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91st out of 131 books
—
22 voters
No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics
Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don't realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It's not pretty. In this must-read, Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics indus...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 13th 2010
by Da Capo Lifelong Books
(first published 2010)
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This book talks all about all the dangerous ingredients in every day cosmetic brands like Oil of Olay, Garnier, L'Oreal,etc & why they are bad for you. Once you start reading this you'll realize part of the reason why there is a rise in cancer is due to all the crap we put in & on our bodies. Did you know that a lot of the stuff we use has carcinogenic ingredients? That those ingredients are basically shortening our lives little by little? The companies that make the products deny this &...more
As a reformed conventional beauty product user, I'm happier than ever that a book this NASTY is out there for easy, general reference. And by NASTY, I mean, it is SO GROSS to know about some ingredients that are allowed to be used in makeup, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, hair dye, etc.
This book spares no feelings for the corporations. The cosmetics and body care industry is self-regulated, which basically translates to unregulated; the FDA is a crock and packagin...more
This book spares no feelings for the corporations. The cosmetics and body care industry is self-regulated, which basically translates to unregulated; the FDA is a crock and packagin...more
This is a great book although I wish it had been written by a toxicologist as opposed to being written by journalists who interviewed toxicologists. Nevertheless, this book held many light bulb moments for me. Prior to this book I did not know about the vast resources available online for investigating the toxicology of personal cosmetics. And since I put the book down in August, I have made great (lasting!) changes to my makeup, skincare, and shampoo lineup. And the nice thing is that I haven't...more
I could not put this book down which is not what I expected from a book about chemicals. Not only is it easy to read and extremely informative, but it's also terrifying! Terrifying as in, "look at the chemicals we are putting on our bodies every day, and how they are being absorbed right through our skin, scalp, etc. and what they are doing to our health."
Only 11 percent of the 10,500 ingredients in our products have been tested for safety. There's seemingly no regulation, or anyone else (like t...more
Only 11 percent of the 10,500 ingredients in our products have been tested for safety. There's seemingly no regulation, or anyone else (like t...more
A must read for anyone with skin. (That means you!) A well-written, accessible account of the lack of regulations in the beauty industry, the dangerous ingredients in everyday brands (many of which are banned in European countries), and where you can go to find brands that aren't toxic or carcinogenic.
The first place I looked while reading this book was the labels of all the products I am using on my toddler. I was SHOCKED when I realized I was bathing my child in contaminants that even the EPA...more
The first place I looked while reading this book was the labels of all the products I am using on my toddler. I was SHOCKED when I realized I was bathing my child in contaminants that even the EPA...more
If you think the FDA or some other agency is making sure there isn't anything harmful in our cosmetics, think again. Only 11% of the 10,500 ingredients determined by the FDA to be used in cosmetics have been tested for safety. Europe has banned more than 1,000 ingredients for personal-care products while the U.S. has banned 9. Many of the chemicals in personal-care products have been shown to be carcinogenic or toxic in other ways. This is allowed because of the small doses used, but the effects...more
This is a pretty comprehensive look at the damaging chemicals that are found in most bath and cosmetic products in the US. There is an explanation of why the products are harmful and a list of what to stay away from, but more importantly there are reviews and recommendations of various green products. I especially appreciated the balanced manner that products are discussed. The cleanest products are highlighted but then middle of the road products are mentioned as well. That way even if you cann...more
How all that stuff we put on our skin, in our hair etc. may not be good for us. The unregulated beauty products may in fact be harmful. Goes through each part of the body and how it absorbs and uses what we put on it. Plus some marketing information of how we are sold these products (we think shampoo doesn't work if it doesn't foam for example - which is not true). We use products that smell nice and strip out skin of it's natural oils then we have to add oils back to our skin (similar to how we...more
This book is a must-read for anyone focussing on clean living. O'Conmor and Spunt take a hard look at the cosmetics industry's hold on American women and the lack of regulation, or rather, the blatant self-regulation of these companies in the name of profit margins. The aauthors focus on the dangers in our makeup bottles (both KNOWN dangers and suspected dangers) and suggest alternatives for cleaning and beautifying every part of our daily routines, acknowledging all the while that routines vary...more
Have you ever read the back of your shampoo bottle and wondered what all those ingredients actually are? Then this book is for you. The beauty product industry is both huge and powerful and generally don't want consumers to know that most of their products contain thousands of chemicals that can readily be absorbed through our skin. Many of these chemicals are known irritants, and some are possible carcinogens.
Other than some very eye opening information, the best part about this book is the aut...more
Other than some very eye opening information, the best part about this book is the aut...more
TCL Call#: 363.196 O'Connor S
Christy - 4 stars
Beauty can be healthy! O'Connor and Spunt have done all of the research for us on shampoo, soap, makeup, deodorant, and more, to summarize a) What exactly companies are putting into our products (yes, even 'natural' and 'organic' products) and b) What some safe alternatives are for you.
The writing is readable, not overly scientific. I enjoyed the organization-- I felt like I didn't have to read the entire thing, I could just flip to what's important...more
Christy - 4 stars
Beauty can be healthy! O'Connor and Spunt have done all of the research for us on shampoo, soap, makeup, deodorant, and more, to summarize a) What exactly companies are putting into our products (yes, even 'natural' and 'organic' products) and b) What some safe alternatives are for you.
The writing is readable, not overly scientific. I enjoyed the organization-- I felt like I didn't have to read the entire thing, I could just flip to what's important...more
This book is a must-have guide through the ickiness that is the modern beauty industry. It not only breaks down exactly what all those weird sounding chemicals are on the ingredients list of many common beauty products and tells you why you should never, ever willingly put them anywhere near your body, it also tells you the safer, cleaner alternatives you can buy in health stores, or even your local CVS. It also includes lots of great ideas for making simple and inexpensive beauty products and t...more
Not to be an earth-friendly zealot, but this book has only continued to confirm what I've read in the blogosphere and elsewhere. I'm phasing out all of my personal care products and introducing clean, non-toxic stuff into my life. The thing I really like about this book is that they make realistic suggestions for alternatives to every day products - things you can buy in grocery stores, online, or make yourself at home. But they back up every suggestion and warning with documented (and footnoted...more
This book sorts out the research on skin/beauty products, gives you the risks of what you put on your skin, and provides alternatives. It's formatted so you can skim it if you don't feel like reading about every long-worded chemical. Toward the end, I did wish that the authors gave the reader more credit instead of assuming he/she wouldn't want to know about chemistry. I also grew tired of the slang, but I guess they're targeting a certain audience. (I'd recommend it to my mom but I'm not sure s...more
Alright ladies...it is time to take control back from the cosmetic companies and stop using all the unsafe, awful products we put on our hair, face and body. Did you know that Europe has deemed unsafe and banned over 1,000 chemicals from cosmetics whereas the US has only banned 9 of those chemicals. This was a very enlightening book about the unregulated personal healthcare industry, specific ingredients to look out for and clean product recommendations. I highly recommend it to anyone looking f...more
PEG can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane? Shampoo isn't supposed to attempt to make my hair squeaky clean, necessitating loads of conditioner which is likely causing breakouts? Hum.
In this book O'Connor and Spunt discuss just how little safety regulation is applicable to the cosmetics products we use day in and day out and offer suggestions for purchasing/using/making beauty products that are 'without a doubt' healthy. It's a message that needs to be spread. Why do we trust companies to do what...more
In this book O'Connor and Spunt discuss just how little safety regulation is applicable to the cosmetics products we use day in and day out and offer suggestions for purchasing/using/making beauty products that are 'without a doubt' healthy. It's a message that needs to be spread. Why do we trust companies to do what...more
Jun 10, 2011
Anna
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone with skin
Shelves:
health-beauty,
nonfiction
Update:
After originally reading this book I was overwhelmed. The authors do a great job of terrifying the reader with their chosen narrative. I threw out almost everything in my bathroom and had a panic attack about the products that I had been using on my children. But then after doing more reading and the investigating the science behind the claims in this book it became clear that the authors have a clear bias in their reporting. They ignore contemporary research that refuted claims that fit...more
After originally reading this book I was overwhelmed. The authors do a great job of terrifying the reader with their chosen narrative. I threw out almost everything in my bathroom and had a panic attack about the products that I had been using on my children. But then after doing more reading and the investigating the science behind the claims in this book it became clear that the authors have a clear bias in their reporting. They ignore contemporary research that refuted claims that fit...more
I've dealt with skin issues for years - chronic irritation, bumps, redness, reactions that only seem to increase as I get older. Dermatologists just prescribe one steroid-based cream after another, so my problems would disappear only to resurface once I stopped using whatever I was prescribed. So I picked up this book to start to understand more about what goes into these products, as one look at my vanity and bathroom cabinet will show you I'm quite the product junkie.
Written in a similar tone...more
Written in a similar tone...more
Just started this but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's going to cause a major upheaval of my bathroom cabinet and shower caddy. The amount of insane unknown chemicals in all these bottles of goop is staggering. It can't possibly be good for us. Looking forward to getting the scoop and hearing what the authors recommend as alternatives. If I can go "green" with my cleaning supplies, why shouldn't I care a bit more about the potions I slather on my skin?
**Updated: I finished this week and LO...more
**Updated: I finished this week and LO...more
This is an essential read for every woman. You know what you put on your face is not as good as it sounds, but you don't clearly know why. The two authors are very courageous for choosing to deal in depth with the issue of the beauty industry abusing our health. However, I wish the book contained more product recommendations and homemade recipes, and more detailed alternatives.
As other reviewers have suggested there is definitely some good information in this book and it does well as a primer to what is actually in the beauty products you use every day. However, the chapters get extremely repetitive and the writing is almost insultingly "conversational" especially for a Isn't wanting to be healthy & safe a good enough reason to investigate your beauty regimen? Do the writers really have to keep mentioning how natural products will make you less ugly? Not a bad bo...more
Decent book - I definitely learned some things and it was full of good intentions. Overall though I felt the writing tone was too casual and some suggestions were unrealistic (carry fresh beet juice in your purse as an alternative to blush and lipstick?). But it did open my eyes to some important facts and I've since swapped out some things for cleaner products.
I skimmed through the descriptions of why chemicals are bad for you...and it was still redundant. I don't think the products they recommend can be easily found in stores...and I'm not likely to buy shampoo, makeup, etc online. I wish the parts that describe making your own products had more recipes and ideas. Overall, not very inspiring.
As someone who avoids most crunchy-granola alternative things, I approached with a grain of salt. The advice is well written without being preachy and I suggest skimming & taking the product recommendations under serious consideration. Some are on the expensive side but the authors do a fairly good job of offering a range of price points.
Another great read looking at the beauty industry and some GREAT recommendations for company's out their striving to make a difference with safe, effective beauty products. (Evan Healy is an amazing find). This book is highly recommended as its style is straight to the point whilst being entertaining and engaging. Highly recommended!
A must read if you routinely marinate your body in conventional beauty products. The chemicals in our makeup, hair dye, nail polish, deodorant, shampoo, body soap (and on and on) absolutely freak me out. A great intro to the chemicals in standard beauty products as well as alternatives and suggestions for cleaner living.
This book was fascinating but scary. I have cleaned out all the beauty products and cosmetics from my bathroom. I'm in the process of restocking everything with chemical free products. I've even tried washing my hair with baking soda. I was pleasently suprised to see that it worked great.
This book should be required reading for all women!
This book should be required reading for all women!
Definitely an eye opener. Will now be much more careful about what I out on my body and why... Seems that europe has better regulations than the US, so it's every woman for herself, at least for now. Glad I stumbled across the no more dirty looks blog from well+goodnyc!!
Really helpful. Thought the drug references seemed a bit out of place though. It seems to odd to joke about snorting things in a book that is all about thinking carefully about what you put in/on your body. Also, "heat it like crack" aren't very helpful instructions. :P
Everything you ever wanted to know about beauty products...and some things you will probably wish you hadn't found out. It ay change your attitude about how you cleanse, moisturize, shampoo,condition, color, paint, curl, exfoliate....or not.
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| GOOD | 1 | 4 | Jun 04, 2010 08:21am |
Aug 24, 2010 08:55am