Cosmetic Safety Database

Did you know that the government has no regulations on what can be put into the products we use, like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.?  The worst part is that some of the worst chemicals are in our baby products!!!  There is a non-profit group that tests the chemicals that go into our products and publishes them in a database.  I highly recommend that you check it out!  Go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.  You can type in a specific product that you are already using, or, the blue bar across the top has everything divided up into categories.  I like to go there so I can see which products DID rate well for safety.  They are listed in order from best to worst.  But be careful!  After spending a lot of time on this site, I figured something out...the products receive ratings between 0 and 10.  10 is the worst.  They get these ratings by taking each ingredient and giving it a score.  The average of the ingredient scores is the final rating.  So, you look at the list and you see a product, and you think it's an ok pick because it got a 2.  But, oh no! When you click on the product from the list, it will show you a list of ingredients and the ratings they received.  There could be a main ingredient that got an 8, but because all the other ingredients are safer, the overall score appears low.  This happened to me with Boudreaux Butt Paste.  The overall score is a 2, so I figured it was a safe product.  After clicking on it, I discovered that Boric Acid is on the "avoid at all cost" list of ingredients.  It got a big red 8 because it is toxic to the reproductive system and actually illegal in other countries!  It is toxic to the reproductive system and yet we are rubbing all over our baby's bottoms!  I know, I'm sharing way more then you care to know, but I have become quite passionate about it, and I don't want anyone putting any horrible chemicals on their sweet babies!!!   

If you want to explore more of the site, they have a "what not to buy" list that shows products that contain mercury, lead, human placenta, animal parts, phthalates and petroleum (used to make gas).  In case you didn't already know this scary fact, phthalates cause sperm damage, ferminization of baby boys, and infertility.  They are not always labeled as phthalates on the product, instead it says FRAGRANCE!  Have you ever wondered what's in fragrance?  So scary!

They also have a children's product guide that you can print out.  It has the chemicals to avoid always, and chemicals to avoid when possible.  

I strongly urge you to check it out and explore for a little while.  It is so upsetting.  I have since thrown out my Johnson's products and diaper cream.  I went out and bought safer stuff that costs a little more, but at least I know I'm not damaging my baby's reproduction or causing cancer.