ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Why Switch to All Natural Cosmetics?
The human skin wraps and protects our bodies. It constitutes a living, dynamic tissue system. It has the remarkable ability to absorb applied products, partially or completely, into the bloodstream. In fact, up to 60% of the products we use on our skin are absorbed and deposited into the circulatory system (Fairley, 2001). For instance, the average woman absorbs 30 pounds of the ingredients contained in moisturizers over sixty years (Dr.Hauschka). These new understandings of how the skin functions reveal concerns about the possible long term effects due to the combination of chemicals used in cosmetics, often termed the "chemical cocktail effect". Several chemicals which are used in common, popular cosmetics are known irritants and carcinogens. Concern stems from the knowledge that most of these ingredients are derived synthetically or from petroleum. Avoiding these substances serve to decrease overall exposure to harmful or irritating cosmetic ingredients. Ingredients to Avoid Forms Found in Cosmetics and Possible Negative Side Effects Aluminum - Found in almost all antiperspirants. - Works by blocking pores so sweat cannot be released by the skin. Artificial colours - For example, Azo dyes are a risk to asthmatics, eczema sufferers and people sensitive to aspirin. - Causes hyperactivity in children, severe headaches, blurred vision and itchy/watery eyes and nose (Antczak, 2001). Benzoates - Used as a preservative in cosmetics and fizzy drinks.Causes gastric irritation, numbing of the mouth and aggravates asthma (Antczak, 2001). Certain essential oils DEA, MEA, TEA Dibutyl phthalate - Highest levels were found in women of reproductive age. - Causes birth defects in animals, and damaging to the male reproductive system (ABC News, Internet Ventures 2000). - Used in cosmetics to assist the absorption of other ingredients. Formaldehydes - Causes skin reactions. - Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most identified preservative causing contact dermatitis ( American Academy of Dermatology: Fairley, 2001). - DMDM hydantoin - Quaternium 15 - Diazolidinylurea - 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1 - 3-diol Fragrances - Major cause, in addition to artificial colours, of skin irritations and allergies (Antczak, 2001). - May cause dizziniess, skin irritation and hyperpigmentation (Fairley, 2001). Genetically Modified Organisms - Effects still undetermined. Isopropyl Alcohol Keratolytic chemicals - Corrosive, used in skin peels. - Dissolves the stratum corneum of the epidermis (outermost layer), making skin more sensitive to sun damage. - Accelerates production of dead skin cells; the skin thickens to repair its surface so that vulnerable skin cells underneath are protected from the effects of skin peeling.(Antczak, 2001). Methylisothiazolinone Parabens - Triggers skin irritations and may be an xerestrogen (Fairley, 2001).May play a role in falling sperm counts and rising breast cancer rates (Fairley, 2001).Used in 99% of all cosmetics (Fairley, 2001), and in many so-called 'natural' products. Parraffin - In the form of wax, mineral oil or petrolatum. - Comedogenic, i.e.blocks pores. Propylene Glycol - Increases the amount of acid in the body, resulting in metabolic problems. - Large amounts are needed to produce this effect (Agency forToxic Substances and Disease Registry or ATSDR, 2003). Sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate - Irritating to eyes, skin and lungs (Antczak, 2001). - Harmful if swallowed and may cause damage to eyes (Antczak, 2001). Tallow - Not suitable for vegans, and may be a skin irritant. Toluene - Produced during the process of making gasoline and other fuels from crude oil or coal. - Evaporates into the air when products containing toluene are opened. - May affect the nervous system, and/or cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, nausea, or loss of appetite. - Symptoms disappear when exposure is eliminated (ATSDR, 2003). In Canada, not all cosmetics list their ingredients on their labels, but most have toll free telephone numbers which link you to their customer service departments, where inquiries about ingredient lists can be made. Reading labels and recognizing problematic ingredients are necessary skills for a consumer who intends to choose products that are completely natural. The cost of a cosmetic is not a reliable indicator of either its quality or natural characteristics. Most cosmetics, from the lowest priced, to the most costly brands, are composed of identical base ingredients (Begoun, 1991). Cosmetics do not stay on the surface of the skin without penetrating to some degree. Lipstick wearers, for example, consume 1.5 to 4 tubes in a lifetime (Aveda). If one considers the ingredients being internalized by the body, absorbing plant oils and waxes, mineral pigments or essential oils is a healthier alternative than absorbing petroleum by-products and synthetic chemicals. The ability to choose the right cosmetics for you depends on accurate ingredient knowledge, personal needs and market choices. Caring for one's whole body includes skin care choices that support and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Natural cosmetic products and make-up are safer, healthier alternatives especially when these products are composed of all natural ingredients. A natural product is described as one that contains mostly or completely naturally derived ingredients (Antczak, 2001). It also indicates that the product is free from, or contains minute amounts of artificial chemical additives. Caution is required when products claim to be natural. For instance, they may contain small amounts of plant extracts, but the bulk of the product is petroleum based and loaded with fragrances. Instead, consider switching to completely natural products, which perform to the same standard as their non-natural counterparts. The Organic Make-up Company offers a wide range of simple, affordable and high quality products. Our cosmetic products are carefully formulated from plant waxes, plant oils, essential oils from flowers, barks and spices, as well as richly coloured mineral pigments. Switching to all-natural cosmetic products and make-up can help you to avoid feeding your skin harmful chemicals. Many skin problems, such as acne, contact dermatitis, irritations and allergies may disappear once petroleum or synthetic ingredients are removed from your skin care regimen. Using fully natural products can contribute to healthy skin and a healthy body in the long term. We invite you to give our natural products a try. They are completely natural, vegan and an excellent alternative to conventional cosmetics and make-up. To view our products, please visit our website at http://www.organicmakeup.ca. References: - Antczak, Dr. Stephen and Gina, (2001). Cosmetics Unmasked, Harper Collins, London. - Begoun, Paula, (1991). Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Beginnings Press, Seattle. - Fairley, Josephine, (2001). Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London. - www.abcnews.com, ABC News Internet Ventures, 2000. - www.atsdr.cdc.gov, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, April 2003. - http://www.naturalcosmetics.ca Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences. You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Facial Exercises - A New Trend in Non-Surgical Facial Toning There is a moment in everyone's life, when you notice for the first time, (it may be for some around your 35th birthday), wrinkles and sagginess on your face. These may appear as a result of stress-filled days, good and bad personal experiences, genetics and a host of other factors influencing your life. Natural Hair - Get Creative With Homemade Recipes Do you wear your hair natural? No lye? As many will tell you, once you make a change to go natural your hair regimen must also change. This frequently includes an adjustment to the types of products you use on your coils. A number of your old stand-bys may no longer lend you the same results on your kinks as they did on your straight hair. Silicone Breast Implants Revived by FDA On July 28 2005, the FDA issued a letter of approval to Mentor Corp ending the the thirteen year old ban on silicone-gel breast implants. This move came about as Mentor Corp. persuaded the FDA that its newer silicone implants are less dangerous and more durable than older versions. The company will employ these implants only under the following strict safety conditions approved by the FDA. Buying A Wholesale Tanning Bed The tanning industry is showing no signs of stopping. If you ever wanted to open a tanning salon, now is the time to buy wholesale tanning beds. Many retailers sell tanning beds at wholesale costs. The best place to buy wholesale is online, since there are no warehouses or sales staff to pay. Online vendors have special buying relationships with manufacturers because of the high sales volume they generate. (Furthermore, even if you want to buy a single bed at wholesale cost, just contact a web vendor and ask whether you can piggyback on another customer's large order.) Importance of Your Skins pH One of the most important roles of our skin is to protect our 'insides' from the external environment, acting both as a barrier and a filter between 'outside' and 'inside'. In addition, the skin is involved in regulating our body's temperature, like when we have a fever or we're physically working hard, we tend to sweat, which is the body's way to attempt to lower the temperature. Wonderful Foaming Honey Foot Bath at Home I imagine you can tell me at length about how tired your feet and legs get after your busy day. When's the last time you got to treat yourself to a day at the spa? Even if you had the time, it's not too often you can afford the $100 cost of a simple, relaxing, foot soak. The Secret To A Good Tan Is In The Bulb The secrets out! Tanning bed bulbs in salon tanning beds, are a big part of the secret to that perfect tan. With the wide range of bulbs available for tanning beds you can have any depth of tan you desire. There are deep tanning lamps, bronzing bulbs, facial lamps, and plenty of other choices. These high tech lamps have utilized the best technology known to man, to safely tan you. Kitchen Treasures for Healthy and Beautiful Skin Vegetable and spices are necessary in our kitchen. They play a vital part in our diet and nutrition. Now, you can even make your own beauty regimen out of those veggies and spices in your kitchen. Costume Contact Lenses ? Be Noticed in the Crowd! Costume contacts have always been a favorite tool of movie costume designers. What makes a werewolf appear like a real monster and not just an actor in a costume? The eyes, of course! The eyes make the entire image seem real and very believable. Cleanse and Stimulate Your Scalp with the Right Shampoo! Shampoo contributes to good hair care. In our quest for the perfect makeup, the vital importance of good hair care is mostly ignored. Your hair is usually the first thing people notice about you and gives you away in many ways. Is it dull, dry and damaged, or is it shiny, vibrant and healthy? Well-groomed hair contributes to that perfect look and the confidence in your personality. There are so many shampoos, conditioners and other hair care products available today. One needs to find out which one is best for ones hair. Vying for Those Desirable Cosmetics Patients Dentists going for the "gold ring" of cosmetic dentistry practice might find the reach may exceed their grasp. Hyaluronic Acid vs. Collagen - A Growing Debate The debate continues as to whether Hyaluronic acid or collagen is the best option for facial injections. However, research shows that Hyaluronic acid is rapidly becoming the facial injection of choice. Beating Dry Skin and Dandruff the Natural Way For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin and dandruff. I've gone through every cream and shampoo available on the market without any acceptable results. I started to look to diet and more alternative practices for help. I've realized that it is possible to find solutions to dry skin and dandruff through diet, in combination with other health models, such as the Eastern practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Beauty Tips 1. Your foundation will look only as good as the skin underneath. To get an even, smooth look, cleanse and exfoliate regularly. Deep Skin Moisturizing When it comes to skin care, moisturizing is usually one of the more popular, and though it's hard to believe, more controversial topics. Some experts swear by moisturizing as the best way to keep your skin youthful and healthy while others feel a bit more suspicious of its benefits. Since my grandma lived to 94 years of age with beautiful skin and touted the benefits of moisturizing for years, I tend to lean towards giving it a go. For many, moisturizing on a daily basis is already a daily part of their skin care regime while others are just jumping on the bandwagon for the first time. Regardless of where you fall, deep skin moisturizing is a cost effective and simple way to take hold of the hands of time and rein it in. Get Back that White Bright Smile with the Teeth Whitening Systems at Home There are many poets who have written about the power of the smile. A simple smile can turn a bad situation into a more manageable situation. Smile has the power to throw even the bullies off balance; such is the power of a good clean smile. Let me add, a good clean smile with a brighter teeth to support. How often have we seen in movies and television the stars sparkle because of that charming smile with those white sparkling tooth. Many have never thought about the idea of they too can have that smile, with the whiter teeth. Well there is help now a days, there are many great products out there that can whiten your teeth and bring them back to their natural shade at the minimum. You don't have to go to the dentist for the bleaching process; just at the comfort of your home you can administer the process without much fuss and mess. You can do this even under a tight budget with very little money shelled out from your pocket. Sunless Tanning Booth As we begin to fully understand the serious consequences of sun tanning, we are looking for alternatives and that's why a visit it a sunless tanning booth has become so popular. There are no tanning bed risks and no tanning bed burns to worry about. Just a beautiful golden tan that lasts about a week. Natural Skin Care Mask Healthy skin is one of the most common health and beauty concerns for people today, and rightfully so. Our skin is our bodies largest organ, and when our skin doesn't look or feel good, it is exposed for the rest of the world to see. Slather On That Tanning Bed Lotion Tanning bed lotions abound. How do you choose from all the tanning bed lotions available? Dental Implants in New York With many well-known specialists living and working in the area, seeking dental implants in New York can be a relatively painless process.
|
|
|
|
|
