I am always looking for great resources online. It is amazing all of the information available right at our fingertips these days! (I apologize to my Facebook friends who are seeing these first two twice. They are so great I had to post them there, too, for those who don’t read my blog.)
Two of the resources I found are from the Environmental Working Group. They have a team of scientists, researchers, and other staff that study thousands of personal products to create their databases. I try to buy environmentally safe and chemically safe cleaning and health and beauty products whenever I can. However, with money as tight as it is, I have had to purchase more and more mainstream brands. These databases can help you determine which products are safe, regardless of if you can afford those specialty/natural brands.
EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database – Features tips on finding safe makeup, skin care, hair care, eye care, nail products, fragrances, oral care, baby products, mom products, and men’s products. You can search for a particular product or look in specific product types by category. The ratings are based on health concerns of the ingredients and even tell you how much data/research is available on that product and its ingredients.
EWG’s Skin Deep Sunscreens 2012 – This database focuses on sunscreens and rates products by UVA protection, UVB protection, UVA/UVB balance, stability, and health concerns. You can also search by type of product or specific product. It also features a free app you can download to use right in the store.
Both databases feature articles, links to places to buy the products, lists of the products that scored the best, and an email list you can sign up for.
This next resource is one that is might be helpful for summer outings, vacations, and daytrips.
National Park Service: National Historic Landmarks Program – For those of you who are looking for interesting traveling destinations close to or far away from home, this is a great resource. You can research a particular site, search by state, check out various publications, or investigate theme studies. Some landmarks are located in National Parks, so there is even more to see and do!
* If you like these resources, be sure to send them a comment and/or make a donation!
Other posts on great resources:
Surviving on a tight budget 
Leave a Reply