Barrington teenager is starting her own line of skin care products
BARRINGTON — Like many 15-year old girls, Ava Anderson is into make-up, hair products and nail polish. But unlike most other girls her age, Ava has taken her interest in those products and is turning it into a new business.
Ava, with help from her family, launched her own non-toxic skin care line on Dec. 1. The company — Ava Anderson Non Toxic — claims to be the first one in the country, and possibly the world, where every ingredient in every product is a "0" on the cosmetics database.
The skin care line consists of a cleanser, toner, exfoliant, moisturizer, eye make-up remover and a lip scrub. All of the products will be marketed through direct sales on her website and through sales consultants.
Ava said her company will roll out other lines, including make-up, shampoos and conditioners, bath soaps, a men’s line and a children’s and baby line early next year.
A sophomore at Moses Brown School, she first learned of the dangers in the products she uses everyday about a year ago when her mother, Kim Anderson, saw a report on the news about a study where 20 teens tested positively for having toxins in their blood and urine, allegedly from the use of beauty products.
For months, Ava researched ingredients in the products she owned to see if they contained toxins. She said every single one of them did.
“There is a hazard score for toxins from zero to ten, with every ingredient in a product. I looked up many products on www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, a data base where thousands of products are rated. I was shocked to learn that many if not all the products I was using have high levels of toxins in them,” she said.
After learning the disconcerting information, she threw out hundreds of dollars worth of products and told her friends to do the same. She then made the decision to help others become aware of the dangers and to try and create products that were truly non-toxic.
She brought her ideas to her parents, Kim and Frohman Anderson, and for her 15th birthday asked to go to New York City to visit a cosmetic manufacturing plant owned by the aunt of a family friend.
“Instead of shopping or going to see a show, I wanted to tour the plant. We talked to chemists and we began looking at ingredients and how to create non-toxic products,” Ava said.
Since last spring, Ava has been working with scientists from the cosmetics manufacturer and testing formulas. She said her products have a zero hazard rating.
Ava has complete support of her parents, both financially and conceptually. They say Ava is grateful for the opportunity she has to take on such a large project and that she is committed to her mission.
“We are incredibly proud that she saw a problem and spent months and months researching it. She never gave up. Ava is very tenacious and has stuck with it. This is something she truly believes in,” Mrs. Anderson said.
Ava’s website, avaandersonnontoxic.com, has information regarding skin care product on the market.
Ava has been in contact with Stacy Malkan, author of “Not Just A Pretty Face,” and co-founder of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
“Europe prohibits 1,100 ingredients in personal care products — the FDA prohibits only 9. Major manufacturers clean up their products for Europe, but leave the chemicals in their US products. The FDA does not require testing of ingredients and products,” she said.
Ava said she learned a great deal about toxins in products from reading “Toxic Beauty,” written by Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, an advocate for safer beauty products sold in the country.
Understanding terms
Ava said there is a confusion with the terms non-toxic and “all natural.” She said products claiming to be all natural can still have toxins in them.
“The words pure, natural and organic don’t mean a lot when they contain toxins... As long as they list the ingredients, they can put anything on the label,” she said.
“My mission is to share the message about the toxicity in products and offer an alternative,” she said.
Her company will also provide business opportunities for consultants. As of last week, more than 400 sales consultants from across the country had reportedly signed on to sell Ava’s products.
For more information visit avaandersonnontoxic.com.
WOW ! I just looked up my daily facial cleanser and it was an 8 , it was formulated by dermotogists so I thought for certain I was safe ! I am definately going to check out your new skin care products, Thank You Ava!
I bought an "all-natural" face cream thinking it would be safe - turned out to be a 6 on the scale. I'm so glad someone is finally addressing this issue, especially for our younger generations.
Its amazing how crucial Ava's products truly are. You think by 2009 someone would have discovered the huge toxicity issue with make up and like products such as Ava has. Its really amazing that now it is made and available and will be market changing out there in the world of these products who hide behind fragrance which can hide up to 600 harmful chemicals and products we spend top dollar for in the malls because we trust these brands as they harm us through the absorption of the skin. I think we have all been fooled and now it is time to throw all that make up we have now and other products and be true to ourselves with Ava's products being all zeros no harmful chemicals what so ever for a great price point that does what it is supposed to do but not harm us like how it should be. So Thank You Ava this is a great product and the awareness should be worldwide because it is important to all.
I just checked out Ava's website. I am so thrilled that Ava and her family have produced this product line. I can't wait to get my hands on the skin care. When I think of all the chemicals that I have been putting on my face and my CHILDREN for years! UGH! Our skin lotion was a 7 on the scale.
i tried to order products online but they are requesting a consultant # , How do i get one?????
I'm so happy to be able to soon use a product that i feel good about and that i don't have to worry about putting on my body. Making this change in my daily habits is giving me a greater peace of mind, I feel more in control! Thank you Ava.
Check out Ava’s facebook page – Ava Anderson Non Toxic. She gives great health related information. Become a fan!
"Thank you so much for your support. Please look up the ingredients in your products on www.cosmeticsdatabase.com (click on the product and the scores from 0-10 of all the ingredients and the disease implications are all right there! There are known cancer causing chemicals, endocrine and hormone disruptors and brain and nervous system toxins, and more ... even in baby shampoos, and natural and organic products! Look up on the TOXIC page on my website for the dangers of PEG's, SLS, 1,4 dioxane and Phthalates (you will never find these on an ingredient label as they are legally hidden in the word fragrance) You will never want to put these products on you or your family ever again.
-Ava
I truly had no idea how toxic the products are that I have been using!I have so wrongly assumed that our FDA had strict regulations banning toxic substances from our products. Thank you Ava for informing us of the toxins in our skincare products and for seeking to develop a non-toxic line. My starter kit is on its way to me and I can not wait to use it. Please hurry with the cosmetics!
Ava - I went on the cosmetics site but could not find the disease implications area.
When you locate your product on the cosmetics database LynnMarie, you need to click on the product name to get the full list of the ingredients and all the health implications by disease category. Make sure to read to the very bottom for the full facts on your product
P.S. our website has a toxic page where we have many informative quotes!
-Ava
At 45 I work out, watch what I eat and I am very very careful as to what my children are exposed to by way of being harmful. I even monitor vaccines and the milk and food they eat....BUT....I never knew I was sabotaging their DNA makeup and causing Endocrine disruptions which would mutate and cause severe harm by putting "nice smelling lotions" on them and me. Not to mention the Lip Balm that I looked up and was between a 7 and 9 on the 1-10 scale and 10 being the worst. I am sickened knowing I spent extra money specifically to buy products at Organic stores or through magazines which were the "most organic" for my infant, when in fact they were numbered 8 on that scale. While I am indebted to Ava's dedication and message that we can change one straw off the camels back and take back control of our wellbeing. THANK YOU AVA and I think it is awesome that Ava is working with her Mom, Kim....as a mother/daughter team and inspiring so many others.
~Suzanne Arena
Cranston, RI
Ava. You keep going!!! You are doing a great job -- be proud of yourself. You are preventing all kinds of health issues in the world with your dedication! Thank goodness for Ava Anderson Non- Toxic!!!
We all support you and your efforts!!!
Xo
I can only imagine the liabiltiy involved with selling something people apply to there face.
I must say, the products are Fabulous. Feel so good to know you are putting truly "non-toxic" products into your bloodstream. So many of the toxic chemicals in our facial/body/hair products are linked to reproductive issues in women today.. It feels good to know there is a chance for our children to have children.
As for myself, I can't change what has been put into my body up til yesterday. I will continue to use these products for myself and my family. Let's try to get one step closer to relieving this country of future cancer victims.
Ava,
I am very impressed with your new business. You are an inspiration to us all. While you continue on with your career, please try to also alert people (ladies especially) of the harmful toxins in the acrylic products that the cheapo, walk-in nail salons are poisioning them with. I have been a nail tech for about 15 years. The products they use are cancer causing agents and are outlawed in most states. The molecules never fully set and the poision leaches into women's bloodstreams through the very soft nail plate that they leave you with after drilling them. The product is very cheap and they import it then pour it into new bottles so the public has no clue. They wear those masks for a reason...the stuff is dangerous! It's called MMA. Maybe you could share the info on your website along with all the other great info you have about toxins. Keep up the great work girl! I'll be looking for your products in stores and salons in the future!
Chrissy
