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

It also helps to know which ingredients are “anti-irritants”.  You’ll learn about those things here.

Sensitivities may occur immediately after using a product or after the product is used for several days in a row.  In some cases, the skin’s surface becomes sensitized to an ingredient after years of use.

Hypo-allergenic formulas are sometimes a good choice.  But, that’s not always true.  Labeling a product as hypo-allergenic simply means it is less likely to cause allergic reactions than the … Read Full Article

We often neglect our skin’s health.  We use harsh cleansers and shower too often.  We fail to moisturize and forget to wear sun block.  We use perfumes and cosmetics containing allergens, irritants and toxins.

The cosmetic industry helped to change the way that we think about caring for the skin.  Since the 1930’s, the companies have focused more on immediately improving the skin’s appearance.  Caring for the skin’s health was an afterthought, if it was even a … Read Full Article

The chemicals are used as preservatives.  While there are a few naturally occurring parabens, they are not used commercially.  All of the parabens found in personal care products, foods and other commercial goods are created synthetically.

A number of different companies produce the chemicals.  The process is relatively simple.  Para-hydroxybenzoic acid is combined with one or more types of alcohol to create them.  Those compounds are synthesized from other chemicals.  … Read Full Article

You might be concerned about the safety of the ingredients cosmetic manufacturers use.  While questioning the safety of cosmetics is always a good idea.  It is easy enough to avoid common allergens, irritants and toxins.

Most allergic reactions are caused by artificial preservatives and fragrance ingredients.  Other irritants include petrochemicals, petrolatum, colors, excessive alcohols and mineral oil.  You can tell whether or not a product contains toxins by looking for … Read Full Article

Things are different in some parts of the world.  But, in the US, cosmetic manufacturers are largely unregulated.  Even though creams, lotions and similar items are actually healthcare products, they are still classified as cosmetics.

The advertising terms used by cosmetic companies currently have no legal definitions.  A company might use only naturally occurring ingredients.  They might make the safest choices to help you protect your health.  But, they might not.

Until things change, the only … Read Full Article

We owe a debt of gratitude to the Environmental Working Group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and other consumer groups for letting us know about loopholes that allow US cosmetic manufacturers to put unlimited amounts of chemicals in items that are sold as “health and beauty aids”.

Because there is a lack of federal law concerning the subject, a few states stepped in to … Read Full Article

Those ingredients should not be included in any kind of cosmetic, but it is particularly counter-productive when they are including in anti-aging creams.  Free radical damage and chronic inflammation are among the causes of an aged appearance.  Cancer-causing substances and toxins cause free radical damage.  Allergens and irritants cause inflammation.

What you want to look for are gels and lotions that contain natural anti-inflammatories and natural antioxidants.  Don’t be fooled by the advertising claims.  Artificial preservatives are technically antioxidants.  … Read Full Article