The fight against bad cosmetics

After the disaster with the lead laden beauty products, consumers are now more careful as to what they put on their skin and face.  It’s bad enough to have to breathe polluted air, but to pollute our bodies with the very same products that we use for hygiene seems ironic.

Sadly, while the FDA is in charge with the monitoring of all cosmetic products that have the potential to do more harm than good, the agency lacks the manpower to oversee the thousands of drugs and cosmetics that come to the market every year.  As in most cases, the FDA only bans these products after numerous consumers complain of adverse side effects.

So it is a good thing then that people are beginning to notice and take action not only to the detrimental effects the environment suffers when these harmful chemicals are manufactured but also to the effects these products have on over all health.
Think about it, how many women use lipstick?  So what happens when lipstick is tainted with lead?  Lots of women also use nail polish.  What about those nail polish brands that were found to have DBP, a known carcinogen?  How about those shampoo that have the same chemicals used for battery acid?  Some moms use these shampoos on their baby’s hair, what about them?

As the FDA closes its reigns on cosmetic companies that use harmful chemicals as binders or extenders, the fight is still far from over as these companies rationalize that even though their products contain carcinogens; their composition relative to the cosmetic is minute.

As consumers get smarter, we can only hope that cosmetic companies get smart too and offer safer, earth friendly and beauty friendly products to their loyal customers.  This is a win-win situation for both company and consumer as they both get healthier and provide safe cosmetics at the same time.
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Nanotechnology Being Used In Products Despite Toxicity To Humans And Environment

When the nano technology was first introduced in the early 1980s, most of the people were amazed by this spectacular idea. Share holders invested a lot of money in nano based industries because they knew the next growing business is nano technology.
‘Nano’ means extremely small or mathematically it means one billionth (10-9) of a meter, so Nanotechnology is that knowledge and ability that can construct potent devices by engineering a single atoms until they are molecularly sized.
After only three decades the industries working on this technology is so much enhanced that we are fascinated at how technology is advancing and how efficient we can use the resources around us to make life easier. Nanotechnology is being used every day to develop new electronics and cosmetic products. However, are we really being environmentally friendly by producing and using these products?
The more the particles become small, the more it is a threat to human defense system. Today many leading multi-national cosmetic companies are manufacturing these nano-particle contained products that can be toxic to humans and their environment. Some bizarre facts about the harmful effects of nano particles are listed below:-
1.    In 1997, an Oxford scientist discovered that nano-particles found in sunscreen created free radicals that had damaged DNA.

2.    In 2004, British scientist Vyvyan Howard published initial findings that had indicated gold nanoparticles might travel through a mother’s placenta to the fetus.

3.    In early 2002, the University of California in San Diego revealed that cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, may cause cadmium poisoning in humans.

4.    In 2002, CBEN (Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology) indicated that nanoparticles accumulated in the bodies of lab animals and fullerene could easily travel through soil and be absorbed by earthworms. This is a potential link up in the food chain to humans.

Nanotechnology may appeal as the wave of the future and advancement in skincare with the allure of warding off signs of aging but consumers must understand the damage these nano particles can do to the human body.

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Placenta: Is It Really Good for Your Skin?

Placenta usage for your skincare needs is still a debatable issue and an ongoing one. Manufacturers claim that they are as natural as it can get while critics stand firm in their belief that the product is not only unethical but poses a real health risk as well. Unfortunately, placenta creams are virtually flying off the rack these days as more and more users come out to attest to the product’s effectivity. Apparently, it also made a rift in green communities worldwide.

The main ingredient in placenta creams is of course, placenta, particularly the ones coming from cows and humans. It undergoes purification process and then extracted to be formed in creams, lotions and soaps. They are so effective they earned high praises from its loyal users. Placenta, by the way, is the lining of the womb that comes out along with your child when giving birth. In a nutshell, the placenta acts as the nutrient supplier to your developing child inside the womb. Naturally, a placenta is expected to be rich in nutrients by the time it comes out but do take note that it also acts as toxin reliever for the fetus inside since he or she is still unable to do this on his own.

Placenta is indeed natural since it is not man made but what shakes critics the most is that manufacturers claim their products to be natural when in fact, it is already processed and mixed with chemicals to stabilize the product and make it more attractive to use. Also, studies have found that placenta-based skin care products can be heavily laden with hormones triggering hormonal surge to humans making it very unsuitable for children’s use.

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Do Without Cosmetic Testing on Animals

In an effort to bring cosmetic products that are safe for humans, animals suffered tremendously worldwide. These animals were killed, mutilated and tortured just to make sure that your cosmetic needs are met accordingly. But, seriously, can we afford such cruelty?

Every year, animals are bought in batches by cosmetic companies and taken into testing sites. From then on they will be the main objects for measuring levels of toxicity, skin irritation and eye tissue damage in which the key ingredients may incur. These are very painful procedure and some of these animals actually die during the process itself—if they do, lucky for them, their bodies will just be thrown out back to the wild but those who unfortunately, survived these experimentations are left to live with the damages for the rest of their lives. These tests are simply inhumane, not to mention, they could never be accurate since these laboratories are not testing a human reaction, only that of an animal. In short, animal experimentations are not essential to cosmetic products since they can still cause adverse reaction when applied to human skin.

Organizations for animal rights never said that the war against cosmetic testing would be easy; especially when cosmetic companies find it easier to butcher these animals than seek other testing alternatives that won’t use live ones. Aside from the cosmetic products we apply directly to our skins, these animals are used for testing household cleaning agents as well. Just imagine what these animals would have to go through just to ensure that these products are safe for us to use. On the other hand, animal rights activists strongly recommend banning those companies who still practice these procedures and go for organic and natural products instead since these products don’t need to be tested anymore.

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Sunscreens, Cancer in a Bottle?

Most people use sunscreens to avoid the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.  Indeed prolonged sun exposure can actually induce the early appearance of freckles and wrinkles.  But a study published in the British Medical Journal reports that sunbathers who use sunscreens with higher SPF have a higher risk of developing skin cancers.  This is because a chemical called Oxybenzone which is a standard ingredient in high SPF sunscreens can cause more harm than good.

Oxybenzone’s job is to filter ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat.  Once heat is absorbed in the skin, it has the potential to damage cells.  Once light is converted into heat, it can cause basal damage to growing cells which causes malignancy in growth and cause cancer.  Scientists at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York say that sunscreens are very effective in preventing sunburns and cancers like Carcinoma but not against Melanoma.

PABA or para-benzoic amino acid which works in the same way as Oxybenzone also has similar effects.  For sunbathers and sun worshipers it would probably be better to use the old and tried tested method of applying tin oxide which reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing it.  It is also widely used in wound dressings and is safe.  Calamine lotion which has a Zinc oxide base is colored pink and washes off easily can also be used as a substitute for PABA or Oxybenzone based sunscreens.

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Shampoo Contains Toxic Chemicals

Researchers from the National Institute of Health have found out that the chemical MIT or methylisothiazoline which are commonly used in shampoos and conditioners can cause nerve damage to animals likewise to humans.

The experiment was conducted on laboratory mice.  The brain of the mice showed nerve damage after contact with MIT.  Scientists and researchers have found MIT in popular shampoo brands like Pantene, Head and Shoulders, Clairol and Suave.  They are cautioning pregnant women since exposure to the chemical can also cause damage to the fetus.

Studies have shown that MIT is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other central nervous disorders.  MIT causes the slowing down of the nerve’s response time preventing communication between the neurons.  Since our central nervous system which is comprised of neurons, brain function and networking signals can become suppressed with over exposure to MIT.

However, people are wondering why these products are still seen and patronized in grocery shops across the nation.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which oversees such testing spends majority of its time approving drugs and medicine and not enough time looking into the harmful effects of shampoos and conditioners containing MIT and allowing them to stay on supermarket shelves everywhere.

Before purchasing any brand of shampoo, conditioner or any personal care product, know what is inside the bottle.  The FDA’s website is actually awash with chemicals and guidelines on which chemicals are classified as toxic and safe.  Since the FDA is doing only half its job, then make the right choice and make sure that the product you are using is healthy and safe.

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Isopropyl Alcohol

First of all, isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable. While alcohol is used for disinfecting and costs relatively cheap, it is not wise to apply it on skin since it strips off the skin’s natural line of defense making it dry and cracked. In return, the skin is made more susceptible to bacteria and other pollutant.

We should be aware that isopropyl alcohol is a solvent that can alter other substance’s form. When inhaled, this potentially toxic substance can cause respiratory problem and central nervous depression. Its instant effects are headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can even induce coma and narcosis to user. These are the reasons why pediatricians strongly advise not to use isopropyl alcohol to newborn babies.

When accidentally ingested, the isopropyl alcohol will irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines which will result to vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. It will also alter your blood composition due to its denaturing effect.

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Propylene Glycol (PG)

Propylene glycol is an organic compound that is faintly sweet, colorless and in liquid or vapor form. Generally, due to its low oral toxicity, it is recognized as safe to use as an additive to food but we should also know that some of its uses include antifreeze, photo developing solutions, brake fluids, and coolants. That’s how “industrial” this toxic chemical is and yet it can be found in our daily personal care products such as hair products, liquid foundation, suntan lotions, deodorants, and toothpastes.

Propylene glycol acts as a humectant. It absorbs water and maintains moisture to medicines, personal care products and food while boosting artificial color and flavor of the product you are going to buy. Exposure to propylene glycol will cause systemic retention and can cause skin irritation and inflammation, kidney damage and liver problems.

Since propylene glycol serves its purpose well, allowed by the regulating government and most of all they are cheap, it is not hard to imagine why an antifreeze agent could end up in our shampoo bottles.

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FD&C Color Pigments

Colorful things are surely attractive especially for kids. For women, we choose colorful makeup and other cosmetic products to enhance our general appearance while kids prefer to use bubble baths and soaps with bright colors. With men, they find it necessary to cover up gray strands of hair thus the need to use hair dyes.

FD&C color pigments are usually made from tar and they can also cause irritation to the skin. They are most commonly found in eye makeup, lipsticks, hair dyes, nail polish and even with your colored medicinal tablets. These color pigments are for enhancing natural color to create a visual effect tempting enough for consumers to buy them.

Hair dyes contain coal tar and phenylenediamine, both are known carcinogenic that also causes inflammation of the scalp and in some instances, blindness. With regular use of hair dye products, the risk of developing bladder cancer is much higher than those who don’t use them. Bright nail polishes contain toluene, together with color pigments, they are more than toxic causing headaches, confusion and memory loss. Daily exposure to toluene may induce hearing loss.

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DEA, TEA & MEA

These toxic chemicals are used for regulating pH in cosmetics and personal care products. DEA provides luxurious consistency to lotions and creams and rich lather in shampoos since it is an emulsifier and foaming agent. While DEA was not found to be harmful to our health, its by-product NDEA or nitrosodiethanolamine is. NDEA is a proven to be a cancer-causing agent and can be easily absorbed by the skin. It has strong links to stomach, esophageal, liver and bladder cancers to humans.

Just a note, DEA is a generalized term for all diethanolamine and TEA and MEA are related substances. When applied topically, it may result to skin irritation or burning of skin. It can also cause impairment of vision with eye contact. If inhaled accidentally, it irritates the nose and throat. This chemical also disrupts hormone cycle thus affecting all hormonal balances of the body including testicular degeneration and low sperm count.

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