BEST BETS LIST OF NON-TOXIC PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
Dr. Louisa Williams
This is the name of a list Dr. Williams has given out for over 15 years recommending the best current non-toxic cosmetic and hygiene products that
also perform well on the skin and hair. Unfortunately, just buying at the health food store does not ensure that your personal care products are completely non-toxic, although it is a giant leap forward from purchasing them at drugstores, groceries or department stores. However, many cosmetics, shampoos and moisture lotions even at the best health food stores still contain toxic chemical preservatives, or ingredients that were distilled or manufactured with the use of these petroleum solvents.
In the following list the suggested products are from holistic companies endeavoring to use truly natural ingredients. Further, they have been energetically tested on numerous patients for many years as the most inert and clean available. However, when products have an asterisk (*) after them it indicates that they are not entirely chemical-free, but are the best we have available in that particular category at this time. The product(s) in bold type at the first of each category are the ones that have performed best on the skin or hair and are therefore the most popular among holistic patients.
Some of these products are readily available at most health food stores. However, many aren't and these need to be ordered by mail. The companies where many of these products need to be mail ordered from are listed in italics just after the product name. A resource list of these recommended companies is included at the end of the Best Bets list, with each of the company's phone number and web site.
PLEASE NOTE: For any products that are not listed on this list, please go to the Environmental Working Group's website for further reference (www.ewg.org/bodyburden/cosmetics). However, remember that the Best Bet's List includes products that have not only tested cleanly, but also products that
have performed well on the skin and hair over time.
Deodorant: Strong:
MiEssence Deodorant (Annie's Organics)
Real Purity Deodorant (Real Purity)
Mild: Sea Breeze Body Freshener (Vital Image)
Very Mild: Crystal rocks, stick or spray (health food stores or order from F/T, LTD)
Soap:
Face and Body Wash (Vital Image)
Liquid or bar soaps (Many health food store brands such as Dr. Bronner's, Seamud, Sappo Hill, Glycerine Creme, Bee and Flower, French Milled, River Soap Company, Suisun Bay, Simmon's Special, Moisturizing Oilve Oil and Natural Soap by Adra, etc.)
Shaving Cream:
Shaving Cream (RealPurity)
Shaving Miracle (Vital Image)
Toothpaste:
One Drop Only Dental Soap (Rupam's Apothecary)
Calendula Toothpaste (health food stores or order from Weleda (this is mint-free so it is OK for those on a homeopathic remedy)
MiEssence Anise Toothpaste (Annie's Organic's)
Doctor Burt's (health food store or order from Burt's Bees) Plant Gel or Salt Toothpaste with Baking Soda (health food stores or order from Weleda)
Mouthwash:
IPSAB or Ipsadent (health food store or order from Heritage Products)
Shampoo and Creme Rinse:
MiEssence Desert Flower Shampoo and Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner (Annie's Organics)
Surya Brasil (health food stores or Surya Brasil)
John Masters Shampoo & Creme Rinse (health food stores or John Masters Organics)
All products (Paul Penders)
Mangrove Foaming Shampoo & Hair conditioner (Keys)
Pure Abundance (Aveda) *
Hair Gel:
MiEssence Shape Hair Styling Gel (Annie's Organics)
Shine On (health food stores or John Masters Organics)
John Masters Styling Gel or Hair Texturizer (health food stores or John Masters Organics)
B-5 Design Gel (health food stores or order from Aubrey Organics)
Hair Spray:
None (Mix a little of the above gels with water in a spray bottle.)
Hair Color:
Surya Brasil Henna (health food stores or Surya Brasil)*
Light Mountain and Light Mountain Color the Gray Henna (health food store or Light Mountain)*
Sunglitz Crème Lightening System (Farouk – must be applied by professional hair stylist)*
Aveda Color Conditioners (Aveda)*
Facial Cleansing Creams, Moisture Lotions, Masks and Toners:
Pure Organic Shea Butter (health food stores or Organic Essence)
All Products (EvanHealy)
Hand and Body Lotion (health food store or Avalon Organics)
All products (health food store or MyChelle Dermaceuticals)
All products (health food store or Marie-Veronique)
All products (Royal Labs)
All products (Eminence Organics)
All products (Grateful Body)
All products (Vital Image)
All products (Super Salve)
All products (Paul Penders)
Apitherapy Goldenrod Honey Facial Masque (Honey Gardens)
Radiance Day Cream (health food store or Burt's Bees)
Chapstick:
Honey House Propolis Salve (Honey Gardens)
John Masters Organic Lip Calm (health food stores or John Masters Organics)
Suntan Lotion:
Reflect Outdoor Balm (Annie's Organics)
Sunblock Lotion (SPF 15) (Super Salve)
Jason Sunbrellas Sun Care (Paba-free) (health food store or order from Jason)
Real Purity Suntan Lotion (if no PABA skin sensitivity) (Real Purity)
Pure Organic Shea Butter - has a mild 5 to 6 SPF for light sun protection (health food stores or Organic Essence)
Fingernail Polish:
None (Use a buffer for a natural shine.)
[Conventional nail polish consists of greater than 50% toluene (known carcinogen), sulfonimide, formaldehyde (known carcinogen) and phthalate (endocrine disruptor) resins. (Kennedy, M. The Green Corner. ND NR, May 2006, p. 17.) Even the formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and phthalate-free alternative brands contain toxic isopropyl alcohol and other synthetic chemicals.]
Perfume and Cologne and Aftershave:
None (Use natural essential oils in moderation for special occasions! Aura Cacia at health food stores is a good product. Essential oils can be diluted with neutral-smelling almond oil.)
MAKE-UP
Lipstick:
Peacekeeper (health food store or www.iamapeacekeeper.com)
Hemp Organics Hempcolors (health food store or order from Hemp Organics)
Un-petroleum Terra Tints (health food store or order from Unpetroleum)
Super Salve Lipsticks (Super Salve)
Real Purity Lipsticks (Real Purity)
Lavera Lipsticks (health food store or order from Lavera)
Paul Penders Lipsticks (Paul Penders)
Blush-on, Concealer, Base, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Mascara and Powder:
MiEssence Mineral Blush Powder and Mascara (Annie's Organics)
Lavera (health food stores or order from Lavera)
Super Salve (Super Salve)
Real Purity (Real Purity)
Paul Penders (Paul Penders)
Body Powder: Body Powder (health food stores or order from Jason)
Herbal Baby Powder (Super Salve)
PERSONAL CARE COMPANY SOURCES:
Annie's Organics
www.anniesorganics.mionegroup.com
Aubrey Organics (800) 282-7394
www.aubrey-organics.com Avalon Organics(888) 659-7730
www.avalonorganics.comAveda (800) 328-0849 (You can't order Aveda products by mail, but you can ask for the location of a hair salon near you, as well as one that has been approved to do hair coloring.)
www.aveda.com
Burt's Bees (919) 998-5200
www.burtsbees.com Eminence (888) 747-6342
www.eminenceorganics.com EvanHealy
(858) 513-7559
www.evanhealy.com F/T, LTD.(800) 829-ROCK
www.thecrystal.com
(800) 237-9175
(262) 889-8561
