Going green can be overwhelming. There is so much information out there about potential health hazards and disastrous environmental effects caused by the manufacturing, distribution, use and waste of everyday products. Making the switch to products that are more eco-friendly and better for the body may seem like a great idea, but the process of choosing an alternate product is time-consuming and sometimes expensive.
Another problem I have with switching products is that I typically don’t like to be the first to try something new. I’d much rather stick with the tried-and-true than make a switch to a new product that may or may not work. I like to hear the opinions of others before I buy, and typically this isn’t possible when I’m considering choosing unconventional products.
In my research about going green, I have found the following two websites to be especially helpful in making the switch.
The Environmental Working Group website is packed with information, so much so that you could spend a week reading it and still have plenty left to peruse. The feature that I found to be most helpful are the databases in the right hand column. There is a 2009 sunscreen guide and also a cosmetic safety database. Using this landmine of information makes it so much easier to pick products that are safe to use. There is plenty of information on the EWG website about the potential risks in the unregulated health and beauty products most Americans use every day. For example, the EWG found that of the 1,620 sunscreens they tested 3 out of 5 sunscreens either contained hazardous chemicals or don’t sufficiently protect skin from sun damage. I’m grateful this website makes it easy to find products that do work without causing harm.
SafeMama is a blog written by a mom with the help of a team of several mothers who put time and effort into researching and reviewing products. On the sidebar of the website they have several Cheat Sheets that list eco-friendly, healthy alternatives for sunscreen, BPA free bottles, sippy cups and storage options, safer bug repellents and many others. I always check SafeMama after reading about a product on the EWG website because SafeMama may mention information the EWG leaves out, like how pleasant a particular bug spray smells or how easy a certain sunscreen is to apply. SafeMama also hosts giveaways regularly like the current Seventh Generation giveaway. If you are looking for some help going green, I recommend regularly reading SafeMama blog.
