Is your beauty routine harming your health?

This topic was posted by Dr Mercola in October 2009.

Sources:

Organic Consumers Association October 1, 2009

FoodMatters 

Do you enjoy a shampoo with a rich bubbles? A shaving cream that really foams? Relaxing in a tub full of bubbles?

SLS stays in the body up to five days. Other studies show it easily penetrates the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, the lungs, and the brain. Yet SLS is found in most cleansing, foaming products – and even in some toothpastes.

See safe certified organic products

See related blog ‘Why are there toxins in everyday products

See more ‘About organics’

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Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and their cousins like ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate produce a lot of foam very inexpensively. But SLS is so strong that it’s also used to scrub garage floors. And it has been proven to cause cancer in the long run.

When are products truly organic?

Here’s a Q and A between me and ONEgroup, who produce Miessence, a certified organic product range.

Lucie: When products labelled ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ have no chemicals or preservatives listed, are they truly organic products?’

ONEgroup: The only real signs of truly organic products are the certification logos. This proves that the products have passed the strict organic standards and comply completely to these guidelines.

Lucie: Is there a law that every product label must show all the ingredients?

ONEgroup: Yes, there are some guidelines about listing ingredients. To comply with the European Union Cosmetic Product Regulations, we are now required to list the components found in essential oils.

We only purchase from suppliers that have authentic organic certification. This is a requirement of processing certified organic products.  If there’s no organic certificate, it ain’t certified!

Lucie: Why are so many companies that make organic products not certified?

ONEgroup: You’d have to ask the company, but the most likely reason is that they don’t actually comply with the standards!

See organic products

See related blog ‘The rules for certified organics’

See related blog  ‘The difference between natural and organic ‘   or watch the video

See related topic ‘Understanding product labels’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Are the chemicals in personal care/beauty products harmful?

A scientist’s view

I asked this question of one of my clients, a scientist working in cancer research.

He said that the chemicals in beauty products are not harmful. Of course, if a child ate a lot of toothpaste (which has fluoride added) they could be harmed, but it’s also dangerous to eat massive amounts of organic carrots.

He pointed out that in nature, we only take the amount that we need. For example, to function properly our bodies actually need a little arsenic, yet this is poisonous in larger doses. So, he believed that chemicals in products are only harmful when used in large amounts.

ONEgroup responds

It’s quite incorrect to say that chemicals in products are harmful only when you use them in bigger amounts. Exposure to a small amount of mercury can kill or cause damage for example, so that already disputes that theory. Yes, we produce a natural amount of arsenic ourselves but that it is released as needed and in doses that our bodies can handle. The danger is in accumulation of additional toxins. The point of using organic skincare is to reduce the amount of chemicals that we absorb and that we pour down the sink and into our environment. – http://www.ewg.org/ 

See organic products

See related blog ‘Why are there toxins in everyday products?’

See related blog ‘Deodorants and breast cancer’ or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Why are there toxins in everyday products?

If personal care products and nutrition with chemicals, toxins and preservative can harm humans and the planet, why would governments and industries produce it, when the scientists know it’s poison?

The reason is simple: profit. Natural ingredients can’t be patented so companies make chemical versions, patent them and then market them. They also use these synthetic versions because they are cheaper to mass-produce. Most people assume that beauty products have been thoroughly tested for safety well before they appear in stores.

You would also think that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be watching the cosmetic industry to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Unfortunately, the FDA has little power to regulate beauty products. In fact, the only people ensuring the safety of personal care products are the very people who govern the industry: the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA)

Scientists paid by the CTFA make up the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) . They regulate the safety of the industry’s products. In 2004, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released findings, comparing about 10,000 ingredients in 7,500 different products against known and suspected chemical health hazards.

• Only 28 had been evaluated for safety by the CIR.
• One in every 120 products contained ingredients certified by the government as known or probable carcinogens.
• Nearly one-third of the products contained ingredients classified as possible carcinogens.
• 54 products violated recommendations for safe use that the CIR had put in place.

These products are still available for sale today. The worst offenders were those containing the cancer-causing ingredients coal tar (found in hair dyes), alpha and beta hydroxy acids (commonly used in products advertised to remove wrinkles, blemishes, blotches and acne scars), and those containing the hormone-disrupting ingredient, phthalate (nail care products).

From website http://www.naturalnews. com/016898.html

See related blog ‘Deodorants and breast cancer’ or watch the video

See more ‘About organics’

See more ‘Toxins and chemicals’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Should young people use retinol?

A reader asks, ‘I bought cream by ROC, a drug store product here in the US. It contains retinol and claims to reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles. I’ve also heard that your skin will get ‘used to’ retinol so that is why you should not use anti-wrinkle creams at a young age. Is this true?’

First of all, it’s true the skin needs a while to get used to retinol/ Vitamin A. It is an exfoliating agent that peels your skin. It should be used only at night as it’s light sensitive and may cause hyper pigmentation (darkening of the skin). Always use sun cream if you use retinol products to avoid hyper pigmentation.

At a young age you don’t need to apply retinol as your skin’s collagen and elastin are still intact. Using those creams doesn’t make any sense as your skin doesn’t need them.

Remember when you were a baby. Your mother fed you with food that was appropriate to your needs and age at that time. She did not give you food for adults, because you did not need it. So it is with the skin. We need to understand which skin type we have and what kind of food our skin needs. Watch The right ingredients for your skin type. 

Get my e-book and you’ll receive a free report, ‘Know your skin type’.

Check the Safe Cosmetics site.  Type in the ingredients in your ROC cream, and you will understand what it does to your skin.

There are more effective ways to look after your skin when you’re young.

Eat antioxidants – vitamins or nutrients that help to protect us from the effect of free radicals in our bodies, including damage to skin cells. They are found in fruit and vegetables: plants produce antioxidants to protect themselves from damage by free radicals.

• Learn about Antioxidants in food

Watch ‘What are free radicals and antioxidants?’  or read more

Read product ingredients and check what they do to your skin and your health. Many chemicals are harmful. See article ‘Understanding product labels’.

Beauty comes from the inside!

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Safety fears over nanocosmetics

One of my client asked me if we use nanotechnology in our Miessence range (we don’t). She was concerned about her family’s health.

Nanotechnology is the science of using atoms and molecules on the nanoscale – 80,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

The beauty industry uses nanotechnology to make products like sun creams and anti-aging products with tiny particles that penetrate deeper into the skin surface, to provide better results.

Some experts are concerned about their possible long-term effects on the body.

We know that everything we put on our skin penetrates into the blood stream. We as consumers must get informed about which products use nanomaterials, so we can make a choice.

Read a BBC report: Safety fears over nanocosmetics.

See safe products with no nanomaterials

See more ‘Health topics’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Blackhead extractor  

Diana asks, ‘Is it a good idea to get a blackhead extractor?’

This is individual decision. Some people prefer to use their fingertips, but others like to remove blackheads with an extractor. This costs between $10 and $20, from a  pharmacy or department store.

Be careful as you can injure the skin. I highly recommended you visit a dermatologist or accredited beauty therapist to get advice on the technique.

How to use an extractor

Before using, soften the skin with a warm compress or steam – holding a towel over your head, over a bowl of hot water. This makes it easier to remove the blackheads.

Place the extractor loop around the blackhead area and press gently downwards to push it out.

Closing facial pores

Soak a face towel or washcloth in cold water and leave it on your skin for 5–10 minutes. You can also use ice cubes – massage them into your skin.

Remember, heat opens pores and cold closes them.

See my e-book for beauty routines to improve your skin

Watch the video ‘What are blackheads & why they are dark?!’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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Clay mask burning the skin

Jen writes: I put a clay mask on and at first it felt like my face was burning and then it went away after a few minutes but I still left it on. Is that ok? I love what it did to my face, but it just burned when I put it on at first.’

It’s not uncommon to experience a slight burning feeling when you apply the mask. As long as you have no signs of a reaction once you remove it, you can keep using the product.

The burning could be caused by a number of things, but usually it’s a sign that the mask is working deep within your pores.

See organic clay mask

See related topic ‘6 Solution for skin trouble’ or watch the video ‘Allergic reaction’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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The rules for certified organics

Certified organic products have a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. These ingredients are:

• minimally processed
• naturally extracted without:
• artificial ingredients
• synthetic processes
• synthetic preservatives
• animal testing
• irradiation.

Certified organic processors must:

• Keep detailed written purchasing, production and sales records (audit trail)
• Develop stringent quality systems to maintain organic integrity of ingredients
• Ensure traceability of organic ingredients (from seed to consumer)
• Maintain strict physical separation of ingredients to prevent contamination
• Undergo periodic on-site inspections (audits).

Greenwashing

Greenwashing is a practice where companies falsely promote their products as environmentally friendly.

It’s important to read labels and become an informed consumer for three good reasons:

• to avoid toxins disguised as ‘natural’ ingredients
• to never be fooled again by slick marketing hype
• to effectively create change through informed purchasing power

Misleading ingredients lists

Companies mislead consumers by listing botanical extracts, or ‘aqueous infusions’ (which are just weak teas) at the top of the ingredient list.

The synthetic surfactant ingredients that make up the core of the product are hidden further down the list.

The substantial water component of a herbal mixture is incorrectly counted as ‘organic’, which is prohibited under International Organic Standards.

This practice artificially inflates the organic content in order to make a deceptive 70% organic claim.

Manufacturers often list the source of a chemical to lull consumers into a false sense of security about the ‘naturalness’, ‘purity’ and ’safety’ of their ingredients.

Reference: ‘Product training with Narelle Chenery’

Watch the video ‘Narelle Chenery of ONEgroup talks about greenwashing’

Purchase certified organic products

See related blog  ‘The difference between natural and organic ‘ or watch the video

See related topic ‘Understanding product labels’

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

Forward to a friend

The difference between natural and organic

An important step in looking after your health is to consider natural or organic products.

But you need to understand the difference between ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and ‘certified organic’.

The dictionary says that ‘natural’ means ‘existing in, or formed by nature, not artificial.’

But the cosmetic industry definition of ‘natural’ is:

‘A cosmetic ingredient that is derived from a natural source, e.g. cocamide DEA (coconut).’ This broad definition covers natural ingredients that have been treated chemically.

Naturally derived/synthetic ingredients

The term ‘naturally derived’ actually means ‘synthetic’. A chemical process is involved, regardless of the source of the ingredient.

‘Many of the processing aids and impurities of cosmetic chemicals are linked to asthma, learning disabilities, infertility, birth defects and cancer.’ – Narelle Chenery, Director, ONEGroup

Reference: ONEgroup toxic ingredients

So what is ‘organic’?

Organic agriculture is an ecological farm management system that:

• promotes biodiversity
• enhances soil fertility
• prevents topsoil erosion
• protects groundwater
• conserves energy
• protects our next generation.

Organic agriculture prohibits:

• genetic engineering
• pesticides
• synthetic fertilisers
• antibiotics
• growth hormones.

 Organic – certified or not?

Many companies now claim to have ‘organic’ products.

What does this mean? Is there an authority that governs the use of the term ‘organic’ on labels?

How can we tell if a product is truly organic?

What is ‘certified organic’?

Certified organic is your guarantee of authenticity and integrity for every ingredient. It means: 

• the products are regulated by government and independent certification bodies
• an independent third party has guaranteed the ‘organic’ claim
• these products can bear the organic seal of approval.

Without the logo an ‘organic’ claim means nothing.

Watch the video ‘Narelle Chenery of ONEgroup explains certified organics.’

Purchase certified organic products.

Reference: ‘Product training with Narelle Chenery’

See related topic ‘Understanding product labels’

See related topic ‘Organic certification logos’ or watch the video

What did you think of this article? I welcome your feedback

Have a lovely day

Lucie

www.familyhealthbeautyinfo.com

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