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Switch to natural face cream

Why This is Green

Like most conventional cosmetics, face cream can contain a number of synthetic chemicals that have been linked to everything from cancers to hormone disruption to birth defects to skin or eye irritation. Not so pretty.

Every moisturizer is made differently, but conventional ones usually contain a questionable mix including parabens, synthetic fragrance, and multiple petroleum-derived ingredients. The chemicals, including acids, in creams claiming to make you look younger as well as ones tinted with dyes tend to be particularly suspect.

Face creams may also be formulated with sunscreening chemicals like oxybenzone, which gets high hazard ratings in both The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database and the GoodGuide. Another high hazard ingredient that pops up not infrequently in face cream is a skin conditioning agent called retinyl palmitate. The EWG links to a FDA study indicating that it may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied in sunlight. Used daily, these ingredients may build up in your body.

Learn More

How To

If your current face cream doesn’t have natural or organic certification, look it up on the on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database or the GoodGuide. If it turns out to be too risky to wear, replace it with one that scores better and contains natural, organic, or biodynamic ingredients.

Not available in your drug store? Check natural product stores and online.

Or, depending on your skin type, safe food grade organic oils like safflower, coconut, or olive may suffice. Truly--a little dab will do you.