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

There are many different reasons because there are many different chemicals.  Let’s start with petrochemicals.

Petrochemicals are petroleum derivatives.  Our reliance on them over the last few decades has caused them to become common air and water pollutants.  The factories that produce them produce CO2 and other climate changing compounds.

Propylene glycol, ethylene oxide, sunscreens called oxybenzone and benzophenone, isopropyl alcohol and ethanol are some of the petrochemicals commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products of all kinds.… 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

Most people know that collagen loss is one of the reasons we start to look older.  Collagen is a structural protein, responsible for the skin’s firmness and opacity.

The cosmetic companies would have us think that reducing the visible signs of age is as simple as applying some animal collagen to the skin’s surface.  If you’ve tried it, you know it doesn’t work.

There are two reasons it doesn’t work.  First, collagen molecules are too large … 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

Wakame kelp or seaweed is highly nutritious. So it is often used as a component of many health food recipes.  The benefits to the skin’s health are several.  The first benefit has to do with a compound called hyaluronic acid.

If you have compared any of the ingredients in the anti aging natural skin care products currently on the market, you have probably seen one called hyaluronic acid.  It is one of the most popular … Read Full Article

The troubling thing is that there is only a small number of anti aging skin care formulas that are truly all natural, and just a handful of these have the ingredients you need.

Most skin care formulas are made up of ingredients very low in quality, and these compounds are more than likely developed through the use of chemicals.

The cosmetics industry is crazy about the use of synthetics as ingredients, … Read Full Article

As far as price goes, you may have already noticed that organics cost more than conventional fruits and vegetables.  Choosing organics is sometimes very important.  But, sometimes it’s not important at all.

Avocados are an example of conventionally grown fruits that carry no risk.  The only portions that could be treated with pesticides are the skins.  The skins are thick.  We do not consume them and they are not … Read Full Article

Acne is one of the most common problems.  It affects nearly everyone to some degree at some point in their lives.  If you suffer from acne, natural ingredients can help heal blemishes and prevent new ones from forming by fighting bacterial overgrowth and reducing inflammation.  Ingredients to look for include active Manuka honey, tea tree oil, jojoba and Shea butter.

Eczema and psoriasis are less common than acne, but they do affect a great many … Read Full Article