Pass on Petrolatum
Considered a “possible human carcinogen” by the EPA, petroleum is found in American-made personal care products under the name “liquid paraffin,” and is banned in Europe for use in these products. Petroleum—and its derivatives petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin—is the old-school go-to for an ingredient that softens skin; unfortunately, it’s also derived from fossil fuels. […]
Spot Treat
Love the beach? Prolonged sun exposure—as well as hormonal changes, especially in women—can lead to hyperpigmentation, in which some patches of skin are darker than others. Many dermatologists will prescribe products that contain the ingredient hydroquinone to address this condition. However, you should know that the EPA considers hydroquinone a “skin irritant”, and scientists have […]
Clarify Organic
Newsflash: The words “organic,” “eco” and “natural” are totally unregulated: They can mean that a product contains plant-derived ingredients and is cruelty- and preservative-free, but because they’re simply descriptives, they could also mean the manufacturer just threw these words on the label to make a sale. Get products that walk the talk, by looking for […]
Sweat Better
When it comes to underarms, it’s important to understand one essential distinction: Deodorants stop odor. Antiperspirants stop sweating. Some scientists have suggested that stopping that sweat with chemical compounds can affect the lymph system and compromise the immune system. The debate can get heated (pun intended), but even if conventional medicine says they’re safe, why […]
