly natural products, pay attention to the ‘use-by’ date. If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, you want to be especially careful not to use expired products, to lower your risk of infection. Instead of stocking your cupboards with too many products (which is no bargain if they expire), buy more only when you’ve used up what you have.

If you’re in doubt about an ingredient, check our list of those to avoid, go to the cosmetic database, or try the Smart Skin Care glossary. In a short amount of time, your friends will be coming to you for advice on their favorite brands!

Please pass along any other helpful tips on reading labels.

Photo courtesy Kevin Boyd, via Flickr.com