“Nail polish may look pretty, but it contains various toxic chemicals and is classified by the EPA as hazardous waste”. Ummmmm, WHAT?!!? Srsly! According to their website, “Never throw it in a garbage can or pour it down the sink, as it may pollute the local water supply”. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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An eye opener, right?! I came across this information because I recently used Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to give our nail polish stash a clean up. YEAH, that’s right – I am far from perfect and still making progress in certain departments….it’s a process! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I found some fun non-toxic nail polish options from ella+mila at Target for the girls Valentine’s Day “love baskets”.
Also, how adorable are these nail art stickers from @oliveandjune!?⠀
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Whether to let a child use makeup is a personal decision for parents. But if you do decide to allow it, there are steps you can take to make it safer…
Recently a report came out that the notorious carcinogen asbestos has been found in a children’s toy makeup kit. (Link in profile for article). There is NO “safe” level of exposure. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, and can cause grave, often fatal, illnesses whose symptoms may not become evident for decades after exposure. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Whether to let a child use makeup is a personal decision for parents. But if you do decide to allow it, here are steps you can take to make it safer:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1) Remember that the government does not require safety testing of cosmetics before they go on the market; and kids, who generally have thinner skin than adults, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hazardous ingredients. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2) Be wary of toy makeup kits. They are often made from cheap and potentially hazardous ingredients, including asbestos, lead and other chemicals of concern. Use Skin Deep® to make sure you are choosing the safest makeup for your child to use.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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3) Avoid powders, especially any that contain talc. Makeup in powder form is easily inhaled into little lungs, and can damage them. Instead look for cream-based blushers and eye shadow.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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4) Choose nail polish free from phthalates, formaldehyde and toluene. These ingredients are linked to cancer, hormone disruption and allergies. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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5) Look for products without the term “fragrance.” This umbrella term can be hiding hundreds of chemicals, including common allergens and endocrine disruptors.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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6) Choose lipsticks carefully. They can contain lead, which can impair brain development at extremely low doses, as well as nickel, cobalt and chromium, which which can cause skin sensitization and contact dermatitis. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And, finally, do your kids ask you to paint their nails at least once a week? Harper puts the “H” in high maintenance….I have no idea where she gets it. 😉
xx,
V.