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Buying Guide - Face Lotions

From the Green Guide

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What to Look for:

If nothing else, avoid any moisturizer that lists an ingredient included in the Green Guide's "Dirty Dozen." The certifications below, while useful, do not guarantee that a product is "Dirty Dozen Free." The twelve to avoid are antibacterials, coal-tars, diethanolamine (DEA), 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, fragrance, lead and mercury, nanoparticles, parabens, petroleum distillates, p-phenylenediamine, and hydroquinone.

In August 2005 the USDA broadened the scope of their organic food regulations to include cosmetics and personal care products. Products with 100 percent organic ingredients, excluding water and salt, which can't be certified organic by the USDA, can be labeled "100% Organic." Those made with 95 percent or more organic ingredients can be labeled "Organic." Products with 70 percent or more may be labeled "made with organic ingredients." Unfortunately, organic personal care products are not as rigorously regulated as organic food products. For example, manufacturers commonly include hydrosols, or floral water leftover from the essential-oil distillation process, when weighing the percentage of organic ingredients in their product, inaccurately affix the organic label. While Eco Labels, the Consumers Union Guide to Environmental Labels, notes that the USDA Organic label is not as meaningful for personal care products as it is for food, it is currently the best measure available to determine the quality of ingredients.

Avoid products simply labeled "organic" or those with the term "organic" in the product name; there are currently no regulations on the use of that term on non-certified products.

The Leaping Bunny label indicates products made by companies that follow the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals. This standard was developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight animal protection groups, including the American Humane Association and The Humane Society of the United States. Companies with this logo pledge not to conduct or commission animal testing on either their products or the ingredients used in those products. They include Aubrey Organics, Avalon Natural Products, Kiss My Face, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Tom's of Maine. Avoid undefined, meaningless terms such as "cruelty free" and "no animal testing."

Moisturizers typically come in plastic packaging, so look for the plastic resins that are accepted for recycling in your area. Plastics numbered 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled, but also look for glass or tin, which are generally recycled everywhere.

Many companies publish product ingredients online, allowing you to be sure a moisturizer is free of any ingredients best avoided.

Shopping and Usage Tips

When purchasing a new product, always read the ingredients list carefully and look for reliable certifications, potentially harmful chemicals and misleading terms.

Moisturizers can alleviate dry skin, but there other are things you can do, especially during the cold winter months when it can be difficult to avoid. Skin can become dry when it lacks oil or water, so The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following:

Avoid hot water; instead wash with warm water.

Keep bath or showers brief.

Use a mild soap.

Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, while your skin is still moist.

Drink the recommended six to eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration

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