By Lisa Poisso
Inspiring children to take charge and take care — of themselves, one another and the world around them — is high on the list of a mindful parent’s tasks. It’s not just about buying healthy products for our families; it’s about teaching them how to do it for themselves and why that’s important.
A group called Teens for Safe Cosmetics aims to do just that. “Elevated rates of cancer, reproductive problems, early onset puberty, learning differences, and many other chronic health problems are on the rise,” explains the group’s website. “While a range of factors, from lifestyle to heredity, may contribute to these problems, scientific evidence suggests that harmful chemicals may play a significant role.”
Teens for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition led by dynamic passionate young women. Its mission is to educate the public about safe and healthy lifestyle choices, advocate for legislation that protects our health, and inspire positive and collaborative changes towards a greener world.
Teens for Safe Cosmetics aims to:
- Educate the public about existing toxic chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products
- Advocate for legislation that protects our right to health
- Inspire teens across the nation to work together and create change within their communities
Download PDFs like The Dirty Dozen (a list of toxic chemicals to avoid), Greener Alternatives (a list of eco-conscious beauty products and where to find them) and Face Facts (a few key facts to start learning about safer cosmetics). A Get Involved page offers a whole host of ways to get started helping spread the word about unsafe products and ingredients. And it’s all made possible with big-name backing from companies like Whole Foods, Pangea Organics and Weleda.
Get involved on the ground floor
You and your daughters can get involved from the very beginning. The group is looking for teen members as well as adults who might be interested in mentoring local chapters of the fledgling advocacy group. Find out if a chapter is forming in your area and how to get involved by calling (415) 289-1001 or inquiring via e-mail.
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