We have learnt to trust the corporations that provide health and beauty products because most governments dictate the processes that protect people from harmful substances - don't they?
Unfortunately this assumption is only half correct.
The government aims to protect people from harmful drugs and medications taken orally by screening the results from drug companies. However, since the cosmetics industries do not provide substances to be taken within the body, there are only a few restrictions for a product to be considered 'safe' enough for sale in your supermarket or drug store.
For instance, the US cosmetics industry's own safety review panel has assessed only 11 per cent of the 10,500 ingredients contained in health and beauty products available in stores today.
According to the FDA, "Cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold. Manufacturers can use any ingredient, except for 10 prohibited substances, without government review."
With only 10 substances being banned for use on the skin, what is the impact of the other 10,490 substances being used by cosmetics companies?
European laws are much tougher, but even the UK governments currently only ban 1200 toxic chemicals.
How are chemicals used in cosmetics and skin care products affecting you?
WHY YOUR SKIN IS IMPORTANT
Your skin is the largest eliminatory organ in the body. It is a two-way membrane. Toxins are eliminated out through the skin via perspiration and absorbed into your body's systemic circulation, through hair follicles and sebaceous glands. One square inch of skin contains 65 hairs and 100 sebaceous glands.
That means if you put a chemical compound on your skin your body is likely to absorb it.
The principle behind HRT and Nicotine patches is that they absorb into your skin. And it is precisely by absorption that you receive other unwanted chemicals and toxins found in cosmetic applications.
Long time exposure for people who don't remove chemicals properly means they accumulate toxins that can contribute to health problems.
Most scientists agree at least 80% of the 200 different types of cancer known today are related to toxins and carcinogens from synthetic and toxic chemicals.
A UK study discovered traces of methylparabens (a synthetic chemical commonly used in body creams, lotions, washes, anti perspirants and deodorants) in breast cancer tumours, and a poll of 150,000 Americans found even low doses of chemicals to have a huge impact on brain health.
The bottom line is the more cosmetics you use on your skin, the more chemicals you absorb.
According to "The Environmental Working Group":
"More than one-third of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer "57 percent contain "penetration enhancer" chemicals that can drive other ingredients faster and deeper into the skin to the blood vessels below. "70 percent of all products contain ingredients that may contain harmful impurities such as known carcinogens, according to FDA or industry reviews.
THE ALTERNATIVE: CERTIFIED ORGANICS
The impurities in cosmetics are not restricted within the personal care products industry.
As you can see health and beauty do not always go hand in glove which is why you need to seek out 100% synthetic chemical-free and toxin-free cosmetics and skin care products.
Fortunately there is a range made from purely natural organic ingredients, many of which are Certified Organic to Food Standards. This means you could even eat them and they wouldn't do you any harm - but please don't take that as a recommendation.
Currently these are the only skin care products on the planet to have submitted to independent 3rd party certification. This means the quality and integrity of the products is ensured.
All the ingredients are food based and 100% beneficial. Unlike the majority of products on the market, which use dead inert bases, these products use all active ingredients. Their bio available nutrients feed and nourish the skin. More importantly there are NO SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS to create health problems. You have peace of mind.
Just as healthy nutrient rich organic food is more expensive than the cheap but nutritionally weak food most people consume, organic cosmetics and skin care products can initially appear more expensive than their toxic filled counterparts.
However, as the beneficial organic ingredients are so potent and active only small amounts are required making them very cost effective. Also the packaging is environmentally friendly and not wasteful of your planet's resources.
The healthy option and the solution to avoiding toxin exposure from your cosmetics and skin care products is to adopt a certified organics approach.
As you walk through today's health and natural food grocery stores you will find an extensive selection of ?natural? skin and body care products. These products will range from toothpaste and deodorant to cosmetics, lotion, and hair care. It seems that many of the companies providing these products are striving to promote their products as ?natural? since today's consumers seem to have a preference towards any product labeled ?natural?. This definitely makes sense because really who would walk up and purchase a bottle that says ?loaded with silicone derivatives? or ?extra carcinogens?.
Now you're thinking no one in there right mind would do this right. I mean who goes to the store and actually tries to buy a skin care product that will cause their body damage. Actually most people these days do exactly that, unknowingly of course as they aren't aware of the toxic ingredients in the product of their choice. What people need to start realizing is that not every company that throws the word natural on their product really cares about the ingredients being truly natural. If you do a little research on the ingredients in skin care the information is alarming as you find that many skin care products contain carcinogens and other toxic ingredients. Check out a website called skin deep for more information on what is in your skin care.
Aren't skin care products supposed to be helping your body not hurting it? Yes, they are but unfortunately that isn't the case with all of the products available. This is where certified organic skin and body care products come in. When they are certified organic they have to meet strict requirements by the certifying body and are very safe for the consumer. Certified organic skin care products are made up of ingredients you can actually read and understand such as avocado oil and safflower oil not six syllable words that don't mean a thing to you. This way you actually know what you are feeding your skin rather than just hoping it works because the company that made it claims it will.
When you go to purchase a ?natural? product be sure to research the company producing it. Find out what their stand is on ingredients such as silicone derivatives and the like are. See if there focus is on a toxin free line of skin care or just one that smells good etc. There are wonderful certified organic skin care products available so don't settle for some supposedly natural junk when you can have the best available for your skin.
Both Jean Shaw & Erika Juhas are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jean Shaw has sinced written about articles on various topics from Types of Cancer, Health and Food And Drink. For non toxic cosmetics, skin care and personal products -">www.bestorganicsforhealth.com Jean Shaw is the author of. Jean Shaw's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
Erika Juhas has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Sleep Disorders and Food and Drink. Erika Juhas is the owner of Kalista Organics. She offers extensive information regarding the organic lifestyle on her website. Primarily she represents an organic line of skin and body care products that will contribute to eliminating toxic chemicals from. Erika Juhas's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.