5 Steps Towards Toxic Free Products

Firstly, I would like to clarify that both Natural and synthetic ingredients are chemicals. After all, even H20 is a chemical. Having said that both natural and synthetic derived ingredients can be toxic. The trick is in knowing which ingredients are dirty or hazardous both for us and the planet as eco pollutants.

More and more consumers are becoming aware of the dangers of hazardous ingredients in their cosmetic

and skin care products. And unfortunately, with the buzz around clean formulations more and more brands tend to greenwash. Put simply, most brands pretend to be greener than they are to lure consumers.

Unfortunately, with the growing trend and demand for natural, pure and organic products, there are many many false claims that many many brands across the globe do. And everyday people get green washed into thinking that the products they are using (daily) are good and safe. The reality is far from this. 7 out of 10 products in our vanity contain dirty ingredients. And we don’t even know it.

At Zoobop, our mission is to make the world a cleaner, safer place by helping you make better informed decisions when it comes to personal care.

Harmful effects of toxic products

Before we go into how to transition to toxic free brands, you should know the why behind it. Here is a list of common toxins you will see in 7 out of 10 personal care products you use daily. It is important to recognise them and know why they should be avoided.

1. Parabens: Parabens were originally marketed as an alternative to potentially toxic preservatives. They’re found throughout the cosmetic industry in skin care, haircare, makeup and antiperspirants. Because they’re considered safe in low concentrations and are cheap and easy to use, many companies rely on them to save money while keeping their products fresh. Parabens are hazardous ingredients that can lead to a Broad assortment of problems including infertility, breast cancer and even brain cancer.

2. Fragrance: Fragrance is added to nearly 50% of all beauty products. The most well-known synthetic fragrances are phthalates and formaldehyde releasers. Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors, which cause hormonal problems and infertility. Formaldehyde releasers have also been deemed as carcinogenic. Fragrance also causes a lot of skin allergies and skin irritations.

3. Triclosan: Triclosan became very familiar to consumers as an antibacterial ingredient used in thousands of products, ranging from hand soap and toothpaste to kitchen appliances and toys. Every time you wash your face, or use any other type of skincare product containing triclosan, it pours through your skin and accumulates in fat cells. Our bodies transforms these toxins into more dangerous toxins that are stored in our bodies.

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLES/SLS): Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent used in more than 90 percent of personal care products, from toothpaste to mouthwash. It is also commonly found in shampoo and soaps. This ingredient is suspected of causing kidney or liver defects.

5. Petrochemicals: Any type of petroleum-derived products used in skincare can have some adverse effect.

The concentration of the toxic chemical varies depending on the concentration of the petroleum products in the product, and according to how much exposure you receive from the product. This exposure can vary from person to person due to tolerance levels, skin health, use frequency, and other influencing factors. People who use mineral oil on their skin are at a higher risk of developing cancer.

How to identify the toxic products

1. Hidden ingredients

A lot of the time, brands only mention the “key ingredients” and hide the others. This practice raises suspicions about the actual ingredients being used.

2. Online reviews

Online reviews might get misleading, but it's always a good idea to go through them. It's always a challenge finding genuine reviews these days. Most social media collabs are also paid. So look out for more honest bloggers.

3. Bop it!

While checking each and every ingredient may seem tedious and boring, Zoobop has got your back. With one BOP you can get the full dope on your brand. Our mantra BOP IT before you SHOP IT is for you to make better safer choices for yourself, your family and our planet.

5 Steps towards toxic chemical free products.

We all have different ways of going about the way we live our lives, but when it comes to taking steps towards practising a more ‘clean’ lifestyle, we may not know where to begin. Whether you are concerned about what might be lurking in your cosmetics products or whether you wish to reduce your carbon footprint, here are some steps you can take:

1. RESEARCH

Its important to know what clean beauty is and what all things it encompasses. You need to get familiar with the terms and their implications. Sounds too much? Understandable. This is why Zoobop is here to help.. We have a global database of over 2500 brands. Here you can check the rating of your favourite brands and make a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable choice.

2. START SMALL

Start by replacing the products you use everyday. Cleansers, moisturisers, body washes: trade them off with safer alternatives. Then swap things that you might end up ingesting: lipsticks and lip balms come to mind. As you proceed, replace the products that you use weekly. All your face masks, exfoliants, deodorants. This way the process will seem gradual and won’t be too heavy on the pocket.

3. SHOP CLEAN

When looking at clean market places, be sure brands they are offering are verified clean. Don't be greenwashed by false claims. Zoobop has launched India’s first verified clean marketplace, where each brand is checked and vetted according to stringent checking standards. So, consumers can be assured that all products they buy are clean safe and free of toxins. You can learn more about our strict clean beauty standards here. https://www.zoobop.com/our-standards.aspx

4. CLEANER ALTERNATIVES

Whenever you feel you are running low on a product, it’s time for the swap. Look for the better products on Zoobop and replace it. This way you can build your own clean vanity without it being too expensive and overwhelming. You will become toxic-chemicalfree in no time!

5. TELL EVERYONE

Now that you know how important it is to live clean and sustainable, why not let everyone know? Make your friends and family aware about the dire consequences of toxic ingredients in their daily routine and help them build their own clean vanity.

Products that are Non-toxic and free from synthetic chemicals

To make the process easy for you, here is a curated list of products from toxic free brands!

1 arata NATURAL REFRESHING FACE WASH WITH PEPPERMINT, LEMON OIL & ORGANIC FLAXSEED

This wash-off radiance facial cleanser is infused with peppermint essential oil, organic flax seed, and lemon fruit extracts renowned for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Gentle enough for all skin types, this refreshing cleanser gently exfoliates and controls oil build-up without drying skin. It can be used morning or night on oily, dry and combination skin alike to restore radiance and bounce.

2 the skin pantry FACE MOISTURISER VANILLA BEAN DRENCH FOR NORMAL TO DRY SKIN

Get glowing, healthy skin with the feel-good Face Moisturiser from The Skin Pantry. Formulated with Shea and Cocoa butters that actively soothe dry and sensitive skin, this nourishing moisturiser helps to keep even extremely dehydrated skin soft, supple and toned. With lashings of natural oils, including Jojoba oil which helps to reduce inflammation and naturally rich in Vitamin A & E cinnamates, it works to combat free radicals whilst keeping your youthful complexion looking radiant and healthy.

3 vikarah CARROT SUNSAFE LOTION

With its unique formulation of natural and safe ingredients, including pure oils and raw butters, this sun-blocking lotion is your solution to healthy skin. Offering UV, heat, and water resistance with no sticky residue, the sunscreen has been shown to protect against the aging effects of the sun by retaining the brightness of your complexion. In addition, vitamin A helps in repairing skin tissue while helping to prevent sunburn.

4 shankara CALMING MASK

This algae -aloe gel mask is intensely soothing and calming. Formulated with blue chamomile and cucumber, it instantly cools and soothes temporary redness or irritation on all skin types. Sea Buckthorn oil provides a deep moisturizing effect that promotes skin's natural barrier to protect against external aggressors, while arnica alleviates puffiness around the eyes.

5 treewear NATURAL DEODORANT STICK - SPICE INFUSION

TreeWear's Natural Deodorant Sticks are the next generation of natural deodorants. They work while you work, play and they work under pressure. It's easy to apply and won't leave a sticky feeling on your skin like some other deodorants. The delicate scent of this blend of spicy cinnamon and juniper berry essential oils is sure to be appreciated in any season.

What is your favourite skincare hack? Share with us.

FAQS

What are the most toxic beauty products?

Sanitary Brands will usually score the worst on zoobop as the waste lies in landfills for over 500 years!! They are serious eco toxins. Look out for toxic ingredients in daily products like Shampoo, SHower gel, make up, sunscreen, perfumes, Hair Colours .. the list goes on.. ,

The higher the score the better the brand. Zoobop rates brands from a score of 0- 5 . Zoobop market place only promotes and sells clean brands which score high on the platform. . ,