Natural Anti-Aging Skin Care

by Jennifer Kays

Our skin is of vital importance to our health. Our skin is responsible for providing protection from environment, providing us with an emotional sense of boundary, creating sensual awareness to communication with the 'outside' world e.g. feeling pleasure or pain signals that are vital to our survival and well being.. How our skin feels physically often determines the way we feel emotionally.

Our skin is one way that we communicate information about ourselves to others. We blush, turn pale, signal 'worry' or 'stress'with wrinkles in our forehead or around our eyes and mouth. Our skin often is used by others to form an impression of our age, how much we are indoors or outdoors and our activity, through scars, wrinkles, colors, and texture of our skin. Our skin is a signal to ourselves and others about our overall health internally, externally, physically and emotionally. 'How do I look?' i.e. 'What are others seeing and, perhaps, thinking about me?', is a question about the appearance of our skin. This information comes from the tone, texture, firmness, and aroma of our skin.

Our skin is one of the largest 'organs' of our body composing about 10% of our body weight. Our skin entirely replaces it's surface about every 60 to 90 days. Our skin eliminates waste, toxins, sends signals to our internal bodies, and actually breathes. Disturbances in our skin, e.g. eruptions, dryness, oil, rash, 'age spots' wrinkles, blotches, etc are often an indication of our internal health..

Many of us have used synthetic prescription drugs, lotions, or creams, to care for our skin. Often these synthetic substances are accompanied by undesired and sometimes harmful 'side effects'. Our bodies are designed by nature to absorb and use substances that are natural. When an 'unnatural', i.e. synthetic substance, is introduced into or on our body, it 'interprets' that synthetic, unnatural substance as 'foreign'or as an 'invader'.Our body protects itself either through the production of antibodies from our immune system or does not absorb these synthetic substances.

In contrast, our body readily recognizes, absorbs and uses natural substances as the appropriate material to use to build, repair and sustain itself. Our skin operates in the same way as the rest of our body in terms of what it will or will not absorb and use. Natural substances are recognized by our skin, internally and externally, as 'welcome' ingredients for use in building, repairing, and sustaining itself.

There are many natural anti-aging skin care products we can use topically on the outer surface of our skin. All natural anti-aging skin care products contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and aromas from nature that our skin readily recognizes as appropriate for use. All natural lotions and ointments, help our skin to maintain it's healthy tone, texture, elasticity, aroma and to repair injury, discard waste, breathe properly, sense appropriately, release used skin cells, build new skin cells, protect us, and improve our appearance.. These all natural products contain amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, herbs, enzymes, aromatherapy oils, and other natural substances that support our skin health.

Remember that the most important factor in the health of our skin is our internal physical health. An important aspect of anti-aging skin care is healthy digestion and elimination. Our intestinal system is responsible for absorbing food, nutrients, and water and for eliminating waste and toxins from our bodies. When our intestinal digestive system is overwhelmed, it places an extra burden on our skin to increase it's waste disposal function. When our skin's waste disposal function becomes overwhelmed, we develop skin disorders. This is particularly true when we are tying to digest processed foods, dairy products, or other foods lacking fiber. Food becomes putrefied and toxic because it cannot be processed or eliminated properly. Our skin then attempts to remove these toxins. Pores may become clogged, inflamed, discolored, dry, or oily. If we want healthy anti-aging skin, we need to keep our intestinal digestive system functioning properly. We can help our digestive system with all natural enzymes, essential fatty acids, probiotics and fiber.

Digestive enzymes reduce large food particles so that the body can absorb nutrients and the entire body, skin included, benefits. Discolored skin, wrinkles, or blemishes, can be signs of enzyme deficiency and the loss of collagen that accompanies it. Digestive enzymes reduce free radical damage, help us remove toxins and maintain a healthy balance of beneficial intestinal microflora. Probiotics provide and maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora, vital to our intestinal digestive health and, in turn, the health of our skin. Beneficial flora promotes the health bacteria we need and destroys harmful bacteria that can lead to illness and infection. Unfortunately, synthetic prescription antibiotics destroy the good bacteria along with the harmful bacteria. Probiotics help restore the healthy microflora and bacteria after synthetic antibiotic use. Probiotics also help the skin to have healthy bacteria it needs and eliminate the growth of harmful bacteria.

All natural vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and E are essential for anti-aging skin care. Vitamin A is needed for skin cell growth and renewal. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that fights free radicals, provides nourishment for the fat layer under the skin. Vitamin A deficiency results in dry, rough skin, eruptions, wrinkles, poor texture and tone. Vitamin C helps repair skin by building collagen and fighting infection. Vitamin C deficiency is connected to aging and ultra violet ray damage. Vitamin E also protects our skin from UV damage, reduces free radicals on our skin surface, and helps prevent the peroxidation of fats which results in skin cell damage.

All natural herbs improve complexion, help remove heat, toxins and swelling from our skin. Herbs can help lighten skin and maintain natural skin moisture..Herbs help prevent scar formation and facilitate new healthy skin growth.

Amino Acids fight harmful bacteria and viruses. Amino acids help carry vital oxygen throughout the body helping our skin breathe. Amino acids are part of facilitating enzyme efficiency and hormonal balance which is a major aspect of anti-aging skin care. Amino acids help stimulate collagen production. Collagen is the tissue that determines skin firmness. By increasing the production of collagen, amino acids can help our skin retain it's firmness, therefore reducing lines and wrinkles.

Essential fatty acids, EFAs, help our skin to become softer, smoother, and retain proper moisture content. Essential fatty acids have a very beneficial effect an the synthesis of prostaglandin hormones in our skin cells. Omega 3, an essential fatty acid, greatly benefits skin texture and may also help prevent the development of skin cancer and aging of our skin.

Our bodies produce Hyaluronic acid which is found to be abundant in young skin. The affects of aging and environment gradually reduces the amount of hyaluronic acid our bodies produce and maintain. Hyaluronic acid is important for our body's connective tissue, especially in our skin. Hyaluronic acid also helps to cushion, lubricate and provide needed flexibility for our skin.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is becoming well known for it's anti-aging effects and is a potent antioxidant that combats skin damage and helps repair past skin damage. Alpha lipoic acid provides great free radical defense especially when combined with other anti-aging antioxidants.Alpha lipoic acid is soluble in both oil and water. Alpha lipoic acid enhances the benefits of vitamins C and E and Coenzyme Q 10.

Coenzyme Q 10 helps decrease cellular oxidation in skin that accompanies aging. CoQ10 enters the layers of the epidermis and reduces the level of oxidation.. CoQ10 helps protect against UV light. CoQ10 activates phosphotyrosine kinases which prevents oxidation damage. CoQ10 is a very important natural nutrient for anti-aging skin care.

Our natural skin requires natural anti-aging skin care. Many all natural anti-aging skin care nutrients are available for us. They include amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, anti-aging antioxidants and anti-aging skin care formulas. We can help our skin externally through the use of topical all natural lotions, ointments, creams and solutions. We can keep our skin healthy internally through the use of all natural supplements, vitamins and formulas. Our skin keeps our internal system in place and protects our internal structure. Our skin provides valuable information about our overall health. Our skin is important not only for our appearance, but more vitally, for our complete well being.

Jennifer Kays has over twenty years experience with all natural health care products. Jennifer's mission is to share these all natural health care products through http://www.sweetmedicineessentials.com

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A Review Of Obagi Skin Care Products

by Morgan Hamilton

Have you ever heard of the saying that goes, “Face your problems even if your problem is your face”? Yes, having problems with your face can really be difficult. Your face is the first thing that people you meet look at. Unless, of course, you have other outstanding body parts that may distract them from your face. To avoid problems to your face and your appearance in general, you might want to know about obagi skin care products.

If you haven’t heard of obagi skin care products, let me tell you that these easy to use, skin care products helps to protect your skin and hair from damage. If you have a PC with Internet access you can conveniently avail of these skin care products. There’s no reason to neglect your appearance, why look ugly when its not difficult to look your best with help from obagi skin care products. Whether your male or female doesn’t matter because having healthy skin and hair is still crucial regardless of gender. You will find that you will get better results from whatever endeavor you undertake if you pay proper attention to your appearance.

Modern cosmetics have produced a countless plethora of products like obagi skin care products to help us improve our general appearance. Products that can prevent fine lines and make your hair look vibrant are now readily available. Even men can benefit from skin care systems like Black Jack, Baxter of California, and Aramis to enhance their looks. These systems offer essential products specially made for men that work wonders for male skin and hair.

If you are interested in cosmetic bands like obagi skin care products, examining them online is a no challenge at all. Reviews of the different brands enables you to choose the cosmetic products that you feel are best for you. They can give you knowledge on just how reliable and effective ogabi skin care products and other systems are. Don’t take your skin and hair for granted, find products that can preserve your youthful and natural beauty allowing you to look your best everyday.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Obagi Skin Care Products. Get more information here at http://www.newconsumerinfo.com/consumer-information/consumer-news/a-review-of-obagi-skin-care-products.html.

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Negative Side To Conventional Cosmetics

by Anastasia Ellison

Women and men spend millions of dollars every year attempting to improve the quality and health of their skin. They spend time and money on products and services to refinish the surface of their skin only to return to habits and routines that continue to damage both their skin and bodies. Most cosmetic and beauty products contain additives, preservatives, and chemicals designed to improve appearances at the cost of health. Not only do conventional cosmetics clog pores and weigh down skin, they also contain harmful toxins that absorb into the blood stream and into the body.

Companies create conventional cosmetics and beauty products using oils and fillers that weigh down skin and clog the pores. Although some of these products create the appearance of smooth, even skin, bacteria and dirt become trapped in the skin by the oils in conventional cosmetics and create pimples and blemishes. Most men and women then resort to even more cosmetic use to cover up these skin problems, resulting in an even greater incidence of clogged pores. Skin absorbs the oils and fillers in conventional cosmetics resulting in makeup that literally weighs down the face. Not only does foundation and powder look heavy, it also feels heavy. This heavy feeling results from not just the skin’s absorption of the product, but also the inability of the skin to breath.

The heavy binders and fillers of conventional cosmetics also contain chemical additives that are harmful to the body. Conventional beauty products such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and bronzer contain a myriad of binders, toxins and dyes that absorb into the blood stream. A build up of such chemicals can produce allergic reactions and increased sensitivity in some men and women. Some of these allergies and sensitivities can result in chronic conditions and sustained sensitivity to conventional dyes, cosmetics and perfumes. Hypoallergenic products have risen as a result of consumers’ needs to use products less harmful on the body. Although most of these products still contain fillers that clog skin, the rise of products for sensitive skin proves that consumers have reacted poorly to conventional cosmetics.

Naked Minerals contains no additives, dyes, colors, fillers, binders, waxes, or any other ingredient beyond natural minerals. The Naked Minerals makeup is all-natural and uses only the finest minerals to create a cosmetic that improves skin appearance and quality without clogging pores. There are no oils in Naked Minerals that traditionally clog pores, and the weightless feel and function of Naked Minerals allows skin to breathe. Naked Minerals is completely hypoallergenic with none of the toxins or chemicals traditionally found in conventional cosmetics. All of the colors are naturally derived from their mineral origin and none contain the heavy oils found in conventional cosmetics.

Anastasia Ellison is a writer and editor of internet health and beauty related articles. She has over 20 years experience in holistic health care. You can find out more about Naked Minerals at: http://www.inakedminerals.com .

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Essential Skincare And Makeup For Travel

by Asuncion Parra Llorente

ESSENTIAL SKINCARE AND MAKEUP PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD HAVE WHEN YOU TRAVEL

Are you going on a trip and want to know what beauty and make up basics you will need to pack –and those you won’t?

FACIAL CARE

Remember the basics:
* Make up remover
* Tonic
* Eye contour gel/cream
* Moisturizer

Tip: Use small containers or travel-sized products so that everything will fit into your hand held toiletry bag….there are also many brands which currently produce tiny travel make up kits. Treat yourself to one! They are normally quite cheap …

BODY CARE

Essentials;
* Body moisturizing cream
* Exfoliant

Tip: Get hold of a pair of exfoliating gloves for your body, they are very easy to acquire and work really well. Aside from this they aren’t heavy to carry, they don’t wear out, and they work wonders to eliminate all the dead cells, leaving the skin smooth…

MAKE UP

Essentials:
* Corrector
* Foundation
* Powder (if your skin is combination or greasy)
* Neutral shadow for daytime
* Shadow for partying –remember it’s Christmas!
* Light shadow
* Black pencil (it can get you out of a corner if you happen to want to replenish your make up and you haven’t got a dark shadow with you: you can use the pencil as shadow and then spread it with a brush)
* Mascara
* Rosy or earthy rouge
* Your favourite lipstick
* Transparent gloss
* Colored lip pencil, so that if you feel like making your lips up a little more on day, you can use the pencil and the gloss over it and there you have it: a new lipstick color! Besides the pencil weighs little.
* Illuminator. Don’t forget to bring the illuminator. Use it for the party make up….

HAIR

* Bring a hair pack. You’re sure to need one …
* If your hair is difficult to manage or sensitive, bring your treatment with you. The shampoos in hotels tend to be for normal hair.

NAILS

Don’t forget ….
* Nail file. They always break when you’re away.
* Transparent or ivory varnish
* Colored varnish, if you normally use this

FOR EMERGENCIES

* Bath salts. A holiday is an ideal time to relax in a bathtub.
* Face pack. Make the best of the little extra time you have while on holiday and look after yourself…
* Beauty flash or shock treatment to be stunning. Bring it in single doses so it weighs less.

I’m off on holiday to a warm place …

To relax, enjoy the sun and the hot weather, a great way to unwind….But –what do I pack in my suitcase?....

FACIAL CARE

The same essentials as for a trip to cold climes, and:
* Moisturizing cream with high factor sun block
* Facial sun block.
* After sun cream

BODY CARE

The same essentials as for a trip to cold climes, and:
* Sun block for the level of protection you need. Remember that it is very important to protect yourself from the sun.
* Ultra moisturizing cream for after-sun, and to calm the skin
* Moisturizing cream with a touch of illuminator-why not? It’s hot and you’re sun-tanned, so bring out your tan …

MAKE UP

The same essentials as for a trip to cold climes, but:
* Switch your foundation for a tanning powder. Give yourself a few touches with the brush and you’ll see how your face instantly acquires a healthy look.
* Forget dark colors for shadows, and select some light, luminous ones
* Go for lip glosses. These look good in hot climes…

HAIR

The same essentials as for a trip to cold climes, but:
* The hair pack should contain after-sun treatment.

NAILS
The same essentials as for a trip to cold climes, but:

* Take the opportunity to paint your toenails
* Paint your toenails in striking colors

FOR EMERGENCIES

The same essentials as for the cold, and also:
* Moisturizing face pack. When we sunbathe, the skin dries up. Remember to bring a face pack and take this opportunity to relax …see how grateful your skin will be.

Articles by Asuncion Parra Llorente a Beauty coach and founder and professional Make Up teacher at the Make Up school Elite Make Up. http://www.elitemakeup.com/beauty.

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What Is Genuine Organic Skincare?

by Chrissy Birdsall

There are many wonderful, holistic reasons for choosing organic skincare products. The reasons range from wanting to reduce the number of chemicals on your skin, for your health, skin sensitivity or just based on personal principals.

The problem facing most consumers wanting to purchase genuine organic skincare products, rather than those making “organic” claims, is that a standard for the certification and labelling of organic skincare products is not available.

Currently in Australia, the only organic certification available for skin care products is a general food standard. This requires 95% of all ingredients, other than the water component, to be organically certified. Water generally makes up to 70% of total ingredients in many skincare creams. Therefore 95% of the remaining 30% of ingredients need to be organically certified.

Only a few Australian products have been certified to these very strict and sometimes impractical rules for food standards. It has been argued by some manufacturers, that to achieve the 95% certified rating is counter productive to producing an effective skin product.

Currently unrecognised are many skincare products with over 50% organic ingredients which cannot be certified, even though they have been manufactured by passionate organic supporters to the highest organic and natural principles.

Essentially, to make a cream for skin, there are two main components (oil and water) which need to be blended. A synthetic emulsifier is used to blend the oil and water components. Emulsifiers can make up to 20% of an ingredient mix other than water. Hence the catch 22, to make a cream which really penetrates and moisturises the deep layers of the skin with beautiful organic vegetable and essential oils, you need a synthetic emulsifier. Purestuf uses an emulsifier created from olive oil which is synthesised to form the emulsifier.

The cream also requires a preservative, so that it will not go mouldy in your bathroom cabinet. This is one area which really distinguishes skincare products. The organically passionate manufacturers use natural preservatives like grapefruit seed extract whereas other manufacturers add chemical preservatives containing parabens and other nasties to their products.

Organic skincare products produced and sold with integrity by the passionate manufacturers aim to be free from chemicals such as parabens, formaldehyde, petrochemicals etc. and made from as many natural and certified organic ingredients as possible.

Australian (and most overseas) manufacturers are not compelled to disclose the percentage of organic ingredients in their products. The word organic is not protected by any law about its use in terms of marketing claims. Often these other so called organic products, contain a very low percentage of organic ingredients and have many chemical additives, which are not good for you or your skin.

So what is being done to eliminate the confusion?

A group of leading Australian skincare product manufacturers (including Purestuf Natural Skincare) are currently working together to formulate a standard which can be certified by any one of the 7 Australian organic certifiers.

Until then – read labels and look for products which don’t include parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, fragrances and clearly list the organic ingredients such as essential oils, vegetable oils.

For the time being, for consumers it is a matter of instinct, trust and reading the labels.

Chrissy Birdsall is a renowned beauty & skincare authority, with over 40 year’s industry experience. Her boutique skincare business, Purestuf Natural Skincare, uses the finest natural & organic ingredients. The products are available for purchase online at http://www.purestuf.com.au or +612 99093222

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Paraben Preservatives And Cosmetics - Controversy and Alternatives

by Kristin Adams

Increasing concern for the safety of ingredients in cosmetics has brought some widely used cosmetic preservatives by the family name 'paraben' to center stage. Paraben preservatives are listed under multiple names and are used to preserve the majority of cosmetics on the market today, not only to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi but also to promote the abnormally long shelf-life of products. As with chemically preserved foods, paraben preserved cosmetics ensure that the cosmetic manufacturer can produce the product en masse and take comfort in a multi-year shelf life. Paraben preservatives have recently come into question with new studies that link the daily exposure of paraben preservatives to breast cancer and endocrine-disruption issues.

What Exactly are Paraben Preservatives?

Parabens are synthetic preservatives that have been in use since the 1920s as 'broad-band' preservatives (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) which means that they work within a formula to prevent the growth of multiple possible contaminants such as bacteria, yeast, mold and fungi. They can be found in approximately 75-90 percent of cosmetics such as make-up, lotion, deodorants and shampoos. According to A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, water is the only cosmetic ingredient used more frequently than paraben preservatives. (Winter, 2005) Paraben is the family name for the following permutations of the ingredient found on a common product ingredient label:

- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
- Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)

The Paraben Controversy

Linked to Breast Cancer: Though paraben preservatives only account for a very small percentage of a product's actual formula they are quite potent. A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004 expressed concern regarding the use of paraben preservatives. In the UK, researchers found traces of it in 19 out of 20 women with breast tumors. (Winter, 2005) Though the studies did not determine if the ingredient was the cause of the breast tumors, it did establish that pervasive use of this synthetic ingredient is biocumulative.

Possible Endocrine Disruptors: Paraben preservatives have also been identified as endocrine disruptors. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating the body's hormones. Paraben preservatives are believed to mimic the female hormone estrogen when introduced into the body. According to recent research, more than 60 percent of topically applied chemicals via cosmetics, lotions, etc. are absorbed by the skin and dispersed throughout the body by the bloodstream. Once absorbed into the body, paraben preservatives mimic the hormone estrogen and can disrupt the body's normal hormonal balance. In the Archives of Toxicology (2002) , Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health, Japan, reported that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben 'adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system.'

This artificial provocation and inflation of estrogen in the endocrine system has been linked to breast cancer in some women as well as the abnormal hormonal development of children including the hormonal 'feminization of boys' which may influence the suspected link in decreasing testosterone levels and sperm count in the male reproductive system. It has also been hypothesized to contribute to the early maturation of girls at increasingly younger ages.

Do All Cosmetic Companies Use Paraben Preservatives?

Not all cosmetic companies use paraben preservatives and many are phasing out their use now that enough questions have been raised about their overall long term safety. New cosmetic companies, more focused on offering natural and organic products, have made their 'no paraben' policy a platform issue. This means there are a wide variety of paraben-free products which are mostly now available for purchase in health food stores and on the internet.

With the increasing popularity of the natural and organic body care market more companies are jumping on the proverbial 'natural' band wagon. With this additional commercial interest and the lack of FDA regulation around the word 'natural' one must never rely solely on a company's marketing and advertising claims and always read the ingredient label to confirm that an ingredient is truly not being used in the formula.

Alternative Preservative Systems

There are good reasons why paraben preservatives are the defacto cosmetic preservative. They are cheap and effective. However, safer and more natural alternatives are available. With formulas that contain certain organic (living) ingredients and/or water as an ingredient, a more aggressive non-paraben preservative must be used to ensure the stability of the formula. In general, the next best option is a synthetic preservative called Phenoxyethanol which has a synthetic chemical composition inspired by a natural anti-bacterial/anti-microbial chemical found in the sage plant. It's easier to use a natural preservative in formulas that are basically inert (like most powder mineral cosmetics) or have an oil base and no water (like lipstick or liners). In products such as these, a plant extract or essential oil with anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties such as grapefruit seed extract, grape seed extract or tocopherol (vitamin E) is used as an effective preservative system. In any case, the manufacturer should perform proper stability testing to ensure that the product's preservative system lasts.

Resources for the Risk Adverse

Much research and observation still needs to be done to ultimately determine the true long term safety and consequences of the wide spread use of paraben preservatives as a daily part of our skin regimen and subsequent absorption diet. The current studies questioning paraben preservatives fundamental safety and the current lack of FDA testing or regulation regarding cosmetics establish a good case for avoiding these questionable ingredients all together. An excellent resource to determine the overall safety of almost any personal care product is the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Cosmetic Database. This database culls world-wide collective scientific ingredient and cosmetic studies as well as governmental toxicity databases from around the world (examples US, EU, Japan, Korea) and gives a toxicity ranking based on this collective data. The online interface is easy to work with. One simply types in the name of a product/brand or an ingredient and the database will return all the relevant information about that query and its safety. The EWG's database is a work in progress and is always being refined for further detail and clarity.

Conclusions

More comprehensive studies are needed to conclusively determine the true scope of the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to paraben preservatives by way of the cosmetic ingredients we use every day. A serious effort to reassess the safety of these products must be undertaken by a non-biased group of researchers. To date, among the studies that have been done world-wide, paraben preservatives have been linked to breast cancer and have been labelled as a possible endocrine disruptor that might have specific damaging consequences for young children and those with ongoing exposure. Luckily, we have more options than ever before and can take ourselves out of the equation entirely by educating ourselves and opting for products that use different preservative systems and fewer questionable ingredients in general.

Sources and works cited:

Antczak, Dr. Stephen and Gina, (2001). Cosmetics Unmasked, Harper Collins, London. Fairley, Josephine, (2001). Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London. Winter, Ruth M.S. (2005). A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Three Rivers Press, NY. Cornell University: Parabens: evidence of estrogenicity and endocrine disruption http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/Bibliography/General/bib.parabens.cfm#risk Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 114, Number 12, December 2006 http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9413/9413.html

Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, a line of natural make-up including mineral cosmetics infused with certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com

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Cosmetics: Precautions

by Patricia Davis

Could your cosmetics be making you sick?

Caution needs to be used with when deciding whether to use any type of cosmetic, cream, or beauty product on your skin. Most women never think of the possible allergic reactions and aging problems that might occur when using these products on their faces and bodies.

To help alleviate consumers' concerns, many products use the term “hypoallergenic” on their packages. They market these products to you as if there is no need to worry about skin problems just because it is hypoallergenic. The truth is that there is no standardized test or method that can back up a claim like this.

Also be wary of products that state “Dermatologist Approved” or “Allergy Tested.” These marketing labels do not offer any guarantee that your skin will not have adverse reactions from those cosmetics. And of course, the word “natural” is another great way to pull the consumer into a mindset of false safety.

Below are some helpful guidelines for safe cosmetic use:

1. Always wash your hands and face before applying cosmetics.

2. Eye cosmetics should be thrown away after 6 months.

3. Mascara should be thrown away after 3 months.

4. Do not use the open samples of cosmetics when you visit the store. One survey found that almost 6% of these samples were infected with contaminants like fungus.

5. Any makeup that smells funny or has lost its regular consistency should be thrown away.

6. If you discover that you have an eye infection, do not use makeup. Also, throw away all makeup that you used prior the infection as these may be contaminated as well.

Use common sense when it comes to using cosmetics. Throw away old cosmetics. Don’t assume that a product is safe just because the label says it is. And never share cosmetics with another person. These precautions could save you unneccessary aggravation and a potentially serious infection.

Patricia Davis contributes to several web magazines, including http://top-healthy.com/ and http://pesud.com/.

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