Tag: European Union

What Do We Really Know About Cosmetics

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Cosmetics, are they poisonous or are they harmless? Did you ever ask yourself this question? As the saying goes: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Cosmetics have the power to do it all, to change for better or for worse.

Are cosmetics a natural, healthful and safe beauty product as we’re being told and made to believe, that they are? Many people are looking for methods to improve their physical appearances with whatever goes, from cosmetic surgery to Botox injections. Or is it still better being aware of all the culprits and unhealthy possibilities lurking in the bottles of beauty as described so convincingly by the manufacturers? According to research our body is absorbing over two hundred synthetic chemicals every day without us knowing it.

The things in cosmetics most of us don’t know!

What does make us look so beautiful, and the cosmetics obviously working so well, these are mostly the very ingredients that are toxic and cancerous to human beings. There is no difference for the make-up industries when it comes to government regulations as in the food products where loopholes are left open for manufacturers to allow banned toxins and chemicals into cosmetic products.

Cosmetic is a product used daily and often several times a day, just like brushing your teeth.

None of the products are chemical free; some can have lesser chemicals than others. Nevertheless, the smallest amount will accumulate over time. Brushing the teeth or putting on lipstick two times a day will expose you, just by using one of the products, 730 times in twelve months! Stop, and think how many of these products you are using per day. Unless these products are organic or totally natural, the risk of becoming ill is a forgone conclusion. Let’s look at toothpaste: Most of us brush their teeth 2-3 times per day, using any of the major brand names of the shelf. You will rub into your gums a small cocktail of chemicals, including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Propylene Glycol, just to name some. Laurel Sulfate is in every cosmetics and personal care product; it poses a general health risk including skin, eyes and hair.

Titanium doxide is also found in mascara, eye shadow and lipstick. It is unlikely that lipstick and toothpaste for that matter isn’t swallowed, especially by children.

For an average person at the age of 40 to 60, using cosmetics for many years, the body becomes poisoned with many hundreds of synthetic chemicals including heavy metals like lead, mercury and Arsenic. Tests have revealed that chemicals get into the blood stream which is unavoidable. This happens in different ways, for instance taken in through the skin, lipstick and toothpaste would be swallowed, and eye- makeup absorbed by sensitive mucus membranes. Perfumes and powders being inhaled, hair sprays and dyes absorbed through the skull; in extreme cases hair dyes can even affect bone marrow.

Such chemicals and toxins like Coal tar, colours, Benzene, Phenylenediamine and even Formaldehyde are found in skin creams, shampoos and blusher. Studies also found that people working in the cosmetic industries were four times as likely to develop multiple myeloma and malignant bone tumour.

There are no regulations to protect your health!

In cosmetics are many synthetic inexpensive ingredients that are stable and having a long shelf life; therefore, manufacturers love them, but using them over a long time will be dangerous.

What are Parabens? They are a mixture of various chemicals and acids containing antibacterial and antifungal properties which give Parabens their preservative quality. They are also highly valued by manufacturers for maintaining freshness in foods and cosmetics. There is no ability with those dangerous chemicals to regulate any of the ingredients in cosmetics.

These are secrets cosmetic and fragrance industries would rather not you to find out about. The people using those products will never know what they really contain. The exact ingredients in cosmetics and synthetic fragrances are not required to show up on product labels because they are classified as trade secrets.

For your safety avoid any products with Parabens or any similar word ending in Parabens. If there wouldn’t be any health risk in all of this, why is the European Union restricting the use of Parabens in cosmetics?

There are natural products available to replace the chemical ones without any side effects or health risks. Just as an example: Coconut oil is a great facial cleanser, make up remover, skin moisturizer for face and body, insect repellent, for dandruff and dry scalp, even treatment of head lice, all natural with no chemicals or toxins.

There are very few reputable companies producing totally organic, chemical and toxin free products you can trust. Therefore, we must only choose pure quality, effective and safe to use for any age group, especially for the most vulnerable ones: Babies and children.

Seven Questions About Preservatives In Cosmetics

adminCosmetic

Is it necessary to use preservatives?

First, the use of preservatives in cosmetics primary role is to prevent the growth of microorganisms in the product, the nature of skin care products to maintain stability, and opening the lid after use non-perishable. The more water the more need for skin care products, preservatives, such as lotion, emulsion, ointment or wax while the closer, the bacteria more difficult to survive, relatively small demand for preservatives. In addition, the preservative products to reduce the raw material storage, Cosmetics material production, bottling products in the erosion potential of micro-bacteria is also beneficial.

2, preservatives, will stimulate the skin?

Unless there is a very sensitive skin or contact dermatitis condition, usually a small amount of preservative does not cause skin irritation, but does not rule out some manufacturers to extend product shelf life, and the use of the controversial preservative, such as benzene acid esters preservatives (many brands will promote healthy skin care specially marked “Parabens free benzoic acid esters do not add”). In addition, due to the complexity of the cosmetic product formulation, the active ingredient will need some special preservative, such as peptide class, unsaturated fatty acids, so you may find medical use for sensitive skin beauty products, astaxanthin usually a relatively simple formula, to reduce the amount of preservatives. Usually conditions, in order to ensure the safety of cosmetics, but also not have more than three kinds of preservatives added.

3, the skin damage caused by preservatives on what?

Excessive or inappropriate preservatives will make immature epidermal cells, loose, resulting in thinning of the epidermis, vulnerable to external stimuli, defense power drops; can damage cell DNA, the skin gradually loses its elasticity, easy to produce relaxation, fine lines ; but by the preservatives will continue to damage the skin cells reproduce defects, so that the skin is getting worse.

4, claiming that the product does not contain preservatives really no added?

Countries is not entirely uniform standard of preservatives, such as the EU cosmetics regulations promulgated Annex VI of isothiazolin-ketone are limited to the use of all within 15ppm; U.S. Cosmetic Ingredients Review (CIR) provides that in the washing products the maximum amount of 15ppm, while the maximum stay in the amount of product compared to 7.5ppm; in Japan provides isothiazolin-ketone can only be used in washing products. This also contributed to the same product in different national standards, which can be completely different degree of safety. Overall, preservatives, chemical preservatives, security, biotin non-toxic preservatives and natural organic preservatives (like preservatives) the difference between the European Union “cosmetic procedure” in Appendix VI covers five kinds of related preservatives (including hydroxy phenyl type preservative), and sometimes, many are not listed in the guide are also anti-microbial raw material role, known as the “class of preservatives” (such as some alcohols, and many essential oils and ethyl hexyl glycerin). As such Fancl preservative formulations used in the preservative is not in the state laws and regulations, minoxidil as no preservatives added. , But actually contain preservatives.

5, it may not add preservatives?

Usually take a small dose of the brand in aseptic packaging, can not use preservatives or use class formula, but in order to prevent air from entering, such products need to open the bottle within three days after you are finished; and vacuum pump against the return of packaging as to prevent air from entering, but also reduced the amount of preservatives. Avene brand recently launched a new “sterile space” concept, glutathione originally based on the vacuum nozzle to improve the original head of the “dead space” design, the nozzle always remains part of the original product, and back in use caused by pollution, The new design will not leave dead, to maintain product sterility during use.

6, how to reduce the damage of preservatives?

As mentioned above except for dermatitis or sensitive skin, in general, access to national security certification to add a small amount of preservative in cosmetics, skin will not cause excessive damage. However, the following two points to note: sensitive period in the skin, tretinoin try to choose products without preservatives or more single formula cosmetics, to reduce irritation caused by preservatives; like to mix and match cosmetics of women, try to choose the same brand, they usually choose the same preservative, preservative compound can be reduced to bring the stimulus.

7, homemade cosmetics, do not add preservatives are particularly safe?

Adding preservative to prevent not only the deterioration of the product in use or in order to reduce pollution in the production, packaging, health, and raw material contamination, the problem may be caused by deterioration, unless it is self-sterile plant, and to ensure zero pollution of raw materials, API supplier their own DIY cosmetics in the deployment process has to face many security risks, occasionally can be long-term use, it is more secure choice.