healthykids
teens
turning
green
by kristin Bender
F
or years, Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner
As a result, Whalen’s overall eco-consciousness now
to accent her big brown eyes. Until, that is, she found
extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free
out that it contains formaldehyde, the same chemical
face wash and recycled paper. “Whenever I buy new stuff, I
she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs.
try to go as green as I can,’’ she says.
“I was completely clueless about what was in the prod-
“Every part of your life can be green,” agrees Carly
ucts,” says this 18-year-old from Marin County, California.
Wertheim, 17, of Marin County, who was using chemical-
Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical,
laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local
according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But
group three years ago and “knew nothing.” She likes the fact
because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not
that when teens like her get involved in this campaign, they
review or approve cosmetic ingredients, it is also found in
immediately start doing research and learning how to read
nail polish, insect repellant, liquid hand soap and sunscreen,
ingredient labels. “Now,” she advises, “if I can’t pronounce
notes the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety
it, I don’t want to be using it.”
Database. A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third
Last year, teens in Marin County and New York collabo-
of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as
rated with several organic beauty companies to create and
possible carcinogens, with links to birth defects, cancer and
launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-
reproductive harm.
ucts specifically for teens. Named after the group, the Teens
Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer, face wash, body
Cosmetics Savvy
lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or
Today, Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user,
other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive
but now she’s a different kind of consumer. Like most teens,
harm, according to Executive Director Judi Shils.
she says she used to routinely buy mascara, eye shadows
Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in
and skin care products from drug store racks and department
glass jars, without extra paper or cardboard packaging. Initial
store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels.
sales have been good via the group’s original distribution
That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens
through Whole Foods Market’s independent stores, reports
for Safe Cosmetics, now called Teens Turning Green, three
Shils. Now, the group is gearing up to provide their products
years ago.
through other outlets, as well.
Whalen is now one of the group’s 500-plus teens doing
their bit to save Mother Earth. Over the past few years, they
whole life Choices
have launched chapters in Dallas, New York City and Pitts-
Teens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension
burgh. Plans call for new chapters in Denver, Toronto, Rio de
with Project Green Dorm, because, “We have moved into all
Janeiro and Australia. The California-based organization inves-
aspects of a teen’s lifestyle, 24/7,’’ says Shils.
tigates chemicals in consumer products, advocates for policy
To set up a prototype green dorm, the group rented
changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy
space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more
products that don’t harm their bodies or the environment.
than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their
Collier / Lee Counties
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