WE HAVE QUESTIONS...

Q: Is it true that 60 percent of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream?

A: File this under fearmongering. Contrary to popular belief, the idea that everything—or a great deal of anything—we apply topically goes right into our bloodstream is overstated. “The skin is a barrier, and there are many layers,” says Ivana Knezevic, cosmetic science professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry at Toronto’s Seneca College. While some ingredients may have the ability to absorb to a certain degree, there are many factors involved, including what the molecule is, how much and where it is applied, and the condition of the skin. The actual absorption rate could be zero or it could be higher, but the reality is more complex than a scary stat.

Q: What is greenwashing? A: Greenwashing refers to advertising a product as natural, green, organic, non-toxic or clean in a misleading way. All of these terms are unregulated, so brands can define them loosely. For instance, “organic” means that ingredients are produced without the use of pesticides, but loophole alert: The FDA and Health Canada don’t require beauty products to have a minimum percentage of organic ingredients to make that claim. Products that are certified organic by a third party offer a bit more transparency. In order for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to certify, say, a skincare cream as “organic,” it must have at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients.

If it’s USDA-certified as merely “made with organic ingredients,” the threshold is 70 percent.