This is an update only in the sense that I've stopped using some products. I haven't found replacements for all of them yet, but I will someday...
For now, here's what I've stopped using:
1. Banana Boat SPF chapstick. That stuff just seems not good for me, and until I find a chapstick with SPF that's safe, I'll just go without the sunscreen aspect.
Old score:7
New score: none
2. Softlips chapstick (the cherry kind, not the pomegranate organic stuff that rocks). I stopped using this simply because I ran out, but couldn't find just the organic stuff at the store yet. When I do I'll just buy more of that. Until then, I'll do with what I have...
Old score: 7
New score: none
3. Carmex in the tub. Same story as the softlips. I was alarmed by the score here, so I'll just make do until I find better options.
Old score: 7
New score: none
4. Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap. I ran out. And didn't feel like buying more, considering the score. I've been using homemade soap instead, which I can't imagine has a score more than 1. So that's what I'm calling it.
Old score: 8
New score: 1
So that takes us to this place: Before: 16 products, score of 87, average 5.44
Now, 13 products, score of 59, average 4.54
Woohoo! Don't want to get too excited yet, however, since I haven't fully cataloged all of the products I use, especially my makeup. But for now, it's good :)
Showing posts with label chapstick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapstick. Show all posts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Chapasticka
Went to Target and picked up some new Softlips -- It was a double pack with this new lip tint stuff and a bonus pomegranate organic one. Oh Softlips, how I do love you, and cannot deny buying your amazing two-packs. Let's see how this affects my score
Previous score: 6.21
1. Softlips Pure SPF 15 shell pink sheer lip tint
Have to enter this one in the database...The package claims it's 100% natural, so let's see what we come up with. ...a 3. Well, a 3 isn't too bad. The bulk of the ingredients are 1s and 0s, with the highest being a 4 (Flavor...what? Flavor??). Zinc Oxide is the SPF ingredient, and it's only a 2, so that's pretty promising, since so much of what I've seen is SPF ingredients that have horribly high scores. Overall, I'm pretty pleased!
HAZARD SCORE: 3
2. Softlips Pomegranate organic lip balm
HAZARD SCORE: 1 (Score!)
As a side note, Softlips is cruelty-free, so that's good :)
These are two NEW products, so we now have 16 products, a total score of 91.
My new average score (drumroll please): 5.69
Yahoo! I'm still going to call it a 6, but it shows how a few good products can really help.
Previous score: 6.21
Have to enter this one in the database...The package claims it's 100% natural, so let's see what we come up with. ...a 3. Well, a 3 isn't too bad. The bulk of the ingredients are 1s and 0s, with the highest being a 4 (Flavor...what? Flavor??). Zinc Oxide is the SPF ingredient, and it's only a 2, so that's pretty promising, since so much of what I've seen is SPF ingredients that have horribly high scores. Overall, I'm pretty pleased!
HAZARD SCORE: 32. Softlips Pomegranate organic lip balm
HAZARD SCORE: 1 (Score!)
As a side note, Softlips is cruelty-free, so that's good :)
These are two NEW products, so we now have 16 products, a total score of 91.
My new average score (drumroll please): 5.69
Yahoo! I'm still going to call it a 6, but it shows how a few good products can really help.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Round One: My Everyday Products
So, to determine my first average hazard score, I've decided to use my Basics -- that is, the products I use on an everyday basis. I'm not including makeup in this yet, for the simple fact that I do NOT always wear makeup. I do, however, always wear deodorant (you're welcome).
So, here's the list:
1. Banana Boat Sunscreen Lip Balm with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, SPF 45
Turns out, right off the bat the database doesn't have this product listed (I knew this would happen eventually, but it hadn't happened to me in the past -- the site really does have an amazing database size of products), so I got a preliminary report by entering the ingredients myself. This turned out to be relatively painless, except for the strain of trying to read teeny tiny text on my little chapstick container. Unfortunately, the preliminary report doesn't appear to give me an average score, probably because there were a few ingredients not found. I found an entry for the SPF 30, with a score of 6...so I'm going to call this one a 7. I did notice that the company DOES test on animals. Therefore, once this little gem is used up, I don't think I'll be buying another.
HAZARD SCORE: 7ish
2. Softlips Cherry chapstick SPF 20
Oh delicious Softlips, in your convenient and stylish skinny little white container, what the hell?! Well, it turns out the main culprit behind our high score here is Oxybenzone, the primary sunscreen component. Hmm. Okay...
HAZARD SCORE: 7
3. Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Body Spray
Another one I had to add myself. This time it went more smoothly, except for the part where I look like a moron trying to get the teeny tiny label off the bottom of the bottle to find the ingredients. The preliminary report spat out a 10, which shocked me. I'm not exactly sure how accurate this is, considering the highest individual component score was an 8 (for fragrance). I think the fact that the data gap for fragrance is 100% skews the score a bit. Since this is completely subjective and you can't stop me, I'm going to call it an 8.
HAZARD SCORE: 8
4. Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Spray
This time the preliminary report handed me a 9. What?? Whatever, I'm calling this one an 8 again.
HAZARD SCORE: 8
5. Sunsilk Summer Shampoo
Didn't know this still existed, did you? Well, I stalked my local KMart and bought 8 bottles of it when it went on sale. Pretty sure I have the last remaining bottles since it's no longer in production. This stuff is amazing. My hair loves it! Unfortunately...the score was an 8. Turns out this is mainly due to Fragrance (again), and something called DMDM Hydantoin. This compound is found in all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. It is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative. Um, what? Turns out, it works as an antimicrobial because it releases formaldehyde, which microbes don't much like. Ummm...I don't much like formaldehyde either... There appears to be a little disagreement in the cosmetics industry over whether it's safe or not. Well, considering that I still have 6 bottles of this stuff left, I guess I'll have to deal with it. Once I'm done, I'll look for a better option, minus the formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. AND, Sunsilk appears to test on animals, so I guess I won't be switching to a different sunsilk shampoo. Shame on them -- especially because I like their products so very much...
HAZARD SCORE: 8
6. Pantene Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Conditioner
Please don't roll your eyes at me. I KNOW. I hate Pantene. I know they do horrible animal testing. Procter & Gamble is a stupid evil monopoly taking over every product out there and I hate supporting them. It was on CLEARANCE and I was POOR. Please don't judge me. Surprisingly, this came out with a pretty low score. I'm still hunting for a non-testing alternative, however.
HAZARD SCORE: 5
7. Pure & Natural Body Wash Almond & Cherry
I looked this product up a long time ago, and got a score of 5. It's no longer found in a database search, so I did a preliminary report to see if the scores match. And they do! Hooray! Now, I bought this stuff because it had a little label saying it's 98% natural origin, and hypo-allergenic. It works just great, and smells good, but it smells STRONG. I'm not sure what part of this is hypo-allergenic, or what defines hypo-allergenic, but I have to say I'm a little confused.
HAZARD SCORE: 5
8. Olay Foaming Face Wash Sensitive Skin
Since the last product came out the same the second time around, I'm going to trust that the previous score I had for this product is still accurate. This stuff is a great gentle cleanser, and is nice and cheap. I read somewhere that cleansers aren't really that worth spending tons of money on, since they're only on your face for point five seconds. Great news if you're cheap!
HAZARD SCORE: 4
9. St. Ives elements mineral moisturizer with SPF 15
Surprisingly, the Fragrance is what bumped this up into the 6 range, rather than the SPF.
HAZARD SCORE: 6
10. Secret pH Balanced Spring Breeze Invisible Solid Deodorant
Again with the fragrance.
HAZARD SCORE: 4
11. Crest Regular Paste
Crest kid to the core, I am I am. Apparently Sodium Fluoride is a 9 all on its own. I suppose that's why you're not supposed to swallow your toothpaste?
HAZARD SCORE: 4
12. ACT Restoring Fluoride Mouthwash Cool Splash Vanilla Mint
Again with the Sodium Fluoride. And the not swallowing part.
HAZARD SCORE: 6
13. Carmex Traditional (in the miniature tub)
Oh Carmex, and your traditional yellow package. You seem so innocuous. Little did I know. The culprits here appear to be Fragrance (do you see a pattern?), Phenol, and Salicylic Acid. Phenol appears to be used for several functions in several products. Not sure exactly why it's in Carmex (although I think it's responsible for the tingle). Salicyclic acid has antimicrobial properties. Guess these are in Carmex because it's technically for cold sores. Guess I won't be using it anymore when it's gone!
HAZARD SCORE: 7
14. Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap
I LOVE this stuff. B&BW apparently re-vamped their products though, and I'm not sure I like the smell of the new version of this stuff. Therefore, I might stop using this soap once it's gone. It has a score of 8, so maybe I should stop using it anyway. DMDM Hydantoin is in there again, as well as Fragrance. Triclosan is also a high-hazard item, and it's an antimicrobial. It appears Triclosan has been banned in some places from household products, and is related to some health concerns. Probably best I stop using it anyway :)
HAZARD SCORE: 8
WHEW! So, let's see where we are. 14 Products, Total score of 87, Average of 6.21.
I'm calling it a 6
So, here's the list:
1. Banana Boat Sunscreen Lip Balm with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, SPF 45
Turns out, right off the bat the database doesn't have this product listed (I knew this would happen eventually, but it hadn't happened to me in the past -- the site really does have an amazing database size of products), so I got a preliminary report by entering the ingredients myself. This turned out to be relatively painless, except for the strain of trying to read teeny tiny text on my little chapstick container. Unfortunately, the preliminary report doesn't appear to give me an average score, probably because there were a few ingredients not found. I found an entry for the SPF 30, with a score of 6...so I'm going to call this one a 7. I did notice that the company DOES test on animals. Therefore, once this little gem is used up, I don't think I'll be buying another.
HAZARD SCORE: 7ish
2. Softlips Cherry chapstick SPF 20Oh delicious Softlips, in your convenient and stylish skinny little white container, what the hell?! Well, it turns out the main culprit behind our high score here is Oxybenzone, the primary sunscreen component. Hmm. Okay...
HAZARD SCORE: 7
Another one I had to add myself. This time it went more smoothly, except for the part where I look like a moron trying to get the teeny tiny label off the bottom of the bottle to find the ingredients. The preliminary report spat out a 10, which shocked me. I'm not exactly sure how accurate this is, considering the highest individual component score was an 8 (for fragrance). I think the fact that the data gap for fragrance is 100% skews the score a bit. Since this is completely subjective and you can't stop me, I'm going to call it an 8.
HAZARD SCORE: 8
This time the preliminary report handed me a 9. What?? Whatever, I'm calling this one an 8 again.
HAZARD SCORE: 8
5. Sunsilk Summer Shampoo
Didn't know this still existed, did you? Well, I stalked my local KMart and bought 8 bottles of it when it went on sale. Pretty sure I have the last remaining bottles since it's no longer in production. This stuff is amazing. My hair loves it! Unfortunately...the score was an 8. Turns out this is mainly due to Fragrance (again), and something called DMDM Hydantoin. This compound is found in all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. It is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative. Um, what? Turns out, it works as an antimicrobial because it releases formaldehyde, which microbes don't much like. Ummm...I don't much like formaldehyde either... There appears to be a little disagreement in the cosmetics industry over whether it's safe or not. Well, considering that I still have 6 bottles of this stuff left, I guess I'll have to deal with it. Once I'm done, I'll look for a better option, minus the formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. AND, Sunsilk appears to test on animals, so I guess I won't be switching to a different sunsilk shampoo. Shame on them -- especially because I like their products so very much...HAZARD SCORE: 8
Please don't roll your eyes at me. I KNOW. I hate Pantene. I know they do horrible animal testing. Procter & Gamble is a stupid evil monopoly taking over every product out there and I hate supporting them. It was on CLEARANCE and I was POOR. Please don't judge me. Surprisingly, this came out with a pretty low score. I'm still hunting for a non-testing alternative, however.
HAZARD SCORE: 5
I looked this product up a long time ago, and got a score of 5. It's no longer found in a database search, so I did a preliminary report to see if the scores match. And they do! Hooray! Now, I bought this stuff because it had a little label saying it's 98% natural origin, and hypo-allergenic. It works just great, and smells good, but it smells STRONG. I'm not sure what part of this is hypo-allergenic, or what defines hypo-allergenic, but I have to say I'm a little confused.
HAZARD SCORE: 5
Since the last product came out the same the second time around, I'm going to trust that the previous score I had for this product is still accurate. This stuff is a great gentle cleanser, and is nice and cheap. I read somewhere that cleansers aren't really that worth spending tons of money on, since they're only on your face for point five seconds. Great news if you're cheap!
HAZARD SCORE: 4
9. St. Ives elements mineral moisturizer with SPF 15
Surprisingly, the Fragrance is what bumped this up into the 6 range, rather than the SPF.
HAZARD SCORE: 6
10. Secret pH Balanced Spring Breeze Invisible Solid Deodorant
Again with the fragrance.
HAZARD SCORE: 4
11. Crest Regular Paste
Crest kid to the core, I am I am. Apparently Sodium Fluoride is a 9 all on its own. I suppose that's why you're not supposed to swallow your toothpaste?
HAZARD SCORE: 4
12. ACT Restoring Fluoride Mouthwash Cool Splash Vanilla Mint
Again with the Sodium Fluoride. And the not swallowing part.
HAZARD SCORE: 6
Oh Carmex, and your traditional yellow package. You seem so innocuous. Little did I know. The culprits here appear to be Fragrance (do you see a pattern?), Phenol, and Salicylic Acid. Phenol appears to be used for several functions in several products. Not sure exactly why it's in Carmex (although I think it's responsible for the tingle). Salicyclic acid has antimicrobial properties. Guess these are in Carmex because it's technically for cold sores. Guess I won't be using it anymore when it's gone!
HAZARD SCORE: 7
I LOVE this stuff. B&BW apparently re-vamped their products though, and I'm not sure I like the smell of the new version of this stuff. Therefore, I might stop using this soap once it's gone. It has a score of 8, so maybe I should stop using it anyway. DMDM Hydantoin is in there again, as well as Fragrance. Triclosan is also a high-hazard item, and it's an antimicrobial. It appears Triclosan has been banned in some places from household products, and is related to some health concerns. Probably best I stop using it anyway :)
HAZARD SCORE: 8
WHEW! So, let's see where we are. 14 Products, Total score of 87, Average of 6.21.
I'm calling it a 6
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