December 28, 2009
Posted by marta
Whilst us boomers are enjoying great advances in skincare, I am shocked at how short-changed 20-somethings are. They get to choose between treated as though they are still an acne-prone teenager or are welcomed into adulthood by staid and stale regimes such as Clinique’s impoverished three-step thing (it’s been around since I was 20-something). There are 20-something brands, but all too often they use manic marketing to disguise mediocre products (think Philosophy).
20-somethings, thankfully, are an eco-conscious generation and so the first criteria for their skincare shopping should be do no evil, to themselves or the planet. Nor will they with John Masters Organics for hair and skin. While 20-somethings don’t need heavy duty anti-agers, they do need to get off to a good start with a skincare regime that keeps the skin healthy and glowing. Happily, there are lovely botanical brands such as Stem and Suki that will do just that. And, while not all of our Five Best brand picks are found in the bargain bins, we have made more than a nod to the fact 20-somethings are acutely feeling squeezed by the economy. It doesn’t get better value than Yes To Carrots and for bathroom cabinet basics Weleda just cleans up. Read more...
July 13, 2009
Posted by copley
Posted by Copley
A few days ago, the Environmental Working Group released its 2009 consumer guide to sunscreen. As the cosmetics industry’s most nit-picking non-profit, the EWG pushes for national policy change by wheedling out the most offending ingredients in consumer products. You have to be a step away from sainthood to win EWG’s approval, so you know that its picks for top sunscreen products must be impeccable.
EWG tested 902 sunscreens and SPF moisturizers by running ingredient lists from manufacturers through extensive databases to evaluate their active components. Of these, only 5% met the EWG’s criteria (which includes broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays, stability of the formula, and safety of the individual ingredients). As regular Truth in Aging readers know, our widely popular Five Best posts round up an authoritative mix of approved products in any one category. We now give the Environmental Working Group the floor to present its top choices for sun protection. On its scale of 0-9, a score of 0 is the EWG’s top safety rating. Read more...
April 22, 2009
Posted by marta
Posted by Marta
Truth In Aging’s mantra has always been that the products we like have to (1) show visible results that we’ve seen with our own eyes (2) are backed by clinical trials and consumer tests and (3) do no evil to us or the planet. It is a tall order to find products that aren’t full of necessary evils such as harmful preservatives or the unnecessary evils of chemicals and fillers. Happily, however, cosmetics are getting greener and there are some great brands that seem to live by mantras that are a little like our own. So, this Earth Day, here are some of the companies that we salute.
REN Clean Bio-Active Skincare is not my first choice for anti-aging potions and lotions, but they make great cleansers, shampoos and conditioners. The full range of this English company’s goodies isn’t available in the US, but when you do find something – such as the Moringa Seed Micro-protein shampoo – expect it be full of intelligently chosen botanicals. Read more...
