"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
we borrow it from our children" ~ Native American Proverb
While our hearts are in the right place when it comes to the earth and its inhabitants, beauty can still be a fairly difficult world to navigate as an eco-conscious gal. While no brand broadcasts that they test on animals or use parabens, the ones that are earth and animal friendly don’t always scream it from the rooftops either.
100% Natural
100% Natural means the products are sourced from plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Check the seal to be sure, but most likely if it’s natural you’ll be avoiding ingredients such as synthetic chemicals like parabens, pthlatates, sulfates, petrochemicals, GMOs, fragrances and dyes. From concealers to lipsticks, you can rest assured all of these products are natural.
Certified Organic
Certified Organic is one step beyond 100% Natural. So they’ve got those Natural ingredients as mentioned above, but have also passed the test of a regulatory agency which means the only ingredients included are grown organically. No pesticides. No fertilizers. To make it easy on yourself, make sure to look out for the seal of approval:
A USDA-accredited certifying agent grants this seal to products with at least 70% organic ingredients. May contain some synthetic ingredients.
95% USRDA Organic
When you see this seal, you can be assure the U.S. Department of Agriculture has guaranteed that this product contains at least 95% organic ingredients.
When you see this seal, this means the U.K. Soil Association has certified these products also contain at least 95% organic ingredients. The U.K. Soil Association Seal certifies products contain at least 95% organic ingredients.
If a product is deemed Vegan, you can be positive that there are absolutely no animal-derived ingredients in the product. Animal or insect by-products to avoid are lanolin, shellac, honey, beeswax, musk, and squalene.
If your skin is sensitive to preservatives like parabens, then you may want to choose products with paraben-free formulas. These products do not contain any parabens, including methyparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. Look for the seal to easily identify these products.
Certified Cruelty Free
A note about “Certified Cruelty Free” – those words aren’t always proof positive— the only way to be sure is if the brand is gifted by the seal of Leaping Bunny or PETA.
For a product to be certified by Leaping Bunny, it means absolutely no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. A-lister brand Dermalogica is certified by that cute little Leaping Bunny.
A PETA seal ensures that the companies do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products – and never will. From eye shadows to mascaras, Anti-Animal Cruelty group PETA approves these products.
Environmentally Responsible
The practices of Environmentally Responsible brands include using sustainable ingredients, packaging from managed forests or recycled packaging, alternative energy, fair trade or co-op farms. The greener the operation, the cleaner the air and healthier the planet.
Excerpted from Blush - http://newsletters.blush.com/advertorial/earthDay/index.htm
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