| The human skin wraps and protects our bodies. It | | | | skin and lungs (Antczak, 2001).- Harmful if swallowed |
| constitutes a living, dynamic tissue system. It has the | | | | and may cause damage to eyes (Antczak, |
| remarkable ability to absorb applied products, partially | | | | 2001).Tallow |
| or completely, into the bloodstream. In fact, up to | | | | - Animal fat.- Not suitable for vegans, and may be a |
| 60% of the products we use on our skin are | | | | skin irritant.Toluene |
| absorbed and deposited into the circulatory system | | | | - Found in many nail products and nail polish |
| (Fairley, 2001). For instance, the average woman | | | | removers.- Produced during the process of making |
| absorbs 30 pounds of the ingredients contained in | | | | gasoline and other fuels from crude oil or coal.- |
| moisturizers over sixty years (Dr.Hauschka).These | | | | Evaporates into the air when products containing |
| new understandings of how the skin functions reveal | | | | toluene are opened.- May affect the nervous |
| concerns about the possible long term effects due to | | | | system, and/or cause tiredness, confusion, |
| the combination of chemicals used in cosmetics, | | | | weakness, nausea, or loss of appetite.- Symptoms |
| often termed the "chemical cocktail effect". Several | | | | disappear when exposure is eliminated (ATSDR, |
| chemicals which are used in common, popular | | | | 2003).In Canada, not all cosmetics list their ingredients |
| cosmetics are known irritants and carcinogens. | | | | on their labels, but most have toll free telephone |
| Concern stems from the knowledge that most of | | | | numbers which link you to their customer service |
| these ingredients are derived synthetically or from | | | | departments, where inquiries about ingredient lists can |
| petroleum. Avoiding these substances serve to | | | | be made. Reading labels and recognizing problematic |
| decrease overall exposure to harmful or irritating | | | | ingredients are necessary skills for a consumer who |
| cosmetic ingredients.Ingredients to Avoid | | | | intends to choose products that are completely |
| Forms Found in Cosmetics and Possible Negative | | | | natural. The cost of a cosmetic is not a reliable |
| Side EffectsAluminum | | | | indicator of either its quality or natural characteristics. |
| - Thought to contribute to Alzheimer's Disease.- | | | | Most cosmetics, from the lowest priced, to the most |
| Found in almost all antiperspirants.- Works by blocking | | | | costly brands, are composed of identical base |
| pores so sweat cannot be released by the | | | | ingredients (Begoun, 1991).Cosmetics do not stay on |
| skin.Artificial colours | | | | the surface of the skin without penetrating to some |
| - FD&C, derived from coal tar.- For example, Azo | | | | degree. Lipstick wearers, for example, consume 1.5 |
| dyes are a risk to asthmatics, eczema sufferers and | | | | to 4 tubes in a lifetime (Aveda). If one considers the |
| people sensitive to aspirin.- Causes hyperactivity in | | | | ingredients being internalized by the body, absorbing |
| children, severe headaches, blurred vision and itchy | | | | plant oils and waxes, mineral pigments or essential oils |
| watery eyes and nose (Antczak, 2001).Benzoates | | | | is a healthier alternative than absorbing petroleum |
| - Benzoates Benzoic acid, sodium benzoate or | | | | by-products and synthetic chemicals. The ability to |
| parahydroxy benzoate.- Used as a preservative in | | | | choose the right cosmetics for you depends on |
| cosmetics and fizzy drinks.Causes gastric irritation, | | | | accurate ingredient knowledge, personal needs and |
| numbing of the mouth and aggravates asthma | | | | market choices. Caring for one's whole body includes |
| (Antczak, 2001).Certain essential oils | | | | skin care choices that support and contribute to a |
| - Rosemary is harmful to epileptics.Sage is not | | | | healthy lifestyle.Natural cosmetic products and |
| recommended for pregnant women.DEA, MEA, TEA | | | | make-up are safer, healthier alternatives especially |
| - Causes allergic reactions, irritating to eyes and dries | | | | when these products are composed of all natural |
| out hair and skin (Fairley, 2001).Dibutyl phthalate | | | | ingredients. A natural product is described as one that |
| - Found in all persons tested by the CDC (Center for | | | | contains mostly or completely naturally derived |
| Disease Control, USA) in a 2000 Fall study.- Highest | | | | ingredients (Antczak, 2001). It also indicates that the |
| levels were found in women of reproductive age.- | | | | product is free from, or contains minute amounts of |
| Causes birth defects in animals, and damaging to the | | | | artificial chemical additives. Caution is required when |
| male reproductive system (ABC News, Internet | | | | products claim to be natural. For instance, they may |
| Ventures 2000).- Used in cosmetics to assist the | | | | contain small amounts of plant extracts, but the bulk |
| absorption of other ingredients.Formaldehydes | | | | of the product is petroleum based and loaded with |
| - A preservative.- Causes skin reactions.- | | | | fragrances. Instead, consider switching to completely |
| Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most identified | | | | natural products, which perform to the same |
| preservative causing contact dermatitis ( American | | | | standard as their non-natural counterparts. The |
| Academy of Dermatology: Fairley, 2001).- DMDM | | | | Organic Make-up Company offers a wide range of |
| hydantoin- Quaternium 15- Diazolidinylurea- | | | | simple, affordable and high quality products. Our |
| 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1- 3-diolFragrances | | | | cosmetic products are carefully formulated from plant |
| - Can contain up to 200 undeclared substances | | | | waxes, plant oils, essential oils from flowers, barks |
| (Fairley, 2001).- Major cause, in addition to artificial | | | | and spices, as well as richly coloured mineral |
| colours, of skin irritations and allergies (Antczak, | | | | pigments.Switching to all-natural cosmetic products |
| 2001).- May cause dizziniess, skin irritation and | | | | and make-up can help you to avoid feeding your skin |
| hyperpigmentation (Fairley, 2001).Genetically Modified | | | | harmful chemicals. Many skin problems, such as acne, |
| Organisms | | | | contact dermatitis, irritations and allergies may |
| - Soy, Corn- Effects still undetermined.Isopropyl | | | | disappear once petroleum or synthetic ingredients are |
| Alcohol | | | | removed from your skin care regimen. Using fully |
| - Drying agent, from petroleum.Keratolytic chemicals | | | | natural products can contribute to healthy skin and a |
| - Such as hydroxyl acids, retinoic acid.- Corrosive, | | | | healthy body in the long term.We invite you to give |
| used in skin peels.- Dissolves the stratum corneum of | | | | our natural products a try. They are completely |
| the epidermis (outermost layer), making skin more | | | | natural, vegan and an excellent alternative to |
| sensitive to sun damage.- Accelerates production of | | | | conventional cosmetics and make-up.To view our |
| dead skin cells; the skin thickens to repair its surface | | | | products, please visit our website at Antczak, Dr. |
| so that vulnerable skin cells underneath are protected | | | | Stephen and Gina, (2001). Cosmetics Unmasked, |
| from the effects of skin peeling.(Antczak, | | | | Harper Collins, London.- Begoun, Paula, (1991). Don't |
| 2001).Methylisothiazolinone | | | | Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, |
| - Causes allergic reactions and irritations (Fairley, | | | | Beginnings Press, Seattle.- Fairley, Josephine, (2001). |
| 2001).Parabens | | | | Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London.- ABC News |
| - Petroleum product.- Triggers skin irritations and | | | | Internet Ventures, 2000.- Agency for Toxic |
| may be an xerestrogen (Fairley, 2001).May play a role | | | | Substances and Disease Registry, April 2003.- Stryker |
| in falling sperm counts and rising breast cancer rates | | | | has been researching and developing all natural skin |
| (Fairley, 2001).Used in 99% of all cosmetics (Fairley, | | | | care and make-up for the purpose of offering men |
| 2001), and in many so-called 'natural' products.Parraffin | | | | and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday |
| - Derived from petroleum.- In the form of wax, | | | | use. She brings to her research a specialist in human |
| mineral oil or petrolatum.- Comedogenic, i.e.blocks | | | | biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with |
| pores.Propylene Glycol | | | | a professional home economics degree and an |
| - When derived from petroleum.- Increases the | | | | education degree from the University of British |
| amount of acid in the body, resulting in metabolic | | | | Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge |
| problems.- Large amounts are needed to produce this | | | | with food, family and textile sciences.You may use |
| effect (Agency forToxic Substances and Disease | | | | this article but any modification or publication of this |
| Registry or ATSDR, 2003).Sodium laureth sulfate, | | | | article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the |
| sodium lauryl sulfate | | | | author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her |
| - Forms carcinogenic nitrogen compounds when | | | | company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, |
| combined with specific ingredients.- Irritating to eyes, | | | | needs to by noted when used. |