I recently came across this new title, There's Lead in your Lipstick: toxins in our everyday body care and how to avoid them. I approached it with trepidation as I usually like to have makeup on when I go out the door, not being able to rely on the fresh-faced flush of youth. According to author Gillian Deacon, lead, a known neurotoxin, long banned from use in paint, ends up on our mouths frequently. It is considered a contaminant rather than an additive and therefore doesn't have to appear on ingredients lists for cosmetics or other personal care products

Deacon deals extensively with the subject of greenwashing. She lists the products that have organic or botanical ingredients, but are not necessarily non-toxic because they contain widely-used controversial contents such as parabens. This section was a real eye-opener as many such products are sold in health food stores.

As scary as the concept of toxic personal care products is, I was pleasantly surprised by Deacon's positive approach. She lists plenty of safe alternative brands for shampoo, shaving cream, lotions, anti-perspirant and cosmetics. Her book is Canadian so these products are readily available on-line and in stores here... you can still wear your mascara if you must. Deacon even provides home recipes for simple, pure personal products for do- it-yourself-ers and those on a budget.

by Mel