Green Beauty Favorites

While I love the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics and personal care products safety database for the valuable information it provides, I’ve often been frustrated with its search capabilities. Case in point: I do a simple search for a moisturizer and get a results list with 3,117 products. Of those, 1,525 have a safety rating between 0 and 2 (low hazard) and 1,273 are rated between 3 and 6 (moderate hazard). I sort the results by hazard score and start scrolling through. I don’t recognize any of the products (or even brands) listed on the first several pages. I start googling and discover that most of the products with a 0 or 1 hazard score are only available online from small companies of which I’ve never heard. As my eyes start to blur I begin seeing products I might at least be able to find at Whole Foods, but even then I know they’re bound to be pricey.

So, I’ve put in the time and done the research. I’ve found the products with low hazard scores, that work for me, that are moderately prices, and are (for the most part) available at places like Target and CVS. As I said before, the best way to utilize the EWG database is to look up your current favorite products and products you’d like to try first, but if you still need some suggestions here are some of my personal favorites.

Face Wash: Alba Botanica's Hawaiian Pineapple Facial Cleanser (safety score of 4)

Scrub: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub (score of 4)

Soap: Dove Beauty Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin (score of 2)

Shampoo: Burt's Bees Pomegranate & Soy, Trader Joe's Tea Tree (both with a score of 4)

Conditioner: Burt's Bees Pomegranate & Soy (score of 4)

Facial Moisturizer: Boots No. 7 Lifting & Firming Day Cream, Night Cream, and Eye Cream (all with a score of 4)

Body Lotion: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free (score of 2)

Foundation: L'Oreal True Match Foundation, liquid or roller (score of 4)

Eye Shadow: Boots No. 7 line (all scores between 2 and 5)

Lip Gloss: Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers (all with a score of 3)

Mascara: Maybelline Define-A-Lash and L'Oreal Telescopic (both with a score of 4)

Eyeliner: Maybelline Define-A-Lash in Brownish Black (score of 2), CoverGirl Exact EyeLights in Black (score of 6)

Safety Scores

0 to 2 = Low Hazard

3 to 6 = Moderate Hazard

7 to 10 = High Hazard