Everyday products & ratings pt. 2🌸✨

Okay, so I’m still reeling from the discoveries I made while digging into my everyday beauty and personal care products! Like I mentioned, I didn't think things would be this bad, but using a product rating app has truly opened my eyes. I wanted to share more details about what I found, especially for those of you who, like me, might be blindly trusting product labels. My biggest shock came from the Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner. For years, I’ve seen that iconic purple bottle and trusted the brand to effectively moisturize and nourish my hair. But guess what? The shampoo got a measly 2/100, and the conditioner wasn't much better at 12/100! The main culprits? Hazardous ingredients like Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. These are preservatives commonly used in rinse-off products, but they're notorious for causing skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even contact dermatitis, especially for sensitive individuals. It makes you wonder about the "moisturizing" claims when you're potentially putting irritants on your scalp, right? Even though the bottle says "PARABEN FREE," that clearly doesn't mean it's free of all problematic ingredients. Finding out my go-to "moisturizing" product contained these ingredients was a huge wake-up call. It wasn't just Aussie, though. I also looked at my Equate Beauty Hydrating Cleanser. It promises to hydrate as it cleanses, but it only scored 45/100, landing it in the 'Poor' category. Ingredients like Phenoxyethanol, a common preservative, and PEG-40 Stearate and Disodium EDTA were flagged. While not as overtly hazardous as the Aussie ingredients, Phenoxyethanol can still be an irritant for some, and PEG compounds can sometimes contain impurities. It just makes you think twice about what you’re putting on your face daily. Then there was the Tree Hut Tropic Glow Moisturizing Shave Oil, which I loved for soothing skin and helping protect against cuts. This one scored 33/100. Again, Phenoxyethanol popped up, along with Benzyl salicylate and "Fragrance." Fragrance, in particular, is often a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals, many of which can be allergens or endocrine disruptors. It’s tough because these products smell amazing, but at what cost to our skin? On a slightly brighter note, the Dove Pampering body wash with shea butter and vanilla actually scored a 'Good' 50/100! It highlighted being "without harmful parabens and sulfates" and only listed Cocamidopropyl betaine as a low-risk ingredient. While not perfect, it was a relief to see at least one everyday product hold up reasonably well. This whole experience has made me realize how important it is to be an informed consumer. Don't just trust marketing claims or pretty packaging. If you're looking for swaps, my advice is to download a reputable product rating app and start scanning your own bathroom cabinet. Look for simpler ingredient lists, products specifically marketed as 'sensitive skin friendly,' and be wary of generic 'fragrance.' I'm now actively seeking out alternatives that don't contain Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, or hidden fragrances. What are your favorite clean beauty swaps? I’d love to hear your recommendations!