Spotlight: Ava Anderson Non Toxic

At 14 years-old, Ava Anderson set out to do what no skin care company had yet to do: create the first ever complete line of skincare products that are 100% non-toxic. At 16, the Rhode Island Native launched her line, Ava Anderson Non-Toxic consisting of a Cleanser, Toner, Exfoliator, Moisturizer, Lip Scrub, and Eye Makeup Remover Pads.

Every ingredient in the list scores a 0 on the Cosmetics Database Toxicity Scale (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com). No parabens¸ No PEGs, No phthalates, No SLS, No 1,4 dioxane, No “Fragrance,” no toxins.

Here's her incredible story:

"I was a typical 14 year-old in 2008 when my Mom and I saw a report on a study about hazardous chemicals found in the bloodstream of teens that were believed to have been from ingredients commonly found in cosmetics and skin care products. The study was performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). We were shocked. I immediately began what would turn into months of research. The more I learned, the more alarmed I became.

I started searching for safe products but after hundreds of hours of research it was apparent that, although the market was flooded with “organic”, “natural”, and “pure” products, they almost always contained toxic ingredients and chemicals. And this doesn’t even include those hidden in the ingredient “fragrance.” Nothing was truly non-toxic. I began relying on EWG’s www.CosmeticsDatabase.com to identify products that had only “0” hazard scores, on a scale of 0-10. Even those 1’s, 2’s and 3’s had concerning implications.

By this time I had thrown away numerous unsafe products of mine, my mother and both grandmothers, but was unable to provide anyone with replacements. Where to begin? I knew that it was possible to create a product line that was free from toxic ingredients – I just needed to find the right people to help me. A family friend introduced me to a manufacturer that could develop and produce products to my standards. Once we had our product formulations, everything else began to fall into place. Next came packaging design, and then one of the biggest decisions of all – where to sell? We decided to sell directly online and through independent consultants, which allows us to explain what is so special about the line."

While I haven't tried the complete line, I have used the exfoliator and am loving it. It smells like an orange peel and feels so smooth and healthy going on my face. Apricot and pomegranate seeds exfoliate while vitamin e and anit-oxidants remove dead skin. It's completely non irritating and leaves my face glowing.

This is the perfect starter line for anyone going green. It contains all of the essentials (cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer) and is completely non-toxic. Great for mommy's-to-be and children alike.

Bravo to Ava Anderson, a girl who followed her dreams and, in turn, is changing our world.