Spring Cleaning: How To Declutter Toxic Skincare Products
When was the last time you went through your skincare products? It’s an important step we all forget to take sometimes! Here are some tips and tricks from the experts to clean up those back-of-the-cupboard products.
Time To Spring Clean Your Skincare Products!
Here’s the thing… do you remember when you purchased half of the products in your drawers? Equally important question, when did you open each of those bottles? What about the quality of the ingredients?
Spring is a great time to tidy up. If you feel like purging some of your belongings, we highly recommend the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. She says, “Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.” You can do the same with your skincare, because truthfully, your four year old, half empty, smelly moisturizers are not doing your skin any favours. If anything, they are likely irritating your skin.
Have You Ever Wondered What This Little Symbol Is On Your Skincare Products?
This symbol is found on most skincare products out there. It means that, within 12 months of opening this package, it should be used up to ensure the efficiency of active ingredients and reliability of the preservation system that was used.
Out With The Old: Identifying Expired Skincare Products
How can you tell if your skincare has gone bad? Look out for these telltale signs:
- Changes in texture, such as separation or lumpiness
- Alterations in color or smell
- Sudden skin irritation from previously well-tolerated products
The Hidden Risk of Expired Skincare Products
Using skincare products past their prime isn’t just a matter of reduced efficacy. It can lead to a host of skin issues and health concerns:
- Bacterial Breeding Grounds: Opened products can become contaminated with microorganisms, especially in moisture-rich environments like bathrooms.
- Skin Irritation and Infections: Expired products may cause redness, itching, inflammation, and even serious facial infections, particularly if applied to broken skin.
- Allergic Reactions: As products degrade, they can develop irritants that may trigger allergic responses.
- Reduced Effectiveness: The potency of active ingredients, such as antioxidants, diminishes over time, potentially leaving your skin vulnerable to environmental damage.
Skincare Education Is Key!
Buying high end beauty products can be a challenge for some, especially when it comes to cost. Thankfully, with better quality, non-toxic, organic beauty products, a little goes a long way! These products are concentrated and effective, not watered down like the cheaper, less effective options.
Take the time to learn more about what goes into the ingredients of your favourite moisturizers and cleansers. Try the Think Dirty App or the Skin Deep EWG, as a starting point! Teaching yourself what ingredients are a definite no-go, helps you clear your bathroom clutter and your skin!
Red flags That Indicate A Skincare Brand Could Be “Greenwashing”
- Vague Terminology: Use of ambiguous terms like “natural,” “pure,” “green,” or “eco-friendly” without clear explanations or certifications.
- Lack of Certifications: Absence of recognized certifications such as USDA Organic, COSMOS, Ecocert, or EWG Verified on product packaging or website.
- Misleading Imagery: Use of nature-themed images or green colors in packaging and marketing without substantiating actual sustainable practices.
- Exaggerated Claims: Statements like “100% natural” or “chemical-free” which are often misleading or impossible.
- Hidden Ingredients: Products that highlight natural ingredients but still contain harmful chemicals or synthetic additives.
- Unsubstantiated Statements: Environmental claims without specific evidence or data to support them.
- Lack of Transparency: Insufficient information about sustainability practices, ingredient sourcing, or environmental impact.
- Contradictory Actions: Claiming to be eco-friendly while engaging in practices like excessive packaging or unsustainable sourcing.
- Focus on Botanical Ingredients: An overemphasis on plant-based ingredients without consideration for their processing or potential reactions.
- Presence of Certain Ingredients: Inclusion of ingredients such as eugenol, geraniol, bergamot, citrus peel oils, limonene, linalool, citronellol, or tea tree oil, which can cause skin reactions or instability in UV light.
- Overuse of “Clean” Claims: Brands heavily marketing themselves as “clean” without clear definitions or standards.
- Lack of Data: Brands that outline sustainability plans but provide no data to back up their claims.
- Heavy Social Media Marketing: Excessive promotion on social media platforms, especially by influencers, without substantial evidence of eco-friendliness.
Decoding the Label: Spotting Toxic Ingredients in Your Skincare Products
1) Ingredient Lists Are A Giveaway
Taking a look at the ingredient list on your products is a great way of separating them. Finding sources like Skin Deep for product or ingredient searches can help you cut out any toxic skincare lines! Whats goes on your skin, ultimately affects your health. This is more important than how pretty the package, or how perfect the price.
The goal of this springtime cleaning is to whittle down or obliterate your exposure to toxic ingredients and rotten products. Beauty lovers – you know who you are – It is even more important for you! By the time you have showered and left the house this morning, you could have easily used over 20 products, and if they are all filled with chemicals, unfortunately so are you.
Under INCI labelling rules, we must list all ingredients by their Latin name. Make sure you’re not mistaking any Latin named natural ingredients for a toxic preservative! Sometimes, some of them can sound like a scary disease or some type of chemical. Some companies include the common name in brackets following the Latin to make your life a little easier.
2) What About ‘Natural’?
Some people think of a natural ingredient as one which has been picked straight from a plant and undergone minimal physical processing. Others are happy to accept a degree of chemical processing for their natural ingredient. Make sure you have a personal definition and concept for the word ‘natural’. This will make sure you can find a suitable skincare line for your skin. You don’t want to end up in the situation that you start using a toxic preservative on your skin. Invest some time and effort into doing your research to make sure the preservatives included in your products are non-toxic! Phenoxyethanol for example, is still tolerated and used in some natural formulations – despite it being synthetic. According to most associations and certifying bodies however, it is a taboo ingredient.
3) Watch Out For Water As An Ingredient In Your Skincare Products!
Water-based formulas are essentially watered-down ingredients. Hydrolyzed ingredients show much lower bioavailability — which is the degree and rate at which an administered product is absorbed by the body. A low bioavailability strongly reduces the potency of the active plant constituents. All of these water-based formulas require preservatives, no matter what. These synthetic chemicals inhibit bacteria and mold growth. This is a good thing. The only issue is, we can’t be certain of the long-term effects of every preservative type on the human body.
4) So, Which Skincare Products Should I Stay Away From?
“The Dirty Dozen” is a common phrase used to describe 12 of the worst chemicals to have in any skincare/body products. The David Suzuki Foundation surveyed Canadians to see how many of the “Dirty Dozen” (below) appeared in their cosmetics. Their findings showed that 80% of entered products contained at least one of these toxic chemicals:
- BHA and BHT
- Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number
- DEA-related ingredients
- Dibutyl phthalate
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Parabens
- Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
- PEG compounds
- Petrolatum
- Siloxanes
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Triclosan
5) Stay Away From Any Skincare Products That Are Unmarked!
Symbols, expiry dates, ingredient lists and batch codes are very important. There are certain laws in British Columbia and other parts of the world that regulate the documentation of skincare products. Looking for the right symbols and information on your products can help you determine if it’s a safe product. Usually located on the bottom there should also be what’s called a batch code. This number is mainly for the companies use in tracking their production numbers. When reviewing your skincare, make sure to check for these! If they don’t have it, I wouldn’t trust it.
The Environmental Impact of Your Skincare Choices
Packaging Waste
One of the most significant environmental issues in skincare is packaging waste. The beauty industry generates approximately 120 billion units of packaging annually, much of which ends up in landfills. This includes plastic, paper, glass, and metals that are often not properly recycled. To address this, many sustainable brands are now offering products with minimal or recyclable packaging, and some are even moving towards zero-waste options.
Ingredient Sourcing
The sourcing of ingredients for skincare products can have far-reaching environmental consequences:
- Deforestation: The demand for natural oils, particularly palm oil, has led to extensive deforestation. An estimated 70% of beauty products contain some form of palm oil, and its production is linked to the clearing of vast areas of forest.
- Water Usage: Many skincare products are water-based, contributing to high water consumption in their production. Some brands are now offering waterless or anhydrous products to reduce this impact.
- Microplastics: Synthetic ingredients in skincare products can release microplastics into waterways, harming marine ecosystems. A study found that only 13% of analyzed beauty products were free from microplastics.
Impact on Wildlife
Wildlife is affected by both the production and disposal of skincare products:
- At least 633 marine species are impacted by microplastics in water.
- Plastic waste in rivers has been found to form new “islands,” altering river shapes and affecting local ecosystems.
A Trustworthy Skincare Brand
Seaflora stands out as a trustworthy skincare brand with a strong commitment to sustainability and transparency. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Product Information: Each Seaflora product includes a batch code and expiry date, along with a comprehensive list of ingredients and their targeted benefits, all clearly displayed on the packaging.
- Organic Seaweed Base: Unlike many skincare products that use water as a primary ingredient, Seaflora’s formulations are based on organic seaweed, providing a nutrient-rich foundation for their products.
- Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Carbon-neutral shipping materials
- Zero-waste refill station to reduce plastic use
- Sustainable hand-harvesting of seaweed near their Vancouver Island store
- Ingredient Quality:
- Use of organic and food-grade ingredients
- Cruelty-free and vegan options available
- Environmental Stewardship:
- Recognized with the Ecostar Greenest Retailer Award in 2023
- A portion of sales supports three non-profit organizations: The Ancient Forest Alliance, The Georgia Straight Alliance, and The Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society
- Packaging:
- Recyclable glass bottles
- Compostable outer boxes printed with soy ink
- Biodegradable materials to minimize environmental impact
For those seeking a new skincare brand that aligns with values of sustainability, transparency, and effectiveness, Seaflora offers a compelling choice. Their commitment to eco-friendly practices, organic ingredients, and support for environmental causes makes them a trustworthy option in the skincare market. There is a behind the scenes video below of Seaflora’s production team creating their ‘liquid gold’ Seaweed Body Gel to get an insight to how they make their products in-house.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored throughout this article, the choices we make in our skincare routines have far-reaching implications—not just for our personal health, but for the health of our planet. The journey from understanding expiration dates to decoding ingredient lists and recognizing greenwashing tactics empowers us to make informed decisions that align with both our beauty goals and our values.
The rise of brands like Seaflora exemplifies a shift towards more sustainable, transparent, and effective skincare solutions. By prioritizing organic, seaweed-based formulations, implementing eco-friendly practices, and supporting environmental causes, such companies are setting new industry standards.
As consumers, we hold significant power. Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. By choosing products with clear expiration dates, non-toxic ingredients, and sustainable packaging, we’re not just caring for our skin—we’re contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
The path to a more sustainable beauty routine may seem daunting, but it starts with small, mindful choices. Begin by auditing your current products, researching brands that align with your values, and gradually transitioning to cleaner, greener alternatives.
Remember, true beauty isn’t just skin deep—it extends to the choices we make and the impact we have on the world around us. As we embrace this new era of conscious skincare, we’re not just transforming our beauty routines; we’re part of a larger movement towards a more sustainable and responsible future.
Let’s make our skincare choices count—for ourselves, for our communities, and for our planet.
