Shopping for skincare these days is no easy task. With talk of unsafe ingredients in many cosmetics lines and the overwhelming array of products out there (not to mention no time to research and test everything), just the idea of shopping for skincare might cause you to breakout.
But don’t stress (or rub your face — that could give you pimples) we’ve solved these three beauty problems for you:
Problem #1: Are my current skincare products safe?
There are currently no laws governing what ingredients are considered safe for personal care products so you have to be your own advocate when it comes to finding healthy skincare lines. Furthermore, companies may advertise that their products are "natural" even if they contain harsh preservatives or ingredients with environmental concerns. The following ingredients are found in a shocking number of popular brands but studies have shown that they are not safe for you or the environment:
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Formaldehyde-donor preservatives
- Chelators
- Ethoxylated ingredients
- Chemical sunscreens
- Quats
- Antibacterial Compounds
- Synthetic polymers
- 100% petroleum derived ingredients
- Parabens
Chances are, you don't know how to pronounce some of these ingredients, let alone know why they might be considered unacceptable to put on your body. It's great to be informed but sometimes the daily duties of life makes that easier said than done, especially when there are no regulations regarding how brands advertise their products as “natural.” Which leads us to the second biggest problem…
Problem #2: How do I know a product is really safe?
Whole Foods as a national chain has taken on the daunting challenge of scientifically researching the safety and environmental impact of the beauty products that are allowed in their stores. The Greenwich Whole Foods location has a wide array of face and body products and about a third of those meet the Whole Foods "Premium Body Care" standards. That means that the above 10 ingredients are not permitted in products marked as “Premium Body Care.” So you can rest assured that whatever skincare products you buy at Whole Foods (especially ones that are marked with a “Premium Body Care” label) are safe for you, your family and the environment.
Problem #3: Do natural skincare products work?
It’s great that this stuff is safe. But how do you know that it will actually work? Just try them out and see what you like! And we're not suggesting you waste money buying up all the products in aisle three. Instead, ask a Whole Foods employee to hook you up with samples, and they will!
If you're not thrilled by the idea of playing guinea pig in your bathroom, you can take a more scientific approach that will help you decide what is the best product for you – before you reach the checkout line.
The Whole Foods Greenwich location has a VISIA Complexion Analysis machine that takes digital photos of your face to measure your wrinkles, acne, etc. and miraculously determines the best “Whole Body” beauty products for your individual skin needs. The VISIA machine is free to use and a full consultation takes about 20 minutes. Ask for help from a Whole Foods employee or call ahead to make an appointment. In a rush? A quick analysis can be done in five minutes.
Last but not least, what could be more convenient than picking up your beauty staples while shopping for tonight's dinner?