Cruelty-Free: Are You “Down” With It?
I headed home with a C & B catalog in my arms that I planned to peruse for some additional pieces to complete my new living room. First, I located my sofa in the catalog so that I might refer to it while considering other items. Instant horror! My “eco-friendly” sofa was hardly animal-friendly: all the cushions were stuffed with down feathers! These fluffy feathers are found underneath a bird’s outer layer of feathers, and it’s a very painful process to have them plucked. Luckily, not only are the animal advocates requesting alternatives, but also the multitudes allergic to down (I’m part of this camp, too, by the way). There are enough of us out there that alternatives are often readily available… you just have to ask. I’m delighted to report that my local Crate and Barrel representative was more than happy to revise my order so that I received a sofa using synthetic cushion inserts instead of the feathers. Whew!
Taking a stroll from the living room into the bedroom, I’m also down-free when it comes to bedding. Because of my allergies, I’ve never been one for down pillows and comforters. I always have preferred the look and feel of quilts to comforters, and I’ve more recently become a huge fan of organic, all-natural bedding that’s free of nasty pesticides and dyes. If you still prefer the feel of a comforter when you’re getting ready to call it a night, a down-alternative comforter is another great option. See crateandbarrel.com for some ideas; at westelm.com, check out the organic cotton frayed-edge sheets.
Cruelty-Free: In the Laundry Room
Here’s what you’ll find in mine:
- Trader Joe’s Laundry Detergent
- Ecover Stain Remover
- Method Softner Infused Dryer Cloths
- OXO Brite Non-Chlorine Bleach (brightens colors)
- Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Bleach (for my white sheets and towels)
- Seventh Generation laundry detergent and dryer sheets.
Cruelty Free: Cosmetics
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t sweat it. You’ll learn as you go, just as I am. And cosmeticsdatabase.com is a resource worth repeating a second day in a row. As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog when I was talking about skincare, this web site will let you search manufacturers and individual products. And while you’re at it, you’ll be able to weed out all the nasty parabens and other artificial ingredients in your make-up collection, too — a little at a time.
What you’ll find in my personal make-up collection:
Organic Wear Concealer Stick
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Makeup
Dr. Hauschka Face Powder (loose)
Organic Wear Face Powder (compact)
Zuzu Blush Powder
Gabriel Blush Powder
Dr. Hauschka eyeliner
Almay Voluminizing Mascara
Gabriel Color Lip Gloss
Terra Gloss
MAC lip pencils
MAC eyeshadow
Revlon eyebrow pencil
Brushes:
Ecotools — synthetic bristles!
For your nails:
“No Miss” nail polishes (available at Whole Foods)
“Almost Natural” Polish Remover
Best Value!
Kiss My Face tinted moisturizer
Cruelty Free: Saving Face
Tip #1: Check out Skin Deep cosmetic database
You can search most cosmetic companies and specific products to get the lowdown.
Tip #2: Go gradually
I’d been using many of my products for so long that I forgot how many other products I had to try before finding ones that didn’t mess with my complexion. When I introduced a entirely new regimen all at once, my face was not happy; plenty of back pedaling was involved as I tried out each new item and assessed the results.
Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to seek out samples!
If you’re in New York, head to Jurlique’s store in SoHo! The salesperson there sent me walking away with tons of samples… and it paid off for both of us. Although my skin didn’t respond well to a couple of the moisturizers, one of the samples proved to be marvelous for me and has become part of my daily routine.
Tip #4 Watch out for parent companies
I call this my “Burt’s Bee’s Lesson.” What’s not to like about Burt’s Bees? The products are natural, inexpensive, and can be found in just about any store or pharmacy. Burt’s Bees is cruelty-free; but it’s now owned by Clorox, which isn’t. You’ll have to decide for yourself where you want to draw the line.
So here’s what you’ll find in my bath area — my faves for the face:
Zia Skin Basics Moisturizing Cleanser with soybean
Zia Skin Basics Bamboo Exfoliant with rice bran (love this!)
Alba Botanicals Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser
Alba Botanicals Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask
Collective Wellbeing “Whirled Peas” Hydrating Face Mask
Dr. Hauschka Eye Contour Day Balm
Jurlique Calendula Cream
Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream (parabens, but company does not conduct animal testing)
Cruelty Free: Body & Bath
When it comes to bath and body products, I’m a real adventurer; I’m always trying something new, though I’m loyal to some of my favorite finds. In addition to choosing animal-friendly products, I’ve tried to eliminate products with parabens and sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate. In my bath area, there’s always a good mix of “luxury items” (translation: costly but worth it) and items that are easier on the wallet. I’ll leave the topic of “saving face” (cleansers, scrubs, masks, and facial moisturizers) until tomorrow…
Here’s what you’ll find in my bathroom:
at the sink –
EO Essentials Hand Soap (Orange Spice)
Nature’s Gate Organics Hand Soap (Lemongrass and Clary Sage)
Nature’s Gate Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion for sensitive skin
Sparitual “Instinctual” Organic Moisturizing Lotion
Alba Botanicals Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser
Trader Joe’s Toothpaste with Fennel, Propolis, & Myrrh
Desert Essence Dental Floss with Tea Tree Oil
Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss
Trader Joe’s Deodorant
Giovanni Organic Hair Care’s L.A. Hold Hair Spritz
Nexxus Headress Leave-In Conditioner
*I’ve got a John Masters Organics leave-in conditioner waiting for me to try when I’ve finished with this tube of Headress.
at the tub —
Collective Wellbeing’s Charcoal Body Wash
EO Essentials Hinoki Ginger Bubble Bath — a top-favorite indulgence (only $10 a bottle!)
lots of soy candles
in the shower —
Alba Botanicals French Lavender Bath & Shower Gel
Alba Botanicals Shaving Foam
Nature’s Gate Organics Hemp Conditioner (for dry hair)
Aveda Camomile Shampoo
EarthScience Olive & Avocado Deep Conditioning Masque (for hair)
Best Value!
Whole Foods “365″ shampoo and conditioner (fragrance-free)
While we’re in the bathroom…
- Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Trader Joe’s Bergamot & Coriander Air Freshener
Cruelty-Free: In the Kitchen (products)
One of the first and easiest places to convert your home and lifestyle to being more animal-friendly is in the kitchen. And I’m not even talking about the food in the refrigerator yet — we’ll save that for another day!
Here’s what you’ll find in my kitchen:
at the sink —
Trader Joe’s Liquid Dish Detergent
Nature’s Gate Organics Liquid Soap
Avalon Organics Hand Lotion
Environne Fruit and Vegetable Wash
under the sink —
Method Stainless Steel Cleaner, for appliances
Method “Daily Granite” Cleaner, for countertops
Method “Wood For Good” polish, for dining chairs, cabinets, and other wood furniture around the house
Trader Joe’s Pure Castile Soap, for my butcher block table
Trader Joe’s or Seventh Generation Dishwashing Detergent (powder)
Ecover Glass & Surface Cleaner
Best value!
Trader Joe’s Multi-Purpose Cedarwood & Sage Cleaner
I’ve used this to clean countertops, the glass windows in the microwave and oven, and as a quick “spray and wipe” clean-up job for a spill on the tile floor. The 34 oz. bottle is inexpensive and very handy to have around.

