Ecotools cosmetic brushes are made with cruelty-free synthetic bristles, sustainable bamboo handles and recycled aluminum ferrules. Ecotools products are sold at Sprouts. Courtesy of Ecotools. 

July 22, 2016

You’re careful about what you eat, avoiding chemical-laden produce and opting for organic products. Remember that makeup and skincare product decisions are just as important.

Beauty departments in chain stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts and Central Market as well locally owned stores like the Sunflower Shoppe in Fort Worth reliably stock skincare and beauty products marketed as nontoxic both for the user and the environment. 

In addition, it's become easier to find personal hygiene products labeled vegan and cruelty free, meaning they’re free of animal ingredients and not tested on animals. (See PETA's list of cruelty free brands.)

Gabriel Cosmetics offers vegan and gluten free products.

“In this day and age there is no reason to put lotion or eye shadow in a rabbit's eyes to see if it might irritate them,” said Andrea Woodard at Sunflower Shoppe in Fort Worth. “Chemists have enough working knowledge of basic chemicals and their families to know what the irritants are.”

Woodard says that while carcinogens can still be found in main stream brands, many companies are catching on and offering cleaner options. Though she said the U.S. lags behind Europe.

“Europe has such strict standards. Most of the things that go into conventional brands here are flat out illegal over there. The little micro-beads that are in so many body scrubs are little plastic pellets that are turning up in the stomachs of ocean creatures. The chemicals that are in make-up and skin care go down the drain and into our water system when we bathe.”

Dr. Bronner's has a line of organic lotions in a variety of scents.

Overall, it’s important to look for brands that include sustainably sourced and cruelty free ingredients [the leaping rabbit symbol] or look at the country of origin. Woodard says that Chinese ingredients particularly can be an issue so be careful.

Ingredients that should always be avoided include talc in makeup because it irritates the lungs; bismuth oxyxhloride, which stretches out pores; and for skincare Woodard says avoid parabens, sulfates and phthalates. 

“Not every long chemical name is a bad thing” she points out. “But most natural brands will state where it's derived from right after.”

For example products with ingredients that come from sustainable sources like bamboo, mica and flower pigments are great "go to" items. Brands that are cruelty free and sell vegetarian and vegan products include Indigo Wild, Gabriel, Mineral Fusion, Mychelle and Badger, to name a few.

Woodard says she personally uses Indigo Wild's Zum face care line, as well at the Zion black cherry scrub. 

Whole Foods outlines the store’s personal care products policy on its website: “Whole Foods encourages its vendor partners to use plant-based and naturally derived ingredients, pure essential oil fragrances, gentle preservatives and nonpetroleum ingredients.”

The company is also committed to selling personal care products that have not been tested on animals.

“Our society has come too far, and has too much information to continue to harm those we are charged with keeping safe,” Woodard concludes. “Putting a creature who can't speak for itself though testing so we can be prettier is just as irresponsible as hunting purely for sport. There is no honor in it.”

Do you have a favorite eco-friendly personal care brand or product? Share in the comments section below. 

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