After its recent hiatus, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetics safety database is back up and running! Check out the safety of your favorite products, from deodorant to toothpaste, and baby and mens products. I checked and found most things I use were okay, but my mascara is a 7 out of 10 on the hazard scale – guess I’ll be looking for something a little less toxic!

The more I read about health issues, the more it seems that hormone imbalances play a role. We’ve become more aware of toxins in our food, but many don’t realize what they’re absorbing through their skin. Some toxins are worse than others, it seems. Some toxins can cause immediate reactions, and others can even build up in the body and cause problems in the long term. It’s a good idea to check on the safety of the products that touch your skin, especially those that you may use on a daily basis – such as shampoo, makeup, lotion, toothpaste and dish soap.

Other reasons to check the safety of health and beauty products: women can be extra vulnerable to toxic buildup, as the biggest consumers of makeup and body products, due to greater exposure over time. Children are also vulnerable due to their size – the adult-sized amount of a product delivers a more concentrated dose for little ones.

I’ve even returned to some of the old remedies from long ago like vinegar and baking soda, and my grandmother’s window washing recipe (water, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, dish soap). I’ve been off fabric softener completely for over a decade now, and don’t miss it at all, after finding out how nasty it is for humans and for the environment. I love the smell of good ol’ clean now, not covered up with overwhelming, chemical scents. There’s also something satisfying about the simplicity of using natural products to clean.

What do you think?