Beauty and body care

Vegan skincare and makeup means that none of the ingredients come from animals. However, it does not necessarily mean that the ingredients are natural, organic or extra good for your health.

• Clean out your bathroom cabinet and only keep what you really use.
  Drop off your cosmetic waste at the recycling center.
• Check the contents: Avoid products that contain highly fluorinated substances, PFAS. Check the ingredients list for PTFE, polytef, or words that contain perfluoro or polyfluoro.
• Look for controlled environmental labels such as Bra Miljöval and Svanen. Labels and certifications such as NaTrue, BDIH, Cosmos or Ecocert are also good choices, but keep in mind that these may contain fragrances.
• Choose fragrance-free: Many people use perfumed cosmetic products daily. Try to choose fragrance-free as much as possible to reduce the risk of allergies.
• Glitter is plastic: Use mineral glitter and mineral makeup. Avoid synthetic loose glitter and glitter eyeshadows. Glitter consists of small pieces of plastic that when rinsed off end up in the water, which is bad for the environment.
• Don't buy cheap copies: If a product is unreasonably cheap, you can suspect that it is a pirated copy. These can contain harmful substances, bacteria and other microorganisms due to lack of hygiene and control in production.
• Shop within the EU: Europe has the most comprehensive laws on cosmetics in the entire world. Be careful when buying cosmetic products in countries outside the EU. Otherwise, you risk getting products that can be harmful to both you and the environment.

Hair dyes contain substances that can be highly allergenic and harmful to the environment. Always follow the instructions carefully and if you are under 16, you should not dye your hair at all.

• Check the origin: If you buy hair dye from online shops and countries outside the EU, it may contain harmful substances that are not permitted in products within the EU.
• Do not pour anything down the drain: Wipe up any dye residue with paper and throw it in the trash. Any remaining content should be taken to a recycling center or environmental station.
• Avoid the scalp: Some harmful substances can enter the bloodstream via the scalp. Therefore, try to dye your hair without getting too much dye there. This also reduces the risk of allergic reactions.
• If you want to dye your hair at a hairdresser, choose one that is certified as a Green Salon. They use more environmentally friendly products.

Fixing your nails and eyelashes can affect your health and the environment.

• Glitter is plastic: If you must use glitter, use mineral glitter. Avoid synthetic loose glitter and glitter lashes. Glitter consists of small pieces of plastic that, when rinsed off, end up in the water, which is bad for the environment.
• Avoid formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is banned in cosmetic products, as it is classified as an allergen and carcinogen. However, it is still used in some nail polishes and nail strengtheners, as it makes nails harder and makes the polish dry quickly.
• Follow the product instructions: Several ingredients in nail building products can cause allergic reactions and are regulated by the EU Cosmetics Regulation. This also applies to products used in “lash lifts” and “brow lifts”.
• Check the training: The lash or nail stylist should be trained in the field. Ask if you are unsure.
• Ask about ventilation: Nail and lash salons should have effective ventilation and local exhaust. Also make sure that the air circulates when you paint your own nails at home, for example by leaving the window ajar.

Many people think that good smells add a touch of sweetness to life. But keep in mind that perfume can be allergenic and annoying to those around you.

• Don't pour it down the drain: Never pour the remaining contents of a perfume bottle or room spray directly down the drain. Instead, hand it in to a recycling center, environmental station or selected Kicks and Åhléns stores, which Stockholm Vatten och Avfall collaborates with.
• Be careful with room sprays, scented sticks and scented candles: These can cause allergic reactions. They can also cause long-term harmful effects on aquatic organisms.
• Choose perfume-free hygiene products. Many perfumes are allergenic, sometimes even natural fragrances.

Getting a tattoo is not completely risk-free. Check beforehand to make sure the tattoo artist is knowledgeable about this. Only tattoo inks marked “mixture for use in tattoos or permanent makeup” may be used.

• If you get a tattoo, always go to a reputable studio. The tattoo artist must be registered with the municipality – ask if you are unsure.
• Ask for information: Before getting a tattoo at a studio, you should always get information about which inks have been used and what aftercare advice applies. Follow this advice carefully.
• Don’t get a tattoo abroad: If you get a tattoo abroad, you will rarely be able to return to the tattoo studio if something goes wrong. Also keep in mind that countries outside the EU do not have the same chemical legislation. Tattoo inks that are banned in the EU can still be used outside the EU.
• Keep in mind that tattoo ink injected into the skin remains in the body, perhaps for the rest of your life. Some color pigments fade over time, which means that the ink has either been transported away from the skin to other parts of the body or that it changes its chemical structure and loses its color.
• Research shows that tattoo inks injected into the skin have been transported to lymph nodes. More research is needed to determine whether this is harmful.