| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 09:03:34 AM
Copied from:
What's Lurking In Your Cosmetics?
* Concerns growing about potentially toxic ingredients in many cosmetics
Durango Herald, February 4, 2008
Straight to the Source
I've always been a L´Oréal girl myself. Sure I flirted with department store brands, but found they were twice as expensive and worked about the same. (Men, if you wash your hair or use deodorant, keep reading. This affects you, too.)
Then one night a couple of months ago I heard an interview on the radio with investigative reporter Mark Schapiro, author of Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products, about the possible toxic ingredients in many beauty and skin-care products.
Interest piqued, I poked around on the Web, learning about parabens, phthalates and other sundry ingredients that have come into question.
Then I looked in my bathroom.
• Face powder: methylparaben;
• Eye shadow: methylparaben, ethylparaben;
• Mascara: propylparaben;
• Toothpaste: methylparaben;
• Shampoo: diazolidinyl urea.
I felt a bit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Could all these products that I'd been using day in and day out for years - purchased, like millions, from a local drugstore - be toxic?
I looked at "natural" alternatives, including some made or sold locally. I compared prices. I debated - few of the scientific findings, after all, are conclusive. In the end, I threw my old cosmetics in the trash. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe not. Maybe after reading on, you'll do the same.
Industry under fire
One of the first things I learned that alarmed me was that the government, by law, isn't responsible for testing or approving any beauty or skin-care products.
"Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on its Web site. "A manufacturer may use any ingredient in the formulation of a cosmetic provided that the ingredient and the finished cosmetic are safe."
The industry decides what's safe through the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, which, according to its Web site, was established in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association with support of the FDA and the Consumer Federation of America.
"Although funded by CTFA, CIR and the review process are independent from CTFA and the cosmetics industry," it states.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, an industry watchdog, says the process is a farce.
"Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements," its Web site states.
Europe, acting on the principle that it's better to err on the side of caution, has banned more than 1,000 cosmetic ingredients, while the U.S. has outlawed just eight, according to a Consumer Reports article.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, in an effort to raise industry standards, has established a compact under which signers pledge to not use harmful chemicals in their products. Notably absent from the hundreds of signers are makeup giants Avon, Estée Lauder, Revlon, and my old favorite, L´Oréal.
Synthetics on the stand
Back to the dubious ingredients you might find lurking on labels (or deceptively absent).
The aforementioned phthalates (pronounced thal-lates) are a major worry for industry critics.
This class of chemicals can be used in nail polish to make it less brittle, hair spray to avoid stiffness, soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes and other products. They also can be present in plastics, including toys, baby bottles and food packaging.
Concerns have been raised about phthalates' ability to disrupt the human endocrine system, affecting development and reproduction by mimicking or blocking the body's natural hormones. Phthalates have been found to cause reproductive birth defects in laboratory animals, and their possible effects on children and pregnant women is of particular concern.
The industry-sponsored Cosmetic Ingredient Review, however, concluded that exposures to phthalates from cosmetics are low compared to levels that would cause adverse effects in animals.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says two phthalates (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) commonly used in cosmetics have been banned in the European Union and warns that they can still masquerade here under the term "fragrance."
Another oft-debated ingredient is parabens (variants include methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and isopropyl-), which serve as a preservative, extending shelf-life by preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Parabens can act like a weak version of the hormone estrogen and have been targeted for their possible connection to breast cancer.
The industry, however, on the Web site Cosmeticsinfo.org, says that "parabens are 100,000 times weaker than natural estrogen in the body - far too weak to have any effect in humans."
A number of other chemicals have raised concerns. Just a few are triclosan, an antibacterial commonly used in soaps and deodorants that may become toxic when combined with chlorine in tap water; lead; mercury; coal tar, used in synthetic colors; and formaldehyde, which can be released by compounds such as imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium 15 - all common in cosmetics.
Full Story: http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?a...
type=health&article_path=/health/08/health080204_1.htm
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bboopster |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 11:57:58 AM
Try L'BRI
I have problems with most of the products out there but have found that their cleaning system to be great. I have not tried their makeup yet but you can order samples which lasted me 2 weeks. 
http://www.lbri.com
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
Nana to 4 with 1 on the way.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| goneriding |
Posted - May 27 2010 : 9:35:25 PM
I've noticed lately that my mascara (Maybelline, pink and green one) makes my eyes water. Just started happening too. I thought maybe they were getting old and needed a new one. My eyeshadow is bothering me also.
I usually wear Almay but for some reason this time I bought something else and I feel like I'm wearing a mask. I only put makeup on about every other or third day and just wash my face in between times.
I'm going to check into the the mineral ones but I have 'mature' skin now and need some extra moisturizing. 
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com .
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| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - May 26 2010 : 12:30:22 PM
The following website is great for checking on the toxicity of your makeup, and skin care products. I use it all the time before I buy anything now! They give every product a hazard score of 1-10, with 1 being the best and 10 the worst, and also list the bad chemicals.
I was actually surprised at how bad some of things I was using were.... and now, buy a lot of my products from MotherNature.com
http://safecosmetics.org/
When you get to their home page, in the top left click on "What's in Your Products", then on that page click on EWG's Skin Deep Database, then click on visit skin deep and enter the name of the product you are checking out.
Let me all know what you think!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| sherrye |
Posted - May 26 2010 : 07:28:14 AM
i truly wish i could wear a powder cover up. having lived my early life on the ocean and then in calif. sun and fake and baked i have too many wrinkles. if i use a cover up it needs to be a moisture type. happy days sherrye
alee was right on with her list of chemicals in product.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| birdie71 |
Posted - May 26 2010 : 05:49:12 AM
I found a recipe for face powder that I am just started using and really like. Equal parts cornstarch, french clay powder, and cocoa. My face feels wonderful all day long! And I bought mascara from http://honeybeegardens.com Love it!
Robin
Farmgirl Sister #1301
Farming in the Sonoran Desert? Hmmm?!
my mama's (ceejay48) craftiness ~ www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
my daddy's craftiness ~ www.aspenforge.com |
| sherrye |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 7:07:23 PM
my favorite make up is on either qvc or hsn. its called 100 percent pure. it is fantastic make up. smells like the fruits in it. all words on label are food. coffee strawberry blackberry cold raw coconut. they have liquid cover and blush lip and also mascara. moisturizer etc. alee is so right on with her list. the pigments in conventional stuff is the same as for paint for cars and our walls. just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| maggie14 |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 5:41:17 PM
Thanks for letting us know Alee.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| katalind |
Posted - May 18 2010 : 6:08:11 PM
I love Burt's Bee lip glimmers and glosses, I also like Gabriel cosmetics. Both can be found in most health food stores. |
| amyartgirl |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 11:12:07 AM
I love, love, love Bare Minerals! I even tried a few other mineral powder foundation brands (even one from a local spa) but came back to the BE line (their products are all so versitile)....we even have a BE boutique locally, which is neat and if I cannot get up to that area of town, they will gladly ship to me. It is just amazing on how many chemicals that are not really good for us are in the foods we eat and the makeup/body care products that we put on our faces/skin....eeek!
Farmgirl Sister #21
Heart of Ohio Farmgirls
Proud member of Bees w/o Borders and ArtFuL SisTeRs
http://artfulheart.blogspot.com
http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com |
| cowgirlmama |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 11:02:56 AM
burt's bees owned by clorox is just too scary a visualization-I do use cornstarch instead of body powder-you can add it to face powder also to change the color of the powder-I gave up wearing mascara-I have tried many as well. |
| Annab |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 03:45:58 AM
Burt's Bees was bought out late last year.
Kind of sad since I found out all that stuff was local.
Our small town natural foods place will be carrying Badger Balm Products now hopefuly in addition to and not instead of. Although that's what it sounded like. Hopefully they'll stil have the Burt's Bees too, but since the buyout, it's becoming more mainstream. Not sure if I like that.
I have always been one for the uncommon and different
It's kind of like a secret fortress that gets discovered by city slickers |
| nubidane |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 11:08:37 AM
You can get Bare Minerals from QVC, & I know they also do a bunch of infomercials. |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 04:22:15 AM
Where do you buy the Bare Minerals from? Wow, I didn't know Burt's Bees was owned by Clorox.
Thanks,
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
Kind hearts are gardens
Kind thoughts are roots
Kind words are blossoms
Kind deeds are Fruits
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| Annab |
Posted - Mar 02 2008 : 03:42:28 AM
I hardly wear makeup even in the winter Don't have the time and most places I frequent other folks either aren't paying attention or don't wear it themselves
If I do wear it, It's just enough to make me look undead
Foundation unless its caked on just makes me feel like I
I'm suffocating
And with all things, the dose is the poison.
Think of the news people who HAVE to wear that stuff every day
It's enough to make anyone sick! |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 1:52:08 PM
One of the places I bought the mineral make up kits from is this one http://www.making-mineralmakeup.com/ and if you do a google search you can find tons of resourses. Good luck it is so much fun.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 10:23:43 AM
Brenda & Alee,
I have been using/wearing Bare Eccentuals/Bare Minerals makeup for over 2 years now & I love the product line.
No animal testing, no unpronouncable chemicles and my face doesn't break out like it did w/ liquid/cream type make-up. I also have Rosaca(sp) and B.M. covers it so very well w/o creating flareups. At first I was a bit squimmish about the cost $20 for a little jar but it lasts me nearly 3-4 months which equals less then $7 a month for a product that works wonderful for my skin. Since I have "mature" dry skin, when I first put the foundation and Mineral Veil on, it looks a bit powdery for about 10 or so min but then it blends in w/my skin & I don't have that "made up" look. I love that Leslie Bloodget has created a wonderful product that is available through the internet, satelite shops, Macy's & Nordstroms and Sephora stores.
I know this sounds silly but if you get a chance to see one of her infomercials, do watch it. I LOVE her product for being a "clean" product and has since day one been a cruelty free product.
hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
www.katmom44.blinkz.com
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| FarmGirl~K |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 1:22:42 PM
After reading this, I wanted to check my makeup but its on the original package. I will have to check next time I am out. I checked my lotion before I put it on... it is baby lotion & yes its in there too. No wonder we have problems with this stuff. We are exposed to it from the time we are babies. I read it can cause problems with your hormones & part of that is where the using deodorant causes breast cancer came from. More than one site said it affects your estrogen. Too much can cause breast cancer.
I guess we need to be checking everything we use. That is the wonderful thing about the internet, you can check out all of these nasty ingredients.
Yes triclosan is also terrible for you. My DH had bought new toothpaste & it had it in there it was anti-gingivitis kind. He started getting mouth sores & attributed it to that since he never had a problem before that. Went away once he stopped using it. So he looked it up & it is an anti-microbial cleaner that is also used in hospitals on their floors among other things. Also it is in a lot of handwash & other anti bacterial products. Why would I brush my teeth with something that is used to clean my hands or floor?
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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| kissmekate |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 08:17:49 AM
Lady Crystal/Alicia
Will you post or email me the websites you have used to make your own make up?
I would think that would be fun for my friend to do on our make our own stuff day.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 5:11:57 PM
I have a lot of allergies to ingredience in makeup. Even some mineral makeup brands because I am allergic to chromium and nickel. I started making my own mineral makeup about a year ago. It is so much fun and there are web sites you can get kits from. The one thing I wish I could invent was a mascara that didn't irritate me.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| farmgirl1 |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 4:56:31 PM
I use Arbonne. It is all natural. It is a line of skin care products, lotions, makeup, they also have a men's and teen's line. They have a mineral powder that I just love. It is formulated in Switzerland but made in the USA. http://www.arbonne.com I'm a consultant, so if there is anything that you see on the site you can email me and I will order it for you.
Robin
Farm Girl Sister #28
#1 prissy farmgirl.
Oh, I want a pink John Deere Tractor.
http://fonvillefarm.blogspot.com |
| laluna |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 4:20:25 PM
Here's a great site I came across the other day: http://www.saffronrouge.com/site/home.html (kind of pricey, but so worth it if you consider the long-term effects of all the chemicals, etc.)
And I'm another Bare Minerals user; a friend got me hooked a couple of years ago and I will never use anything else (unless they make it in an organic form  ) It really does improve the appearance of my skin, and lasts a long time.
(Color me irritated with Burt's Bees and Tom's - two companies I used to whole-heartedly endorse and buy from! And did you know the Woodstock Farms brand of foods sources much of their frozen produce from China??) 
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." -- Frank Lloyd Wright |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:33:04 PM
Denise,
Burt's is owned by Clorox and Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate now.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:13:41 PM
Gee and that article didn't even talk about the most widely used ones and they are known to cause cataracts among other things. The lauryl-laureth sulfates. I use Burt's Bees but they are owned by Colgate now so have to be careful to read the ingredients. I am not positive if it is Colgate or another company but I know it is a familiar one.
farmgirl sister #43
Kind hearts are gardens
Kind thoughts are roots
Kind words are blossoms
Kind deeds are Fruits
www.torismimi.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:12:40 PM
I use minerals and cruelty free stuff I buy on either etsy or at my herbal store. I ditched regular makeup a couple of years ago.
[size=1]
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 2:08:12 PM
I have to concur with Patricia. I use the mineral make ups too, and love them. My face doesn't feel like I have a mask on.
The only "conventional" product I do use is Cover Girl Professional Mascara. I have tried every (and I mean every) brand and that is the only one that my eyes will tolerate.
My eye lashes are a funky color, so I have to wear mascara.
I do know ecobella makes "natural" cosmetics. I have been happy with their lip glosses. Haven't tried the foundation or shadows yet.
As for lotion and soap, I use Kiss-my-Face. I love their stuff.
To moisturize my face I use Burts Baby Bee lotion. I use their shampoo and conditioner too, and really love them. Since they were bought out by clorox though, I will have to find another brand.
My friend and I are going to try making our own lotion and soap, over fishing opener weekend while her fiance is off with the boys.
While checking your labels etc, if you see "fragrance" listed, run!!! That is a generic term used by the industry and could mean anything.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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