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What is Green? Green Seal Introduces Beauty Industry Standards

what is green

There are around 350 “green” certifications on products out there, many in beauty, and often bestowed by the manufacturers themselves.

This has all led to consumers questioning what is green.

With increasing concern about the safety of ingredients used in personal care and beauty products and the impact of the manufacture, use and disposal of these products on the environment there are a slough of marks purporting to “confirm” what green really is.

green seal logoNow Green Seal, the oldest, independent, non-profit environmental certification organization and the original “green seal” of approval, has introduced standards for the beauty industry that will help bring clarity to the issue. They are the first standards that address the whole life cycle of a product and address not just sustainability, but health and safety of ingredients, product performance and social responsibility of the company, too.

The standards are for both products that you leave on the hair and skin such as lotions, hair spray and makeup and for products that you’d off such as hand, hair and body soaps, cleansers, shampoos and conditioners.

A Green Seal certified product will meet requirements for issues such as biodegradability and packaging as well as be free of carcinogens, formaldehyde, parabens and phthalates and other hazards that can severely impact our health.

Essentially, a “green” beauty product should embody sustainability and health and safety for you and those around you, while providing outstanding product performance. Look for the Green Seal on your products and learn more about their environmental standards by visiting www.greenseal.org and liking them on Facebook.

Image Credits: Reading Beauty Labels photo via Shutterstock; Green Seal logo via Green Seal

Written by Guest Contributor

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