How to spot greenwashing vs truly non-toxic

Companies today know that we want more natural, less toxic products. More studies are emerging showing that the chemicals we are ingesting and putting on our skin are causing very real health issues. These same chemicals are also being washed down our drains and into our water and food supply. Companies also know that we busy and often don’t have the time to investigate the products we are buying.

Many companies have started producing lines of “non-toxic” products and touting them as better for you and the environment. The sucky thing is that a lot of times they aren’t! These companies design their products to LOOK less toxic but, they are filled with just as many toxic chemicals as their regular counterparts.

Greenwashing is when a company or individual sells you on the idea that their product is “cleaner”, “non-toxic” and safer for you and the environment. They often use light, white, or neutral color palettes to sell that idea of “clean/pure ingredients.” They also tell you our product is free of certain ingredients but fail to mention it is still full of tons of toxic chemicals that are bad you and the planet.

Greenwashing is easy to fall for because companies put a lot of money and research into these products. So how can you not get duped into thinking something is green?

There are a few sure-fire ways to spot that companies could be misleading you or greenwashing you.

Check the Facts

1. https://www.sustain.life/blog/what-is-greenwashing mentions that not having any actual data or statistics to back up a claim is a huge red flag. Instead of 87.5% renewed energy they might say something like made with nature in mind! Going to company websites or even just reading the bottle can clue you into the idea of clean versus the science backed data of clean.

Fragrance

2. When a product has fragrance in it! Fragrance is a huge place without regulations that companies can add all kinds of chemicals to make their products smell “natural”. Just because it smells like lavender doesn’t mean there is any lavender in the product.

Look for Free From…

3. Products that have any of the following parabens, synthetic fragrance and dye, phthalates, sulfates, SLS and SLES, formaldehyde donors. Many non-toxic products actually state free off and list all of the above. These chemicals are the most commonly used have lots of research showing they can be toxic to you and the environment!

Look up the Score

4. The ewg.org will be your best friend here! Seriously, they have a database where they have researched and rated every ingredient in products so they can give you an overall “non-toxic” score. Check the picture above to see a few “clean” products that all have C or D safety scores! The EWG states that B and above are considered safe! They even have their own certification to keep an eye out for in the most non-toxic products!

Try not to stress if you’ve been duped by a brand or product! It happens all the time and all you can do is just try to choose better next time!

Which products got you? Seventh Generation had me for YEARS! I think it was that they weren’t a major brand so I thought oh this is a new “clean” brand.