I'm going to ruin your life and make it so much better all in one swoop - by introducing you to the Think Dirty App I am putting you on a road (and a black hole - sorry!) that will have you scanning every barcode in your bathroom and entering every skincare item you've ever put on your face. You will groan with annoyance when favorite products are "in the red" and let out a yelp of happiness when they're "in the green". Here's how it works:
After downloading the free Think Dirty App (avail on Apple, soon to be on Android) consumers scan the barcode for or type in the name of a beauty product - haircare, makeup, skincare, bath/body, etc. - and if enough folks have looked up that same product it will have been added to Think Dirty's database. Companies can also have their products added (after running their ingredient decks through the third party) if they'd like to share their ratings with the public.
Think Dirty tells you how the product ranks in three categories
- Carcinogenicity
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
- Allergies and Immunotoxicities
You get an ingredient list by "color" and you can click on each ingredient which links to studies that tell you why it's getting a Green (0-3), Yellow (4-7) or Red (8-10) Rating and then you can make your decision of whether that makes it a make or break situation for you.
For example, I love Carol's Daughter Monoi Hair Mask and it gets a 9 (red - bad!) because of the added fragrance which is a 9 and then some so-so ingredients that are in yellow. Now, I love that fragrance and I'm washing it out of my hair, not leaving it on my skin so I'm totally fine with it. If it were a skincare item, like the Coppertone Water Babies that I used to wear as I assumed stuff targeting babies would be healthy (wrong!), with other ingredients I don't like, or if it had fragrance and it was skincare, then that would make me cut it. So, you kind of have to decide what your "line" is and then purchase differently next time which is super easy as most of the products on the app have a "Shop" option where you can purchase them online.
But I love the app because I feel like it gives you education and information - and I don't want it to come from a fear-based place but an "oh, I didn't know that. Next time I will purchase something different" type of place. And you can literally scan stuff at the store!!
So, how does Erin's Faces stack up??? At this moment I've got my skincare listed so here's how it shakes out - see how your favorite products fare! If you have a fave please head over to Think Dirty and "like it" :) -
These guys are all detergent, sulfate and dye free (the black is from charcoal).
Anti-aging powerhouses with no silicones or petrochemicals - yes please!
Gentle and hydrating - just what the doctor ordered.
Anti-aging SPF for the face and gentle SPF for the body.
Hardcore lifters and firmers in here do great work without any icky stuff.
Keeping your pretty face buffed, retexturized and free of pore cloggers.
All of these are officially baby safe goodies for your little ones - even infants!
These scrubs are made with essential oils instead of added synthetic fragrances.
Hydrating, soothing and so luxurious!
Toxin-free in arenas (mosquito spray and room spray) that are notorious for adding chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
