Since 1930 more than 75,000 synthetic chemicals have been introduced into our environment, while there is no denying that many of these have revolutionized our lives there is also the concern of just what else they are doing to us. The average American women uses twelve cosmetic products each day, exposing her to a few hundred chemicals before she even leaves the house! Do we really need to be subjecting ourselves to these quite possibly toxic cocktails all in the name of looking good?
Take a look at the ingredients listing on one of your favorite moisturisers and chances are you won’t be able to recognize let alone pronounce any of them. Many manufacturers pack their products full of synthetic chemicals to create better textures, fragrance and preservation for the least amount of money possible, leaving little room for the ingredients that are actually beneficial to our skin.
Ongoing research into these chemicals is making alarming discoveries and putting doubt on the safety of their usage. The infamous paraben family is a strong suspect, used as preservatives in skincare and cosmetic products, they have been nicknamed gender benders due to their ability to mimic hormones and links have also been suggested towards breast cancer. A lot of brands have chosen to remove them from their lines which is a really positive step forward, but it is also the phthalates, glycols, sulfates and formaldehyde (to name but a few!) that we need to be questioning. With suspicions of disrupting hormones and being carcinogenic as well as causing skin irritations, sensitivity and allergic reactions, I certainly don’t want them in my skincare! Manufacturers argue that such research remains inconclusive and the amount of each substance used is so small and within measures that are considered safe.
But just what is deemed a safe level? You would be forgiven for thinking that all personal care products have been put through vigorous testing to check their safety for consumer use, however the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no authority to demand this. The 1938 Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act gave them very little power in the cosmetics industry and since then only 11 chemicals have been banned as ingredients, quite far behind Europe’s 1100. Mmm, slight difference of opinion!! Companies can volunteer their products to be tested through The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the industry’s own testing panel, otherwise there are no regulations for companies to adhere to, they don’t even have to list all of the product ingredients. When you consider that our bodies absorb around 60% of what we put on them that is quite a scary thought. It is also the reactions of mixing chemicals from different products and the accumulation of this in our bodies over time, that add to the worry. July this year did see some good news in the form of The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, which will hopefully help to bring some order to the current disarray by enforcing strict rules and regulations such as compulsory ingredient listings and banning those with links to damaging health.
Public awareness of these issues is thankfully rising and armed with increasing knowledge, consumers are starting to choose their products more carefully to avoid synthetic overload. Companies are trying to keep up with this growing demand and the shelves are creaking with ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ products. Unfortunately the lack of legislation falls here too with the terms natural and organic having no legal definition allowing far too many false claims. Label checking is no longer just for food, if we want to avoid these shady brands it is time to wise up and use websites like www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to do our homework and distinguish the sinners from the saints.
Going au natural doesn’t have to mean a compromise in the efficiency of your skincare. Green chemists are putting the latest technology and science into modern formulations to give you high performance products minus the nasties. You can still tackle any skin concerns and have positively radiant skin without reaching for chemical laden products.
For anyone waging a war on time, The Organic Pharmacy’s Rose Plus Marine Collagen Complex (£99.95 for 35ml, www.theorganicpharmacy.com) is a strong ally, packed full of nature’s finest soldiers it will stimulate collagen and elastin promoting a youthful complexion.
The Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum (£64 for 30ml, http://www.nudeskincare.com) is the latest addition to the Nude Skincare line, with advanced probiotic technology and no hidden unsavouries, this wonder serum smooths and tightens while adding radiance, perfect for tired or dull skin.
If pigmentation is a bother for you harsh bleaches are not the answer, the power of plants on the other hand hold many a great solution. Suki’s Bio Brightening Face Serum (£51.61 for 15ml, www.sukiskincare.com) uses songyl mushroom, bearberry leaves, lemon and licorice to help correct uneven skin tone and encourage a troublefree, luminous skin.
Sensitivity is a common issue and can be exasperated further by artificial lotions and potions. Dr Alkaitis’ Universal Mask (£34.22 for 4oz, www.alkaitis.com) is a real treat for irritated skin, made with the belief that you shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat, this mask really is a nutritious feast. Add some goat’s milk yoghurt and organic honey for an extra boost – it was good enough for Cleopatra….
If spots and blemishes are your bug bear, Absolution’s La Solution + Controle (£39.82 for 5oz, www.shopmiomia.com) is a magic organic mix including crajiru, zinc and propolis to help eliminate and regenerate.
So you see, Mother nature is a force to be reckoned with and a strong contender against the chemical world. She can match synthetic counterparts with rich botanicals to offer desired results, proof that we don’t need our products to be full of so much rubbish. We seem to be living in an ever increasing toxic world, so if we can eliminate some of those toxins by choosing our skincare wisely it is a start. Let’s hope The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is a sign of good things to come and get these villains banished from our beauty products.
(References)
How to survive on a toxic planet – Dr Steve Nugent
