What ingredients are really in your skincare products and cosmetics? In 1989, following a government hearing on the safety of cosmetics, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) called for an analysis of approximately 3,000 chemicals used in cosmetics. The results were disturbing. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that 884 of the ingredients were toxic. However, in spite of ordering the testing, the FDA does not govern the skincare and cosmetic industry.

   According to Debra Lynn Dadd in her book Home Safe Home, “The FDA can take action on a case in which harm is done only after a product is on the market and only after it has received enough consumer complaints and enough evidence has been collected to prove in court that the product is hazardous.” Many cosmetic products contain unregulated and untested ingredients (especially in the field of skin peelers and skin lighteners). It is worthwhile to read the labels and learn about ingredients as well as processing. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always list their ingredient information and not all ingredients have to appear on the label. (This is particularly unfortunate for those people who have allergies.)

   Many skin care and personal hygiene products contain the common ingredient mineral oil. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum, which occurs naturally in the earth. Many cosmetic products have a mineral oil base because it is inexpensive and has a long shelf life. However, its molecules are too large to be absorbed into the skin. Therefore, it forms a barrier on the skin, blocking all nutrients from being absorbed. Mineral oil on the skin creates a Saran Wrap-like film that clogs pores and actually dries the skin. It does not let the body eliminate toxins or absorb the beneficial nutrients that might be present in the product. Vegetable fats and oils, however, can be absorbed by the skin and used by the body to nourish. They have a shorter shelf life, so products containing them often include mild preservatives. Consumers should check labels to ensure this is in small amounts. It is important to discard these products if they turn rancid.

   Some ingredients in products, such as artificial colors, can irritate the skin. In addition, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board, a panel that researches product safety, has even found some dyes to be carcinogenic. Their website, www.cir-safety.org, includes comprehensive information on their findings for all types of ingredients.

   Artificial fragrances are also known skin irritants, so why do so many companies add them? Often, skincare and cosmetic products are fragranced because they contain animal renderings, and the resulting odor would be offensive if not for the added fragrance. (Read more about this in the book Mad Cowboy by Harold F. Lyman.) Also note that a product labeled as “unscented” is not necessarily free of fragrances.

   Many companies use other animal by-products as well in the production of cosmetics, which some consumers find undesirable for personal application. For example, lanolin comes from the oil glands of sheep. After sheep are sheared, the sticky, waxy substance is removed from the hair. Companies use lanolin as a barrier to protect the skin from harsh environ-mental conditions. However, lanolin commonly irritates the skin, and many people suffer worse reactions because they are allergic to it.

   In addition to considering the use of animal by-products on your skin, it is always advisable to consider the company's policy on animal testing. Most manufacturers who do not test on animals display the words “Not tested on animals” prominently on their labels. (Note, however, that many companies that do not test on animals do include animal by-products.) Companies that conduct testing only on human beings do not use toxins in their formulations. These companies explore alternatives that work naturally with the body and its functions.

  When using any product on your skin you should also be mindful of the product's pH. Human skin has a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, making it slightly acidic. Using harsh alkaline products (such as soap) and rinsing with water (neutral) disrupts the protective barrier of natural oil on the skin. Your skin then has no defense against the free radicals in the environment that cause it to show signs of age, break out in blemishes, eczema and many other conditions. Many facial and body cleansers have a pH that strips the skin and makes it feel “squeaky clean.” This is not the feeling you want to have when bathing or cleaning your face. Products that are pH correct on the skin foster optimum conditions, fight off the challenges of environment and protect us from skin conditions.

   As a consumer, it is very important to educate yourself. Find a company that you can trust. Choose one that goes beyond FDA regulations – one with a philosophy of pure, safe and beneficial intentions, whose products are based on natural botanical principles. Natural skin care products use ingredients that are easier for your skin to absorb, and they do not cause the harmful side effects of synthetic products. And exercise your right to choose products that are not tested on animals.

   Take charge of your health today. Remember, it's not just about avoiding toxins; it is also about feeding your skin, your largest vital organ, with pure, safe ingredients.

                 

   For more information on skincare ingredients, visit the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board website at www.cir-safety.org. Additional information is also available at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association website, www.ctfa.org, and the United States Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov.

Alice Marie Duber, Independent Regional Vice President of Arbonne International, offers women's health seminars on hormone balance and skincare. For more information on her seminars or to purchase Arbonne products, call (440) 439-5216 or e-mail Alicemduber@adelphia.net.

Illustration by xrento.