Simple, Everyday Change: Everybody's Gotta Start Somewhere

Here are some ideas to get you started in the movement for safer cosmetics. Don’t forget, legislation and policy change are what is needed most! Even though you may not use toxic products, they are still in our environment and can still be in our bodies! Elimination of these ingredients from the products we use on our bodies, land, and homes should be our ultimate goal.

However, we all need to start somewhere when it comes to creating change. Check out our great starting points below…

• Vote with your dollar. Buy non-toxic personal care products from small scale labels that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and community brands. Products like these can be found at your local independent health food store and sometimes at farmers’ markets.

• Free yourself and use fewer products all together. Are you sure you need super-volumizing ultra-shiny strawberry scented sparkly mascara? Do you need purple petunia scented hairstyle refreshing spray? No, you don’t.

• Tell people when you have a chance, even if it’s just writing femmetoxic.com down for them and reminding them to visit. Wearing or making a FemmeToxic t-shirt can also spark discussion.
• Participate actively in the femmetoxic.com community - your input makes our message more effective and far-reaching. We need you!!!
• Get smart! Reading up on this issue and other issues pertaining to environmental toxins will not only help you to lead a healthier life, but will equip you with the tools to communicate effectively and responsibly when discussing these issues with friends, families, strangers and politicians. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to talk to our families and friends about this kind of thing. It’s not easy to hear that products approved for sale may be hurting us. The more informed you are, the easier it will be to warn your family and friends and get them involved. Check out Stacy Malkan’s book Not Just a Pretty Face; even though it pertains to cosmetics in the U.S., it’s a great starting point, and it’s a great read! Check out our links page to learn more and order Stacy’s book! Or, check out Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt's No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products -- and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics.