What you should know
It’s no secret – the world is changing. Most of us are looking for a healthier and safer lifestyle, especially post-covid, and many of us are doing this through switching our daily products to more organic choices. We find ourselves standing in the aisle at our local Target store staring at what feels like endless amounts of product choices on the shelf in front of us. Many of them have labels that claim to be “all natural” or “fragrance free” – so which is the healthiest and safest option? It is quite possible that the answer to this question is “none”.
Companies have noticed the shift in the world. They know that we are on the hunt for safer and more organic alternatives to the harsh chemicals we have been using for most of our lives. Unfortunately, even though they are noticing the change, they may not be making it. Many companies are using the power of marketing to make us believe their products are safer and healthier but they are still loading their products with unsafe chemicals. So how do we tell the difference? Well, you keep reading this blog!
What is Greenwashing?
In a nutshell, greenwashing is when companies use misleading information to trick consumers into believing that they are purchasing a better and safer product than what is actually being sold to them. Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. This can make greenwashing in the health and beauty industry pretty effortless.
If you are looking for all natural products in the health and beauty market, Intermission – a Beauty Break is a great choice! These products are handmade with only natural ingredients – no preservatives or harsh chemicals. AND we are working on developing new products every day, so it is worth checking back in every once in a while to see how the product line has expanded!
How to Avoid Greenwashing
Greenwashing can be confusing and overwhelming, but luckily we can still avoid it. Follow these steps to help you find a truly natural product.
Step 1: Read the ingredients
Ignore the “natural” buzzwords on the front label! Flip your package over and check out the ingredients. We all know that reading the ingredient list on a product can be like reading a foreign language sometimes, so remember – natural ingredients come from natural sources. Brands properly following the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) guidelines will use the scientific, and usually Latin, name of an ingredient. Check the english translation (generally in parenthesis next to the Latin name) to help you better understand the ingredient list.
Step 2: Avoid “Fragrance”
This is a HUGE one. Many synthetic chemicals in fragrances have been linked to a variety of hazardous health conditions. Fragrance is also known to be one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis, which is obviously not ideal for a beauty or skincare product. On top of all of that, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1967 was created to protect companies from having their perfume formulas stolen, but it is now an easy loophole for companies to sneak in ingredients that they may not want to disclose. Still want your products to smell good? Look for companies that use essential oils as a fragrance alternative.
Step 3: Use Resources
There are plenty of online recourses to help us better understand products and their ingredients, and they are made specifically for this purpose! Below is a list of just a handful of the many apps worth checking into.
- Yucca (Apple app store & Google play store) – *Our personal favorite* Simply scan the barcodes of food and personal care products and the app will rate the item, offer more information to help consumers better understand, and provide healthier and safer alternatives.
- INCI Beauty App (apple app store, Google play store, Microsoft store) – Use this cosmetic analyzer by scanning the barcode or searching by product or ingredient name. Based on the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, the app will show a list of ingredients and their functions along with an overall score.
- Think Dirty App (Apple app store & Google play store) – To use simply scan the barcode on a cosmetic product or search the database to check the product’s ingredients on the “Dirty Meter”.
- EWG Healthy Living app (apple and Google play stores) – Used for food, cleaning and personal care products – Just scan a barcode, search by name or browse by category, and EWG will give you an easy-to-understand 1-10 score.
Step 4: Stick with it!
Avoiding greenwashing can be confusing and exhausting at first, but don’t give up – You can do it! It will get easier with time and experience – like everything in life you just need to get the hang of it. When you find a brand you love, stick with it! Try all of their products to find your favorites and expand your use of all natural products.