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.
Zoobop is the
world’s first brand reader, a platform that
checks any personal care brand you use to see if it is really that
clean.
All you need to do is type the brand name and hit bop...
that’s it. A clean or dirty score of the brand you use will be shown
with details on the kind of ingredients it carries, its eco footprint,
animal testing policies, packaging and over all brand ethos.
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.. ,
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What is the safest skin care brand?
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. . ,