Most people like to start the new year off with a new look. Whether you think wearing blue eyeshadow every day is the right image for you or not, those creams and lotions that you use are just as important as what you eat. Similar to the chemicals used when growing food, ingredients used in beauty products are absorbed into the skin, with some having adverse effects on the body. A number of companies have sprung up in recent years, touting the benefits of organic and all-natural skin care. Electing to remove some, but not all, of the known harmful chemicals is often the case with most brands.

While there are a number of ingredients to look out for, one of the most common ones is parabens. Bi-products of petroleum refinement (you know, that stuff you put in your car), parabens are often used as a preservative in everything from lotion and body wash to hair care and makeup. Why anyone would think it is safe to put that on your skin is beyond me, but those buggers are in thousands of products. This is not meant to discount the other dangerous additives out there, but take a look in your bathroom - you might be surprised to find at least 50 percent have parabens in them.

In terms of cosmetics safety, your best bet is to buy products whose ingredient list you can pronounce or fully understand. The following are some of the most trusted (and happily tested by me) brands on the market. Often available at your local health food stores, you can also purchase chosen goods directly from the company’s website, making it all the easier to be clean and green.

• Dr Bronner’s: I am one of those folks that adores trying new stuff - especially beauty products. Once I used Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap, I vowed never to try another body wash again. Yeah, it is that good. Available in six different scents, these castile soaps have literally 18 different uses. Add in the fact that they are made from all organic (and soon to be fair trade) ingredients and you’ve got one successful company. Bar soap and a useful all purpose cleaner make up the rest of their offerings, but nothing beats the classic liquid. My personal favorite is the almond version: a scent which leaves you feeling clean, as well as perfectly balanced between energized and serene.
• Aubrey Organics: Since 1967, this Florida-based business has continued to be at the forefront of natural cosmetics, showcasing an impressive list of “firsts” on their website, including being the first to list ingredients in 1967 to the first to be certified organic in 1994. Even with 130 products in their arsenal, Aubrey Organics continues to be run by the same family that started it all. My first encounter with them came when I was looking for a shampoo and conditioner that I could trust. Out of all that was available at my local natural food store, Aubrey proved to be the best in terms of components and effectiveness. My adoration for them has continued most recently into their skin care as well.
• Zoya: Have you ever wondered why nail polish smelled so strong? Formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate just night have something to do with it. Even after studies showed that these chemicals could cause cancer and birth defects, they are still widely used. Zoya pride themselves on being one of the very few brands (if not the only one) whose polishes are free of all three of these additives: safe, smart, and stylish. Using the store locator on their site, I was able to find a plethora of local salons that used their products. After just one pedicure with Zoya, I’m hooked.

For more information on dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, visit www.SafeCosmetics.org

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