Personal Care Products

Two personal care products that I use twice a day are Dove Beauty Bar, White and Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Foam Wash. Using EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, I found that both products scored a 4 (moderate hazard). The ingredient concerns that scored a moderate or high hazard in the Dove Beauty Bar were fragrance (high) and Cocamidopropyl Betaine (moderate). Two of the concerns of this product are irritation to skin, eyes or lungs, and organ system toxicity. There were 8 ingredients in the Cetaphil product that scored a moderate or high hazard. The concerns regarding this product are contamination concerns, persistence and bioaccumulation, and like the Dove Beauty Bar, irritation and organ system toxicity. This was especially concerning to me because I think my dermatologist actually recommended I use this product. The overall data availability for both products was listed as limited. If these products scored a moderate hazard on limited data, I am afraid that it is a lot less safer than it seems. Knowing all of this information, I plan to look into safer alternatives for face and body washes. I am really glad I was introduced to EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. It has given me greater awareness of what I am putting on my body. I will definitely use this tool to make changes in my personal care routine.