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Healthy Cosmetics
Did you know that the United Nations Environmental Program estimates approximately 60,000+ chemicals are used today in our daily products? Many of these chemicals are in our makeup, hair care products, nail products...and many of them are linked to cancer and other illnesses that we never hear about.
When was the last time a makeup counter had a sign that said - use at your own risk, our lipstick has lead in it?
Many of my clients over the years have asked for ideas on where to find 'healthy cosmetics'. In previous years, I often found myself at a loss for where to send them as even the so called healthy products held toxins that we don't want to have on our faces. In recent years however, we have seen a major revolution in what is available on the market.
What most people don't realize is that the skin is a potent way for chemicals to get into the body. People often view the skin as a barrier, as if putting on toxic makeup will never make it into the body - that is simply not true. People also often think if a brand is labeled organic it is healthy and that is really not true either.
Here is a quote directly from the FDA website that should wake us up to what is happening... (http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/398_cosm.html)
"The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other FDA-regulated products. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. Generally, FDA regulates these products after they have been released to the marketplace. This means that manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, to market a product without a government review or approval."
and another . . .
"Consumers believe that 'if it's on the market, it can't hurt me,'" says Bailey. "And this belief is sometimes wrong."
With so much information out there on what is supposedly 'healthy', I did some research of my own - with the help of some friends like the wonderful teams at Whole Foods in Devon and Kimberton Whole Foods in Kimberton.
The best website that I've seen for determining products that are healthier is the Cosmetics Database called 'Skin Deep' (thanks Lisa at Whole foods in Devon). This database not only rates the top products in each category, it also offers information on what the chemicals are and what they do to the body for you to make informed choices. YEAH!
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1
Some sites of companies that create healthier products are:
And there is even a mini-movie about it at:
http://hazardsthemovie.com/Info.html
A site with a lot of good information on more than skin care.
Ok, you have some new tools, now go take care of you!!!
;)
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