Choosing Products That Are Kind to Both You and the Earth

by Valerie Gladstone — October 8, 2007

Here's a list to start you off:

Lips

Many lip products are petroleum-based, which depletes a non-renewable resource, and petrolatum can cause allergic reactions. Avoid potentially hormone-disrupting benzophenone compounds in lip products with SPF, and watch out for phenol, a common lip-balm ingredient that can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage when absorbed or ingested in high concentrations, according to the EPA. Good lip choices:

• Perfect Organics Super Moisturizing Shea Butter Balm ($3.99) and Vegan Lip and Cheek Shimmers ($18.99; www.perfectorganics.com)
• Suncoat Natural Lip Shimmer ($8.99; www.suncoatproducts.com)
• Carol's Daughter Natural Shine for Lips ($6; www.carolsdaughter.com)
• Dr. Hauschka Novum Lipgloss ($16.95; www.drhauschka.com and www.sephora.com)
• Gabriel Cosmetics Lipstick ($12.95) and Lipliners ($9; www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com)
• Earth's Beauty Sheer Lip Glaze ($11.95, www.earthsbeauty.com)

Face

Paraben and formaldehyde-based preservatives are among the problematic ingredients in foundations, concealers, powders, and blushes. Both have been shown to irritate skin, and the known carcinogen formaldehyde, present in small amounts in preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium-15, can evaporate from liquid products. Synthetic fragrances, often used to mask the chemical odor of some products, may contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. Good face choices:
Real Purity Crème Foundation ($23.99) and Powder Blush ($12.99; www.realpurity.com)
Zuzu Luxe Oil-free Liquid Foundation ($22.95) and Blush ($14.85; www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com)
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Make-up ($32.50) and Rouge Powder ($26; www.drhauschka.com and www.sephra.com)
Earth's Beauty Satin Powder SPF 15 ($24.95) and loose powder Mineral Colours Blush ($11.50; www.allnaturalcosmetics.com)
Miessence Bronzing Dust ($25.95; bodysoul.mionegroup.com)
Aveda Uruku Cheek-Lip cream ($14; www.aveda.com)
Gabriel Cosmetics Concealer ($11.50; www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com)
Earth's Beauty Undereye Light Concealer ($12.95; www.earthsbeauty.com)

Eyes

Your eyes are one of your most sensitive body parts, so eye cosmetics, full of potentially irritating substances like talc, can be especially problematic. Some mascaras, especially lash-building ones, have been found to contain the mercury-based preservative thimerasol, which may cause allergic reactions and is a known neurotoxin. Petroleum-based ingredients, such as nylon and polyester, are also common in lash-building mascaras as they promote thickness and lengthening, but they have also been found to trigger contact dermatitis. Good eye choices:

• Dr. Hauschka Mascara Intermezzo ($23.50; www.drhauschka.com, 800-247-9907 and www.sephora.com)
• Suncoat Natural Mascara ($15; www.suncoatproducts.com)
• Miessence Pure Black Mascara ($20.50; bodysoul.mionegroup.com)
• Gabriel Color Eyeshadow ($10.30; www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com)
• Nvey Eco eye shadow ($24; www.econveybeauty.com)

Applicators

Cosmetic brushes are made with either real animal hair or synthetic materials, the most common of which is a trademarked polyester fiber called Taklon. Unfortunately, neither comes without a cost. In addition to animal humanity and welfare issues, animal fibers undergo chemical processing for sterilization, while synthetics are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Organic cotton pads, cotton balls, and swabs, when suitable, are a more eco-friendly choice. Otherwise, choose products with other eco attributes, such as animal cruelty certifications (Leaping Bunny) and recycled content.

Good applicator choices:

Aveda Face Powder Brush uses Taklon fiber and a handle containing 30 percent renewable flax fibers and 63 percent post-consumer-recycled polypropylene ($32.50; www.aveda.com)

Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder Brush uses humanely gathered goat hair ($38.95; www.drhauschka.com, and www.sephora.com)

Leaping Bunny-certified Earth's Beauty Kabuki and Blush brushes are also made with humanely gathered goat hair ($14.95; www.earthsbeauty.com)