Let’s Be Honest: A Chat with Christopher Gavigan of The Honest Company {Giveaway}

When I had Harlan, I became more and more aware of the choices I was making when it came to my family. I wanted to do everything possible to keep her safe and to keep our family as healthy as possible. When I sat down to do the research I was shocked at some of the chemicals and toxins that went into products that I was using everyday. I made a vow to myself, Harlan, and my future children (now Avery) that I would do my best to make sure that they were getting the absolute best for them.

That’s where The Honest Company steps in.

A few months before I had Avery, I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan, founders of The Honest Company.

The Honest Company launched in January 2012 and caters to those families who want safer more eco-friendly products for their children and their family. They have diapers, wipes, bath and body care, and household cleaners.

I had the chance to try out their diapers on Avery and I can officially tell you that I am in LOVE. Not only do they have designs that are gender specific, but their diapers are extremely absorbent.

I love knowing that I can put her in something that isn’t harmful to her or the environment.

I also had the chance to chat with Christopher Gavigan (who just welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Poppy, with his wife Jessica Capshaw!) I’ve had the chance to meet Christopher several times and he is such a wonderful guy. He is a wonderful father who cares so deeply about his children. He gave me some great tips on how to live a healthy sustainable life for your family. Check out our interview below:

What made you become so environmentally focused?
When I was a child, we lived by this pristine stream that my brothers and I loved to play in. One summer, my dad called in a lawn care company to spray the yard and within days the stream was filled with dead trout. I asked my dad what happened and he shook his head and said it must have been the chemicals. It’s fair to say this was a seminal moment for me – understanding the delicacy of nature, our impact on it, and – in return – the potential impacts on us and our health.

What was the inspiration behind The Honest Company?
Simply put…we realized that Honest.com needed to exist, and someone had to do it better. I’ve focused my career working on ways to protect and improve child health and development, and inspire parents and caregivers to take an active part in creating healthy, non-toxic, and safer environments for their family. A part of that work was fighting to ignite legislative change in our outdated chemical regulatory system, as well as creating new, safer standards for businesses so parents didn’t feel the need to be toxicologists and children could have safer products available. If you’re remotely aware of our political landscape, it should be abundantly clear that passing such broad-sweeping legislation is pretty much a Sisyphean task.

Instead of fighting to change others, I realized we could creatively lead by example. Ultimately, The Honest Company’s goal is to re-define the “family brand” – an authentic, accessible company to simplify, enhance, and delight in every way through exceptional products and services – all that promote beauty, community, charitable giving and safety.

How did you and Jessica come together to start this brand?
Jessica read my book, “Healthy Child Healthy World,” when she was pregnant with her first daughter and then attended the book launch party. She told me what an impact the information had on her and how much she appreciated the advice, but she wanted a solution. In her mind, The Honest Company was the solution, and – as she says – she stalked me until I agreed to create it with her.

Any chances for the brand to expand?
Absolutely! We’re working on new product development every day!

How involved are you in choosing what goes into the products and the process?
Integrally! I sleep, eat, and breathe product formulations these days.

Since becoming a father, how did your view change on what goes into baby and cleaning products and how eco-friendly they are?
I’ve been committed to safety and sustainability since the beginning of my career, but becoming a father has definitely increased my passion. There’s nothing more important than the health of your children and nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than risks beyond your control. Having safe products should not be beyond our control – quite the opposite. We know how to make safe products and now we need to transform the marketplace so we can eliminate all of these unnecessary risks.

As the former CEO / Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World, you are very passionate about creating a healthy, green environment for families. What are a few quick, easy tips that families can do to make their homes less toxic?
Without spending a dime, you can actually do a lot. Here are four simple steps:

• Open windows. As I mentioned above, VOC levels are higher indoors than out, so opening your windows for even just a few minutes a day can significantly improve your indoor air quality.
• Take off your shoes. There’s a lot packed into your shoe treads – among the pollutants: lead dust, animal feces, and chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides. When you leave your shoes at the door, you’re also leaving these contaminants at the door instead of tracking them all over your home.
• Kick your chemical habit. Switching to non-toxic cleaning and personal care products is a must. Embrace label reading and look to AVOID products with questionable ingredients like: chlorine, ammonia, phosphates, SLS, parabens, BPA, synthetic fragrances / dyes, and petrochemicals.
• Dust. Many of the products inside your home, and the materials used to make the building itself, are slowly degrading and breaking down into small, microscopic particles. And, over time, what’s in them, becomes a part of your household dust. This dust can be contaminated with toxic flame retardants, in addition to heavy metals, pesticides, and countless other chemicals that make up our everyday surroundings. So, wipe surfaces regularly with a damp cloth. Wipe hard floors with a damp mop. (You only need to use water for these tasks – save cleansers for deeper cleaning). And vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly. Also, swipe your screens. Some of the most contaminated dust is that found on TV and computer screens.

There are several ways you can buy from The Honest Company. You can subscribe to their monthly service which sends you a bundle of diapers or home products each month. They have also recently opened their online store which allows you to purchase items separately. Either way you choose to shop, just know you are getting quality products good for both your family and the environment.

The Honest Company was kind enough to provide one lucky A Mommy in the City reader a chance to win either:

The Diapers Bundle
A one-month supply* of premium, plant-based, ultra-absorbent, absolutely adorable baby diapers, along with a one month supply of biodegradable wipes. ($79.95 value)

or

Family Essentials Bundle
A one-month supply of non-toxic body care and household cleaning products for your entire family. Package includes Honest Shampoo, Body Lotion, Hand Soap, Healing Balm, and Laundry Detergent. ($35.95 value)

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