Ask Tamara: What personal care products do you use?
For those new to this website:
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
Mascara? Eyeliner? Lipstick? Lotion? Toothpaste?
Shampoo? Conditioner? Deodorant? Perfume? Soap?
So many Lead Safe Mama online community members have asked me what products I use for personal care (“... given so many popular brands include toxic ingredients, have questionable quality control and/or ethics… what do YOU use?“— they ask).
- I pretty much use NO personal care products these days.
- I generally use local bar-soap (or soap made by a friend) to wash my hair and my body.
- I have been using this toothpaste since we tested it and it came back clean: https://amzn.to/4cE7UeD
- I never wear any makeup of any kind (no lipstick, foundation, blush – or anything like that!)
- I don’t dye my hair.
- I get my nails done every now and then with my kids – I like having sparkles on my nails. I think I have gotten my nails done three times in the past year. (Since my husband requested this 25 years ago, we don’t keep nail polish – or nail polish remover – in the house due to toxicity concerns).
- I will give this some thought and see if there is anything else I want to do to update this piece, so stand by for that — lol.
As always, feel free to ask questions!
Tamara Elise Rubin
Owner — Lead Safe Mama, LLC
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on a Lead Safe Mama affiliate link, we may receive a percentage of what you spend – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support of our work in this way!
Never Miss an Important Article Again!
Join our Email List
Thank Tamara! Dr Bonner’s now has toothpaste too. Have you seen them? If so, I’d be curious about what you think.
Hi Tamara, what about shampoo for your boys? Do you have a trusted shampoo? Thank you!
Kelly
Hi Tamara. I’ve recently been researching, looking for the best non-toxic cookware options. Was wondering what brands/types of cookware you use around your house? Thanks!
Hi Tamara,
We’re moving to a new apartment that has a chandelier. I’m guessing it may have lead and am planning to replace it. Is there any chandelier that is safe? The light fixture is right above the dining room table and I’m worried about lead dust ending up in our food.
I have actually tested quite a few chandeliers that ended up being cut glass and not leaded crystal, so you might not have to worry about that. If you wanted to you could take a crystal or two off for testing (you could send to me for testing) – email for deets if you don’t have them already.
Thank you for the work you do to keep us informed! Six or seven years ago I purchased the Denby “Elements” (light blue outside and light grey inside)dinnerware because the company claimed lead and cadmium free. I am now interested in purchasing the Denby “Heritage Terrace” dinnerware. Any information would be helpful. Thank you
You are very welcome! I am not sure that I have tested anything new from that company. I will double check and get back to you.
You’ve tested a few toothpaste and found them to be toxic for children. Any non-toxic/recommended toothpastes for adults or children? Thank you
Hi Tamara, have you tested the ZuZu mascara and liner, and the Logona lipstick, for lead? I figured probably but didn’t want to assume since I didn’t see it explicitly mentioned. Thanks!
My kids are often gifted lip balm. One we have around is Disney brand. Blueberry flavored with Elsa on it and another one with Anna. Have you tested these? What is the best way to test makeup and lip balm at home?
Hi Dana,
Unfortunately these things have to be tested in a lab. They are toxic below limits of detection of any home test or even an XRF instrument. However, if they are Disney branded – they have likely been tested.
Tamara
Dear Tamara,
Your site has become a life guide for so many people and I’m among them! Priceless work,so much important information! Thank you!!!!!!! I haven’t found anything about sunscreens here… I wonder if you and your family use any? I would love to buy one for my 19 months old son, but worry so much as read many articles saying they are full of heavy metals(even organic ones). Can you recommend any brand?
Thank you so much in advance!!!
Maryna
I use an amazing website called EWG.org to find sunscreens. They rate all the products in their database with a number, 1-10. One being the best/safest and 10 being the worst. You can see each ingredient and all the studies that have been done on it and why it got that rating.
I no longer trust them – they list several lead-contaminated products with top ratings. Read this:
https://tamararubin.com/2022/12/cognitive-dissonance-several-lead-contaminated-products-have-received-1-ratings-from-ewg/
Tamara
Any toothpastes you recommend for adults and children? Also looking for shampoo and body wash.
What about grass-fed tallow soap?
Tamara, What do you use to clean your hair and skin?
Hi Tamara, I need a skin moisturizing lotion for dry skin, e.g. hands, feet. Have you tested any? Can’t find the brand names like eucerin, lubriderm, aquaphor on your website except occasionally associated with sunscreen or diaper cream. Love the work you are doing, although the products rarely seem to apply to me.