Skin Deep — the eco-database that gives you safety ratings on makeup, perfume, and other personal care products — just got a new face lift.
Browsing and searching’s gotten easier, as has finding the products you decide you wanna buy. The left-hand column now has a “where to buy” link, which’ll let you better locate the eco-product of your desire.
The hazard score that rates each product’s gotten simpler too. The score now runs 0 - 10, with 10 being the most dangerous.
Plus, each product now has a “data gap” score. Because many cosmetics ingredients have not been throughly tested to assess potential health risks, putting a firm hazard score on products that contain these unassessed ingredients is difficult. The “data gap” score gives you an idea as to whether the product’s really known to be safe, or whether it just contains many untested ingredients that’re difficult to give a firm hazard rating.
Skin Deep’s a project of the Environmental Working Group. It’s also the reason why I was in Washington DC a lil while back — I was testing out this new version of Skin Deep –
Update, 5/28/07: An interview with Jane at EWG, who’s working to put EWG’s own Skin Deep out of business –
Hi Siel,
Thank you so much for telling us about this site. Even when you know to look out for parabens, mineral oil, etc, I always find it so difficult to really know what you are buying.
Some ratings really did surprise me, like Cetaphil cleanser was rated a 7, ALBA Very Emollient Body Lotion, Daily Shade Formula (SPF 16) an 8. Some of the ‘good’ guys are bad. Sheesh…
I made a shopping list based on this info!
Comment by Callie — May 16, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I love Skin deep and EWG.org, refer to it allays before I make purchases. But its allays good to check your labels, sometimes the information on the site isn’t all up to date or correct. For instance I was looking for the safest foundation, which show to be Netrogena, however its finding are based on the part of the label that comes off, there is a whole list of ingredients on the part of the label that gets left on the bottle that wasn’t included in SD’s research. Its always good to double check against their finding to make sure your making the safest choice.
Yours, Debi
Comment by Debi — May 16, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
If I want to get rid of semi used product, what is the best option? I don’t feel good about dumping it in the trash.
Comment by Callie — May 17, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Glad EWG’s been helpful. Debi — You should def. drop EWG a note re: the Neutrogena foundation. I use Gabriel –
Callie — Depending on what product it is — I’d try to give it to someone who might be able to use it first. If you can’t, and if the container’s recyclable, put the remaining product in a used plastic bag and throw it in the trash, recycling the container.
Comment by Siel — May 17, 2007 @ 9:33 pm