Published on June 12th, 2009
My daughter is blessed with very thick hair. She used to wear her locks very long, but now it is shoulder length. Even with shorter hair, it likes to tangle, and we often use a detangler. We’ve tried California Baby’s hair detangler, which we love, and Kiss My Face’s detangler, which doesn’t work so well. Now, we can add a new line of natural beauty care designed just for girls to our repertoire of hair detanglers: Sparklehearts!
One thing I love about Sparklehearts is they give full disclosure of their ingredients (they have not been evaluated by the Environmental Working Group yet), as well as actual percentages of organic and natural ingredients. The hair detangler, which really works by the way, is 99.6% organic and is paraben, phthalate, and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate free!
Like many of the companies we feature on Eco Child’s Play, Sparklehearts was started by moms searching for safer products for their children:
Most girls would wince in disgust if you told them their favorite body wash contained a chemical that is produced by boiling bugs (called carmine.) And, most parents would wince in disgust if you told them their daughter’s body lotion contained sulfates, phthalates and dozens of toxins and chemicals. Enter Sparklehearts, a line of natural, safe and fun beauty products that are girl- and parent-approved.
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Published on June 8th, 2009
We have been educating concerned parents about the effects of Phthalates here at Eco Child’s Play. Well studies now show that it is more harmful than what scientists have originally thought. According to Environmental Health News, Phthalates may soften and even weaken bones. “Phthalates used in plastics and beauty products can trigger bone cell death, finds this animal study. Phthalates provoke DNA damage that can lead to bone cell death”, researchers said in a study published by Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.
This study shows how a low-dose exposure to two types of commonly found phthalates has a profound effect on bone cells. Based on the results, long-term exposure to phthalates could have devastating effects on developing bones in young bodies and accelerate deterioration in aging bones. Estrogen deficiency is responsible for a number of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. For this reason, many are concerned about the effects of phthalate exposure on bone health.
Phthalates are plasticizers which are used to add flexibility to plastics. It has been the common ingredient in everyday items like food containers, baby bottles, and packaging for beauty products. Known as as a reproductive or endocrine disruptor; it is slowly being phased out by United States and European nations, but unfortunately, not quickly enough. Even more dangerous is the fact that Phthalates are used in a large variety of products including children’s toys. “Phthalate use is widespread. Phthalates are commonly found in household items made of plastics and in health and beauty products. Some products with phthalates include toys, vinyl flooring, plastic medical tubing, shower curtains and personal care products such as shampoo, hair sprays and detergents.”
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Published on June 6th, 2009
It is common now to see the USDA Organic logo on many beauty products, but this does not always mean a product is 100% organic or all natural. One way I know if I can trust a beauty product is by looking up the company on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) cosmetic database Skin Deep. Five Natures Paradise products have been tested by EWG, and the company received the lowest ratings for toxicity! From scores of 0 to 1, I know this is a company I can trust for my family’s skin care needs.
We at Natures Paradise are dedicated to developing the safest Certified Organic skin care products for the whole family. Using nothing but natures finest USDA Certified organic ingredients. We are the worlds 1st manufacturer to develop ONLY USDA Certified Organic products, we will never manufacture anything that can not be USDA Certified Organic. We are dedicated not only in providing the finest and safest skin care products but also to educate the world on the true meaning of Organic for their well being and the well being of our environment. We strive to make life better for everyone protecting both our body and our Earth.
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Published on May 31st, 2009
When I was a child, sunburns were common. We used suntan lotion to get tans not to protect us from the sun. Fortunately for today’s children, we know better. Sun damage in childhood can cause health problems as adults. Although it is important to expose your children to natural sunlight for vitamin absorption, these periods should be limited and occur during off peak hours.
When it comes to sunscreen ingredients, I trust the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to tell me what is safe. EWG recommends:
Which sunscreens are best for children?
Since kids are more vulnerable to damage caused by the sun and to harmful effects of chemical exposure, you want to make sure you choose a sunscreen that is rated highly in terms of both effectiveness (against both UVA and UVB radiation) and safety. Use EWG’s guide to help you find one. If your child is going to be swimming or playing in the water look for a sunscreen that says it is water resistant. Avoid sprays, powders and products with bug repellant. Make sure to apply sunscreen generously before going out and reapply often. (Don’t believe claims that a product will remain effective for a certain period of time, as these are not always reliable.) Infants under 6 months need special protection Ñ at this age, a fair-skinned baby does not have melanin proteins for sun protection and needs to be kept out of the sun. The AAP recommends that you avoid using sunscreen on children younger than 6 months unless protective shade and clothing are not available. In this case you can apply a minimal amount to exposed skin (AAP 2008). Remember that sunscreen is just one part of a sun-healthy lifestyle. Limiting sun exposure and wearing protective clothing are even more important than wearing sunscreen.
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Published on May 26th, 2009
I have a couple beautiful ZuluGrass necklace strands to give away. And yes these necklaces are really made from grass and glass beads on a stretchy elastic string. The necklaces can be worn as bracelets, anklets, belts, hair accessories and more.
To find out how to get a free ZuluGrass necklace keep reading. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on May 21st, 2009
There is always so calming about baths. Maybe it’s a reminder of our time in the womb when we floated freely and without worry. Regardless of the reason, it’s also a great way to create night time ritual and connect at the end of the busy day. I can not say enough good things about baths, so it is especially important to have the most natural and non-toxic cleanser for the tiniest of tots since they will be immersed in it.
Of course, almost all baby product companies claim their products are “natural” and “pure” but this seems to be more of a misleading advertisement rather than their commitment to bring safe products to consumers who don’t have the time or desire to do more than read the label that states it is, and so it must be. (That’s why there are sites like Eco Child’s Play to provide education on that… but I digress). It doesn’t help when FDA refuses to take a stance on reproductive disruptors like Phthalates and BPA.
But as with any darkness, there comes hope. Created by a physician who wanted only the very best for his then pregnant wife; Dr. Jason Rubin with his wife created Belli Skin Care, a line of natural prenatal and baby products that didn’t contain the dreaded Phthalates as well as other “xenoestrogens– ingredients which can act like hormones and interfere with normal development of the reproductive system”. The essential cleansing ingredient is coconut oil with some essential oil extract like Calendula and chamomile, both which have soothing qualities. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on May 18th, 2009
The days are getting longer, the sun is shining, and kids want to be outside. Soon there will be a whole summer full of long days and energetic kids spending hours outdoors. Yet there are a few things that can put a damper on summer fun fast…sunburns and bug bites.
How can you keep your kids safe from burns and bugs while being healthy and green?
Read on for several eco-options. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on May 4th, 2009
Kiss My Face was kind enough to share their two new lines with one lucky reader. This giveaway included the Potent & Pure Facial Care, and the Sheer Organic Shimmers & Shines mineral lip care products.
These wonderful new lines are natural and organic, respectively.
I asked for readers to share with me their favorite recent Eco Child’s Play story.
And the winner is…
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Published on April 30th, 2009
Hankettes began in 1996 as a small home business in the founders’ attic, making simple handkerchiefs out of organic cotton. Today, they make and sell some of the greatest in reusable “green” products out there. And there’s now much more than just handkerchiefs!
What makes Hankettes so great? There isn’t a single aspect of “green” production that they’ve missed. All their products are hand-sewn. The cloth is all organically-grown cotton. Coloured fabrics are either colour-grown or hand-dyed with fiber reactive dyes. Production is all local, along the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada. It’s still at heart a small family business. Their practices are transparent. Their website links to “green” information, resources, and even competitors. And the family itself is a homesteading, homeschooling, compost toileting role model, that truly walks the walk. They are proof positive that sustainable and ethical business practices can be successful.
Our business truly reflects our lives and enhances the lives of our environmentally conscious customers around the world who purchase our natural based products.
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Published on April 29th, 2009
I was particularly disturbed by a recent article in Newsweek. The magazine sat around my house for weeks (what parent has time to read a whole article?) until the article Tales of a Modern Diva caught my attention.
This story shared some shocking statistics about this generation of young girls, and their use of cosmetics that stopped me in my tracks. As a feminist and critic of the relentless media exposure most children face daily, I aggressively limit the amount of media my girls are exposed to. But ultimately, it will catch up with them, by way of their peers.
First of all, the whole idea that there is a reality show about the beauty industry of toddlers makes me nauseas (Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC). Add that to the fact that now there are actual spas for the girls and the preteen set, and I am tempted to take my girls and run for the hills in a hut with no Internet, TV and home schooling. In some ways, though, I might just be putting off the inevitable.
Here are a few statistics to consider from this article:
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My daughter is blessed with very thick hair. She used to wear her locks very long, but now it is shoulder length. Even with shorter hair, it likes to tangle, and we often use a detangler. We’ve tried California Baby’s hair detangler, which we love, and Kiss My Face’s detangler, which doesn’t work so well. Now, we can add a new line of natural beauty care designed just for girls to our repertoire of hair detanglers: Sparklehearts!
