MetaEfficient Reviews » Personal Care Products

Three Of The Most Efficient Things I’ve Tested

Justin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:32:11 +0000

I’ve tested many products over the past year. Here are three that have particularly impressed me with their efficiency: (more…)

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An Efficient Biodegradeable Sunscreen: Caribbean Solutions

Justin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:05:49 +0000

Sunscreens that pollute the water are not efficient. This is especially true in the ocean, where it’s estimated that 4000-6000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers every year. A company called Caribbean Solutions is introducing a biodegradable sunscreen nationwide.

This sunscreen is free of petroleum derivatives — instead, the active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These minerals scatter and reflect UVA and UVB rays, while petrochemicals absorb them. Moreover, conventional sunscreens contain four questionable chemicals: octinoxate, oxybenzone and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and the preservative butylparaben.

Dr. Celia Ferreira formulated Caribbean Solutions SolGuard (in SPF 4, 8, 15 and 25) with botanical ingredients, including wild pansy, green coffee bean extract and hibiscus. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protect from both UVA and UVB rays, while sunflower and cucumber oils soothe and hydrate the skin. The sunscreen is available from Amazon.

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Peelu: Natural Dental Fibers: Less Abrasive Than Toothpaste

Justin — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:40:48 +0000

The Peelu Tree has been used for centuries by people in Asia, Africa and the Middle East to clean their teeth. A frayed branch of the tree is traditionally used. Now the Peelu USA company has incorporated Peelu fibers into a range of dental products, including toothpaste, toothpowder and a dental gum. Peelu is said to be less abrasive than regular toothpaste. I’ve been using the Peelu dental powder for a while now, and it seems to work quite well. I have to say that the taste of Peelu is not enticing: it has a dry barky taste. But I am impressed by its cleaning action.

Researchers have discovered a number of naturally occurring qualities in the Peelu tree, including: (1) a natural chlorine which whitens and removes tartar and stains, (2) tannic acid and Vitamin C, making it beneficial for healthy gums, (3) sulfur, which helps keep the mouth clean.

The botanical name of Peelu is Salvadora Persica: it is also regionally called Siwak, Miswak and Neem. Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on this tree.

It’s available from Whole Foods and Amazon.

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Sunscreens Without Toxic Chemicals or Nanoparticles

Justin — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:20:13 +0000

Conventional sunscreens have a number of ingredients that have been linked to hormone disruption in animal tests and are readily absorbed by skin. Some these ingredients include: parabens, benzophenone, homosalate and octyl-methoxycinnamate. Also, the sunscreen containing nanoparticles have come under scrutiny because they may be harmful to human tissue. Nanoparticles are added because they make titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreens more transparent.

But there are sunscreens that do not contain nanoparticles or toxic ingredients. Are are some of the safest ones:

Solar Sense Clear Zinc with Green Tea, for Face, SPF 45 received the highest rating from the definitive EWG safety database (Environmental Working Group).

Avalon sunscreens also received some of the highest marks for safety from the EWG, and are all nano- and chemical-free.

EcoLani SPF 15 is free of toxic chemicals, and it contains only titanium dioxide. It’s creator, Dr. Lani Simpson, is outspokenly opposed to the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens ($15/4 oz. bottle).

For more information see the Green Guide’s “Sunscreens: No-No Nano” and “Nano-Sunscreens Part Two“.

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Better Basics For The Home: Less Toxic Living

Justin — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 03:17:24 +0000

You can make household and personal care products at home. The mixtures you create will be healthier and of a higher quality than those found in stores. Once you have the right ingredients, mixing them up is quite straightforward. The book, Better Basics for the Home, offers more than 800 simple alternatives to toxic household products, covering everything from skin care to gardening.

The author, Annie Berthold-Bond, says: “Mixing up face creams or wood stain isn’t much different than cleaning the windows with vinegar, soap, and water instead of using Brand Name X, or making a cake with flour, eggs and milk instead of buying a mix. With a few simple staples we can clean our houses, wash our hair, rid the dog’s bed of fleas, and do many other things as well.”

Available from Amazon for $12.24.

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Best and Worst Personal Care Products: Ratings

Justin — Fri, 24 Dec 2004 00:45:29 +0000

A while ago we published a link to a site that rates Personal Care Products. We had some requests from readers who were interested in finding the report, so here is an update.

The EWG has also published the most comprehensive study on chemical contaminants found in humans. Blood and urine from nine people was tested for 210 chemicals that occur in consumer products and industrial pollution. See the report here: Body Burden.

The Environmental Working Group has produced a list of the Best and Worst Personal Care Products. They have a huge Searchable Product Guide of harmful chemicals found in personal care products.

The report is extensive and very well organized. You can search by ingredient, product
name or product category.

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