Thank you for committing to this 30 Day Christian Green Living Challenge with us! Each day as we step through our journey, I’ll share the challenge for the day then, depending on your green goals, I will share resources where you can learn more, dig deeper into the topic, or challenge yourself even more. We will do the challenge once *live* together, but you can participate anytime by joining in on the comments below and by using the hashtag #ChristianGreenLiving. So, when you’re ready, let’s Go Christian Green!
Cosmetics and personal care items like deodorant, soaps, and lotions found on store shelves often contain chemicals and toxins that are swallowed (think lipstick), breathed in (think perfume and powders) and quickly absorbed by our skin (think lotions and nail polish). Then, through their use, they are washed off, flow through our drains, and enter the water supply.
But, Darlene, if they are in the stores, they must be safe right? I wish I could say, “yes,” but did you know that the FDA has very little input on cosmetics safety?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) has the following to say in their article titled “Myths on Cosmetics Safety,”:
“The Food and Drug Administration has no authority to require companies to test cosmetics products for safety. The agency does not review or approve the vast majority of products or ingredients before they go on the market. FDA conducts pre-market reviews only of certain cosmetics color additives and active ingredients that are classified as over-the-counter drugs (FDA 2005, 2010).” —EWG.org
If that’s not scary enough, the list of harmful ingredients often used in cosmetics includes formaldehyde, parabens, and triclosan along with a list of their other dangerous friends. You can see a well-compiled list HERE.
Here is a short video from Time Magazine about this topic. You can read the corresponding article HERE.
So what can we do? Challenge our cosmetics and personal care items which is our goal for today…
Today’s Day 18 Challenge:
Do you know what is in your makeup and personal care items? Do they list all of their ingredients or are some of the ingredients “hidden” with keywords like “other natural ingredients,” or “fragrance”?
Pray
Today let’s pray for those most affected by hidden chemicals and toxins. Pray for their recovery and stronger oversight by the FDA and other government agencies to help clean up the personal care industry.
Act
Challenge your makeup and personal care items. Read some of the articles in this post or do your own research to educate yourself on the toxins that often hide in products. Then read your labels and know what’s in your products before you use them again. If you find that your makeup and personal care items contain toxins, consider their impact on your health, the health of your family, and the environment as a whole.
Share
Don’t forget to share! Let us know, do you have a very clean personal care routine or are you surprised at how many of your products contain toxins or hidden ingredients? Comment below and/or use the hashtag #ChristianGreenLiving!
Learn More~
- Why I Quit Clinique for Good! (And Chose Green Products Instead) — by Darlene Goes Green
In this post, I share my personal cosmetics journey and what happened when I started reading labels. - 3 Big Problems with Laundry Scent Boosters & Why You Need to STOP Using Them — by Darlene Goes Green
This post is about laundry scent boosters, but it explains a little bit about hidden chemicals. - Why I Recommend Poofy Organics Products — by Darlene Goes Green
Here I share some of the reasons I have chosen USDA certified cosmetics, personal care proucts from Poofy Organics - Is Young Living Really Better Than Poofy Organics? — by Darlene Goes Green
Young Living makeup isn’t all it’s been suggested to be. This post tells you why and how you can save a ton of money by choosing Poofy Organics instead. - Nailed — by EWG.org
This article from the EWG gives the truth behind the endocrine disruptor found in some of the most popular nail polishes available. If you like pretty nails, please read this one so you can make safe choices! - 3,163 Ingredients Hide Behind the Word “Fragrance — by EWG.org
Click here to go to Day 19
Ready to pin! Thanks for sharing!
I have to admit this is by far THE HARDEST one for me……
Change is hard, but safety and health are important. My prayers are with you that you’ll be able to challenge yourself through a tough one!
It’s been a journey turning from living “easy” to considering and purposing EVERYTHING in my life too. God wants a personal relationship with each one of us and to bless every part of our lives beyond our need and understanding. He’s given mankind dominion over ALL the earth but with that comes the responsibility to use and care for it. It’s not ours, but HIS. We’re His blessed stewards. It’s high time we take the job seriously and consider our actions. Thanks for challenging us to be all we can and should be. My prayer today is for each of us to seek His will, walk closer to Him and hear His voice.
Blessings and keep changing us!
So beautifully said Roz — Thank you for sharing & I’m so glad you’re here along for the challenge with us. God bless!