The word "cosmetic" comes from the Greek "kosmein," which means to put in order, to harmonize. This is a far cry from this industry, which has nearly 10,000 ingredients, the majority of which are more than questionable.
Since I have been making natural cosmetic products , that is to say for years, I realize that the industry stuffs its products with basic ingredients that are at best useless for our skin or at worst dangerous ingredients for our health.
Consumers who expose their skin to all sorts of chemical ingredients risk one day paying the price for this frantic race to rejuvenate at all costs.
The basic ingredients :
As you know, the list of cosmetic ingredients is written on the containers in descending order. The first two ingredients that we can identify in the majority of cosmetic products are water and a derivative of the distillation of mineral oil, therefore a by-product of the petrochemical industry . These beautiful little white emulsions are just water with, for example: paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, ozokerite, cera microcristallina, hydrogenated polyisobutene, etc. The list is long. These cheap ingredients are in the best case agents that prevent dehydration since they form an occlusive film on the skin and are eliminated during the next facial cleansing. However, these ingredients are completely useless for the skin. They do not stimulate the skin's functions and are not absorbed and metabolized by the epidermis at all. On the other hand, vegetable oils are in harmony with the skin. They are metabolized and "digested" by enzymes on the surface of our skin. Vegetable oils are absorbed by the skin, while mineral oils are not.
Why are mineral oil derivatives so popular? Well, the answer is simple: they are very cheap, and therefore very profitable for the manufacturer. They do not go rancid (which eliminates the need for antioxidants like BHT and BHA). Since they do not go rancid, they can be stored for a long time. They are also completely odorless. Therefore, they can be perfumed as desired with any fragrance without interacting with a base ingredient (which is not the case with vegetable oils). These substances are easy to work with to create "oil-in-water" or "water-in-oil" emulsions. In short, they are every cosmetologist's dream.
On the other hand, in natural cosmetology, we systematically refuse any ingredient derived from the petrochemical industry, because unlike vegetable oils, these ingredients do not stimulate the various functions of the skin and do not allow it to regenerate. They are completely inassimilable and prevent the respiration of skin tissues.
The fragrances :
It is well known that consumers are seduced and buy based on smell. A palette of several thousand synthetic fragrances is available to the cosmetologist to seduce our noses. However, synthetic fragrances are not at all harmless. In all research conducted in the United States or Europe, synthetic fragrances are still, in the majority of cases, the leading allergen at the skin level. Research shows that in Germany, one in three people has skin reactions following exposure to synthetic odorous substances. We are therefore talking about contact allergies, hives, asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and general irritation reactions. It is then sufficient to stop using the product. In addition to allergies, we find a much more insidious toxic substance: phthalates, which are contained in the majority of synthetic perfumes and olfactory raw materials. When your cream says "fragrance," you can be pretty sure it contains phthalates. They accumulate in the body and are considered an "endocrine disruptor" that affects the reproductive system and has carcinogenic potential. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists DEHP (a type of phthalate) as a possible cause of cancer. In the United States, according to the National Toxicology Program (NTP), DEHP is considered a probable human carcinogen.
The Conservatives :
Under the pretext of avoiding any risk of contamination, we don't skimp on "overdosing" on preservatives. However, synthetic preservatives have a high allergenic potential. The most common ones in the dock: parabens. Some studies in the United States show that parabens are the most likely to cause skin allergies. Also, the cumulative effect of parabens on fatty tissues should not be overlooked.
Since then, these preservatives have been suspected of causing endocrine disruption: their previously unknown potential danger stems from their ability to mimic the action of female hormones by attaching to estrogen receptors in the body's cells. Hormonal factors are indeed predominant in the development of breast cancer. There has never been any research that formally demonstrates the link between parabens and breast cancer, but this possibility should not be overlooked.
A study conducted by a group of researchers at Tokyo Medical University showed that methylparaben, applied to the skin at concentrations found in cosmetic products, accelerated skin aging if the skin was exposed to the sun.
Parabens are found in approximately 80% of cosmetic products, including creams, lotions, shower gels, shampoos, and even hypoallergenic creams prescribed by dermatologists.
In Europe, other studies show that chlorocetamides and quaternium-15 cause the most adverse effects on the skin.
On the other hand, there are very effective preservatives that prevent all bacterial and fungal proliferation. These are, of course, essential oils. For 34 years I have been working with these wonderful little aromatic molecules and I can tell you that they are my greatest allies. In addition to their benefits for the skin, they represent the most formidable preservatives that can be found in a cosmetic product.
The cosmetics industry is a broad subject to cover, and I've only touched on a few things about creams and lotions. I haven't touched on makeup, UV filters, or deodorants, which, it must be said, don't get a good rap. If you're interested in this topic, I highly recommend a fantastic book on the subject (see reference below). A powerful book that will transform your hygiene habits into skincare.
To get safe and wonderful, 100% natural care for you and your loved ones, visit our store !
Ref: The Truth About Cosmetic Products, Rita Stiens, ed. LEDUC.S, 2005
Here is a great article on the subject written by journalist Isabelle Morin at La Presse.ca
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