Do you know what chemicals are in your natural and organic products?
In my quest to live a more sustainable and organic lifestyle, one of my goals has been to uncover and discover personal beauty products that are organic and chemical free. You may wonder why I add chemical free to my qualifications. You may think organic products must be chemical free because they are organic, right? Wrong.
There are many personal care products that carry the organic label and claim they are “all natural and organic” but they are not chemical free. How can a product make this claim and contain synthetic chemicals? The government does not require the cosmetic industry to test the chemicals they put in their products for safety. Additionally the cosmetic companies are not monitored by the government thus allowing questionable synthetic chemicals to find their way into personal products.
Yet when it comes to labeling products and produce as “organic,” the USDA has instituted semi-stringent labeling standards on organic products, or products that contain organic ingredients. If a product has the USDA organic label with a 70% on the label this means 70% of the ingredients are organic. Potentially the remaining ingredients, or the other 30%, may contain or may all be synthetic chemicals such as parabens and laurel/laureth sulfates.
Why doesn’t the government require testing of synthetic chemicals? The National Toxicology program a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acknowledges the risks shown in lab studies but states that the US population is exposed to theses chemicals at levels too low for the population to be at risk (Source, The Wall Street Journal, January 14, 2005 http://www.safecosmetics.org/docUploads/Wall%20Street%20Journal%2Edoc )
The FDA’s website states,
“The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other FDA-regulated products. 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.”
Yet the question remains, does the government take into consideration repetitive, long term, exposure to these chemicals on a recurring daily basis? Scientists are now finding that the human body stores many of these synthetic chemicals for life and can not eliminate them. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and what you put on it is absorbed into the human blood stream. Just as you carefully pick organic fruits and vegetables, one should carefully consider the personal products you put on your skin and in your hair. If you don’t want synthetic chemicals circulating in your blood stream, just as you don’t with pesticides and toxic chemicals, don’t put them on your body or in your hair. Choose your personal products wisely and get to know the ingredients.
Kim Erickson author of Drop Dead Gorgeous states, “Some cosmetic chemicals accumulate in the body’s fatty tissues, where they can remain for years and damage your cells.” As an example, a study, reported in the January 2004 edition of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, found parabens the most common cosmetic preservative present in significant amounts in 18 out of 20 breast cancer tumors.
Something is just not right with these standards and practices. The USDA requires companies to pay large amounts of money to update their manufacturing systems so they can put the organic label on their product. Additionally organic farmers are required to pass rigorous tests that meet certain certification standards so they can get the USDA certified organic label. Yet the synthetic chemicals that are added to theses personal products are never tested for human safety. Something is wrong.
Lets take a look at a couple of synthetic chemicals that have come under fire, parabens and laurel/laureth sulfates. Unless you read and study product labels, you probably have never heard of these synthetic chemicals.
Parabens are used in many personal products as a preservative to extend the shelf life of products. Parabens are known to be toxic and cause allergic skin reactions. There are several types of parabens. You can recognize this chemical under numerous names such as Methyparaben, Propylparaben, and Sobutylparaben. Basically, any chemical name that contains the word “paraben,” is a paraben. These chemicals can be found in face and body moisturizers, body wash, cleansers, liquid hand soap, sunscreen, toothpaste, hairspray, mascara, etc. For a whole list of products that contain this chemical you can visit Environmental Working Group’s website. Whole parabens have been found in samples of breast cancer tumors but a direct scientific link has yet to be made (source: http://www.mywiseowl.com/articles/Parabens ).
Laurel/laureth sulfates/sodium lauryl sulfates is a detergent used in shampoos for its foam creating abilities. It is known to cause, skin rashes, eye irritation, and even hair loss. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation “comes from coconut.”
As a consumer, know you have a choice. If you want a truly pure chemical free product they are out there. You just have to know how to read labels and decide if you want a pure chemical free product. If you come across ingredients on a product label that you are not familiar with and they sound like they came from your high school’s chemistry lab, you should probably find out more about the ingredients in question. To do this you can go to the Environmental Working Group’s website. They will tell you if the chemical has ever been tested for human safety and what it is commonly used for.
You would be surprised at the uses of the synthetic chemicals commonly found in cosmetic and personal care products. The same chemicals used in these products are used in industrial manufacturing processes to grease gears, clean industrial equipment and scour a cement floor. Chemicals used to clean industrial equipment may not be the safest choice with which to wash one’s face. Some of these chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems that continue to rise in the human race.
To date I have found three skin care lines that are truly pure and the majority of the ingredients are organic. I will review these skin care products in an upcoming blog as I use them.
Tags: chemicals, cosmetic chemicals, organic personal care, organic products, personal care, personal care products
Great blog, very informative! Some research I did indicates natural and organic are not necessarily interchangeable. So called natural skin care products may not be as purely produced as organics claim; also toxic-free is a coveted labeling we may want to watch for.
Suffered from dry skin wrinkle and looked for something natural for product. None of the products worked for me until I found Argan oil from SweetMarrakesh . I highly recommend this oil with natural ingredients. Google it for more info.Please more info visit http://www.sweetmarrakesh.com/shop/
[...] to web 1.My Quest for Pure, Organic Skin Care « OrganicAuthority.com – My Follow up to: My Quest for Chemical Free, Organic Skin Care … Can anyone assist me by [...]
This company has figured out what the big companies have not! I can’t believe what this product has done for my skin! Sun protection, skin hydration, blemish and brown spot improvement, and reduction of fine lines…they are ALL NATURAL, WITHOUT SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS.
Check them out!
website http://www.sunputty.com/
retail store http://www.sunputty.com/sunputtyfamilyofproducts_retail1n2oz/index.php
More about Sun Putty SPF 30:
100% Plant-Based, 100% Biodegradable Sun Putty SPF 3O is the world’s first TRULY NATURAL THERAPEUTIC SUNSCREEN
One product that addresses all of your skin’s needs? Really?
WELCOME TO SUN PUTTY… http://www.sunputty.com
Sun Putty is free from synthetic ingredients and does not
contain added water, or alcohol or petrolatum.
Each natural ingredient is provided at a concentration
to afford optimum skin-nurturing activity, giving your
family a natural, powerful and healthy solution to aid in
healing and protecting skin from damage caused by the sun, wind, pollution, and other harmful environmental insults
OK, nobody has recommended L’Bri Pure n’ Natural Skin Care. L’Bri is an aloe-vera based natural skin care line…and very affordable! I’d love to know your opinion…check out the website and let me know what you think!
I loved your article. I have bought products and realized once I got them home and did a little research, I wouldn’t even use it!
I have been using My Jeunesse for almost a year now and I really love their products! They are organic and no chemicals…most of the ingredients you can eat!
http://www.myjeunesse.com
Independent Consultant by Sharon Sterling on Monday, August 23, 2010 at 12:12am.
I started L’BRI PURE N’ NATURAL Aloe Vera Skin Care as an Independent Consultant for one reason and that was to use a natural pure product on my skin. I desire a youthful look as long as I can help it. I know someone will ask me what I’m using on my face and want to share my secrets with all of you. Those who know me know I am an honest person. After doing research for over 3 months, I found L’Bri and for the last 2 months of reading their materials & watching the videos, I decided to order a sample pack. HONESTLY, I Love it!!!
I am very excited about L’Bri and hope you will take a little time to visit my L’Bri website and just listen to the videos and see why I fell in love with it. Then order your sample pack, pay shipping/handling of 6.75 which is what I did. Make sure you are on my website when you select FREE SAMPLE. What’s to lose!
Sharon Sterling Independent Consultant
L’BRI PURE n’ NATURAL
Office Hours:337-474-4651Mon. – Fri.9am – 4:30pm
email: [email protected]
website: http://www.organicskincare.lbri.com
P.S. referrals welcome!
Truly, organic products are considered safe when it comes to beauty products. But let’s not forget that our skin needs minerals, too. A company named Omorovicza is into mineral based skin care products. Their products has undergone a process called Mineral Cosmetology that will help skin absorb all the essential minerals easily.
We have many options organic, natural and mineral products but can any one tell me which is most beneficial and safe?
Anyone interrested in aloe based all natural skin care with no parabens, sls, mineral oil, FD&C, or wax? How about organically grown cold stabilized aloe as the first ingredient? [email protected]
[...] to web 1.Maintenance Mode My Follow up to: My Quest for Chemical Free, Organic Skin Care … Can anyone assist me by [...]
I have actually found the only all natural chemical free skin care products. Recently brought to American for it’s first ever world wide marketing, these products are so new they don’t even have an official name yet. They are made from 100% natural ingredients, with absolutely no chemicals at all! I’d love to send out some samples to see how everone like them. When these products were tried by a group of women in Germany, 100% found improvement in their skin and all wanted to continue to use the product. The products will be available to the general public in mid-Feb 2011.
Very helpful article! Thank you for giving us your suggestions and tips!
Has anybody used any Body Deli Products? Check them out here:
http://superfoodfacial.com/
I completely LOVE face naturals. I have looked for years trying to find a truly all natural, organic skin care line that’s has no chemicals in them. They are AMAZING and I fell in LOVE on my first order. My friends and family that has tried their products rave about them. face naturals customer service is the best I’ve ever experience from any company and you get a real feel of their passion when you order and try their products. face naturals is it for me! http://www.facenaturals.com
I found this an informative and interesting article so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the work you have made in writing this article. I am wish the same best work from you in the future as well kind regards Dona Brock.
Thank you for the great article – some excellent points raised – we shall continue to fight the cause for natural and organic products for us all ! without those harsh chemicals !
thanks, regards, beth x
beauty gu. com
If you haven’t tried Livia Pure Skin Care, its a MUST! Delicious, pure, RAW and super effective. Thank you for you quest. Everyones comments afer perfectly helpful!
Cheers! Liona
I have such a passion for skin care, and truly believe skin care should be as good for you as it is for your skin. This is why I have put so much time and energy into turning our plant under the CCOF inspection to a USDA and FDA Organic approved facility, and at the same time created our very first, certified organic skin care line, Organic Olive Essence.
http://www.organicoliveessence.com- blog
http://www.homespacollection.com- online store- current promotion, free shipping to US residents!