Charmaine Leah: Let us talk about how to choose natural cosmetics.

It may surprise you but each day we are exposed to over 168 synthetic chemicals that are found in our cosmetic products. Many of these chemicals are toxic and are known to cause serious health problems such as cancer, infertility and birth defects as well as skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and eczema.

Choosing natural products are a great choice for you, for the environment and for your skin. So here are ten tips for choosing natural cosmetics.

Number one, don’t read labels. Unlike the food industry, there are no laws against using the word natural or organic in cosmetic labeling. Many products advertise as organic and natural appear in their name may still contain synthetic chemicals. Don’t trust labels, they are more getting gimmick.

Number two, read ingredients, what ingredients are in a product are the most important things to look for. It is impossible to memorize every hazardous ingredient to avoid any product but if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably toxic.

For example, methylchloroisothiazolinone. I am not sure if I said that right but it is a preservative that is toxic to our bodies and is found in many products. The most toxic ingredients that you want to remember to avoid are butyl acetate, butylated hydroxytoluene which is BHT, coal tar, cocamide DEA or lauramide DEA, diazolidinyl urea, ethyl Acetate, formaldehyde, fragrance, parabens, petrolatum, Phthalates, propylene glycol, sodium laureth or sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, toluene and Triethanolamine which is TEA.

Number three, choose fragrance-free products. Fragrance is found in a lot of products such as shampoo, shaving creams, deodorants and lotions. By luck, companies don’t have to tell us what they put as ingredients in fragrance. But most often, fragrance contains a hundred of chemicals that can be toxic. Even unscented products still contain fragrances which are a cover-up for a lot of toxic chemicals.

Number four, avoid big brand names. There are thousands of companies that make cosmetic products but usually it is the big brand names that use synthetic chemicals and mislead with their labeling. Always try to read ingredients when you are buying cosmetics and try to avoid big brandings.

Number five, buy only cruelty-free products. Make sure the products you are buying clearly stay and advertise that they do not test their products on animals. Look for the PETA cruelty-free or anything Bunny.org logos on packaging.

Number six, look for environmentally friendly packaging. Choose products that come in recycled or recyclable packaging such as paper boxes or glass bottles. If the product comes in plastic, check with the container to see if there is any fine print that says it’s BPA-free.

Number seven, choose mineral makeup. Mineral makeup can be a safer alternative to traditional cosmetics. Look for mineral makeup that does not contain nanoparticles, any type of black dyes, petroleum chemicals, any type talc as well.

Number eight, use water-based nail polish. Conventional nail polish and removers contain toxic ingredients such as DBTs and formaldehyde which are linked to cancer, infertility and birth defects. So when choosing a nail polish, a natural nail polish, try water based. They are odor-free and they contain no toxic chemicals.

Number nine, use fewer products. A simple routine will reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals.

And the last one, number ten, use the internet. My favorite website is Skin Deep which is www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. You can punch in any ingredient or any product and get a detailed list of health concerns.

Also, while using skin deep, you can find natural alternatives to your cosmetic products. When looking for natural cosmetics, it can be extremely confusing and frustrating and receding. So, hopefully these tips will help you on your path of finding the right natural cosmetics.

So guys, have a glamorous day. For more products, tips and reviews, you can follow me on Twitter, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel or you can stop on my website. Bye.