Change Can Be Challenging
I came across an article by Estelle Hayes on the Huffington Post that discussed this topic. She mentioned several ingredients that people regularly consume on a daily basis by using cosmetics and hair products, and some of the potential harm they can cause.
She also recognized that accepting that these products are harmful is difficult for many people. Most people do not like change. Being asked to stop using a product they have used for years and switch to something that might look, feel, smell, or work differently can cause anxiety. People like familiar things. Sometimes there are memories associated with products people use, especially if they are fragranced.
A Complete and Immediate Overhaul Is Not Necessary
Instead of taking a gigantic garbage bag and emptying your closets and cabinets of all potentially toxic products at once (which I actually did, years ago), it is much easier on the nerves and the wallet to do it little by little.
Start with products that you need to replenish soon. Food is a great starting point. Next time you go to the grocery store, look for products that have either an “all natural” or organic alternative. Many large grocery chains, such as Safeway, are now offering all natural and/or organic store brand alternatives for a majority of their products. These stores are seeing the huge success that specialty stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's have achieved and are starting to compete. As a result, the specialty stores have started lowering their prices and offering more coupons, loyalty programs, and sales because they now have more stores to compete with.
Next time you run out of your skin care products, try replacing them with a safer alternative. There are safe alternatives available in every type of retail environment these days. All you have to do is read the labels, and know what ingredients to avoid.
For specifics check out the EWG’s Cosmetic Safety Database. You can search for products by category, safety rating, or brand name, or even look up specific ingredients. It is a great resource, and takes away a lot of the guesswork.
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