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How to be an Eco-Fashionista

According to recent research 70% of a product that is applied to the skin is absorbed into our bloodstream. The average woman uses 12 products containing 168 unique ingredients every day. According to a recent survey Skindeep published by EWG, 'an astonishing one third of all products in the Cosmetics and Skincare industry contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens'. One of every 120 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as known or probable human carcinogens. One of every five adults are potentially exposed every day to all of the top seven carcinogenic impurities. How is this happening? The problem is that many of the ingredients of skincare products are not tested and there is little regulation to do so. In the USA they found that only 28 out of these 7500 products reviewed were being assessed for safety, and only 9 out of 10,000 ingredients have been banned, in contrast to 450 banned in the European Union.

What are the categories for concern?

  • coal tar - used in shampoos and hair dyes and is a known human carcinogen. Used in Neutrogena T-gel shampoo
  • alpha hydroxy acids (skin peelers) - warned by the FDA in 1992 as a burning of the skin - used today thought in 10% of all moisturisers
  • phthalates (plasticizers) - are added to soften and give moisture, but scientists have found can cause damage to the female reproductive system
  • nitrosamines (carcinogens) - 1 of every 100 products on the market lists on the label a known or probable human carcinogen
At least 55% of all products assessed by EWG contain 'penetration enhancers' which help ensure the product penetrated the bloodstream.

You can check out your personal care products and verify if their ingredients are harmful. Hint: Just type in your brand (in the brand box) then click enter.

Solutions for the Eco-conscious Fashionista

A natural product by definition contains only pure essential oils extracted from a botanical source - such as a flower, seed, root.

Skincare
Astara Skincare are purely botanical and eco-friendly products but with a distinct advantage - they are the only 'live' product on the market place. Astara ingredients remain active and have a 'pure life force' and, unique to them, contain a super antioxidant and ATP (accelerated cellular energy) helping rejuvenate the skin. The idea behind the product is the more you use it, the less you need it. After all, skincare is supposed to heal your skin and replenish skin cells damaged by health or environmental pollutants. Astara introduced me to The Tissue Respiration Factor (TRF) which measures how much oxygen is delivered to the skin. Most products have a TRF between +2 and -2. The Astara Botanical Eye Treatment has a TRF of +51 because one of the ingredients in it is raw yeast. This makes it very effective in stepping up the circulation in the delicate eye area where circulation is sluggish because the blood vessels are so tiny, and the results are less puffiness and diminished dark circles and fine lines. The packaging, whilst biodegradable and recyclable, is very modern (blue glass) so makes its own impact on your bathroom counter top. I really can't recommend these products enough. Coincidentally, I met the founder of Astara, Sunny, whilst researching these product lines and experienced a mini facial. My skin has never felt or looked so alive, and that is their intention - to bring life to your skin. Recommend: Cleanser, scrub, tonic, activating mineral mask, the appropriate moisturiser. (note:Astara are featured in the report for unqualified products as listed - the natural substances - such as fruit and herb extracts). Available: The Beauty Lounge, 2 Percy Street London or on-line. Other brands - Dr Hauschka.

Cosmetics
Garden Botanika are botanically based, cruelty free natural make-up. Unlike some of the organic make-up brands, they have some attractive packaging and also some good colours and modern products. Their liptints offer a basic range of neutrals pinks and browns that will replace a sticky lipgloss at the same time as leaving some light eco-cover. I also like their cheek and lip stain for us Asset Managers that want an all in one product for a quick touch up. Unfortunately they don't ship outside of the US, but you may want to ask! Other brands: Jane Iredale.

Personal Hygiene
Natracare certified organic cotton feminine hygiene products are GMO free and 100% non-chlorine bleached. Natracare tampons are free from rayon, binders, plastics, surfactants, resins and fragrances. Natracare's panty shields do not contain polyacrylic absorbents or have plastic covers that lie next to the skin. Some toxins can be released in the manufacturing process of paper pulp products and can be absorbed by the woman when using the products causing harm. Natracare range are not only surprisingly comfortable and you can immediately feel the difference of using a natural material rather than synthetic, but they also are free from these toxins or pesticides that are used in the farming process of cotton. They are also biodegradable. Available: in London at Planet Organic, Fresh and Wild, select larger supermarkets or your local health shop. Also check out the site for your stockist or buy on line.

Perfume
Perfume today is a far cry from its original ingredients - flowers. More than 4,000 chemicals are used in fragrances. Of these, 95% are made from petroleum. Toluene was found in every fragrance sample collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a 1991 report. "Toluene was most abundant in the auto parts store as well as the fragrance section of the department store." Toluene has been proven to cause cancer and nervous system damage and is designated as hazardous waste.<>No agency regulates the fragrance industry, yet perfume chemicals are as damaging to health as tobacco smoke. I haven't used traditional perfume for years mainly because I think the scent precedes you and can be an intrusion and create false impressions. What i have opted for is Aveda natural oil scents- Pure Fume - Chakra Attraction, which I currently reevaluating as some of their products were not positively represented in the EWG report. What I also highly recommend is essential oils - mix with another oil (pure oil directly applied is not recommended) for a bath, or also with water for a spray. Cinnamon, mandarin, jasmine are my favourite, but also using oils can provide medicinal benefits such as Pomegranate oil for aging skin or eczema or Grape Seed oil for acne. Natural unrefined botanical oils contain anti-aging vitamins A, C, E, D and anti-oxidants naturally,so can be included in your skincare regime. I like the idea of a lot of home brewing going on after this newsletter. It was a way of life for the ancient Egyptians and it is for the indigenous populations to use the herbs around them for everyday life requirements - cooking, cleaning, healing. Unfortunately it is an art form lost to the larger companies and to synthetic and harmful man-made replacements. Alchemy has become biochemical. You can purchase natural oils from many stores or pharmacies.

Dry Cleaning
Dry Cleaning is actually a process that involves soaking fabrics in perchloroethylene, which is a persistent toxic chemical that is highly volatile and has been linked to cancer, birth defects, damage to the central nervous system, and a host of short-term effects such as dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. The Wall Street Journal printed an article on how perch has proven to cause cancers 'The Air Quality Management District says that 90 in one million people living near dry cleaners have a probability of contracting cancer from perc emissions, which is well above the air-quality district's threshold of 25 in one million. The chemical is supposed to evaporate whilst clothes are at the dry cleaners, it is often trapped by the plastic bags that wrap the garments and can then expel for up to a week after you bring them home. Also, they damage the natural fibres of the clothes by almost burning away the texture itself. Hugo Boss some years ago carried out a survey and discovered that after only six dry cleans, their suit started to deteriorate. Now I know there is a requirement to clean your clothes, but you don't actually need to visit the dry cleaners that often. Many people dry clean their clothes after 3 or 4 wears. If you brush the garment down after wearing and hang it to air in front of a window, then that will allow it to release any dust residue and odours. Also, with certain fabrics (check the label) you may be able to wash in cold water. If the garment can be dipped in perchloroethylene then I can't see why water wouldn't be a problem! You may also want to ask your cleaners if they still use perc as some cleaners are starting to move over to using more friendly products as environment agencies are pushing the issue.


Learning more about the products we use and the negative impacts on our environment is crucial. Especially as most products we use actually come into contact with us! The phrase 'what you don't know won't kill ya' is a dangerous view point when it comes to your own environment and your well-being.

The following sites has some great info for making your own cleaning products at home e.g. white vinegar for cleaning windows. Our Little Place and Seventh Generation

The Guardian Feature - Chemical World
Useful information like 20 ways to cut out chemicals and the Big List with a great range of recommended products for the home. I am still researching Clothing, but for now check out Peopletree - I particularly like their wrap skirt.

I could continue forever... but bookmark this page and check back for future updates to the Eco-Fashionista page.



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©2004 Sarah Whittaker  [www.TheWardrobeShrink.com].
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Sarah Whittaker has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines worldwide, and writes The Wardrobe Shrink Newsletter full of the latest fashion trends, celebrity style and honest image advice.

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