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Get Healthier Cosmetics and Beauty Products with EWG Verified

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has long been a source of both information and inspiration when it comes to creating a safer, healthier home. Their extensive databases cover cosmetics and body care, home cleaners, tap water, sunscreens and even food. For anyone looking to eliminate exposure to chemicals and clean up their products, their resources are invaluable.

They’ve recently launched a verification program, to which I have to say, it’s about time! Welcome to EWG Verified.

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The EWG hopes that their certification will:

+ Create a new standard for your health
+ Educate consumers
+ Empower people to make smart choices
+ Inspire change in the market and be the gold standard in the health and wellness space

At the time of writing, just under 200 items have been EWG verified, but they assure us that they will continue to build their database with new products. To watch for your favorite products to be added to the list, you can sign up for EWG’s email list.

But why do we need verified products?

EWG verified If you’re not yet familiar with the health concerns with conventional body care products, I can’t think of a better introduction than the Story of Cosmetics. This short yet informationally-dense animated film examines the broken system that oversees cosmetic and body care products. There are generally no regulations, because the regulations are governed by the producers themselves, which is a huge conflict of interest that has lead to a chemical shitstorm in our body care routines. A study from early 2015 showed that we use up to 168 chemicals each day on our bodies.

What are the Criteria for Verification?

EWG’s criteria are based on a variety of health standards:

  • Products must score a “green” in EWG’s Skin Deep® database.
  • Products cannot contain any ingredients on EWG’s “Unacceptable” list, meaning ingredients with health, ecotoxicity and/or contamination concerns.
  • Products cannot contain any ingredients on EWG’s “Restricted” list, which do not meet the restriction set by authoritative bodies and industry institutions.
  • Products must follow standard ingredient naming guidelines.
  • Products must fully disclose all ingredients on the label, including ingredients used in fragrance.
  • Product manufacturers must develop and follow current good manufacturing practices.
  • Products must follow the European Union’s requirements for labeling fragrance allergens.
  • Products must follow the European Union’s labeling guidelines for nanomaterials used in cosmetics.
  • Product labels must indicate an expiration date or a “period of time after opening.”

And if you want to experience the EWG verified products yourself, check out Living Pretty Naturally for an epic giveaway of EWG verified products!

Written by Andrea Bertoli

Vegetarian chef, educator, blogger, and yogi based on the gathering isle of Oahu. Follow her foodie adventures at Vibrant Wellness Journal, Vibrant Wellness Education, Green Living Ideas and Green UPGRADER. Find more from Andrea on Facebook, , Instagram and Twitter.

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