Rep. Diane Primavera (D-Broomfield) has introduced House Bill 1248, The Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act.  Primavera, a cancer survivor, is passionate about this bill and is pushing the Food and Drug Administration to increase the list of banned chemicals to hopefully reduce the risk of cancer.

The amount of chemicals used in personal care products can be astounding and the potential risks to health is shocking.  For example, fragrance, otherwise known as phthalates, has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, toxicity of the brain, kidneys, liver and lungs.  Phthalates are found in fingernail products, makeup, deodorants, hair products, and even feminine products.

Primavera is so passionate about this bill because according to her, “there was no genetic reason why I should have gotten cancer,” she said. “There was no environmental reason. I never smoked. I never drank. I had my weight in perfect condition. I turned over every rock to figure out why I got cancer but the personal care products was a rock I didn’t turn over and once I found out this is an issue and could be an issue for our citizens, I think we need to step in and take a role to protect (them).”

Surprisingly, studies have linked chemicals used in personal care products to harmful medical conditions however, the U.S. only currently bans 10 of these toxins.  The European Union bans roughly 1,100 chemicals.

Luckily for us, people like Primavera are standing up and taking a stand against the use of these chemicals.  Let’s join her and help Coloradans and other other states take the very much needed step to eliminate toxins from our lotions, shampoos, and makeup.

Later this month, there will be the first public hearing for the Act.  In the meantime, try to use smaller amounts or less of your personal care products and make sure you are reading the labels.  Simplify, simplify, simplify…try and use products that have only a few ingredients and do your homework- check out the company to make sure they are truly doing what they say.

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado’s Online News Leader | Lawmaker seeks ban on some chemicals in shampoo, makeup, lotions.

As you start to mentally prepare what you are going to wear, what color you are going to paint your nails and what makeup routine you are going to use to surprise your Valentine this year, take a minute and think about what kinds of products and chemicals you will be using.

While we love to look and smell our best it is always good to know what kinds of products we are putting on our bodies and exposing to our loved ones.  Before you start to throw away your lotions, makeup and nail polish and replace them for “natural” or “organic” products check out Skin Deep to see how your products measure up.  Skin Deep is a great website that has already analyzed nearly 50,000 personal care products with the best available science sources, ranking each product from 0 (least toxic) to 10 (get rid of it and find a safer brand).  You might be surprised to learn your trusted brands might not be the best option for your Valentine’s Day outfit or any other day for that matter.

Luckily, there are some great brands and products out there that you can trust to produce safe personal care products, including nail polish.  Starre Vartan, Eco-Chic.com founder and editor, writes how to get toxin-free toes on The Daily Green and lists some great products to try.

When choosing products make sure you ALWAYS read the labels to make sure you can pronounce the ingredients.  Most likely, if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, they aren’t good for you.  Some other tips are to use less, avoid synthetic fragrances if you can, and make sure you support companies that are producing safe products.  You can also visit SafeCosmetics.org and join the campaign to make sure ALL personal care products are safe!

If your looking for other ways to give your makeup bag a makeover visit The Daily Green’s  and look at their 10 simple tips to green your beauty routine.

You can also look at this great list of beauty products, organized by the type of product  (i.e. lotions, sunscreens, bug sprays, etc…) to get some more chemical-free solutions for your everyday beauty needs.

If you’ve ever looked at the back of some of the facial cleansers and moisturizers you’ve used, you might get tongue-tied.  The reason being, many of the personal products we use are filled with chemicals that can be harmful to your skin and to the environment.  Being aware of what ingredients are in your personal products can make a big difference to your health and to help reduce your environmental impact.

Reading Labels and What to Look Out for

Understanding label lingo is especially important when you are considering what you will be using to clean and moisturize your skin.  Your skin is the first layer of your immune system and you want to make sure you protect it.  Some labels to look out for are:

1. Parabens

These are used as synthetic preservatives and can be found in a number of personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, styling products and soaps.  There is a growing number of reputable studies that are concerned with the health effects of these chemicals because they have been linked with acute and chronic health hazards like cancer, allergies and skin toxicity.

2. Phthalates (fragrance)

These are used in a number of different products and are usually identified as “fragrance” on ingredient lists.  Phthalates can “fix” a fragrance to last longer, enhance skin penetration, lubricate other ingredients and are found in a number of different products.  Studies have linked phthalates with cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, toxicity of the brain, liver, and lungs, and birth defects.

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

These are used as surfactants, making products lather up nicely.  They remove oils effectively but they do so indiscriminately on the skin, which can cause dryness and contact dermatitis.  These are found in soups, body washes/cleansers and even moisturizers.  The biggest problem with these chemicals is that they can lower the skin’s immunological response.

Getting used to reading the labels of personal care products is the best way to protect your skin and your immune system.  By avoiding these chemicals you can get cleansers and moisturizers that can fight dirt and aging while keeping you safe and healthy.  Look for products with natural fragrances made from plants and essential oils and those that disclose the sources of the fragrance.

Green Skin Care Products

If your feeling overwhelmed by chemicals don’t worry, there a lot of great alternative options out there that work better than you’d think!  One company that I’ve fallen in love with is J|A|S|O|N, which produces pure, natural and organic skin care products.   I recently starting using the Ester-C skin care system and I love it!  The ingredients are all listed on the bottle and I can pronounce all of them, which is a huge relief.  The system is totally paraben, phthalate, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate free and they are also certified organic.  Another great thing about the company is that they only use the required about of packaging for all of their products–they just get better and better!  If J|A|S|O|N products are not for you, you can also try Kiss My Face, Alba, Burt’s Bees, and Aubrey Organics.  These are ALL  great products and most can be found at Whole Foods or any natural markets.

Make it Yourself

If you’d rather do-it-yourself there are great recipes for you too! Plus,  DIY is a great way to make sure you know exactly what is going into your skin care regime and that you are using chemical-free products.

Here is one of many great recipes I found in Renne Loux’s book, Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home

Honey-Avocado Masque

1 Avocado, 1.5 tablespoons raw honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mash the ingredients together in a food processor or blender until it is smooth.  Before applying the masque, steam your pores open over a pot of hot water for 2 to 5 minutes or by drenching a washcloth with hot water.  Apply the mixture evenly on your face and let it stand for 15 minutes.  Wash off with warm water and follow with a cool water rinse.