How to Find the Best Skin Care Products
What company has the best skincare products? Well, that depends on who you ask. Personally, I consult the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC).
WATCH OUT for Harmful Ingredients
In my opinion, the best skincare products should not contain ingredients that either cause or are strongly suspected of causing cancer. But, many of the popular brands do. For example, Neutrogena makes an oil-free foundation that comes in a variety of shades. Ingredients in the product have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, allergies and a number of other health problems.
Environmental groups have petitioned the cosmetic industry for years to stop using these harmful ingredients. But, since they can’t get legislation past cosmetic industry lobbyists, they decided to give consumers a way to found the safest and best skincare products on their own.
Read the Label
The EWG created a searchable database called Skin Deep. At the site, they rate the safety of cosmetics based on the ingredients that they contain. You might think that Avon has the best skincare products, but if you go to the Skin Deep site, you will learn that Avon’s skin clearing lotion contains ingredients that have been linked to cancer, as well as skin, eye and lung irritation.
As far as safety is concerned, best skincare products are made by companies that have signed the CSC’s compact for global production of safe health and beauty products. The CSC also has a searchable data base where you can see if your favorite companies have signed the compact.
Big Names – Big Prices
I decided to look for some of the most expensive designer names, because, of course they claim to have the best skincare products . How about Christian Dior? No, apparently the company does not believe that a product that you use on your skin everyday should be safe.
I had always thought that designers like Helena Rubenstein, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent had the best skincare products, since the prices were so high. My sister used to use only Elizabeth Arden cosmetics and fragrances. But, none of these designer names are on the safe list.
You might think that the names that we trust the most would definitely sign the compact and be pro safety. But, I looked for Ponds, Vaseline, Clinique, Revlon and Proctor & Gamble. Obviously, they don’t make the safest and best skincare products, because, thus far, they have refused to sign the compact.
What does the compact ask companies to do? Simply to meet the formulation standards and deadlines set by the European Union Directive in 2004, to replace hazardous compounds with safer alternatives within the next three years. It doesn’t seem like much to ask of a cosmetic company. You know why they won’t do it?
It’s the Money
Safer ingredients cost more. They would have to raise the prices on some of their already outrageously high priced products or cut their advertising budget. Most of these companies would not survive without advertising. Their products are not good enough to have a word of mouth reputation.
