So one of my tweaks for 2012 included finding more cruelty free and natural products. I’m looking for stuff that is natural, good for the environment, and doesn’t test any part of the product on animals/cruelty free. There are a few associations that help govern products that have these claims.
The NPA natural standard is based on natural ingredients, safety, responsibility and sustainability.
- Natural Ingredients: A product labeled "natural" should be made up of only, or at least almost only, natural ingredients and be manufactured with appropriate processes to maintain ingredient purity.
- Safety: A product labeled "natural" should avoid any ingredient with a suspected human health risk.
- Responsibility: A product labeled "natural" should use no animal testing in its development.
- Sustainability: A product labeled "natural" should use biodegradable ingredients and the most environmentally sensitive packaging.
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program administers a cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo for companies producing cosmetic, personal care, and household products. The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. Cruelty Free Shopping Guide: http://leapingbunny.org/shopping.php
That being said, I went to publix and marched myself into the cosmetics aisle towards the end that had the “natural” stuff. I chose two products: Burts Bees ‘Soap Bark and Chamomile Cream Cleanser’ and Yes to ‘Cucumbers hypoallergenic facial wipes’.
The Review
Yes to Cucumbers: The facial wipes are convenient and super easy and quick to use but they don’t leave me feeling very clean. It’s probably that they are just so mild it doesn’t work for my skin. I purchased them in hopes of using in a pinch like if I over sleep and don’t have much time. Their products are NPA certified (natural seal) or USDA Organic but they do not have the leaping bunny seal. They have some kind of bunny on there that is supposed to resemble the leaping bunny but it is in fact some seal from PETA. (YUCK, we hate PETA and their pet killing asses. http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=8651) So overall, I won’t purchase this particular product again.
Burts Bees: The cream cleanser smells awesome and makes my skin feel smooth and soft. It makes your skin tingle if you let it sit for a few seconds before rinsing. Really great in the morning. Burts Bees is NPA certified and leaping bunny certified. They also try to use recycled materials for their packaging. The only thing that I’m concerned about it that the company was recently purchased by Clorox, a company well known for animal testing and not being very environmentally friendly. However I am led to believe that although Clorox owns Burts Bees it will no way change the integrity of the line/product. I guess we will see. I would purchase this product again provided that the formula hasn’t changed to add anything non-natural.
So between the two I definitely prefer Burts Bees for a facial cleanser. I also use their plain honey lip balm and one of their tinted lip shimmers. This review wasn’t prompted by any free products or payments, I am simply trying to find the best products for myself and wanted to share. I will always always inform you if I am receiving some kind of compensation, if I’m asked to do a review, and it will ALWAYS be honest. I refuse to do paid posts that require me to give an instructed opinion.
If you have any products you like that are cruelty free and natural please let me know, I’ve love to check it out.
Not sure if this is anything you'd ever care to explore, but have you heard/tried the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)? I will admit it sounds really strange, but I have used it in the past and it does work! You just have to find the right oil combination for your skin type. I only suggest it because then you can still have natural, cruelty free cleansers, but you're also not having to worry about irritants in commercial products.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by :) I have not heard about that method and I would be very interested to learn about it. Do you have any links or information? I know I could just google it but then you have to wade thru what is true and what is false. :)
DeletePS-I like to reply to comments via email as I know you will get it (I hardly ever check back to see if anyone replied to my comments on blogs). You are a no-reply on blogger so I can't email you back :)
just stopped buy, great suggestions. However, Burts Bees was bought by Clorox companies which has been associated with animal testing.Supper sad about this, I hate when bigger companies buy great natural companies. Some I know that are great are Dr. Hauschka, Weleda , Dr bronner's, and also some local say goat farms, etc that make soaps etc are great to look into :) I love natural skin care and safety of animals. Great blog
ReplyDelete- so in note to yours it was a proper connection, you can never rule out that they wont start using that brand to test on animals. :(
DeleteThanks so much for reading! I did mention in the post that Burts Bees was purchased by Chlorox and I am concerned about it. However they are still leaping bunny certified which means Burts Bees company does not test their product or ingredients on animals--but you are correct it does not mean they won't use the Chlorox brand to test stuff for Burts Bees, that is why I am on an ever going quest for cruelty free.
DeleteI am currently researching the brand Alba as they are owned by a larger company who only owns organic companies (and cruelty free companies)...so we shall see how that goes. I currently use Leaping Bunny as a standard because anyone can put whatever they want on a label. Or they say they don't test on animals but perhaps the ingredients were tested and not final product. I will check to see if those brands you mentioned are truly cruelty free and I will likely "test" them on myself (hehe) and review them. Thanks again for stopping by, I really appreciate it!!!
PS-I usually try to respond via email beacause who really checks back to see if there was another comment? I noticed you are no-reply-blogger. :)