Main navigation

W.E.L.L. Insiders

Wellness. Empowerment. Learning. Luxury.

Amy Flyntz

The MADE SAFE Hazard List Launches Today—Here’s What You Need to Know

By Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever been curious about ingredients in the personal care products you reach for every day or the chemicals used in formulating what you clean with, what you sleep on or why your favorite ice cream is that color, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed at best—and discouraged at worst. Today, MADE SAFE®, the nonprofit organization committed to providing the “first compressive human health-focused certification for nontoxic products across store aisles,” launches the MADE SAFE® Hazard List, a guide to help us navigate the “chemical conundrum.”

What Is It?

With more than 84,000 chemicals in the marketplace right now, consumers are having to sort out “guilty” chemicals in order to prevent them from being in products. “That’s a big ask!” says Amy Ziff, founder and executive director of MADE SAFE®. “People don’t know how to determine if something is a ‘disruptor’—endocrine, behavioral, reproductive—but we do. We want to decipher and decode for consumers and be a resource in cleaning up their own lives, their homes, their products. All of these chemicals can be uninvited guests that come unwittingly in things we buy.” The MADE SAFE® Hazard List will help take the burden of research and guesswork off consumers’ shoulders, and serve as a guide for brands interested in learning how to work with Made Safe.

“MADE SAFE® believes very firmly that education is at the root of change,” Amy says. “Understanding, learning, getting information and being able to act on that will, for some people, will mean buying the MADE SAFE® label products; for others, they’ll want to learn even more and self-cull and curate their choices.”

For a brand that wants to work with MADE SAFE®, Amy says, “This can be a hard look in the mirror, and then brands can determine where to start to reformulate. Sometimes, if they’ve been careful along the way with their formulas, it’s a quick and easy finish. For the majority of brands, though, there’s a lot to be learned, and they can use our scientific process to come out the other side. It’s important for brands to be able to say, ‘We don’t allow these things in our products.’”

What’s On It?

Though not every single chemical is listed on the MADE SAFE® Hazard List, it does represent some of the most common, worst offending toxicants across categories. “Scientific process determines what’s on the list,” Amy shares. “We’ve had to weigh what to put on it without overwhelming people, but we thought these are the ones that belonged. We’ll continue to add as information emerges or is relevant.” The Hazard List is organized by categories—heavy metal, mercury, sunscreen, pesticides, antibacterials, antimicrobials, fragrance, artificial flavors and more—to make it easy for consumers and brands to find that for which they’re searching.

How Can I Access It?

The MADE SAFE® Hazard List launches today on madesafe.org. “The list will serve as a living, breathing tool,” Amy says. “This is just the beginning. It will continue to grow as warranted.” MADE SAFE® will continue to provide “chemical callouts” on their site and in their monthly newsletters; up-to-date information will also be posted to Instagram @madesafehq.

With the knowledge the list provides, consumers and brands are now empowered to make decisions based in proven science. The launch of the MADE SAFE® Hazard List makes it easier than ever to determine what’s best for our individual health, and what makes sense for our unique lifestyles.

Want to know more about how MADE SAFE® came to be? Read our interview with Amy Ziff, and find out what the certification means for brands and consumers. 

Hawaii Is Trying to Ban Sunscreens That Are Toxic to Coral Reefs (Plus 5 Nontoxic Swaps We Love)

By Leave a Comment

For many of us, the Hawaiian Islands conjure images of paradise: azure waves racing to kiss the shores of pristine beaches, lush mountains rising high enough to touch the sky and a beautiful abundance of plants, flowers and fresh food—and that’s just life above sea level. The underwater coral reefs surrounding these islands were once ripe with native marine life, but now, they stand in the ocean, bleached—resulting in the leaching of nutrients, ecosystems in turmoil and threatening the life that depends on them. This month, as the first state in the U.S. to do so, a bill has been passed for Hawaii to ban sunscreens with chemicals toxic to its reefs and marine life.

Each year, an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in oceans across the world; in 2015, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory found that an average of 412 pounds of sunscreen was left behind every day (let that sink in) on the Hanauma Bay reef in Oahu—one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island. The new ban will prohibit the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that scientists have discovered contribute to coral bleaching. In their place, beachgoers can opt for sunscreens with non-nano mineral blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—safer for the environment, and safer for you and your loved ones.

If the bill is signed by the governor, the ability for Hawaii to ban sunscreens toxic to its coral reefs will go into effect in 2021.

Headed to the beach (any beach!) this summer? There’s no need to ditch the sunscreen altogether and risk damaging your skin to sunburn. Consider these reef-safe sunscreens to not only protect your skin, but the precious marine ecosystem, as well.

1. Erin’s Faces

2. Raw Elements 

3. Suntegrity 

4. Babo Botanicals
5. All Good 

Want more info about nontoxic sunscreen? Read our worry-free guide to sunscreen shopping, including more of our favorite picks.

Women We’re Watching: Resistance Revival Chorus + Nitika Chopra

By Leave a Comment

Nitika Chopra is a chronic illness advocate, inspirational wellness speaker and self-love guru. She’s also a member of the Resistance Revival Chorus, a group of 60 people identifying as women who seek to resist, and scatter joy through the art of song and, with their monthly Resistance Revival Nights. A commitment to inclusivity, resistance and joy make Nitika Chopra and the Resistance Revival Chorus women we’re watching.

Tell us about the Resistance Revival Chorus. How did it get started, and what is its mission?

Resistance Revival Chorus was started by some of the founding members of the Women’s March: Paola Mendoza, Sarah Sophie Flicker and Ginny Suss. These women had been at the forefront of what happened during election time, and by the summer of 2017, they were feeling exhausted and depleted from being on the front lines. They spent time with legendary civil rights activist, singer, songwriter and actor Harry Belafonte, who shared his belief, “When the movement is strong, the music is strong.” He talked with them about finding joy in resistance. Through the Resistance Revival Chorus, we try to show up and create that for people as much as we can possibly can. We have to keep resisting, keep showing up and we can’t give up—but if our bodies are breaking down and our spirits are tired, how do we keep going? Finding the joy in the resistance is the answer.

What made you want to be a part of the Resistance Revival Chorus?

Paola and I have been friends for a long time. She had emailed a group of her friends to join the Resistance Revival Chorus, including me, and the first though in my head was, “That’s so cool!” When I was younger, I took voice lessons weekly for 15 years. In my culture, performing or flaunting my spirit was not encouraged, but as a young girl, singing to me always felt like I was holding God’s hands. I thought Paola’s idea was great, but I was hesitant to join because of all of those feelings of not being supported when I was younger. When Paola posted the first rehearsal of the Chorus on Facebook, though, I thought, “These are my people!” I’ve been with them since the second rehearsal.

Photo courtesy nitikachopra.com

We love that the Chorus showcases artists across all genres during its performances. Why is it important to use myriad art forms to further the resistance?

The resistance isn’t just about one cause. It’s about every voice, every moment of oppression, every time people are pushed down and told they’re not okay. From love to women’s rights to performing in a language other than English—we’re not living in a bubble. If we’re really resisting, we better include everyone. We can’t choose one cause to resist on behalf of; everything matters. We all have our own passionate causes outside of the Chorus, but the most important thing is to be inclusive in resistance.

I had the pleasure of attending a Resistance Revival Chorus performance last month at City Winery in New York City. During the night, the audience was reminded that, “Joy is an act of resistance.” For anyone who has ever visited your site, you seem to radiate joy and positivity! How do you continue to find joy in your daily life?

Honestly, I do it in every single moment that I can. A big part of that is being aware of what my needs are. When I tap into that and what I’m craving in that moment, I can bring a joy and lightness to what I’m doing. People think of it as a cherry on top, but I look at it as a necessity. How can I bring joy into every moment? Sometimes it’s what I’m wearing, or sometimes it’s allowing myself to sleep in, or my daily oat milk latte. It makes me feel so good! I make sure I get what I need. I’m conscious that joy is possible in every moment.  It’s up to us to be committed to that—we have to do that work. We have to choose joy.

With our frantic news cycle and the onslaught of disheartening stories swirling around us daily, it can feel overwhelming to take steps to get involved.  What is your advice for women who want to resist, but don’t know where to start?

First of all, you’re not alone. Part of why I joined the Chorus is for that exact reason! What I’ve found, and I’ve never been an activist or participated this way before, but really, just show up. Show up, be willing to listen and ask your questions. If you’re saying you don’t know where to start, your’e not looking hard enough! Go on Instagram or Twitter. Follow Women’s March. Follow Black Lives Matter. Follow Paola. Follow Ginny. This will give you plenty of ideas!

And remember, you don’t have to always make a splash with what you’re doing, but it all matters. Will it move the needle if you call a senator? Yes. Keep showing up and prove that you’re not just in it for a photo opportunity. If you want to make the world a better place, look to those who do it daily, then follow their lead. No action is too small. Not doing anything is not going to help. If you’re feeling shy, gather a buddy who doesn’t know what to do either and team up to support each other, applaud each other’s actions and share ideas. Make it a game to keep showing up!

As we’re speaking, NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman—a progressive who has made his platform one of supporting women’s issues—has just been accused of abusing women. It seems every day, the need for the Resistance Revival Chorus grows. How do you envision the performances growing to further meet the current climate of women speaking truth to power?

One of the things that we’re coming up against is that the Chorus is often asked to sing where the audience might be uncomfortable with what we’re saying. For example, we’ve been to many different organizations, and in the song, “Rich Man’s House,” we’re talking about going down to the NRA and the White House—that can bring up a lot for the audience. I wasn’t taught to do this, to resist in the face of opposition. I was taught, as an Indian woman, to stay in line and not ruffle feathers. I feel uncomfortable in these particular situations, but I’m going to keep at it. We’re going to keep showing up in controversial spaces. The more we grow, the more we can hopefully resist with our music.

Photo by Ginny Suss.

What’s next for the Resistance Revival Chorus?

Our next monthly Resistance Revival Night will be on July 11, 2018. Follow us on Instagram @resistancerevivalchorus for up-to-date information and to know when tickets are available. We’re also singing at the Gay Pride Parade in New York City and the Summer Stage in Central Park! It’s breathtaking to see it all come together.

Get inspired by other female leaders by following along with our entire Women We’re Watching series.

Strawberries Top EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” List for Third Year in a Row

By Leave a Comment

Spring is (finally!) in full bloom here on the East Coast, and before we know it, we’ll be flipping the calendar to that cherished season that’s held its magical spell over us since childhood: strawberry season. Before heading to the grocery store to stock up, though, we’re taking note that for the third year in a row, strawberries top EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list.

EWG, or the Environmental Working Group, has published its annual Dirty Dozen list since 2004 as a shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce. 2018 once more finds this beloved summer fruit topping the list, with a whopping “22 pesticide residues” in one strawberry sample. According to EWG, one-third of all conventional strawberry samples contained 10 or more pesticides.

EWG warns that when consumed in high concentration, pesticides can be harmful to our health and should be avoided, especially from conception through childhood. In addition to harming our own health, pesticides have been blamed for the plight of the honeybee, its population on a dangerous decline. Without bees, pollination wanes—and that means plants, flowers and agriculture won’t grow.

So, what’s a fruit lover to do when strawberries top EWG’s Dirty Dozen list? Buy organic strawberries whenever possible to avoid pesticide exposure and consumption. In addition, shopping local (farmers markets, roadside fruit stands) is a great option, as you can ask questions of the farmers who actually grow your produce. They’ll be able to tell you if they’ve treated their crops, and with what. Remember that getting the USDA Certified Organic designation is expensive, and although small farms may not be able to afford the rigorous testing that seal requires, they may very well be growing their crops without harmful pesticides. With a little research and mindful consumption, strawberry season can still retain the sweet, delectable magic you remember.

Need more health and wellness news? Follow along with weekly updates on the latest trends and news you need to know. 

I Tried Essential Oils for Stress and Headaches—Here’s What Happened

By Leave a Comment

For thousands of years, essential oils have been used in healing capacities, spiritual rituals and beauty treatments. Derived from plants and flowers through the processes of distillation or cold-pressing, these naturally occurring oils are what give flowers their aroma. Along with their fragrant properties, essential oils have long been revered for their abilities to boost moods and heal myriad ailments. Now, as essential oils have seen a massive resurgence, science is catching up with ancient tradition and the benefits of essential oils on the brain and the body are being proven out.

While I’ve long been a believer in essential oils in my treasured natural skincare regimen, I had never used them to decrease my stress levels or address my health concerns. That all changed when I once again found myself flat on my back in the middle of the day, shrouded in darkness, desperately trying to quell the pounding in my head. Desperate for relief that didn’t come in pill bottle, I tried essential oils for my headaches and stress. Here’s what happened.

The Concern: Sleeplessness, Stress, Nausea and Headaches

The first harbinger of stress for me has always taken up residence in my gut. Since I was a young child, I’ve internalized stress; the result has been a lifetime of stomach issues that often end with a doctor at a loss for a definitive diagnosis, and me in tears from frustration. As I’ve grown older, my stress level also dictates my sleep patterns: Though I can often fall asleep, I awaken at 1 a.m, toss and turn until at least 4 a.m., and groan with dread when my alarm clock rings insistently at 6 a.m. I trudge through my days, feeling as though I’m severely hungover, trying to meet deadlines through blurry eyes.

As a writer, I make my living by my laptop. As it turns out, however, spending hours in front of a screen, often on broken and little sleep, is a recipe for debilitating tension headaches and excruciating migraines. When the pounding in my head meets the nausea bubbling up from my stomach, I often need to lay down—now. This winter, as this became a daily occurrence, I knew I had to make a change.

The Solution: Essential Oils

Since I already trusted their lofty standards and knew how beautifully their products were formulated, I turned to some of my favorite skincare brands to help guide me through the process of choosing essential oils. The first matter to address? Sleep. I am a woman who needs her eight hours, or I am thrown completely off balance in all areas of life. Enter the Dreaming Oil from Farmaesthetics’ Etheric Inhalation Oils line. The small vial comes with a glass dropper, ensuring targeted dosage. Using two to three drops in the palm of my hand, I gently rubbed my palms together and cupped them around my nose. As I sat on the edge of my bed, I closed my eyes breathing in, slowly and deeply, the soothing, clarifying scent of lavender and clary sage essential oils.

After a couple of minutes, my heart rate began to slow, and I felt my breath in my diaphragm—not just in my upper chest, where I tend to breathe when I’m stressed. I placed my hands around my neck and continued to breathe, then ran my hands through the ends of my hair before climbing into bed. I lay on my back, continuing my mindful breathing until I drifted off. When I awoke again, it was to the trill of my alarm. I had slept through the night.

Encouraged by this blissful event, I reached for the next vial in the Farmaesthetics line. Adrenal Support, with its blend of black spruce, pink grapefruit and pine essential oils, was formulated to help bring us back from the brink. Adrenal glands are responsible for our bodies’ fight-or-flight response, and living in a constant state of stress can make us feel wired, then overwhelmed by exhaustion. Mimicking the steps I had taken with the Dreaming Oil, I placed a few drops of Adrenal Support in my palms and inhaled for a few moments. I then placed my hands on my lower back, gently massaging the area around my kidneys, where the adrenal glands rest. I stood up straight, then tilted my head back, feeling my chest open further (a trick I had learned a while back from Farmaesthetics founder, Brenda Brock). Warmth spread along my lower back and again, I felt a calm wash over me. As I worked throughout the day, whenever I felt my heart rate quicken as a signal my stress level was rising, I repeated this practice and felt grounded and clear, once again. (Bonus: My home office smelled like a forest!)

After incorporating these oils from Farmaesthics into my daily routine, I began to feel more relaxed. Though not every night awarded me with a solid eight hours of sleep, it was easier for me to fall back to sleep when I did awaken. Standing during my work day, tending to my lower back and being mindful of my breath left me feeling more energized than I had in months.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.

Still, I was plagued by pounding headaches. I turned to Palermo Body’s Tranquility Aromatherapy Oil (a blend of lavender, blue yarrow and cypress oils to help relieve nervous exhaustion and mental fatigue) and S.W. Basics’ Rosemary Functional Fragrance. Each of these roll-ons has been blended with a base oil to ensure they’re safe for topical use, but that doesn’t hinder their powerful aromatherapeutic benefits. I gently rolled the Tranquility Oil on my wrists and my temples, then worked it into the back of my neck, where my tension congregates. Then, I layered on the rosemary oil—renowned for helping to alleviate headaches—onto all the same points. I sat up straight in my chair and gently massaged my neck, my temples and the palms of my hands. Making a point to repeat this routine four times throughout the day, I was shocked to find that the first pangs of a headache never escalated. In fact, they ceded altogether. I was headache free, even by the end of the day.

The Takeaway

I tried essential oils months ago, and have been using them every day since. There are still times when I have overwhelming headaches, but I am no longer suffering daily. My sleep has dramatically improved, and as a result, the accompanying nausea is nearly non-existent. Though I am still susceptible to feeling overly stimulated and stressed (it’s a lifelong habit I’m trying to break), the practice of gently massaging my adrenal glands helps to ground and relax me. I’ve added cinnamon essential oil into my repertoire when I need to open my heart chakra and lemongrass oil when I need a pick-me-up. I’m now a believer in the healing properties of essential oils, both for their plant essences and for the ceremony that surrounds their use. When I reach for my oils, I know I am carving out a few precious moments to breathe slowly and deeply, to be mindful of what is happening in my body and mind, and to make a conscious effort to heal myself.

Curious about how other alternative healing methods stack up? Check out these stories. 

Natural Beauty Line S.W. Basics Launches in Whole Foods and CVS

By Leave a Comment

If you’ve been into the beauty aisle of a Target store or perused the shelves of your favorite indie beauty boutique, chances are, you’ve seen S.W. Basics products—and probably fallen in love with them. With their five-ingredients-or-less philosophy, S.W. Basics has become a heavy hitter in the green beauty space, with all natural, USDA Certified Organic and vegan ingredients that work wonders (even on the most sensitive skin) at a price point that won’t break the bank. Now, S.W. Basics is launching in Whole Foods beginning July 1, and is currently rolling out in 400 CVS store nationwide—and that means safer, cleaner products will be available to a growing number of consumers across the U.S.

“Personally, I have a serious obsession with Whole Foods,” says S.W. Basics founder, Adina Grigore. “But this launch into Whole Foods and CVS stores also aligns with what I’m trying to do professionally, which is to make naturals extremely easy for everyone to access. The beauty industry has a very specific retail channel strategy and we’re not trying to do that; we’re crossing into retailers who understand our vision, which is what makes it so exciting.”

While the brand continues to grow in leaps and bounds, its commitment to integrity—in sourcing and choice of ingredients—remains a core value. “We’ve been able to maintain the integrity of our ingredients by working closely with the people from whom we source them,” Adina explains. “Natural ingredients are abundant, and we as a collective haven’t really been tapping into them. Though the natural beauty industry is outpacing the conventional beauty industry right now, it’s still growing at a sustainable pace. Manufacturers are able to prepare themselves and grow with the demand because naturals are still not the ‘norm.’”

Still, growth like S.W. Basics’ does not come without challenges. When the brand was founded, Adina was formulating and making the products in her kitchen. Now, though she remains the chief formulator, she has had to partner with manufacturers to bring her formulas to the masses. Though the labels don’t exceed more than five ingredients on their lists, for manufacturers, “simple” can become exceedingly complicated. “We’re so basic in our formulas that it ends up being a challenge,” Adina says. “I made these formulations in my kitchen, but when I’ve tried to pass them off to manufacturers, we’ve been viewed as weird; they don’t want to formulate the way I want to formulate. It’s not easy to work with natural ingredients, and it’s expensive, but it’s exciting because we’re pushing the envelope. I’m asking manufacturers to do something harder: I’m not reinventing the wheel, but I am asking them to go back in time. It’s like asking someone to not use their microwave, but to cook instead over an open fire.”

She continues, “I think there’s a public perception that it’s easier to formulate this way when actually, it’s easier to add a filler than to use three ingredients and know the way you make the product will totally effect how it turns out. Our cream took two years to get it to the right consistency, and we review the formula every year to ensure it’s perfect. It’s like slow skincare.”

S.W. Basics may be slow skincare, but there’s nothing slow-moving about its growth. Adina’s vision of making naturals available to as many people as possible is coming to pass. And for those consumers new to her brand, naturals in general or overwhelmed by reading labels, Adina has a message. “I want people to know that if you’re confused when you look at a label, it’s a confusing label. Learn to trust yourself. If you read a label with words that you can pronounce, if you look at a brand’s website and learn about them and it resonates, then follow your intuition instead of marketing claims. If you have questions, ask them! If a brand doesn’t answer, well… there’s your answer. If you’re unhappy with an answer—or lack thereof—there are plenty of other places you can go.”

And now, you can go to Whole Foods and CVS and pick yourself up some S.W. Basics.