Skin Deep

A friends' blog introduced me to Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database website. One can look up a cosmetic product to see not only how it impacts the global environment, but also how many and what kind of toxins are used to manufacture that product; based on those factors, the product goes through a rating scale, 0-1 being the most safe and up to 10, which is hazardous. I trust this website because it is a non-profit organization with a panel that consists of experts in fields of medicine, labour management, health and environment ministries, food industry, and agriculture.

At first, I looked up a couple of items I use, just to see what the website said, and I was surprised. I was glad to see that some products I use are not too harmful, while others are more harmful than I have imagined. For example, Sensodyne was rated very hazardous (maybe not to the point of death, but the list of its ingredients gave me alarm enough to stop using it altogether). Another surprise is that some Dove products contain many toxins, despite the recommendation of many dermatologists (I've seen two and they both recommended Dove). What I find most puzzling, however, is that a cosmetic line may be harmful in one category, such as body wash, but not in another, such as facial moisturizer.

Then, I went crazy and researched every product that I was using, currently using, and will try using in the future. I narrowed my search down to three products in each category and I bought these products based on their availability in my local supermarket, my personal awareness of them, and price. In one instance, I found my top choice for shampoo to be too expensive for its size, so I bought my second choice for half the price and around 1/3 more in quantity.

The following reviews are of the products that I have tried, mostly based on the recommendations from Skin Deep.

Shampoo: Herbal Essences No Flakin' Way Shampoo and Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Conditioner
My Review: I don't have to use too much of the shampoo and even less of the conditioner, which makes these products seem like great value, but I felt that I couldn't seem to wash the conditioner out of my hair no matter how thoroughly I rinsed. Twice already, I felt my hair after it had dried and my hair felt congealed and greasy, as if I had never rinsed at all. I also noticed that the natural shine I had in my hair has dulled.
My Rating: 3 out of 5. I think I'll go back to Pantene, even though it didn't score too well. However, I have also used Head & Shoulders in the past and they scored fairly well, just after Herbal Essences, so I might use their products, too.

Toothpaste: Crest Sensitivity
My Review: I love this product. I used to always use Sensodyne to treat my sensitive teeth because it was the only product I knew that treated sensitive teeth, but I was never quite satisfied, as I still felt pain even during brushing my teeth. Then, I found out that Crest came out with this new toothpaste for sensitive teeth and now that I've tried it, I'm never going back to Sensodyne. I discovered this before using Skin Deep, but I'm happy to see that Crest Sensivity scored well.
My Rating: 5 out of 5.


Hand Lotion: Aveeno Active Naturals Intense Relief
My Review: I think this lotion is great. It is non-greasy and fairly priced, although it is more expensive than the Dove hand cream that I used to use.
My Rating: 4 out of 5


Body Spray: Body Shop Body Spray
My Review: My favourite scent is vanilla, so naturally I chose the Vanilla Body Spray. It is absolutely fantastic! I have sensitive skin, so when I use perfume or eau de toilette, my skin breaks out in hives after a few hours of spraying it on. The Body Shop body spray is so gentle on the skin, yet emits a very pleasant and subtle fragrance. I spritz it on myself three times and it's not overpowering at all.
My Rating: 5 out of 5. I had stopped using Body Shop products from late high school until recently because their products seemed ineffective and just not good in general. However, lately, I've been using a couple of their other products and have been quite satisfied, so they have regained my business. Body Shop products also rate very well in several categories.

Facial Day Moisturizer: Dove Pro-Age
My Review: I like it! I've been a long-time Dove fan, so I'm glad that this product rated well. Non-greasy and great under makeup.
My Rating: 5 out of 5.



Lipstick: MAC
My Review: I have a few mixed reviews. I always buy matte because I can't stand the stickiness of gloss. The one I always get from MAC is called "Icon" and it gives my lips a smooth finish and glides on easily. "Redwood" is one that I tried most recently and it also has the same finish. But, my bridal lipstick, "Brave," makes my lips chap after a few hours of wearing it. It also leaves a line on both my upper and lower lips, where my lips meet. But, it's a really nice light colour and I've bought it twice.
My Rating: 4 out of 5

Contacts Solution: Opti-Free Express, No Rub
My Review: Since a couple of products have been pulled off the shelves in drugstores and supermarkets, Opti-Free has been recommended by most optometrists as the safest brand out there for eyes. I don't really cheap out here, but Opti-Free is thankfully not that expensive to begin with.
My Rating: 5 out of 5






Eye Drops: Visine, allergy and contacts
My Review: Works fairly quickly after only one or two drops and Visine rated very well in the database.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5







Lip Balm: Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner with SPF 15
My Review: It was my first time trying this product and I absolutely love it! It moisturizes my lips the instant I put it on and it doesn't feel greasy. My lips don't become flaky later, either, which is a great bonus as other lip balm I have used in the past, including Chapstick and Mentholatum's Soft Lips, have done what they were made to do, but at the risk of looking like a scaly wet fish. The only downside is that it is more expensive than many of the other brands in the store, but I say it's well worth it.
My Rating: 5 out of 5

Anti-Perspirant: Soft & Dri Anti-Perspirant
My Review: Not great. It's hard and rough against the skin. I'm not even sure if it keeps me totally dry and it still leaves some white marks. At least, I don't get rashes from it.
My Rating: 2 out of 5. I'm switching back to Lady Speedstick, which has a slightly better rating than Degree, which I have also used before. Both are "black dress approved" somewhat.






Body Soap: Dove Body Bar
My Review: As I've said before, I'm a long-time fan and my hubby prefers Dove, too. Some people I talked to say Dove leaves a residue on the body, but I look at it as keeping my body moisturized.
My Rating: 5 out of 5






Body Wash: Dove Body Wash
My Review: 'Nuff said.
My Rating: 5 out of 5







Sunscreen: Neutrogena Sunblock Lotion
My Review: I love this product, too! It's not greasy and is long-lasting. Good thing it received great ratings.
My Rating: 5 out of 5








Eye Makeup Remover: Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads
My Review: Wonderful! It's not harsh on my eyes, it's oil-free, and it does a great job of removing the makeup.
My Rating: 5 out of 5

Besides all of the above products, I also must endorse Avon products. I have several of their cosmetics products and Avon rated very well on Skin Deep, overall, even though it did not come out as my top three after checking out this database. I have product ideas lined up for nail polish, foot scrub, facial wash, night cream, lipstick, eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara. Maybe I'll create another entry for them later.

Today's blog entry might seem like an infomercial, but my intent is to inform and make suggestions based on my personal experiences. (Sell out? Nooo... hee, hee ... I didn't get paid for this!) I have sensitive skin, so I react quite easily to products that have a high level of toxins in them and this database helps my search for safe products. I am also a very tactile person, so I shudder at anything too greasy or sticky, so if you're like me, then I hope you find my reviews accurate. I would also like to encourage others to examine the products that they use and Skin Deep is a good place to start. I did not completely change all of the current products I use -- I'm not that fanatical -- but Skin Deep has helped me quite a bit.

Before I sign off here, I want to return to my friends' blog. It was created by two sisters/moms, with whom I've had the great pleasure of knowing in my brief time with RCAC. In a quest to find environmentally safe and healthy products for their families, the Richmond-based sisters decided to share their research and product discoveries online for others who also look for cost-effective and eco-friendly products. Check out Simple Sprouts today; I've put in the link to one of their entries, "Chicken a la Carte," which I found to be so moving.