Top 5 Safe Cosmetics Tips

1. Simplify

Choose products with simpler ingredient lists and hidden “fragrance” ingredients. Avoid products with “fragrance” or “parfum” on the label which can hide any number of ingredients, some of which may be linked to negative health concerns. Instead, support companies who voluntarily disclose their fragrance ingredients. 

2. Use Tools like Clearya and Think Dirty

To find out whether your go-to products are safe or not, use Clearya to avoid toxic ingredients as you shop online. Or, try Think Dirty’s shop clean app, which ranks the safety of specific products on a scale of 1-10 and offers up cleaner solutions. 

3. Read Ingredient Labels

Since the beauty industry is largely unregulated, it’s up to you to do your own research to find the safest products. There are no legal standards for personal care products labeled as “pure,” “natural” or “organic,” so look beyond the marketing claims and read labels carefully. Check out our Chemicals of Concern to learn which ingredients to avoid. 

4. DIY

Some personal care products are easy to make yourself with just a few ingredients, and this can be a great project for your self-care ritual, friends, kids, or a party! Make your own sugar or salt scrubs or body oils, using simple, organic ingredients.

5. Get Involved

While it’s possible – and becoming easier – to reduce toxic exposures in your home by buying safer products, it’s not possible to shop our way out of this problem. Even if they’re not in your home, toxic chemicals from personal care products can still end up in our air and drinking water, and in the homes of people who don’t have access to safe products.

The Solution

Join our Campaign of Safe Cosmetics to change the rules of the game! It shouldn’t be legal to sell cosmetics that contain dangerous ingredients. That’s why we’re working to pass new laws that protect our health and give consumers better information to make smart choices. Stay informed, speak up and spread the word—all in our Take Action section!