The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts for your mom

By Rita R. Robison

Mother's Day is Sunday, and it's crunch time to get mom that perfect gift.

It’s getting too late to order from the Internet, but you can check out dealnews.com for ideas and to see what stores are offering bargains and coupons.

If you still haven’t bought Mom a gift, dealnews.com advises avoiding the traditional. That’s because, for the past two years, dealnews.com has seen a lot of jewelry styles actually increase in price at the beginning of May.

Your favorite department or discount store may be offering good last-minute bargains. Here are some examples:

Sears

• 50 percent off spring clothing.
• Up to 75 percent off on jewelry, plus 20 percent off diamonds and gemstones.
• Save 15 percent on Teleflora orders with use of your Sears card by using promo code: MOM15.

RitzPix

• 8 x 10 photos for $1 each.
• 20 percent off personalized photo books.

Nordstrom

• Jewelry, clothing, sleep wear, summer hats, purses, belts, scarves, and cosmetics suggestions for mom for under $50.

FTD

• Up to 25 percent off on Mother’s Day orders of flowers.

Best wishes with your last-minute shopping. And, I hope you and your mom have a good time on Mother’s Day, if you live close enough to visit her on her special day.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Seven deals and free items for Earth Day

Mount Rainier National Park

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22.

If you’re interested in finding good prices or free items, dealnews.com offers these possibilities are available to consumers.

Free reusable bag from Target

Target is giving away one reusable Target bag per shopper on April 22. Go to your nearest store and visit the Guest Service desk to get one.

Free reusable bags from Kellogg’s

You can earn a series of reusable shopping bags from Kellogg's. You'll need to purchase any two Kellogg’s cereals or Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, 10 oz. or larger, to earn a free, 1960s-inspired Kellogg’s print bag. Fill out a short form and you can start collecting all four.

Free Origins skin cleanser

Bring one of your current skincare products, either full or empty, to any Origins counter, along with a form, and they'll swap it out for a full-size sample of one of their skin cleansers. Visit your local Origins store to receive either A Perfect World SPF 25 Age-defense moisturizer with White Tea or the Starting Over Age-erasing moisturizer with Mimosa.

Free greenery and scenery at the national parks

The National Park Service is offering free admission to all 397 national parks to celebrate Earth Day and National Park Week April 21 to April 29. If you miss this free offer, mark June 9, Get Outdoors Day, on your calendar as the next day for free admission sponsored by the Park Service.

Free sunflower seeds from Pottery Barn Kids

In association with National Geographic, Pottery Barn Kids is giving away free packets of sunflower seeds on April 21 and 22. Go to your local store to pick up your seedlings for planting.

Win a year's supply of Better Life greener cleaners from Whole Foods

Only one person will win this item, but that person could be you. Share one change you’re planning to make for Earth Day to win. Pledge your Earth Day everyday commitment by April 22 to win $350 worth of eco friendly cleaners.

20 percent off earth friendly Toys at BN.com

At Barnes & Noble, you’ll find an assortment of kids' toys and games marked down 20 percent to celebrate Earth Day. And, you’ll receive free shipping on orders of $25 or more.

Earth Days past

Last year, Earth Day freebies included free coffee in your mug at Starbucks and free trees at Lowe's. Check to see if these companies are offering something again this year. Be on the lookout for another freebie; Starbucks begins giving away used coffee grounds to gardeners around this time of year.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What baby boomers need to know about adult acne treatments

By Rita R. Robison

Acne is not just a problem for adolescents – about 26 percent of women and 12 percent of men in their 40s report having acne, and treatment can be costly. 

Some of the popular treatments are effective, but the biggest difference among them was the price tag, ShopSmart magazine, published by Consumer Reports, said in its December 2011 issue.

“Millions of Americans deal with acne on a daily basis,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “We went out and tested lotions, washes, and even gadgets to find out what options exist, and were pleased to find that even inexpensive options can help.”

Here are the acne fighters that ShopSmart tested:

Lotions and washes

Benzoyl peroxide topical treatments are some of the best over-the-counter options for most people. Proactiv, promoted in ads with stars like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, and AcneFree both claim to be the top brand. We tested those three-part systems against Oxy Maximum, an inexpensive benzoyl perozide wash, and found they all work about the same. None got rid of acne completely, but they all reduced blemish counts on many faces by about 40 percent.

Oxy Maximum

Price: $5 for 6 oz. – lasts about two to three month

What it includes: A face wash with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. One caution: It might cause some irritation on sensitive skin.

Where to get it: Drugstores, discount retailers, online

Proactiv

Price: $20 per kit – lasts about a month

What it includes: A wash and a repair lotion, each with 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, and a toner.

Where to get it: Proactiv.com and mall kiosks

 AcneFree

Price: $20 per kit – lasts about two months

What it includes: A wash containing 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, a repair lotion containing 3.7 percent benzoyl peroxide, and a toner.

Where to get it: Drugstores and discount retailers

Zappers

The Zeno Hot Spot and the No! No! Skin devices claim to reduce or completely eliminate red, inflamed acne blemishes using heat and/or light, but they aren’t designed for whiteheads and blackheads. We had 26 volunteers test each device on a few blemishes on one side of their face for two days. Both devices were somewhat effective at reducing the size of acne lesions but erased only about 13 percent of blemishes. A zapper may be a good last-minute fix, but it isn’t cheap.

Zeno Hot Spot

Price: $40 for 80 uses

Best for: People who need to clear blemishes only once in a while. If you don’t have a lot of blemishes to zap, there’s no need to spend more.

Where to get it: Drugstores, discount retailers, online

 No! No! Skin

Price: $180

Best for: People who have frequent outbreaks. This pricey model may actually save you money over the long run because it’s rechargeable.

 Where to get it: Neiman Marcus, HSN.com, online

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Johnson & Johnson slow to remove toxic chemicals from baby shampoo in U.S.

By Rita R. Robison

More than two years after health and parents’ groups asked Johnson & Johnson to reformulate its well-known baby shampoo to remove a chemical that releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, the company is still using the formaldehyde-releasing ingredient in Johnson’s Baby Shampoo in the United States, Canada, and China, according to an analysis by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

However, the company is making formaldehyde-free versions of the shampoo in several other countries.

For its new report, Baby’s Tub Is Still Toxic, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics purchased and reviewed labels of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo sold in 13 countries to see if the products contained quaternium-15, a chemical preservative that kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics analysis shows that Johnson’s Baby Shampoo sold in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, and Indonesia contains quaternium-15, while the formulas sold in Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the U.K. contain non-formaldehyde preservatives.

After Johnson & Johnson reviewed the group’s report recently, the company released a statement saying it’s no longer introducing new products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and it has reduced its use of the chemical by 60 percent in the U.S. and 33 percent globally over the past few years.

"Preventing toxic chemical exposures before they happen is the keystone of corporate responsibility,” Peter Wilk, M.D., executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, said in a statement. “We call on Johnson & Johnson to remove carcinogenic formaldehyde from its products. It’s time to protect all children, regardless of their nationality."

Since May 2009, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, in conjunction with other organizations, has been writing to Johnson & Johnson and meeting with the company to get the two carcinogens removed from Johnson’s Baby Shampoo.

In response to consumer demand, the company launched a new “natural” version of baby shampoo that doesn’t contain chemicals associated with formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane. However, the original Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, which is priced at about half the cost of the new “natural” shampoo, hasn’t been reformulated in the U.S. market.

On Oct. 31, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – along with the American Nurses Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and more than 20 other parents’ and health groups – sent another letter to Johnson & Johnson asking the company to remove formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from all its children’s products in all markets worldwide and replace them with safer alternatives. The letter asked for the company to make a commitment by Nov, 15.

“While it is encouraging to see that Johnson & Johnson has made progress in formulating a safer ‘natural’ version of its iconic baby shampoo, now is the time for the company to rise to the occasion and make the safer products the world market is demanding for all its customers.” said Lisa Archer, director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are great Halloween costumes for baby boomers this year?

By Rita R. Robison

With Halloween costumes getting more and more risqué and bazaar, what’s a good, age-appropriate costume for baby boomers to wear to upcoming parties?

Kate Forgach, a baby boomer consumer writer for Kinoli Inc., offers these suggestions:

Men

Muammar Gaddafi

You'll need a black curly wig, red fez, checked scarf, and homemade T-shirt emblazoned with "I Love Libya." If you're going with a gang, add a few Nigerian soldiers to do your bidding throughout the evening. You also might want to carry a journal filled with love notes to Condoleeza Rice and several photos of the former Secretary of State.

Zach Galifianakis in Hangover II

A fake beard and a baldhead or bathing cap are all you'll need to recreate Mr. Alan Garner.

Hangover II - Part II

If you're dressing as Zach and going with a buddy, he'll need to create a Mayan face tattoo then add wire rim glasses and stodgy clothes to give him the unique style of Ed Helms as Stu Price. The last member of your wolf pack need only wear khakis, a white dress shirt, and look dashingly handsome.

Harold Camping

Harold Camping predicted the world would end in 1994. He again foretold the End Times would happen May 21, 2011. To portray the preacher, don fluffy sideburns, a powdered white wig, and a sports jacket and take a fat book to thump as you preach to all within range.

Charlie Sheen

You can create your own outfit or go with a mask, wig, and "Winning" hat.

Women

Mummy

If you're still shuttling kids to soccer and band practice, take on the dual role of a mommy mummy. Pick up some high-waisted mom jeans at Goodwill, along with an appliquéd shirt or sweater. Wrap yourself in toilet paper and carry a soccer ball.

Babe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

The movie "Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter" is coming out in 2012, but women can dress as the president who freed the slaves and, apparently, slew the bloodsuckers. You'll need a stovepipe hat made from construction paper, a formal black coat, fake beard, and a short skirt with high heels. You can also carry a bloodied stake.

Bridesmaids

The wild chicks of Judd Apatow's summer comedy are easy to replicate with thrift store bridesmaids' costumes, preferably in Pepto Bismal pink, and a meringue-pie wedding gown with a matching pink ribbon for a waistband.

Elizabeth Bennett, Zombie-style

The "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" novel offers a grisly twist to a period costume. Pick up a long, empire-waist dress at a thrift store or create your own using a puff-sleeved tee shirt and floor-length skirt. Arrange your hair into a conservative bun, then dishevel the entire look with random blood spatter and zombie makeup.

Couples

Prince Charles and Camilla

You can play the prince and his wife for just $2.01 each with masks from Discount Costumes. Or, try the Queen Elizabeth mask for a discounted $1.26. Shipping and handling are $5.95.

Jack and Jill

Take two T-shirts. Write "Jack" on one and "Jill" on the other. Create a broken crown for Jack out of poster board and add fake blood, then create bruises on Jill with black-and-blue face paints to indicate her role as "She who came tumbling after." Make sure you both carry pails of water and trip occasionally. 

A Pair of Blue Jeans

Both of you wear blue clothes. His nametag reads "Gene" and hers says "Jean." You also can add blue skin paint.

Baby Boomers

The costume requires a box of Depends and a baby-doll top. You might use scrub tops covered in duckies or another childish pattern then add a big bow around the neck. Props could include giant baby/water bottles and your social security cards.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Baby boomers: How much are you spending on anti-aging remedies and procedures?

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

On Saturday, instead of a big banner headline on The Huffington Post screaming about political squabbles or the latest war report, baby boomers were featured.

The article, “Boomers Will Be Pumping Billions Into Anti-Aging Industry,” said spending on anti-aging products would rise from $80 billion to more than $114 in 2015.

Boomers, who want to be “forever young,” are expected to spend these funds on wrinkle creams, plastic surgery, supplements, hormone replacement therapy, workout regimes, and other remedies and procedures.

In the article, the National Institute on Aging advises boomers to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and don’t smoke rather than spend money on anti-aging products.

The pros and cons of supplements, hormone replacement therapy, plastic surgery, and wrinkle care were discussed.

I don’t think the cons of plastic surgery were emphasized enough. I’ve written about the possible side effects. They aren’t pretty. See “Why You Should Think Twice Before Having Plastic Surgery” for details. In addition, take a look at “How Bad Is Botox for You?”

The article did a better job on wrinkle creams. It quoted the Consumer Reports tests that show there is little, if any, benefit from using the creams. See my articles “Wrinkle Creams Widely Used, But Don’t Do Much Good” and “You Can’t Erase Wrinkles With Cream” for details.

What are you doing to combat aging? Botox? Workouts? Walks? A face-lift? Eating organic food? Are you spending a lot of money?

Let me know in the Comment section below.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

FDA misses the mark on new sunscreen requirements

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

My last post described the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposal to require the testing of sunscreens and to standardize how information about sunscreen protection is presented to consumers.

While the new labeling will be helpful to consumers, the FDA isn’t addressing possible health hazards caused by sunscreen ingredients. Consumer groups – the Environmental Working Group, Consumers Reports, and the Organic Consumers Association – have expressed concerns about the ingredients in sunscreen.

FDA response to the safety issues raised by consumer groups

I asked the FDA about the recommendations of these consumer groups.

FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said the agency considers sunscreens to be safe.

“This includes nanoparticles which do not penetrate beyond the outer layer of the skin,” Burgess said in an e-mail. “FDA is working to help design studies to look further at the safety of retinyl palmitate. At this time there's no data to indicate that retinyl palmitate in sunscreens poses a concern. If we determine that any of the active ingredients, including nanoparticles, do not meet required safety standards, the agency will notify the public and work to remove that ingredient from the market promptly.”

I asked Burgess to respond to comments made in a Consumer Reports article about the possible harm to consumers of Oxybenzone and other endocrine disruptors and the possibility that nanoscale zinc oxide and titanium oxide are linked to potential reproductive and development effects? 

“Zinc oxide and oxybenzone are included in the 1999 final monograph for sunscreen ingredients which means that they are generally recognized as safe and effective,” Burgess said. 

But she added:

However, the FDA is constantly evaluating new information relating to the safety and effectiveness of all drugs as new data emerge. In addition, the agency may call for additional studies when new research is required to gain a more comprehensive view of potential risks and may adapt its recommendations based on new information when that is warranted. For example, oxybenzone has been sent to the National Toxicology Program by FDA for further evaluation of its safety profile.

I also asked Burgess about retinyl palmitate.

She said here's what FDA knows about the research:

The National Toxicology Program conducted a study that tested products that did not contain sunscreens. The results of the NTP study showed an increase in tumors regardless of whether the animals were exposed to retinyl palmitate so it is not clear what the effects of retinyl palmitate were. That's why we can't reach a final conclusion on the safety of Retinyl Palmitate based on that study.

FDA is working to help design studies to look further at the safety of retinyl palmitate. At this time, the data do not tell us that we need to be concerned about retinyl palmitate.

I asked Burgess about sunscreen with nano particles and why they aren’t labeled so consumers who wish to do so can avoid them.

She replied: 

We are not aware of data that suggest that any sunscreen active ingredient is unsafe. FDA has created a cross-agency Nanotechnology Task Force to further evaluate issues involving nanomaterials, including sunscreen active ingredients processed as nanoparticles. FDA will be developing a draft guidance that will identify those FDA-regulated products that may involve application of nanotechnology or use of nanomaterials. 

FDA considers sunscreens safe

I also asked Burgess why the FDS isn’t warning consumers about these chemicals or banning them.

She said: “FDA will always take the necessary action to ensure consumers have access only to safe cosmetic and sunscreen products.”

In addition, I wanted to know why the FDA is working only on new labeling and not on ingredients that may be harmful to consumers. Shouldn't the FDA ban the dangerous ingredients in sunscreen instead of merely requiring new labels? 

The response from Burgess:

If any data [in the development of testing and labeling requirements] had demonstrated that a sunscreen product put consumers at serious risk, FDA would have taken measures to remove that product from the market. FDA is not aware of any such data. The pace of developing requirements for OTC sunscreen products has been largely dictated by the availability of adequate data to support those requirements. 

In light of the warnings from consumer groups from about sunscreen, I haven’t worn much over the years. However, several members of my family have had skin cancer. Since there’s conflicting information about the safety of sunscreen ingredients, I asked Burgess what the FDA recommends consumers do about using it.

She said: “Spending time in the sun increases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To reduce this risk, consumers should regularly use sun protection measures including”:

• Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.

• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.

• Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.

• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

I think the FDA is unnecessarily dragging its feet on adequately regulating sunscreen, to the detriment of consumers.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Beware of online teeth whitening offers, BBB warns

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely wary of pervasive online ads offering the promise of a whiter, brighter smile.

See my WalletPop article, “Teeth-Whitening Offers Won’t Leave Consumers Smiling,” for details.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Hoover uprights dropped from list of recommended models in Consumer Reports latest vacuum survey

For the first time in years, Consumer Reports’ latest vacuum report doesn’t include Hoover among its list of recommended uprights. Hoover still tops Consumer Reports’ Ratings overall, and its canister models still make top picks; the Hoover Platinum canister, $365, was named a CR Best Buy and delivered superb carpet cleaning and excellent cleaning on bare floors and pet hair.

But while Consumer Reports’ surveys found only two brands that were more reliable than Hoover among canister vacuums, and there were many more-reliable brands among uprights.

“Hoover uprights have been left off our recommended list because many other upright brands had fewer problems in our brand-repair surveys,” said Bob Markovich, home and yard editor at Consumer Reports. “That’s why it’s critical to check out both our performance ratings and the results from our brand-repair surveys when shopping for any vacuum.”

Additional results showed some models really are new and improved, while others aren’t as good as those they replaced, said Markovich.

LG’s Kompressor Total Care LuV 400T bagless upright, $550, is one model that’s truly new and improved, he said. It’s a notch above the previous models in carpet cleaning, a vacuum’s toughest test, and the rotating blade in its bin compresses what it picks up to boost capacity and ease emptying.

On the other hand, Kenmore’s bagged upright Intuition 31810, $350, costs $90 more than the old model, yet it slipped in airflow and plummeted in pet-hair pickup, Markovich said.

The gap is wider between the new bagless Intuition 31811, $350, and the older-but-better Intuition 31040, which cost $50 less. And while the bagless upright Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 87B4, $150, and PowerClean 16N5-4, $220, claim “superior” and “non-stop” suction, respectively, both were middling in Consumer Reports’ airflow tests, according to Markovich.

How to choose

Consumer Reports offers the following tips for choosing a vacuum that meets the needs of shoppers:

• Pick a type. Uprights do better overall on carpets, and canisters are easier to maneuver.

• Choose a bagless vacuum carefully. In the canister category, the Hoover Platinum bagless canister received excellent ratings on bare floors and pet hair tests, in addition to superb carpet cleaning. However, roughly one-third of bagless-vacuum owners surveyed confirmed that emptying any canister-vacuum’s bin is typically a messy, dusty chore – an added concern for those with asthma and allergies.

• Check the features. Look for edge-cleaning tools to use for corners and baseboards, along with manual carpet-height adjustments, rather than automatic systems, to better match the brush to the carpet. Also look for an on-off switch for the brush. And don’t choose a model just for its HEPA filter; some vacuums with regular filters kept in dust equally well in Consumer Reports’ tests.

• Try it out. Visit a store and push, pull, turn, and lift any vacuum before buying, even if the final purchase will be online.

 For a full report on vacuums, get a copy of the March issue of Consumer Reports at your local library or become a subscriber to Consumer Reports online.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 worst environmental stories of 2010

The Environmental Working Group polled its staff and came up with the environmental happenings they thought had the worst impact last year. Here are the results:

 
 

1. BP's Gulf oil spill was the top environmental disaster of 2010, with slow response, use of dispersants, and secrecy about what's in the dispersants.

2. Congress failed to ban Bisphenol A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical, in baby bottles and children's sippy cups.

3. Brazilian Blowout, a hair-straightening product, is shown to have high levels of toxic formaldehyde despite the company's insistence that it's "formaldehyde free."

4. The climate change bill dies in the U.S. Senate, due to vocal and persuasive arguments by climate change skeptics and protectors of the energy status quo.

5. Chromium-6, a carcinogen, was found in tap water samples in 31 of 35 cities tested by the Environmental Working Group.

6. California's "Green Chemistry" rule is gutted, when regulators announced weak rules for carrying out the state's pioneering law designed to reduce the use of toxic substances in consumer products and shift toward safer alternatives.

7. Texas, Ohio, and other states approved the use of hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from deep rock formations beneath school property, because they were tempted by the revenue they could gain by leasing mineral rights to drilling companies.

8. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t adopted sunscreen rules that would ensure that sunscreens are safe, effective, and don't make exaggerated claims, despite the fact that the agency has been working on the rules for 32 years.

9. Congress failed to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act, the 1976 environmental law that is inadequate and has never been updated.

10. Congress reauthorized the tax credit that pays gas refiners 45 cents a gallon to blend corn ethanol into gasoline and the excise tax that blocks imports of cheaper Brazilian ethanol made from cane sugar.

See the Environmental Working Group’s article for more information on these environmental disasters.

Let’s hope that 2011 is a better year for the environment and consumers.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist