Dr. Dingle is an acclaimed environmental and nutritional toxicologist from Australia. He first began writing about toxic chemicals in skincare products in 1999. His book “Dangerous Beauty” sold well, but apparently did not reach enough people. Hopefully, I can reach a few more with this article.

One of Dingle’s most recent articles was published in the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine Journal. According to Dingle’s research, there are 24 toxic sunscreen ingredients, 13 toxic preservatives and 14 other ingredients that … Read Full Article

I looked at the ingredients in the latest products from the top three cosmetic companies in terms of worldwide sales: L’Oreal, Proctor & Gamble and Unilever. The information was garnered directly from the company’s website or from the product label. Here’s what I learned.

L’Oreal

L’Oreal’s recently released Deep Set Wrinkle Repair is supposed to be a new formula. What’s different about it? Nothing, it contains exactly the same ingredients as those that were included in the 2009 formulation. Many of them are on our Blacklist of 101 … Read Full Article

Shea Butter

Shea butter is good for inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. A recent analysis conducted in Japan showed that the nutrients found in Shea butter are natural anti-inflammatories. The researchers also described the nutrients as “anti-tumor promoting compounds”. So, the use of Shea butter on the skin could reduce your risk of skin cancer and help prevent or reverse wrinkles. … Read Full Article

In some cases, they have fought to have products removed from the market, but the government continues to side with the cosmetic industry. The industry has always tried to cover-up what is actually included in their products.

They list the ingredients on the package label, but the list is incomplete. They are not required to reveal the chemicals used to create the fragrances or those used in the manufacturing processes.

Most chemical fragrances are composed of aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known or probable … Read Full Article

Supposedly, Marilyn Monroe applied petroleum jelly to her face every night before going to bed.  There is a fairly popular myth that applying petroleum jelly nightly will prevent wrinkles.  The opposite is actually true.

While petroleum jelly would help to lock moisture in the skin after a shower, it will eventually cause excessive dryness, because it repels moisture.  Petrolatum and mineral oil are the same things.  Check your face creams and body lotions for … Read Full Article

Collagens are simple proteins made up of only a few amino acids.  In the human body, they are classified as “structural” proteins, meaning they are used by the body to create various structures.

The proteins are abundant in young, healthy firm human skin.  Along with the protein elastin, they make up the skin’s elastic fibers.  It is the elastic fibers that allow the skin to snap back into shape after being stretched out.

The fibers can be … Read Full Article

Hyaluronan is a natural compound composed of glucose and amino acids.  Until recent years, scientists often referred to it as “goo”, because they really didn’t know what else to call it.

The compound is unique in many ways.  It is produced by the cellular membranes, rather than the Golgi apparatus within the cells.  The cells produce about 5 grams of the goo per day.

There are about 15 total grams of … Read Full Article

Pro-collagen creams stimulate the production of new cells and elastic fibers.  Some of those cells will produce pro-collagen molecules, which means that the levels of the protein in the skin should increase.  The benefits should include thicker, firmer and smoother skin.

A variety of compounds are used in the pro-collagen creams.  The benefits of the finished moisturizers depend on the concentration of active ingredients and the inclusion of cheap fillers or … Read Full Article

One of the biggest cosmetic companies in the world is located in France.  The company has protested the ban.

The ban will not affect companies that manufacture drugs.  Some cosmetic ingredients are also considered drugs.  Examples include some of the anti-wrinkle preparations.

Each batch of Botox is still tested extensively on animals.  Botox is a de-activated form of botulism toxin.  There have been instances in the US where the injections were found to contain the live virus.  People have ended up in the hospital … Read Full Article

Another celebrity introducing her own line of cosmetics inspired this article.  This time, the celebrity is a famous daughter, boxer and singer who will remain nameless.  She is a beautiful woman, but that does not qualify her to develop effective skin care products or judge the safety of existing ones.

It all seems to start with the fragrances.  Everyone likes to smell nice, but the average woman uses about a dozen different health and beauty aids every day.  Each one of them usually … Read Full Article