Sephora Natural & Organic: How do they Rate?
January 31, 2011 by Tania
Filed under Better Beauty, Personal Care Products, Skin Care
Sephora is offering it’s customers over 1400 Natural & Organic products. A clear indication of their response to consumers demand for more Natural Cosmetics. But how are they really doing?
PND spent some time researching their choices, learning how these products rank in the EWG’s Cosmetics Database (CD). The CD gives products hazard scores from 0-10. To learn more about why PND uses this database click here.
The CD Ranking:
0-2 Low Hazard
3-6 Moderate Hazard
7-10 High Hazard
Top marks went to Juice Beauty, although all the information in the CD was derived from their old formulation – one can only hope their new formulations are even better. Many of the lines had too few items listed in the CD to give an overall assessment of their line. This seem like a basic step to overlook for a company in the natural beauty market.
Many other lines had a number of offerings that scored well, only to have others do poorly – very confusing for consumers. My personal preference is to find brands that can be trusted overall to take the guess work out of shopping and keep things simpler.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE OFFERINGS:
Bare Escentuals – Mineral Make Up
They have 188 products list in the CD score from 1-6. Most of their ranges scores in the 3-5 range. Not to bad, but keep in mind there are many mineral lines with products scores in the 1-3 range. Their safest offering – bareVitamins Prime Time (1). Their highest scoring product – Faux Tan Body Moisturizer (6).
Bieux Skin – Skin Care
Only one product is listed in the CD. Sephora is selling two of their products. Bionaturals Power Lift & Repair Serum – 3
Boscia – Skin Care
They have 8 products listed in the CD with score from 1-4 and Sephora is selling 14. Their safest offerings are their Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment and Soothing Cleansing Cream – both products scored a 1.
Carol’s Daughter – Body & Hair Care
Carol’s Daughter has 22 products listed in the CD scoring from 0-5. Take your pick of 2 lip balms and a lip gloss with a 0.
Caudalie – Skin Care
Caudalie has 21 products list in the CD scoring from 3-8. Their best offerings are Energizing Concentrate & Anti-Ageing Serum Eyes & Lips, both coming in at 3. Will their worst scoring product is the Radiance Day Fluid, SPF 8 scoring 8.
Coloron – Press on Mineral Make Up
Did not show up in the CD. I don’t think I want press on make-up, but perhaps I should try it before I make wide sweeping comments.
Evian – Water
Are they really listing water as a natural beauty product? I’m pretty sure we can all be youthful and radiant without a can of evian water to mist on our faces!
Jack’s Black – Men’s Skin Care
Jack’s Black has 35 products listed in the CD scoring from 3-9. With 9 of their products in the red zone (7-10) I would look for an alternative. Their are many safer men’s line’s in the market.
Josie Maran – Make Up
Jose Maran has only 2 products listed in the CD a lipstick and tinted moisturizer – scoring 3-5.
Juice Beauty – Face & Body Care
Juicy has 25 products listed in the EWG all products scoring 1-4. They are also certified organic. All of the products have been noted as being rated based on the “old formulation”.
Products like their Revitalizing Eye Treatment and Daily Nourishing Moisturizer score at 3.
Jurlique – Skin Care
Jurlique has no products listed in the CD, Sephora is offering 15 of their products. They look lovely, I’d love to be able to say more.
Klorane – Hair Care
Klorane has 11 products listed in the CD scoring from 4-8. With scores starting out so high, this is a line that I would just avoid all together.
Korres Natural Products – Make Up and Skin & Body Care
Korres has 81 products listed in the CD scoring from 0-9. With 16 of these products scoring above 7. This is another line I would move past. Some of their products are good, but when the score range this broad it is much less confusing to just cross it off the list of products to try. How does a line with this many high scoring products get to use the word natural in their name?
Lavanila – Fragrance & Body Care
Lavanila has 3 products listed in the CD – they score from 3-5. I’d like to see more of their products listed in the database. I’m a bit familiar with this company and I’m relatively confident their ingredients are safer than many others in the marketplace.
Nude Skin Care – Skin Care
No products listed in the CD.
Nuts Cream Perfume
No products listed in the CD.
Nvey Eco – Make Up
Nvey Eco’s Certified Organic only has 3 products listed in the CD, but they score 2-3, so it appears they are on the right track. Sephora is carrying 10 products. I’d feel much better if they had more products in the database to enable a more extensive review.
Ole Henriksen – Skin Care
Ole Henriksen has 17 products listed in the CD, most of the listings score from 0-4. Products to avoid are the Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask (6) and the Grease Relief Face Tonic (8).
Pacifica – Perfume and Body Care
Pacifica has 3 products listed in the CD and they all score 3. With this limited information it’s difficult to assess.
Phyto – Hair Care
Phyto has 99 products listed in the CD scoring from 1-9. With 27 (over 25%) of their products scoring above 7. Consider looking for a safer line.
Plantlove By Cargo- Make Up
Plantlove by Cargo has 24 products listed in the CD. They score from 4- 6 and are primarily lip products. While the score isn’t horrible, there are many lip products that score lower and I also think that if it’s going on your lips, the standard need to be a little higher, not only is our skin absorbing it, but we’re likely to ingest some too.
Skyn Iceland – Skin Care
Skyn Iceland has 12 products listed in the CD. Their products scored from 2-10 in the database. With 50% of the line score a 10 – this is a line I would skip.
Tarte – Make-up
Tarte has 133 products listed in the CD scoring from 3-8. Products like tarte Lash Hugger Mascara, Smooth Operator Foundation and Double Dose Berry Boost & Lip Gloss that score 4 and under, however they also have a number of lip glosses, sheers, and spf lip balm that score above 7 and would likely be better on the store shelf than on your skin. Product lines with such varied scores make it tricky – you really need to cherry pick the line to make safer choices.
Yu-Be – Skin Care
Yu-Be has 3 products listed out of 5 that Sephora carries, they score 4-5 in the CD. They list a skin polish, and 2 Skin Creams. You could likely do better, but you could do worse too.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While a couple of lines being offered by Sephora are excellent. Many of these “Natural Lines” contained products scoring in the 8′s & 9′s.
Hopefully this overview gives you an idea of how careful we need to be in choosing our personal care products. The lines that we studied here were selected by Sephora buyers for being Natural & Organic. It would be nice if we could add safe to that description. Until we have better regulation in the industry we are going to need to be very careful in the choices we make for personal care if we want to be assured that they are really safe to use on our bodies.
Miessence Organics: Diva Review & Giveaway
May 15, 2010 by Tania
Filed under Better Beauty, Giveaways, Personal Care Products, Reviews, Skin Care
Congratulations to the winner!
I was introduced to Miessence Organics by Erin Ely an Independent Representative who has been following PND and knew that I had to check out their line!
What I love about Miessence Skin Care products is that every ingredient in the skin care line is certified organic to food standards by the Australian Certified Organic (ACO).
They also ship all of their products fresh from the factory and suggest their product be used within 6 months to ensure you get the full benefit of the active ingredients. Miessence also uses cold pressed formulations – this ensures that heat will not kill the active ingredients during processing.
They have a full line of body care products, skincare and makeup that you can use with confidence – the entire product range scores from 0-2 in the Cosmetics Database.
I wish I could go to the store to try all these fantastic products, but they are only available through independent distribution. The line prices out with cleansers at $42, shampoo & conditioner that are $22 each, and at $40 their facial serums are a bargain.
Erin did send me their Rejuvenessence Facial Serum to try – it was little too rich for daily use on my skin, but I adjusted to using it 2 or 3 times a week and that has been just right. It has a rich botanical fragrance and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Lucky for us, Erin has agreed to give one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to try Miessence for themselves! Use it for toothpaste, sunscreen, shampoo, make up – it’s your call – but use it with confidence because this company prides themselves on being 100% organic and natural.
Win a $50 Gift Certificate for Miessence Organics
HOW TO ENTER:
There are a few ways you can enter, leave separate comments for each entry.
Mandatory
Become an Email Subscriber to PND using the form in the sidebar. Leave a comment with a name I can print in our newsletter if you win. Winners are only announced in our newsletter – so don’t forget to check!
- The subscription must be confirmed. You will receive and email that you must reply to for your entry to be valid.
- Already a confirmed Subscriber. Complete any one of the additional entries options – Leave a comment letting Diva know you’re subscriber name and the entry option you selected.
Additional Entries
- Go to ElyOrganics and share what you will use your $50 to buy!
- Stumble, Digg, Kirsty, or Technorati favorite this post. Leave a comment with your name and the link.
- Follow @purenaturaldiva (use link on the sidebar) and @erinely on twitter. Leave your twittername in a separate comment.
- Become a Fan of Pure Natural Diva and Miessence Organics on Facebook. Post this giveaway as an update, leave your FB Name or Name with a copy of your update in a separate comment. One entry for each.
- Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste “WIN a $50 Gift Certificate for Miessence Organics, make-up, skin care… Diva Giveaway http://bit.ly/bhvrJ8 @purenaturaldiva #ElyOrganics”. Leave a comment and link in the comments.
- Write a post on your blog linking to my blog and to the – Good for two entries. Leave this comment twice so you get both entries!
This giveaway will run through midnight on May 22, 2010 PDT, with winner being announced May 24, 2010 in the PND Newsletter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries. Winner will have 24 hours to contact me before the contest is re-opened until the following weekend.
Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.
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Toxins – Small Amounts Matter
February 12, 2010 by Tania
Filed under Green Living, Infant & Childcare, Label Reading PHD, Personal Care Products, Preservatives & Additives, Why Bother?
Why should the average person be worried about toxins in their home, additives, preservatives and contaminants in their foods.
Even if we are being exposed. The exposures are so limited.
They can’t be of any consequence. Right?
Are you sure?
Toxins are measured in measured in parts per billion.
Amazing what can be done with a few grains of sand ~ Image by Wonderland
One part per billion has been illustrated recently by the chemical companies as the equivalent of a single pancake in a stack of pancake 4000 miles high.
Surely limited amount wouldn’t impact our bodies. It’s “too low” to matter the to chemical companies argue.
The EWG studied to blood of an Sustainable Furniture Maker named Jesse who lives in New York.
He is arguably an average American. This is what was found in his blood. Measured in parts per billion (ppb):
The Blood Content of our “Average American”
- 97.5 ppb – Badge 40H (Liner in canned foods)
- 45 ppb – PFC’s
- 21 ppb – Lead
- 1.11 ppb – Mercury
- .29 ppb – PBDE’s
Common Drugs that impact our body, as they measure in our blood as parts per billion (ppb):
- 30 ppb – Cialis (one dose)
- 30 ppb – Paxil (one dose)
- 2.1 ppb – Albuterol (one dose)
- 35 ppb – Nuvaring – birth control
At small doses – Cialis side effects include a sudden decrease in hearing or vision. Users are directed to call their doctor taking Cialis if they get an erection lasting more than 4 hours.
Drugs are effective at the very same parts per billion that the chemical companies claim are inconsequential in their product. Drugs are designed to be effective at low doses.
Chemicals are not tested to ensure their safety or their absence of side effects at low doses.
Chemicals are consumed without unknowingly and we don’t know if we are putting ourselves, our families and our unborn children at risk.
The evidence is gathering that we are putting them at risk.
We are seeing an alarming increase in disease that can’t be explained by better diagnostics:
- Hypospadias has doubled from 1968 – 1993 – 1 in 125 baby boys
- 62% increase in acute lymphocytic leukemia over short period of time
- 40% increase in Brain Cancer – this is not a matter of better diagnostics, we didn’t miss brain cancer in the 1960′s, 70′s, 80′s & 90′s.
- 1-150 Children – if this is due to better or more frequent diagnosis - where are the Autistic adults?
- Fertility difficulties are rising in women under the age of 25.
- We have the highest rate of cancer in the world and if someone moves here from another country their likelihood of cancer increases – according to the American Cancer Society.
Over and above the Human Cost there is a monitory Cost of to Disorder
- $ 43.4 Billion – Lead poisoning
- $ 9.2 Billion – Neurobehavioral disorders, autism etc.
- $ 8.7 Billion – IQ loss from mercury
- $ 35 Billion – Asthma in Children
What can we do daily to lower our exposure?
Kid Safe Chemical Act:
Help Get it passed!
Most of the figures for this article came from a presentation by EWG president Ken Cook ~ 10 Americans. It’s a great presentation, well worth the time it takes to watch.
TweetThe Diva Cup: Product Review
January 10, 2010 by Tania
Filed under Personal Care Products, Reviews
Gentlemen… this one is not for you. We’ll be discussing matters you’d rather know nothing about. I can’t even suggest you forward this to your spouse – she might take it the wrong way.
Mother Daughter Team at Diva Cup
Ladies – for the duration of our “childbearing years” with varying degrees of regularity we all have to deal with our monthly cycle and all the joy it encompasses.
This monthly joy typically involves an arsenal of bleached feminine hygiene products. I’ve attempted to do some research on the health implications of using bleached tampons inside of our body and if there is information out there I’ve been unable to find it. Switching to unbleached and recycled tampons is no doubt an improvement.
I recently discovered a product called the Diva Cup and while this solution has it’s drawbacks, in my view it’s benefits are outstanding. The Diva Cup is a small cylindrical silicon cup. It reminds me a little bit of diaphragm’s I’ve seen (never tried one, so can’t speak to that).
Benefits
Safe, medical grade silicon is known to be non toxic to our bodies.
Correctly placed the Diva Cup is more comfortable than tampons.
No need to keep buying tampons or pads.
No need to carry extra supplies when you travel or are out and about.
Nothing gross to wrap or hide in the wastebasket.
Heavier flow just needs to be emptied more often, no additional products!
No “rip cord” dangling around. Nadda… Nothing… Fabulous! How gross is the rip cord. This reason alone will prevent me from ever going back to the old way!
With the caveat below – no bulky pad. Nadda… Nothing… Fabulous.
Less odor. Seriously! Smelled fresher, felt fresher.
Did I mention how comfortable it was.
What You Need To Know
The Diva Cup is not for the faint of heart. If you would not be comfortable inserting a applicator free tampon chances are you won’t be comfortable with this. It’s only a little bit more involved, but let’s just say there is only one way in.
It did take me a little time to learn how to tell if the Diva Cup was correctly situated. Users will quickly learn that if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not in correctly. This is not a matter of leakage, rather it will feel a little uncomfortable if it’s not placed correctly.
You will need be rinsing out your cup, again not for the squeamish.
You MUST rotate the Cup one full circle – it says so in the instructions. When you do, it is leek free, comfortable and a delight. If you don’t – you might have a leek. It’s like screwing a lid on a jar… if you don’t turn it all the way the liquid won’t stay where you need it to stay.
You will want to wash the cup with a non toxic safe soap – The Diva Wash is a plant based, petroleum based option.
Environmentally Speaking
If you are looking for an environmental reason to make the switch consider the fact that in the US alone over 55.9 million women are using feminine hygiene products. These products need to be manufactured, disposed of and purchased over and over again. That’s 55.9 million women every month!
Conclusion
There is a learning curve to using this product. I’d suggest the first few times using a panty liner in the event that you have any leakage. Having said that my obligation to The Diva Cup will end when this giveaway is over and I won’t be going back to my old ways! The Diva Cup is just so much better, so much more comfortable, and you can use it over and over again.
It’s not perfect, but if you took away the environmental benefits and ignored that it’s likely safer than tampons and only judged it as which method was superior – I would pick the Diva Cup.
Move past any squeamishness. Take the time to read the instructions and make the switch!
CLICK HERE to input your zip/postal code to find a retailer near you.
Congratulations to Heather S! You’ve won the Diva Cup and full size Diva Wash!
HOW TO ENTER:
There are a few ways you can enter, leave separate comments for each entry.
Mandatory:
Become an Email Subscriber to PND using the form in the sidebar.
– The subscription must be confirmed. You will receive and email that you must reply to for your entry to be valid.
– Already a confirmed Subscriber. Complete any one of the additional entries options – Leave a comment letting Diva know you’re subscriber name and the entry option you selected.
Additional Entries
1. Go to The Diva Cup and tell PND what size you would be or share something you learned.
2. Stumble, Digg, Kirsty or Technorati favorite this post. Leave a comment with your name and the link.
3. Follow @purenaturaldiva (use link on the sidebar) & Diva Cup on twitter. Leave your twittername in a separate comment.
4. Become a Fan of Pure Natural Diva & Diva Cup on Facebook. Post this giveaway as an update, leave your FB Name or Name with a copy of your update in a separate comment. One entry for each.
5. Tweet this giveaway. Copy and paste “Diva Giveaway: Win The Diva Cup http://bit.ly/8kJga, Ladies this is for you! @purenaturaldiva”. Then come back and leave the direct link to your tweet (go to your twitter account, click on the words when your tweet was sent (ie. 5 seconds ago) and copy and paste that link in comments.
6. Write a post on your blog linking to my blog and to the – Good for two entries. Leave this comment twice so you get both entries!
This giveaway will run through midnight on Feb 13, 2010 PDT. The winner will be announced in the PND newsletter Feb 15, 2010. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries. Winner will have 24 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen.
Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S & Canada.
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Body Conscience Launches at Fred Segal
November 6, 2009 by Tania
Filed under Personal Care Products, Worth Sharing
By Tania Reuben
My fabulous friend Barbara has been working diligently developing a fantastic line of body care products. Last night her labors bore fruit as Body Conscience launched at Fred Segal.
This line is Ultra Luxe and pure enough that you can eat it.
The turnout was fantastic and we can’t wait to share more about this great line. CLICK HERE for a preview.
Hopefully we’ll have some Body Conscience to share with our readers soon!
John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor: Review
November 4, 2009 by Tania
Filed under Personal Care Products, Reviews
By Tania Reuben
John Masters Organics began creating this upscale line of salon quality organic beauty products in 1991. John believes that harsh chemicals were only created as cheap substitutes for organic compounds that do a better job.
All of their final products must be 75-100 % organic. All essential oils are steam released to maintain the effectiveness of the oils, and plant oils are cold pressed for the same reason. They use no artificial, colors, fragrances or fillers.
They recently sent me the Honey Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor to try on my lovely locks.
With a Diva Total of 14.5 out of 15 points this product is: Divaliscious
Click here for review criteria:
8 Points for Skin Deep Low Hazard Rating ~ 3
2 Points for being Organic – Eco-Cert, Organic Crop Improvement, Quality Assurance International.
2 Points for effectiveness – This conditioner left my hair feeling soft, shiny and smelling good.
.8 Point for Texture – This conditioner has a nice thick texture, so it doesn’t end up on the shower floor during application. It doesn’t have a slick feeling on application, yet my hair was easy to comb through after rinsing (and I have a lot of hair at the moment!)
.9 Point for Fragrance – This product really smells great. It’s a slightly spicy floral fragrance. It’s delicate and not overpowering. It leaves your hair smelling delicately yummy.
.5 Points for Packaging Appearance – The entire line of John Master’s Organics looks understated and chic. The Reconstructor is packaged in Dark Brown with white writing.
.3 Points for Packaging Sustainability – The packaging is made of MDPE (2) Plastic, which is recyclable. All closures are made of HDPE and is accepted at many recycling stations. None of the plastics are made using recycled content, which would be a great next step.
Overall:
This is an excellent conditioner that can be after each shampoo or as a weekly treatment. With ingredients like Capuacu Seed Butter to help moisturize and Kelp Extract to soften smooth and add shine it will leave your hair feeling great.
This is a perfect conditioner for the diva or dude looking for a high end salon product with an eye for taking care of the planet or the performance.
Skip the Bumble & Bumble ~ Choose John Masters Organics.
The Honey Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor Retails for $28
TweetHow Safe Are Cosmetics and Body Care Products?
June 4, 2009 by Tania
Filed under Better Beauty, Health & Wellness, Personal Care Products, Skin Care, Why Bother?
This article does a good job of explaining so many of the concerns I have about cosmetics and Body Care Products. If you are interested in digging a little deeper read the following article.
The government knows just about as much as you do about what you’re putting on your skin—that is to say, not much
Scientific American
Katherine Harmon
Published May 6, 2009
Cosmetics—makeup, creams, fragrances—have been around for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian and Roman women famously caked on lead-based foundation. (Lead, a metal, can cause nerve, muscle and organ damage.) But surely lead-laden cosmetics have been phased out along with lead-lined water pipes, right? Not necessarily.
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the multi-billion-dollar-a-year cosmetics industry but it lacks the power to approve products or ingredients before they hit store shelves, even though their contents have been shown to enter the body.
According to the FDA, a cosmetic is anything used for “cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance.” An average U.S. consumer uses about 10 cosmetic products every day, including makeup, soap, shampoo, lotion, hair gel and cologne, says Lisa Archer, the national coordinator for The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), a nonprofit advocacy group based in San Francisco and financed in part by the Breast Cancer Fund, a nonprofit organization. As a result, she says, people are exposed to roughly 126 different chemicals daily, many of which haven’t been thoroughly tested.
“We’re operating in a vacuum in terms of safety,” Archer says. “The FDA doesn’t even define what ’safe’ is, so it’s totally up to the discretion of cosmetic companies.”
Soaking it in, Slathering, powdering, spritzing. The skin is the body’s largest organ and its shield against the surrounding environment. But it is a porous protector, allowing some substances in and others—most notably moisture—out. Some compounds that are applied to the skin’s surface can be absorbed into the body, including the estimated four pounds (1.8 kilograms) of lipstick an average lipstick-wearer consumes in a lifetime, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit public interest organization based in Washington, D.C.
To read the full article:
http://www.ewg.org/newsclip/Saving-Face-How-Safe-Are-Cosmetics-and-Body-Care-Products
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