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Toxins enter the body through what we eat, drink, breathe in, and process in any way. Once inside, toxins overtax our immune system and detoxification system and leave us more vulnerable to illness — not ideal during cold and flu season, and especially not this year during a pandemic — and make us age a little faster, too.
<p>Fortunately, there are a lot of simple things you can do from the comfort of your own home to keep toxins out of your body, flush them out of your system faster, and boost your immunity all at the same time, says Dr. Bill Rawls, Medical Director of Vital Plan. He shares his top 10 strategies below.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://vitalplan.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Rawls</a> is a licensed medical doctor in North Carolina and a leading expert in integrative health. He has extensive training in alternative therapies, and is the Medical Director of Vital Plan, a holistic health and herbal supplement company in Raleigh, NC.</em></p><p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/10-natural-ways-to-detox-boost-your-immunity-at-home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vital Plan</a>. </em></p>
1. Source Your Food Wisely
<p>Try to stay away from packaged and processed foods that contain ingredients you can't pronounce, and instead reach for fresh food from natural sources. Aim to make vegetables more than 50% of your daily diet — their fiber is a great natural binder, and they're full of beneficial <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/the-case-of-the-missing-phytochemicals-and-how-to-get-them-back" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="">phytochemicals</a> — and minimize your red meat consumption.</p><p>Also, whenever practical, choose <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/how-to-eat-organic-without-spending-a-fortune" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">organic</a> over conventional products. That said, we know organic prices and accessibility can be an issue, so for help making strategic decisions, refer to the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Environmental Working Group</a> (EWG) "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists:</p><h3>The Dirty Dozen:</h3><ol><li>Strawberries</li><li>Spinach</li><li>Kale</li><li>Nectarines</li><li>Apples</li><li>Grapes</li><li>Peaches</li><li>Cherries</li><li>Pears</li><li>Tomatoes</li><li>Celery</li><li>Potatoes</li><li>Raisins*</li></ol><p><em>(*While raisins aren't technically a fresh food, the EWG found that they are "one of the dirtiest produce commodities on the market — and even some organic raisins are contaminated.")</em></p><h3>The Clean Fifteen</h3><ol><li>Avocado</li><li>Sweet corn</li><li>Pineapple</li><li>Onion</li><li>Papaya</li><li>Frozen sweet peas</li><li>Eggplant</li><li>Asparagus</li><li>Cauliflower</li><li>Cantaloupe</li><li>Broccoli</li><li>Mushrooms</li><li>Cabbage</li><li>Honeydew</li><li>Kiwi</li></ol>2. Consider Detoxifying and Immune-Boosting Herbs
<p>There are a number of herbs and natural ingredients that can help support detoxification and immune health. Here are the ones at the top of Dr. Rawls' list:</p><p><span></span><strong>Chlorella:</strong> This nutrient-rich freshwater algae binds to toxins so they can be eliminated from your body more efficiently. Chlorella works particularly well for withdrawing heavy metals. Pure chlorella can be purchased in the form of bulk powder, tablets, or capsules.</p><p><strong><a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/milk-thistle" target="_blank">Milk Thistle</a>:</strong> It's been used for thousands of years to support a healthy liver, the primary organ responsible for detoxification.</p><p><strong>Dandelion:</strong> Known to help support liver function, research suggests <a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/dandelion-extract" target="_blank">dandelion</a> helps promote the body's natural detoxification and elimination processes.</p><p><strong>Bitters:</strong> <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/the-impressive-health-benefits-of-bitter-foods" target="_blank">Bitter</a> flavors are important to digestion — they stimulate the release of the saliva, enzymes, and bile that help break down your food. Include bitter herbs and foods in each meal, or take a botanical extract that blends bitter herbs like dandelion root, burdock root, orange peel, and gentian root</p><p><strong>Reishi mushroom:</strong> An extensively studied adaptogenic mushroom, <a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/reishi" target="_blank">reishi</a> has exceptional immunomodulating and antiviral properties. It helps normalize <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/are-you-inflammaging-how-to-stop-the-inflammation-that-speeds-up-aging" target="_blank">inflammatory</a> cytokines and promotes healthy immune response against threatening <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/the-immortal-life-of-your-microbiome" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">microbes</a>.</p><p><strong>Rhodiola:</strong> Another adaptogen, <a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/rhodiola" target="_blank">rhodiola</a> improves stress tolerance by reducing fatigue, supporting energy levels, and improving tissue oxygenation.</p><p><span></span><strong><a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/turmeric" target="_blank">Turmeric</a>:</strong> This popular spice is well loved for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.</p><p><strong>Shilajit:</strong> An herbo-mineral adaptogen, <a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/shilajit" target="_blank">shilajit</a> has a long history of use in traditional Indian medicine for longevity and strength. It's also an immunomodulator with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.</p><p><strong>Gotu Kola:</strong> Best known for improving memory and mood, <a href="https://vitalplan.com/ingredients/gotu-kola" target="_blank">gotu kola</a> is also great for promoting a normal response to inflammation, balancing stress hormones, and supporting circulation.</p>Shop Vital Plan Pure Chlorella
<a href="https://vitalplan.sjv.io/rA4MB" ><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NDQ2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MTAwNTEwMX0.yI_i-pZySmK6Dq6VlwfJuBa60zHTY1va2FwBu1p2zak/img.jpg?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&height=1200" id="949ac" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e235a717283ef3ed8db9d8ce65a9bbbb" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1200" data-height="1200" /></a><p><em><em>Vital Plan is a certified B Corporation — one of only eight supplement companies recognized for achieving the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. If you make a purchase using the link above, EcoWatch may earn a commission.</em></em></p>3. Filter Your Water
<p>Much of America's tap water has been shown to contain pollutants, so filtering what comes out of your kitchen sink is smart. To be sure you're using a filter that does the trick, keep these guidelines in mind:</p><ul><li>Look for a filter certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association.</li><li>Choose one that removes the contaminants in your water (check your local drinking water quality report to see what's present).</li><li>Change your water filters on time.</li></ul>4. Choose Safe and Effective Cleaning Supplies
<p>When buying household cleaning products, don't bring home chemicals that could harm your health more than some of the microbes you're trying to get rid of. Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market that work safely; here are some ways to shop wisely:</p><ul><li>Look for the Green Seal, Ecologo, or Safer Choice (EPA) seals.</li><li>Opt for fragrance-free options.</li><li>Avoid triclosan and quaternary ammonium compounds or "quats." (One tactic is to choose products that don't advertise as "antibacterial.")</li><li>Consult the EWG's list of <a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2020/03/16-effective-and-safe-products-guard-against-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safe and effective products</a> for guarding against coronavirus.</li></ul>5. Opt for Non-Toxic Beauty and Personal Care Products
<p>There are a lot of claims made on beauty and self-care products these days, but words alone, like "natural," "organic," "non-toxic," "clean," "green," and "eco-friendly," don't mean a thing — they aren't backed by any sort of regulatory or certification processes. Instead, to find non-toxic products you trust, you have to do a little research.</p><p>Start by checking reputable ratings databases like <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skin Deep</a> (EWG) and <a href="https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Think Dirty</a>. Another good bet: Look for reliable third-party certifications on products labels, including:</p><ul><li>USDA Organic</li><li>EWG Verified</li><li>Made Safe</li><li>NSF/ANSI 305</li><li>Natural Products Association Certified</li><li>Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care</li></ul>6. Get Outside
<p>One more reason to <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/how-to-feel-great-and-boost-longevity-in-just-17-minutes-a-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="">get outdoors</a> beyond combatting cabin fever: The air in natural environments is generally much cleaner than indoor air. For one, outdoor air contains ⅔ less carbon dioxide, high levels of which negatively affect our productivity, <a href="https://vitalplan.com/blog/natural-sleep-aids" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="">sleep</a>, and more.</p><p>Forest air in particular contains phytoncides, organic compounds emitted by trees and plants that have been shown to boost our immune system function, plus plants in general help neutralize toxic substances in the air. Forests, open spaces, and open water are also rich in negative ions, which reduce inflammation.</p><p>So take your pick of natural environs, and get out there as often as possible — while still maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, of course.</p>7. Bring Nature Indoors
<p>Plants are natural air purifiers, so bringing some plants indoors can help clear the air in your home. Here's a list of the top 10 air-purifying plants to consider:</p><ul><li>Areca palm</li><li>Lady palm</li><li>Bamboo palm</li><li>Rubber plant</li><li>Dracaena</li><li>English ivy</li><li>Dwarf date palm</li><li>Ficus</li><li>Boston fern</li><li>Peace lily</li></ul>8. Drive Less, Move More
<p>Staying off the roads decreases air pollution, and the fact that many of us are driving less these days is noticeably improving air quality. If your commute is on hold, try to translate some of your usual travel time into getting more physical activity, or sneak in more movement between other normal routines.</p><p>Exercise improves circulation, oxygenates your tissues, and enhances the work of the lymphatic system through muscle contractions — all of which make it easier to move toxins out of your body.</p>9. Practice Forgiveness
<p>Through the practice of gratitude, we stay centered and in the present moment. This allows us to move through situations from our heart. Take time to forgive someone or yourself for things in the past. When we forgive, we expand and open up to endless possibilities.</p>10. Quit a Bad Habit
<p>Are you a smoker? Pack rat? Chronically sleep-deprived? In a bad relationship? Toxins come into our lives in many forms. Consider if you're participating in any unhealthy patterns or holding onto anything that no longer serves you, and then find a way to limit those things in your life.</p>From Your Site Articles
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As with so many things in parenting, choosing a sunscreen for kids can be confusing and anxiety-provoking. You don't want your kids to get sunburned or have other skin damage that can lead to premature aging and cancer later in life. But neither do you want to coat them in sunscreen — and get yelled at while doing it — only to find out later that it's loaded with chemicals that may cause other health problems.
<p>Some chemicals can have a more severe impact on the health of children than on adults, because children's bodies, organs, brains and hormones are still developing, building the physiological systems they will live with for the rest of their lives. Adding exposures to hormone disruptors and carcinogens in early childhood can affect their lifetime health. And there are a number of chemicals in common sunscreens that raise concerns, including oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. The science is not settled, but there are plenty of good alternatives, so why take the risk?</p>
<p><br/></p>
Can you just tell me what *&#%! sunscreen to buy?
<p>No, sorry, we can't.</p><p>But you can choose one from <a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/best-kids-sunscreens/" target="_blank">our list of Best Scoring Sunscreens for Kids</a>. We can also teach you how to shop, which is especially helpful when you don't have access to the web. Knowing what to look for on the label will help you make the best choice for your kids.</p><p><strong>Avoid:</strong></p><ul><li>Spray sunscreens and bug-repellant-and-sunscreen combo sprays</li><li>SPF greater than 50</li><li>Oxybenzone (in the active ingredients)</li><li>Fragrance</li><li>Retinyl palmitate, retinol or vitamin A</li></ul><p>We don't recommend spray sunscreens or those with SPF over 50, so eliminate those right off the bat. Sunscreen sprays pose <a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/executive-summary/#.W1oJh9hKhcC" target="_blank">inhalation risks</a> and may not offer a thick and even enough application to protect against the sun's rays. Meanwhile, sunscreens with SPFs over 50 provide only <a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/#.W1oJqthKhcA" target="_blank">slightly better protection</a> than those with low SPF values, and they have a worse balance of protection, especially for UVA rays. But they often fool people into thinking they can stay outdoors longer. We don't recommend bug repellant and sunscreen combination products because you don't necessarily need one just because you need the other, so why use the chemicals unnecessarily?</p><p><strong>Choose:</strong></p><ul><li>A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (in the active ingredient(s))</li><li>If you must choose a chemical sunscreen, look for avobenzone (3 percent; in the active ingredients)</li></ul><p>Avobenzone reduces UVA damage that can lead to skin aging and cancer. However, choose products carefully: Avobenzone is often used in combination with other chemical active ingredients, many of which are hormone disruptors.</p>Help! Sunscreen is messy and frustrating and has to be reapplied so often! What’s the best way to get it on my kids and keep it there?
<p>We can relate. Putting sunscreen on wet, fussy kids can suck all the joy out of a relaxing summer day. But then again, so can a sunburn.</p><p>First, dress kids in shirts and shorts, even at the pool. Reducing the amount of sunscreen needed by covering your kids up with fabric means you've cut your battle in half or more. Shirts and shorts help protect their skin during hikes and play time out of the water, and rashguard-type clothing can be used on top of (or instead of) swimsuits. Plus, kids' shoulders and backs are prone to serious sunburn — especially when they're playing in water — so using a barrier of clothing between their skin and the sun is simple and important. Add a hat and you've reduced your kids' chances of major sunburns and skin damage.</p><p>Second — and sorry if we're boring you — but avoid the sun as much as you can, especially with infants and young children. Plan to bring kids in for lunch or a nap midday, when the sun's rays are strongest and the risk of UV damage is highest. And come equipped with a plan for shade — whether it's a tree at the park, a pop-up shade tent or a dash for an umbrella-covered spot at the pool. In short, don't go outside unless you have a plan to give the kids a place to sit, eat and hide from the sun for periods of time.</p>EWG’s Top Tips: Sunscreen Should Be Your Last Resort
<p><strong>1. Wear Clothes.</strong></p><p>Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun's UV rays, reducing burn risk by 27%.</p><p><strong>2. Plan Around the Sun.</strong></p><p>Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.</p><p><strong>3. Find Shade — or Make it.</strong></p><p>Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade, reducing the risk of multiple burns by 30%.</p><p><strong>4. Don't Get Burned.</strong></p><p>Red, sore, blistered skin means you've gotten far too much sun.</p><p><strong>5. Sunglasses Are Essential.</strong></p><p>Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.</p><p><strong>6. Check UV Index.</strong></p><p>The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure.</p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
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CBDistillery
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FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
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NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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Darryl Leniuk / Getty Images
By Katie Day
An emerging concern among ocean scientists, stewards and beachgoers is the impact that certain chemical sunscreens are having on the marine environment. This has led to bans on the sale and use of chemical sunscreens in states and island communities such as Hawaii, Key West and Aruba, and a proposed federal ban in all U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries containing coral reefs. There has also been a surge in the production of "reef friendly" sunscreens — but what does that actually mean, and how safe are these alternative sunscreens to the marine environment?
<p>As an alternative to sunscreen made with toxic chemicals, mineral-based sunscreen is often used as a "reef friendly" option. While mineral-based sunscreens are better for the marine environment than sunscreens with toxic chemicals, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, there are still risks associated with their use. The most common active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.</p>
How Do I Know If a Sunscreen Is "Reef Friendly"?
<p>Unfortunately the term "reef friendly" is not regulated, so you can't always trust products with this description. It's important to actually check the "active ingredients" label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included. The size of minerals can also have an impact. Be sure to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations.</p><p>It's also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it can be harmful to your health if inhaled. Finally, it's always good to use products that <a href="https://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/sustainable-travel-tips-for-spring-presented-by-scott-dunn" target="_blank">cut back on single use plastic packaging</a>, either by using containers that are reusable, have high recycled content or are made out of biodegradable plant-based materials like cardboard.</p><p><strong>Check the Label</strong></p><p>Make sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances on the <a href="http://haereticus-lab.org/protect-land-sea-certification/" target="_blank">HEL list</a>:</p><ul><li>Oxybenzone</li><li>Octinoxate</li><li>Octocrylene</li><li>4-methylbenzylidene camphor</li><li>PABA</li><li>Parabens</li><li>Triclosan</li><li>Any nanoparticles or "nano-sized" zinc or titanium (if it doesn't explicitly say "micro-sized" or "non-nano" and it can rub in, it's probably nano-sized)</li><li>Any form of microplastic, such as "exfoliating beads"</li></ul>How Else Can I Protect Myself From the Sun, and Our Coasts From Harmful, Chemical Sunscreen?
<p><strong>Use Sun Management</strong></p><p>Even mineral-based sunscreens can negatively impact fish and coral reefs at high concentrations. The best thing we can do is limit products when recreating in high use areas. Effective sun protection methods include a balance of:</p><ul> <li>Avoiding sun exposure during peak sun hours (10 am – 2 pm)</li></ul><ul> <li>Covering up- Wear hats and clothing (can be UPF or even just regular)</li></ul><ul><li>Using a more reef friendly sunscreen on exposed areas</li></ul><p><strong>Spread the Word and Advocate for Bans on Reef Harming Sunscreens</strong></p><p>In addition to changing our actions and purchasing decisions to protect the marine environment, it's also important to spread awareness about the issue to friends, family and community members. At the local level, ensure that your town's stores are offering "reef friendly" sunscreen products, and encourage them to stop the sale of harmful products (feel free to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/160AnY-efer1p__OcdL-unDSVAy5nohRt/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">share this handout</a> with your community).</p><p>You can also advocate for local legislation that bans the sale and use of toxic sunscreens. For instance, in 2018, <a href="https://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/hawaii-passes-first-ever-ban-on-reef-harming-sunscreens" target="_blank">Hawaii passed the first ever statewide ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens</a>, soon after, island nations including Palau, Bonaire and Aruba followed suite. Due to widespread community support, the Florida Keys were also able to pass an oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreen ban in Key West, but chemical companies have been working tirelessly to try and revoke this important legislation through the use of statewide preemption — <a href="https://florida.surfrider.org/?p=1914" target="_blank">learn more here</a>.</p><p>At the federal level, you can ask your federal representatives to support the <a href="https://francisrooney.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=450" target="_blank">first federal bill to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens in National Marine Sanctuaries</a> with coral reefs! National Marine Sanctuaries are home to some of the ocean's most biologically diverse and culturally significant marine areas, and we need to ensure that these critical areas are protected from harmful chemicals, in addition to other damaging practices like oil and gas extraction. </p><p>Please call your <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives" target="_blank">House</a> representatives in Washington DC and ask them to support HR 1834 — Defending Our National Marine Sanctuaries from Damaging Chemicals Act of 2019, and ask your <a href="https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm" target="_blank">Senate</a> representative to support or sponsor a similar bill.</p><p>Learn more about "reef friendly" sunscreens, the negative impacts of chemical-based sunscreens and get a list of some great sunscreen options <a href="http://www.beachapedia.org/Reef_Friendly_Sunscreens" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>From Your Site Articles
- Key West Bans Coral-Damaging Sunscreen - EcoWatch ›
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- Florida Gov. DeSantis Prohibits Cities From Banning Sunscreens, Even Ones That Harm Coral - EcoWatch ›
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SrdjanPav / E+ / Getty Images
By Denise Baden
When you hear about businesses with a high environmental impact or activities with a high carbon footprint, you are probably more likely to imagine heavy machinery, engines and oil rather than hairdressing. Yet hairdressing, both as a sector and as an individual activity, can have a massive carbon footprint.
<p>
Hairdressing uses high levels of hot water, energy and chemicals. Similarly, in our homes, heating hot water is typically the most energy intensive activity. For the cost of a ten-minute shower that uses an electric immersion heater, you could leave a <a href="https://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/household-energy-costs" target="_blank">typical television on for 20 hours</a>.
</p><p>
So while it helps to turn lights and appliances off, the real gains in terms of reducing energy usage are in slashing our use of hot water. A quarter of <a href="http://www.cir-strategy.com/uploads/CIRHEAT08NPH.pdf" target="_blank">UK emissions are residential</a> and, of those, the vast majority come from running hot water. The longer it runs and the hotter it is, the more energy intensive (and costly) it is.
</p><h2>Little Changes, Big Results</h2><p>
Most people use too much shampoo and wash their hair too often. <a href="http://ecohairandbeauty.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/" target="_blank">A daily routine of shampooing your hair</a> twice followed by a wash out conditioner uses annually about 14,222 liters of water and 1252kWh of energy, costs about £245, and has a carbon footprint of 500kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e).
</p><p>
On the other hand, if you shampoo your hair twice a week (supplementing that with a dry shampoo if needed) and use a leave-in conditioner, you will use annually just 613 liters of water and 55 kWh of energy, produce a carbon footprint of 25kg of CO₂e, and cost yourself about £27 a year.
</p><p>
Research has also <a href="https://www.driving.co.uk/news/shampoo-bad-health-risk-car-fumes/" target="_blank">revealed</a> how <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/shampoo-is-almost-as-bad-for-you-as-car-exhaust-fumes_uk_5a86b095e4b05c2bcac9a04b" target="_blank">shampoo can contribute to pollution</a>. Maybe this in part explains why <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/shampoo-sales-slide-by-23m-in-one-year-because-british-women-are-washing-their-hair-less-112003078.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank">sales of shampoo have fallen</a> over the past few years in the UK—with many people choosing to wash their hair less often.
</p><p>
Washing your hair less doesn't just save you money, it's also much better <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd7v44U66tM&index=3&list=PLVpIMBnUZVgtubNngrelAqBXO219ypDvW" target="_blank">for your hair condition</a>. It can also help to limit the aging effects of over exposure to <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/how-often-you-should-wash-your-hair-according-science" target="_blank">hot water and chemicals on your skin</a>.
</p><h2>Increased Awareness</h2><p>
<a href="https://esrc.ukri.org/news-events-and-publications/impact-case-studies/cutting-carbon-footprints-in-the-service-sector/" target="_blank">My latest research project</a> looks at the issue of sustainability across the hairdressing sector. Not only is the hair sector a high user of resources, but hairdressers probably talk to more people than any other occupation—and are in a great position to pass on advice about lower resource hair care.
</p><p>
From speaking with hairdressers, it seems that ever since the episode of Blue Planet II in which David Attenborough explained how a whale mother was still carrying her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a8HGJid-Jo" target="_blank">dead baby</a> which, it was claimed, had been poisoned by plastics (though scientists working on the show have confirmed there was no actual evidence to prove this) salons have been seeing a massive increase in clients wanting to know that their hairdresser is doing their bit.
</p><p>
<a href="https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/416264/" target="_blank">Our research</a> has found that many hairdressers are keen to make changes that are better for the environment. The opportunity to present their industry as part of the solution rather than part of the problem is very attractive to hairdressers, as it boosts their sense of professional identity and pride in offering a well informed service.
</p><h2>Sustainable Stylists</h2><p>
A large focus of the project has been on equipping hairdressers with the skills and knowledge required for them to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSqtiPvcn0s&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">talk to their clients</a> about sustainable hair care. There are many products out there that are better for the environment, not because they have "organic" or "eco" on the label, but because they <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83zYtOBsgl4&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">reduce the need for hot water</a>.
</p><p>
Dry shampoo is a great example. It is fast, convenient, and great at festivals and on the move. It also makes hair easier to style, is cheap and avoids the need for any hot water. Similarly, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ycSesQcBU&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">leave-in conditioner</a> avoids the need for an extra rinse and again makes hair easier to style. It is also fantastic at giving body to fine hair, and saves water, energy, money and time.
</p><p>
<a href="http://ecohairandbeauty.com/" target="_blank">Our ecohair project</a>, run in association with the Vocational Training Charitable Trust and the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority, provides a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM6UXh9gzlk&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">sustainable stylist certificate</a> at no cost, once hairdressers have completed the <a href="http://edshare.soton.ac.uk/18415/2/story_html5.html" target="_blank">training program</a>. The salon owner can also obtain a <a href="http://ecohairandbeauty.com/sustainablesaloncertificate/" target="_blank">sustainable salon certificate</a> to let customers know these things are important to their business.
</p><p>
Getting certified as a sustainable salon has numerous benefits, and not just in terms of reputation. Adopting the changes as part of the scheme <a href="http://ecohairandbeauty.com/virtual-salon/" target="_blank">saves the typical salon</a> 286,000 liters of water, 24150 kWh of energy and £5,300 a year.
</p><p>
And with <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-climate-crisis-has-arrived-so-stop-feeling-guilty-and-start-imagining-your-future-111139" target="_blank">new research</a> showing the increased threat of climate change and the need for urgent behavioral change, it is great that simple alterations to our hair care routines—and where we choose to get our hair cut (you can find <a href="http://ecohairandbeauty.com/salon-locator/" target="_blank">sustainable salons here</a>)—can make such a difference to the planet we call home.
</p><p>
<em>Reposted with permission from our media associate </em><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/change-the-way-you-wash-your-hair-to-help-save-the-environment-111113" target="_blank">The Conversation</a></em><em>.</em>
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Chemicals in Cosmetics Linked to Lung Damage in Children, New Study Finds
07 February 2019
Health + Wellness
GeorgeRudy / iStock / Getty Images
Children exposed to chemicals commonly found in personal care products may be at a higher risk of suffering from lung damage later in life, according to a new European study.
<p>The longitudinal study published in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30010-5/fulltext#%20" target="_blank">The Lancet Planetary Health journal</a>, conducted by a team of European scientists, found that babies exposed in utero and shortly after birth to three classes of chemicals—phthalates, parabens and the fluorinated compounds known as PFAS—had diminished lung function at six and 12 years of age.</p><p>The team used data from more than 1,000 pairs of mothers and children in France, Greece, Lithuania, Norway, Spain and the U.K. It's believed to be the first study to look at the effect on children's lung function of exposure to chemicals before or after birth.</p><p>Although the chemicals cited in the study have multiple uses, all three classes are found in cosmetics and other personal care products.</p><p>"This study provides even more evidence that it's time to finally regulate the chemicals in cosmetics," said the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber. "As if increasing the risk of cancer and infertility were not enough for Congress to act, now we can add lung damage in kids to the list of harms caused by these everyday products."</p><p>Parabens are chemical preservatives widely used in cosmetics and have been linked to other health problems, including <a href="https://news.berkeley.edu/2015/10/27/lotion-ingredient-paraben-may-be-more-potent-carcinogen-than-thought/" target="_blank">breast cancer</a>. Parabens were found in one-fifth of the products in EWG's <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/" target="_blank">Skin Deep</a>® cosmetics database, which analyzes ingredients in more than 70,000 products.</p><p>PFAS chemicals have been linked to serious health effects, including cancer, thyroid disease and liver problems. EWG researchers recently scoured the Skin Deep database and found PFAS chemicals in <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2018/03/07/is-teflon-in-your-cosmetics/" target="_blank">66 different products from 15 brands.</a></p><p>Phthalates are industrial compounds used in fragrance mixtures and in body care products. They're <a href="https://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors" target="_blank">potent hormone disruptors</a> that can alter the reproductive development of male infants and are associated with sperm damage in adult men.</p><p>It's been <a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/06/80-years-later-cosmetics-chemicals-still-unregulated" target="_blank">more than 80 years</a> since Congress last voted on cosmetics law, a delay that means companies are still allowed to add chemicals linked to cancer and other health harms to personal care products. Many cosmetics companies <a href="https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2016/02/cosmetics-safety-bill-gains-support-industry-and-advocates#.WuFA9cgh1jU" target="_blank">large and small</a>, and public health organizations, agree that the badly outdated cosmetics law must be updated to give the Food and Drug Administration the power to review worrisome ingredients and the tools necessary to oversee the personal care products industry.</p><p>Legislation introduced in the last Congress by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), and by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the power to review controversial chemicals.</p><p>"We've never been closer to ensuring that cosmetics and other personal care products are safe," Faber said.</p>
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Kateryna Shcherban / EyeEm / Getty Images
There's just something sublimely satisfying about dyeing your hair a vibrant shade of red in the middle of a cold, gray winter or bright blonde at the height of summer.
<p>
Fortunately, there are many cruelty-free hair colors available today to help you achieve the perfect look. No matter whether you prefer an all-natural dye, a quick pick-up box from the drugstore, a semi-permanent color or a salon service, there is definitely something for everyone.
</p><h3>Try one of these cruelty-free, vegan hair dye brands:</h3><p>
<strong>1. <a href="https://www.paulmitchell.com/our-products/professional-services/" target="_blank">Paul Mitchell</a></strong>
</p><p>
Free of animal tests since the company began in 1980, Paul Mitchell is a pioneer in the world of cruelty-free beauty. <a href="http://locator.paulmitchell.com/SalonLocator/?_ga=1.38808807.556201369.1458433888" target="_blank">Find a salon that uses Paul Mitchell hair dye.</a></p>
<div id="b7abf" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="85a7251a7cedb4ed90b7df006fec530e"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
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width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDGfbnlw-dg/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
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<p><strong>2. <a href="http://www.aveda.com/hair_color/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Aveda</a></strong><br></p><p>
This <a href="https://www.petamall.com/" target="_blank">PETA Business Friend</a> carries a large selection of hair-care products and hair color for professional use. Click here to <a href="http://www.aveda.com/locator/index.tmpl" target="_blank">find an Aveda salon near you</a>.</p>
<div id="30d62" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6b281ead2df664ee287694b0981fceb3"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
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display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDHSTHVymLg/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>3. <a href="http://www.sheamoisture.com/" target="_blank">Shea Moisture</a></strong><br></p><p>
You can find this company's products at Target stores, which carry 12 shades—huzzah!</p>
<div id="33002" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f2493931b58819de6d9c0a121f5112ef"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
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<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BaCLWaGAU6Y/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>4. <a href="https://www.limecrime.com/categories/unicorn-hair-semi-permanent-hair-colors" target="_blank">Lime Crime</a></strong><br></p><p>
Lime Crime's semi-permanent hair color is adorably called Unicorn Hair, and comes in 13 magical shades.</p>
<div id="77f16" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="93abf5c45ca6361ebf5be1e2e747db91"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BScC84jhFhb/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>5. <a href="http://colormebykm.com/" target="_blank">Kevin Murphy</a></strong><br></p><p>
This company offers a hair color line for professional use. The hair dye formula uses extracts from Peruvian bark, baobab, bamboo and orange blossoms to moisturize hair as well as antioxidants from kakadu plums, orchids, lotus flowers and desert limes to help repair chemical damage naturally.</p>
<div id="1e533" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fd1ad822afbe4fcda3d8d43221628ee6"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR4KuGilzl9/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>6. <a href="http://www.tintsofnatureusa.com/" target="_blank">Tints of Nature</a></strong><br></p><p>
Free of ammonia and parabens, Tints of Nature's hair color is infused with plant-derived extracts and vitamins C and E.</p>
<div id="54b50" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="90c9444e34f5e912f908b1771180a3cf"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4Y9vEpgqJb/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>7. <a href="https://greenhare.com/" target="_blank">Green Hare Mud</a></strong><br></p><p>
This company offers seven shades of vegan, nontoxic dye and a selection of aftercare products.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="3a2e7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7755ff51c199d665bc28d0d7ecc1445a"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="687853767396438016" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">https://t.co/xENnmgITmd</div> — Green Hare Mud (@Green Hare Mud)<a href="https://twitter.com/Green_Hare_Mud/statuses/687853767396438016">1452832092.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
<p><strong>8. <a href="http://www.primarysyn.com/" target="_blank">Primary Syn</a></strong><br></p><p>
This 100 percent vegan hair color line for professional use features semi-permanent and permanent color from a single tube.</p>
<div id="871fe" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2e24bd621286336a78743bfb15b8336f"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/2MMUpjK0Bs/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>9. <a href="http://www.developlus.com/" target="_blank">Developlus</a></strong><br></p><p>
This vegan hair color brand offers various lines, including professional-grade traditional colors, washable fun colors, correctives to bad dye jobs and more.</p>
<div id="ecc6f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="66318c4514db7c1bf68ba7a0a2732063"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/5zVNQRByQV/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>10. <a href="http://www.rusk1.com/" target="_blank">Rusk</a></strong><br></p><p>
With a line of hair color called <a href="http://www.rusk1.com/catalog.php?pcID=177" target="_blank">Deepshine Color</a>, Rusk offers a wide selection of color and aftercare products.</p>
<div id="82ea2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0931d291122ffa4d23a2de21295ea8e3"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BAax6ibxc0K/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>11. <a href="https://www.manicpanic.com/" target="_blank">Manic Panic</a></strong><br></p><p>
If you're looking for semi-permanent hair color without ammonia or peroxide, look no further. Manic Panic has wild and tame colors—whatever fits your mood.</p>
<div id="401b9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7108e6fc188bddfb4d53866a96ebde28"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCimohQo9RT/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>12. <a href="https://gooddyeyoung.com/" target="_blank">Good Dye Young</a></strong><br></p><p>
This cruelty-free line of hair dye, developed by Hayley Williams of the band Paramore, features numerous shades of semi-permanent hair color and temporary hair makeup. Good Dye Young is now available online through <a href="https://www.sephora.com/product/poser-paste-temporary-hair-makeup-P437302?icid2=products%20grid:p437302:product&skuId=2161305" target="_blank">Sephora</a> and on the official <a href="https://gooddyeyoung.com/" target="_blank">Good Dye Young website</a>.</p>
<div id="ee6df" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="180b3c1230323f0a803cb5cc6299d08d"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCk1vQ6hHbu/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div>
<p><strong>13. <a href="http://arcticfoxhaircolor.com/" target="_blank">Arctic Fox</a></strong><br></p><p>
This entirely vegan brand uses no drying alcohols, PPDs or harsh chemicals.
</p><div id="63f2d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cadfd0f66a020723dd4b63fd765b31a4"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-6guTqqbw/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div><p>
<br>
</p><h3>Henna</h3><p>
<strong>14. <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Henna-Hair-Dyes/henna-hair-dyes,en_US,sc.html" target="_blank">Lush Henna Hair Dyes</a></strong>
</p><p>
These henna colors are blended with essential oils and cocoa butter, so your hair will be conditioned and feeling fabulous after use.
</p><div id="3c778" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4da44238f58aa687cc568b213639d1bb"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSymPF1lpLP/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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<strong>15. <a href="http://hennacolorlab.com/" target="_blank">Henna Color Lab</a></strong>
</p><p>
This company's organic vegan henna hair dyes bond with your hair (as opposed to chemically coating it), while Ayurvedic herbs condition the hair and scalp. The company also carries <a href="http://hennacolorlab.com/product-category/henna-beard-dye/" target="_blank">hair dye specific to beards</a>!
</p><div id="236ac" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1b26d9e36a2b66801ee77dd53e1d6cbd"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBIbiSGwvPi/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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<strong>16. <a href="http://shop.morroccomethod.com/Natural-Hair-Color" target="_blank">Morroco Method Int'l</a></strong><br>
</p><p>
All of Morocco Method's henna hair dyes are sulfate- and gluten-free and use no synthetic chemicals.
</p><div id="361b5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f959b0fdb94431ecd44a67cd42aae12b"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);
width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/94oAefQJ8Y/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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For a full list of cruelty-free hair dye companies, see our <a href="http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx" target="_blank">cruelty-free database</a> and choose your desired product type from the pull-down menu.<br>
</p>
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Reality TV-Star Kourtney Kardashian speaks at a briefing in support of bipartisan personal care products legislation aimed at reforming how the FDA regulates the personal care products industry in the Russell Senate Office Building on April 24 in Washington, DC. Paul Morigi / Getty Images
By Robert Coleman
When we first told Kourtney Kardashian that the law which regulates the ingredients in personal care products—which also means children's care products—had not been updated in 80 years, she was appalled.
<p>She wanted to do something. She asked if there was anything she could do to make a difference.</p><p>Skip to April, when Kourtney and the production crew from <em>Keeping Up With The Kardashians</em> <a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/04/kourtney-kardashian-s-appeal-cosmetics-safety-reaches-590-million" target="_blank">joined</a> the team at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to visit Capitol Hill and advocate for commonsense regulations on ingredients in personal care products.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bf5538f53dce5a19481a6f0066d283d0"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/ewg.org/videos/776156009400395/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
<p>Kardashian <a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2018/04/kourtney-kardashian-s-appeal-cosmetics-safety-reaches-590-million" target="_blank">came to Washington</a> not only for herself but also <a href="https://www.allure.com/story/kourtney-kardashian-meets-congress-cosmetics-safety-regulations" target="_blank">for her three children</a>. She feels parents shouldn't have to <a href="https://www.ewg.org/research/teen-girls-body-burden-hormone-altering-cosmetics-chemicals" target="_blank">worry about the products</a> they use on their children every day. "Parents have enough to think about," she said.<br></p><p>At a briefing for congressional staff, Kardashian said her crusade began when Mason, her first child, was born.</p><p>I would get so many baby gifts and a lot of skincare products for my kids. I would use the things that people sent me, assuming the baby products would be safe. And I remember learning from my mom friends that these were not healthy at all.</p><p>As the current session of Congress comes to a close, it's looking more and more like we're going to have to wait until January, when a new Congress is seated, to pass this vital legislation.</p><p>But until our lawmakers get to work and pass these commonsense reforms, here are EWG resources you can use to make sure your kids are using safer personal care products.</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Most important, keep an eye out for the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/index.php" target="_blank">EWG VERIFIED™ seal</a> on your children's products. There are <a href="https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/products.php?type=baby+kids" target="_blank">84 EWG VERIFIED™ products</a> for infants and children, ranging from lotion to shampoo to diaper cream to bubble bath.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Use <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/" target="_blank">EWG's Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database</a> and download <a href="https://www.ewg.org/apps/" target="_blank">EWG's Healthy Living App</a> to see how your children's current personal care products score, and see which ones need an upgrade.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Make sure to use <a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/" target="_blank">EWG's Guide to Sunscreens</a> to find the best sun protection for your family, especially during the summer and while on vacation.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Bookmark or print out <a href="https://static.ewg.org/ewg-tip-sheets/EWG-5TipsSaferCosmeticsKids.pdf?_ga=2.73083603.1187979371.1542118726-1092772373.1540301171&_gac=1.119833594.1542218984.CjwKCAiArK_fBRABEiwA0gOOc8gIpmLwQKRj63uoupjI8tkfgx6JiB1oFqDlBgUZyuKndutdLzAGkBoCnaAQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">EWG's Top 5 Tips for Choosing Safer Cosmetics for Children</a>—a simple list of things to be conscious of when picking products for your kids.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Stay up to date with the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/key-issues/consumer-products/cosmetics" target="_blank">latest cosmetics news</a> on EWG's News and Analysis.</li></ul>
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California Baby®, a global skincare leader, is advancing the marketplace with a plant-based solution for preservatives in personal care products.
<p>"We applaud California Baby's innovative approach to developing a bio-based formula that will still adequately preserve <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/company/California_Baby/products/" target="_blank">children's skincare products</a>," said the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/" target="_blank">Environmental Working Group</a> (EWG) President Ken Cook.</p><p>The company is in the process of reformulating its products with the new preservative made from plants grown on a 100-acre organic farm in Santa Barbara, California. The formula relies on extracts of basil and anise.</p><p>The new preservative formula has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture's <a href="https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/" target="_blank">Certified Biobased Product</a> label, certifying that it is made of 100 percent renewable source content from plants.</p><p>California Baby will roll out the new formula with its Everyday Lotion line in November. These products are sold in Target, Walmart and other retailers across the country.</p><p>To find healthier products, consumers can search EWG's <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/#.WlZrziPMwWo" target="_blank">Skin Deep®</a> database, with ratings for more than 70,000 products. EWG's <a href="https://www.ewg.org/apps/" target="_blank">Healthy Living app</a> also puts ratings for more than 120,000 food and personal care products at the fingertips of consumers on the go.</p>
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Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
By Anna Reade
A new report by the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) details findings from product testing they performed on beauty, personal care and cleaning products, with an emphasis on products often marketed to vulnerable populations, such as children and women of color. The report focuses on the identification of chemicals used for fragrance in these products because, currently, chemicals used for fragrance do not have to be disclosed. The simple term "fragrance" on your shampoo or lotion label could represent several (if not many unknown, and potentially harmful, chemicals.
<p>Although BCPP was only able to test a small fraction of the market (32 products), BCPP's main findings raise concern and confirm the need for transparency of ingredients in products used in our homes. Almost 100 of the over 300 fragrance chemicals identified were linked to adverse health effects. Of the products tested by BCPP, the product that contained the most fragrance chemicals linked to health concerns was Just for Me Shampoo, a shampoo aimed at children of color, with popular perfumes following closely behind.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODY2ODU3NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMjg5MTMxN30.Qb9JCLFrz7i7DIqXjebPMp9xQh6xtp9dyxcZJHw_dyc/img.png?width=980" id="c8d89" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1520dc8208f92fd35c40e8f103df38fc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
</p><p><br></p><p>And it's not just fragrance ingredients. BCPP found a total of 24 chemicals of concern, 14 of which were fragrance chemicals, in Just for Me Shampoo—including four carcinogens, 19 hormone disruptors, six developmental toxicants and three chemicals that can trigger, or worsen, respiratory problems, like asthma.</p><p>Due to a loophole, fragrance ingredients are not required to be disclosed in personal care products or cleaning products; and until recently, there were no requirements for disclosure of ingredients in cosmetics used in professional setting or in cleaning products in general. This year California became the first state in the U.S. to <a href="https://www.womensvoices.org/2018/09/17/ca-governor-signs-historic-law-requiring-ingredient-disclosure-in-professional-salon-products/" target="_blank">extend retail cosmetic ingredient disclosure</a> requirements to products used by salon workers. And last year, with the passage of the NRDC co-sponsored <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/experts/avinash-kar/transparency-fundamental-protection-against-toxic-chemicals" target="_blank">Cleaning Products Right to Know Act of 2017</a> n California, manufacturers of cleaning products will have to disclose the majority of the ingredients in their products on labels and online. The Act's disclosure requirements include fragrance ingredients, the first and only product category with fragrance disclosure requirements.</p><p>The BCPP report confirms the importance of California's ground-breaking legislation, and the need for expanded transparency and ingredient disclosure for all consumer product categories. The "right-to-know" what is in the products we use and what is being released into our environment is essential to protecting public health and the environment. </p><p>The lack of fragrance ingredient disclosure, in combination with a largely unregulated fragrance industry, leaves consumers, health agencies and advocates in the dark about what chemicals people are being exposed to. The research and testing that has been done suggests that many of the chemicals used in fragrance are associated with health hazards such as reproductive and developmental harm, hormone disruption, cancer, neurotoxicity, and respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization.</p><h4>BCPP Product Testing Report</h4><p>To shed some light on the "fragrance" black box, BCPP tested 25 personal care and 7 cleaning products and compared chemicals identified to the International Fragrance Association <a href="http://www.ifraorg.org/en/ingredients" target="_blank">ingredient transparency list</a>. BCPP then used the <a href="https://commons.healthymaterials.net/" target="_blank">Chemical Hazards Data Commons</a> developed by the Healthy Building Network to determine which identified chemicals were linked to adverse effects such as cancer, asthma, reproductive harm, hormone disruption and aquatic toxicity.</p><p>BCPP concluded that more than a quarter of the 338 fragrance ingredients they identified were linked to adverse health effects; and of the total chemicals linked to adverse health effects in each product, a high percentage of them were fragrance chemicals. And it's not just fragrance ingredients; cosmetics and cleaning products also contain other chemicals that can be really harmful as well. </p><p>Examples of chemicals of concern found in tested products include: </p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Toluene – used as a solvent in industry and in consumer products such as paint thinners and nail polish; linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental harm, neurotoxicity, and skin irritation</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Parabens – antimicrobials used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; associated with hormone disruption, cancer, and reproductive harm</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Phthalates – used to in fragrances and to soften plastics; associated with neurotoxicity, reproductive harm, hormone disruption and obesity</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Benzophenones – prevent damage from light to scents and colors in fragrances and personal care products; linked to cancer and hormone disruption</li></ul><p>While this report does not quantify the concentration of each chemical, the presence of unlabeled chemicals linked to such a broad array of health effects should raise concerns for consumers and the public health community, especially given how often an average person is exposed to personal care and cleaning products in their daily lives. For example, a NGO-led <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2004/06/15/exposures-add-up-survey-results/" target="_blank">survey</a> found that the average woman uses 12 personal care products a day.</p><h4>The Most Vulnerable</h4><p>Some populations are more sensitive and/or vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals that are often found in personal care and cleaning products. Children and adolescents are still developing and are especially vulnerable to the effects of hormone disruptors and developmental toxicants. Additionally, research suggests that when pregnant women are exposed to environmental toxicants, even at extremely low levels, fetal development can be disrupted. Advertising that promotes mainstream beauty norms <a href="https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(17)30862-1/fulltext" target="_blank">may influence and increase</a> the use by women of color of products such as skin lighteners and hair straighteners, many of which contain chemicals of concern. Finally, workers such as custodians, cleaners and cosmetologist are disproportionally exposed to these products and any toxic ingredients they contain. </p><p>While BCPP's testing represents a limited sample, it is worth noting that many of the products BCPP tested are often marketed to and used by vulnerable populations.</p><h4>Conclusion</h4><p>This report illustrates the need for full ingredient disclosure in all consumer products, because:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Consumers need this information to make safer, more informed purchases for themselves and their families;</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Workers need this information take the necessary steps to protect themselves from unsafe chemical exposures in the workplace;</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Regulators need this information to effectively regulate consumer products to better protect public health and the environment; and</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Companies could also benefit from lower reputational risk.</li></ul>
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Mosquito ‘Danger Days’ Rising: Protect Your Family With EWG’s Bug Repellent Guide
08 September 2018
Health + Wellness
Pexels
By Carla Burns
Experts predict mosquito and tick bites and subsequent infections will continue to rise as warmer climates expand insect habitats and populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that pest-borne diseases are "a large and growing public health problem in the United States." Cases of diseases from mosquito, tick and flea bites more than tripled in the U.S. from 2004 to 2016.
<p>According to <a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/us-faces-a-rise-in-mosquito-disease-danger-days-21903" target="_blank">a new report</a> by the nonprofit research group Climate Central, there is an increased risk of transmission of mosquito-borne diseases across many American cities. The report highlights that changing temperatures have resulted in an increase in the number of so-called mosquito disease danger days across more than 90 percent of the cities analyzed. Danger days have temperatures averaging between 61 and 93 degrees, the range required for mosquito-borne disease transmission.</p><p>Climate Central analyzed nearly 50 years of temperature data for 244 cities. Reno, Nevada, topped the list, with an increase of 52 mosquito disease danger days since 1970. San Francisco was second, with an increase of 47 danger days. The full list of cities is <a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/us-faces-a-rise-in-mosquito-disease-danger-days-21903?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=News%20%20Mosquitoes&utm_content=News%20%20Mosquitoes+CID_7dc74a27c8caa5ae6d5a5f4b64f5fd79&utm_source=Climate%20Central%20Email%20Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Read%20the%20story?ftag=MSF0951a18" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p>As mosquito disease danger days continue to rise, it's important to protect yourself. The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) recently updated <a href="https://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-guide-bug-repellents#.W3Q6F5NKhTY" target="_blank">Guide to Bug Repellents</a> can help you find the right product to protect yourself and your family.</p><p>No repellent works every place against every pest, so you should research the diseases that insects and ticks carry where you plan to spend time outside. The most effective repellent option for a hike in the woods with ticks may be different than the best repellent for a day at a beach with mosquitos.</p><p>Always choose an EPA-registered repellent at the concentration rated for the amount of time you'll be outdoors. You can find our recommended concentrations and timespans on the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-guide-bug-repellents/ewg-repellent-guide#.W3RASZNKhBw" target="_blank">Top Repellent Choices</a> page of our guide.</p><p>Whether you are in your backyard or on vacation, here are quick tips for avoiding bug bites:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Wear pants, socks, and shirts to reduce amount of exposed skin. Tuck pants in socks to protect the ankles.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Use repellent products in lotion, pump or towelette form.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Use nets, screens, and/or fans over outdoor eating areas, and place nets over strollers and baby carriers.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Don't use treated wristbands, repellent candles or clip-on repellent fans—they are not as effective at protecting you from bug bites.</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Don't use more than 30 percent DEET on anyone.</li></ul><p>To learn more about our advice for avoiding bug bites, visit <a href="https://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips#.W4bKOC2ZPBL" target="_blank">EWG's Healthy Living Tips</a>. </p>
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Westend61 / Getty Images
By Kamila Abdurashitova
Perfumery might seem like a fairly benign business. It's about personal scent more than anything else. But as one of the largest global luxury industries, perfume-making can have a significant impact on certain plants and animals valued for their rare scent profiles. Most perfume formulations are hidden behind one word on perfume labels, usually "Parfum" or "Aroma," which makes it difficult for a consumer to know if a product is made using ethically sourced ingredients. Sustainability of raw materials used in perfumery has not always been a primary concern for consumers, but environmental consciousness regarding the issues seems to be growing.
<p>Most perfumes are designed using synthetic ingredients these days, but there's been a resurgence when it comes to use of more natural and organic materials, and some perfumes have so-called "mixed-media" blends that use both synthetic and natural products. Though synthetic ingredients are typically cheaper, there are certain benefits to natural perfumes that are attracting attention from manufacturers and consumers alike, including the fact that they are less likely to trigger allergies, asthma or headaches. Nevertheless, use of natural ingredients can be problematic. Some raw plant materials have been so overexploited by perfume makers and worshipped by perfume lovers that they are now threatened with extinction, and use of animal derived materials raises serious ethical concerns.</p><p>The perfume industry is one of the biggest consumers of precious oils extracted from plants. Although many plants are cultivated specifically to meet consumer demands, there are some wild plants that are targeted by the industry. Most of these are highly appreciated by perfumers because of their rarity, difficulty in harvesting, and because they have a unique scent profile and add outstanding nuances to perfume formulations.</p><p>Sandalwood, which is used both in perfumery and traditional medicine, is one example. It is harvested primarily in India, where it is now almost extinct in the wild. The Indian government enacted strict regulations on sandalwood harvesting in the 1960s, and as a result, <a href="https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/02/radar-sandalwood-transforming-crime-commerce-asia/" target="_blank">production</a><a href="https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/02/radar-sandalwood-transforming-crime-commerce-asia/" target="_blank"> in the country</a><a href="https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/02/radar-sandalwood-transforming-crime-commerce-asia/" target="_blank"> ha</a><a href="https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/02/radar-sandalwood-transforming-crime-commerce-asia/" target="_blank">s</a><a href="https://globalriskinsights.com/2017/02/radar-sandalwood-transforming-crime-commerce-asia/" target="_blank"> fallen significantly</a>. But sandalwood is still listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist. With sandalwood threatened in the wild, Australia has entered the sandalwood market and is producing the trees sustainably. Environmentally responsible perfume brands usually mention the origin of sandalwood if it is used in their formulations.</p><p>Though cultivation can offer an alternative to unsustainable wild harvesting, it also poses challenges. Trees like sandalwood and aquilaria—another tree commonly targeted for perfume production—are slow growing. It takes a long time for them to mature, and maturity is essential for oil extraction. But this means that for farmers, it takes <a href="http://www.plantationsinternational.com/saving-agarwood-extinction/" target="_blank">several years, sometimes up to ten years, for returns</a><a href="http://www.plantationsinternational.com/saving-agarwood-extinction/" target="_blank"> on their investment</a><a href="http://www.plantationsinternational.com/saving-agarwood-extinction/" target="_blank">.</a> And when supply can't keep up with demand, poachers turn their attention to wild incense trees, particularly in the case of aquilaria. (Aquilaria trees are sought after for agar resin, which is formed when the trees are infected with mold.) In some cases, these poachers are destroying the wild population of century-old trees. In Hong Kong—which translates to fragrant or incense harbor in Cantonese—agarwood is close to extinction in the wild with <a href="http://time.com/4288304/hong-kong-environment-incense-tree-poaching-agarwood-china/" target="_blank">almost all oldest and largest trees having been illegally felled.</a></p><p>"Poachers look for older trees that are naturally infected, as they have more value, so these trees will increasingly be threatened," Gerard McGuirk, sales director for Asia Plantation Capital in Hong Kong, which is trying to save the trees by running aquilaria plantations, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170306-the-scent-thats-pricier-than-gold" target="_blank">told the BBC</a><u>.</u> "Now in Hong Kong, you'd be lucky to find a tree that's 30 years of age."</p><p>In addition to the threats posed to certain plants, there are animal welfare concerns related to perfume making. Animal products have been slowly disappearing from perfumes in recent years, but some brands still, unfortunately, use them, and the trend is actually being revived by some niche perfume brands. Animal products—including castoreum from beavers, glandular secretions from civet cats, perineal secretions from endangered musk deer, and ambergris, a substance produced by the digestive system of sperm whales—were traditionally used as fixatives in old perfume formulas. (Fixatives are used to stabilize perfumes and to slow down the rate of evaporation.) Scents like those derived from musk and civet can now be produced synthetically, but due to high demand for natural perfumes, some brands have not prioritized use of synthetic ingredients.</p><p>These animal-derived materials are in most cases cruelly produced. <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/08/120830-ambergris-charlie-naysmith-whale-vomit-science/" target="_blank">Ambergris </a>is the one possible exception—it is typically considered cruelty free as it is a type of whale waste and can be found on beaches and oceans after being expelled by whales. Its use in the U.S. is still illegal because sperm whales are listed as an endangered species, and the Endangered Species Act prohibits the use of any product from an endangered species, but it continues to be harvested in Europe, and remains one of the rarest ingredients in the industry today.</p><p>But even with ambergris, there concern about whale poaching. Eleonora Scalseggi, co-owner of essential oil company Hermitage Oils, says that on a few occasions, her company has been approached by people trying to tell large quantities of low quality ambergris. "Now in my opinion, these are clear signs of ambergris coming from poaching," she said. "Floating ambergris gets found stranded in relatively small amounts. It is rare that large pieces are found, and even in that case it's never many kilos. To me having many kilos of fresh ambergris in a single piece on hand means that a whale has been recently killed. It can of course come from a dead beach stranded whale, too, but the suspicion is too high."</p><p>Secretions from civet cats is problematic ingredient. In Ethiopia, for example, civets are captured from the wild and kept on family farms, a practice that goes back centuries. Animals are typically kept in small cages in which they can hardly move. The cages are located in dark rooms without any daylight or ventilation with a constant source of fire to create a <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0255/1665/files/civet_farming_report.pdf?2686" target="_blank">smoke-filled atmosphere</a><a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0255/1665/files/civet_farming_report.pdf?2686" target="_blank">—higher temperatures are believed to facilitate musk production</a><a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0255/1665/files/civet_farming_report.pdf?2686" target="_blank">.</a> Due to high temperature fluctuations between the day and night, stress, and painful extraction methods, there is a <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0255/1665/files/civet_farming_report.pdf?2686" target="_blank">high rate of mortality</a> among captured animals.</p><p>Castoreum derived from beaver sacs has always been a popular perfume ingredient, especially in high end perfumes. Although many designer perfumes have substituted it with synthetic ingredients, the natural form can be found in niche perfumes. It was so popular in early perfume creations and for medicinal purposes that by the sixteenth century, <a href="https://www.scottishbeavers.org.uk/beaver-facts/beaver-trial-faqs/why-reintroduce-the-beaver-to-scotland/" target="_blank">beavers had been hunted to extinction in Scotland.</a> (In 2016, the rodent <a href="https://www.scottishbeavers.org.uk/beaver-facts/beaver-trial-faqs/why-reintroduce-the-beaver-to-scotland/" target="_blank">was reintroduced</a> to its natural habitat.) It is expensive and almost impossible to get secretions from live beavers, so they must to be hunted and killed—and sacs removed and tinctured—to get this perfume ingredient.</p><p>Perhaps, one of the most notorious non-ethical animal products is deer musk. Although the use of musk has decreased, today six musk subspecies are listed as endangered on the IUCN Redlist, and the seventh is listed as <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13897/0" target="_blank">vulnerable</a> (IUCN Red List). Deer populations are still decreasing and the main threat is illegal hunting for musk extraction for the perfume industry as well as for medicinal use in Russia, Mongolia and China. Deer musk can be extracted from live animals but they are typically killed to remove their glands. Musk is taken from male deer, and to find one deer who will yield enough musk to be profitable, about 25g, experts estimate that three to five deer are killed. Non-target animals are also often all killed by hunters looking for deer.</p><p>Perfume makers can take several routes towards sustainability. Rare raw materials can either be sustainably sourced, replaced with other natural oils with similar fragrance profiles, replaced with synthetic options, or avoided completely when no sustainable options exist. Though even some of these options can be tricky. For example, some synthetic options are not considered eco-friendly, and some plant oils are sold under common names, but extracted from several different plants, making it extremely difficult to control export certification.</p><p>From the point of view of an eco-conscious consumer there is only one way to guarantee that perfumes are sustainable and cruelty-free: check how transparent a perfume brand is. While it is still quite a new trend, several small indie brands have begun to pave the way to a more responsible approach to perfume production and ingredient sourcing, and improving transparency in the process, and a few well-established perfume companies have begun to make sustainability commitments as well.</p><p>You do not have to stop using perfumes if you are an environmentally conscious consumer. Rather, you must be more cautious when buying the next bottle, and look for brands that respect nature and whose ethos is not only about using ethically sourced raw materials but also promoting sustainability across the industry.</p><p> <em>Kamila Abdurashitova, also known as Kamila Aubre, is a freelance writer and an independent perfumer. She has an MA in Political and Social Sciences from Lancaster University. At the moment she lives in Belgium and designs natural perfumes as well as promotes an eco-conscious approach to beauty and perfume products.</em></p><p><em><span></span>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/is_your_perfume_sustainable/" target="_blank">Earth Island Journal</a>.</em><em></em></p>
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Personal Care Products as Dangerous for the Air as Car Exhaust, Study Finds
02 May 2018
Health + Wellness
Rush hour in Boulder, Colorado. Theo Stein / NOAA
People's efforts to keep themselves clean are actually making the air dirtier, at least in Boulder, Colorado.
<p style="">A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences (CIRES) found that emissions from personal care products commuters use before leaving in the morning were roughly equivalent in magnitude to emissions from the tailpipes of their cars, a CIRES <a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/news/personal-plumes" target="_blank">press release</a> reported Monday. </p><p style="">"We detected a pattern of emissions that coincides with human activity: people apply these products in the morning, leave their homes, and drive to work or school. So emissions spike during commuting hours," lead author Matthew Coggon, a CIRES scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, said in the release. </p><p style="">The results are in keeping with an earlier NOAA and CIRES study that found personal care and cleaning products were a major contributor to air pollution in Los Angeles. </p><p style="">"We all have a personal plume, from our cars and our personal care products. It's likely that emissions from personal care product also affect the air quality in other cities besides Boulder and L.A. Our team wants to learn more about these understudied sources of pollution," Coggon said. </p><p style="">The results, published April 16 in <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.8b00506" target="_blank">Environmental Science and Technology</a>, were a bit of a surprise.</p><p style="">In December 2015, February 2016 and January 2017, researchers measured volatile organic compounds (VOC) that react with nitrogen oxide in sunlight to form particulate matter and ozone, two types of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/air-pollution" target="_self">air pollution</a> dangerous to human health. </p><p style="">One VOC they measured was benzene, a common car emission used to monitor traffic pollution. But they also found large quantities of an unknown VOC. </p><p style="">"We found a big peak in the data but we didn't know what it was," Coggon said in the release. </p><p style="">Then NOAA scientist and study co-author Patrick Veres identified it as siloxane. Since the siloxane peaked at the same time as benzene, researchers hypothesized it was also coming from car exhaust, but when they tested car emissions directly, they couldn't find it. </p><p style="">But siloxane is also commonly used in personal care products such as shampoo, lotions and deodorants to make them silky and smooth. The researchers realized that siloxane levels peaked with benzene levels in the morning because people were leaving their homes leaving their homes showered and lotioned to drive to work.</p><p style="">Both decreased during the day and peaked again in the evening, but by then siloxane levels were lower than benzene levels, since much of the compound had already evaporated off of commuters' bodies and hair.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image" style="">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xNzYxNDMyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNzcyNTIwMH0.zk4ccitXua_7iNn_xIZ8198w16EoylbevJCpdRU5TZg/img.jpg?width=980" id="135a3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="00617bf055f5678e135c70fe56875c51" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">How siloxane and benzene levels vary throughout the day.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Kathy Bogan / CIRES</small></p><p style="">While the researchers hadn't set out to look for pollution from personal care products, their findings, as mentioned, connected to a <a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/news/consumer-industrial-products-now-dominant-urban-air-pollution-source" target="_blank">February NOAA and CIRES study</a> that found VOCs released by personal care products, cleaning products, paints and pesticides made up half of the VOCs measured by the researchers in Los Angeles. </p><p style="">The CIRES press release also comes the same day as another <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/air-pollution-us-epa-2564950809.html" target="_self">study found</a> that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data had overestimated the decline in U.S. air pollution. </p><p style="">The authors of that study suggested that, as efforts to target transportation and industrial emissions gained headway, other untargeted pollution sources like boilers and off-road vehicles were now playing a bigger role in overall pollution levels. </p><p style="">In his comments on the recent Boulder study, the leader of the Los Angeles study, Brian McDonald, suggested something similar might be taking place with VOCs from personal care products.</p><p style="">"This study provides further evidence that as transportation emissions of VOCs have declined, other sources of VOCs, including from personal care products, are emerging as important contributors to urban air pollution," McDonald said in the CIRES press release. </p>
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