WHAT PRICE BEAUTY?
WHAT PRICE BEAUTY?
Many claim that 60% of what is applied to the skin is absorbed. From skin creams to makeup, the toxic ingredients contained within them can, over time, cause damage to your skin – the reverse reason for why women use these products! Did you know that more than 80,000 chemicals available in the United States have never been fully tested for their toxic effects on our health and environment? When it comes to skin care in particular, It is astounding that more than 85% of their ingredients are not tested for safety.
According to the FDA government site: “Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives. Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing.” As you see the FDA leaves safety up to the manufacturer. They can only take enforcement action on products that “may be improperly labeled and/or adulterated or misbranded”.
There is a good chance you won’t see it on the label, but according to FDA data, nearly one in five cosmetic products contains one of several chemicals, (often in the preservative systems) called “formaldehyde releasers” which will decompose slowly over time to form molecules of formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.
Gretta was one such woman who paid the price of her passion for beauty products. She had used a well-known commercial brand for years without any problem, until her life was turned upside down. She contracted a very serious eye infection called meibomianitis. Even with medication, it worsened to where her eyelids continuously produced a yellowish secretion causing pain and blurry vision, with ensuing acne. After seeing numerous specialists, all agreed it was caused by the makeup.
After the year it took to heal, Gretta finally found an organic makeup that caused no side effects and performed to the standards of the mainstream makeup she previously used
It is important to note, however, that while there are organic standards for food in the US, there are none for skin care and cosmetics. Some US companies try to comply with the USDA NOP but many contain ingredients that will never apply.
If you want to do right by your skin and the planet, look to European organic standards, as they are far ahead of the US and have specific standards for skincare and cosmetics: COSMOS-standard was developed with BDIH (Germany), BIOFORUM (Belgium), COSMEBIO & ECOCERT® (France), ICEA (Italy) and SOIL ASSOCIATION (UK).
For additional health reasons it is wise to add these certifications to your product choices: Vegetarian Vegan, Gluten-free, Cruelty-free, and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
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