"Organic" and "Natural" Defined

We discussed what ingredients to look for in labels, now let's dig deeper into terms like synthetic vs. natural. As you already know from my Ingredients To Avoid post, there are lots of synthetic ingredients in cosmetics. What you might not know is that terms like "natural", "organic", and even "herbal" have no legal definition on cosmetic labels. This means manufacturers can put anything they want in in the bottle and stamp an "all natural" or "organic" label on it.

It's hard to tell what ingredients are actually "organic" or "natural"  because truth-in-marketing rules for food do not apply to cosmetics. The only exception to this are products bearing the USDA Organic Seal. These products contain ingredients that come from plants grown without fertilizers and artificial pesticides.

Though the FDA has the authority to reprimand cosmetic makers whose labels make false claims, they never imposed standard definitions for these terms. The term "organic" has not been defined by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.

Cosmetics can contain as little as a trace of a natural ingredient, while the rest completely synthetic, and can legally label it "all natural".

You must be thinking, "Aren't cosmetics labeled "organic" or "all natural" at least safer?" The answer is no. An ingredients source does not determine its safety. For example, many plants, whether they are organically grown or not, contain substances that may be toxic or allergic.

This is why it's so important to read the ingredients on every product you buy. Manufacturers are smart, they know what catches your eye, and they label products accordingly. These labels can have no bearing on what's actually in the bottle.

The Story of Cosmetics

The below link brings you to a short 8 minute video, The Story of Cosmetics. The video examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products. It explains, in a simple way, the process of "toxins in, toxins out"


The Story of Cosmetics


Since its -2 today, stay inside and watch the video ❄️

How to read labels

In my last post i talked about what ingredients to stay away from. When you look at labels, i'm sure you are overwhelmed. The list of ingredients is usually very long, the print is usually very tiny, and you usually can't pronounce at least half of them. I swear they do this on purpose so we cant read them!

I found this website, Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. EWG Skin Deep is an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care items. Skin Deep launched in 2004 to help people find safer products with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven't been fully tested.

Skin Deep assesses over 70,000 personal care products using the most reputable science sources. They assign each product a score from 0-10 (10 is most toxic). The rating system offers three categories, low hazard ingredients, moderate hazard ingredients, and high hazard ingredients. Low hazard ingredients range from 0-2 on the scale and show up in green. Moderate hazard ingredients range from 3-6 on the scale and show up in orange. High hazard ingredients range from 7-10 on the scale and show up in red.

Not every single product is in the database. EWG expands Skin Deep with thousands of new products every year, but they can't evaluate every product on the market. It's still a great website and excellent resource.

You can manually type in the product to find it's rating right on their website www.ewg.org/skindeep

You can also download the free app http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/app. The app allows you to use a bar code scanner and actually scan products in the store before you purchase.

I will never forget the day I was in Sephora scanning away at some face cream in the back. I saw one of the girls that worked there watching me. At first I panicked. Is she going to say something to me for scanning products? Is that not allowed? Come on, you can try on every product in the store, buy it, then return it after it's half gone. How can they not allow me to scan a few products? She finally came over asked if I had any questions. My response "no thanks, I have an app that answers all my questions for me. " Yes, I know that was bitchy. I think she was surprised by my comment but more intrigued by the app to worry about it. She asked all about the app, grabbed her phone, and downloaded it right then.

Skin Deep is a great tool to utilize since it might be difficult to memorize all the ingredients I mentioned in my last post. Scan your products!! If it's moderate to high hazard (orange or red), don't buy it. There are so many products on the market surely you can find some that are low hazard (green).

EWG is currently running a promotion. If you donate a minimum of $5 to their research, they will send you a Quick Tips for Safer Cosmetics guide. This is a wallet size card full of tips on how to read labels. This could come in handy for anyone who still has a flip phone, like my mom....

Ingredients to avoid

Below is a helpful chart that explains the "Toxic Twelve" ingredients to avoid

In addition to the chart, I provided more detail about each one and added a few more I think should be on the list.

1. Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, and Propyl) - used in many cosmetic products as a preservative. Parabens are major hormone disrupting chemicals. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

2. Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate SLS and Sodium Laureth Sulfate SLES) - these are strong detergents. They are found in 90% of beauty and hair products that foam. They are also found in car wash, garage floor cleaners, and engine degreasers. Why? Because it's the cheapest way to create foam. Sulfates are linked to eye damage, depression, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Our bodies retain sulfates for a long period of time. 

3. Glycol (Propylene and Butylene) - there are several forms of glycol in skincare products. Anti-freeze is also a form of glycol. Glycol is extremely toxic. One third of all skincare products contain a glycol without any warning on the label. Why? Because it's cheap. The EPA warns us not to dispose glycol in our soil, yet we smear it all over our bodies. 

4. Sodium Hydroxide - found in most toothpaste and in some soaps/cleansers. It's also found in Drano. It's a poison. I guess they think if it cleans your drains, it will do a good job on your teeth.

5. Triclosan - found in most anti-bacterial cosmetics. Triclosan is a synthetic anti-bacterial with a chemical structure similar to that of Agent Orange. The EPA registers Agent Orange as a
pesticide. Triclosan also may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

6. Fragrance - the main ingredient is animal urine. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential side effects on the reproductive system. They are also linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Fragrance is considered a trade secret so companies legally don't have to list the dozens or even hundreds of synthetic compounds it contains. Many cosmetics labeled "unscented" still contain fragrance so make sure you read the label!

7. Phthalates - used as a plasticizer in most nail care products and found in the plastic containers that cosmetics come in. Phthalates are also found in any product with a fragrance. Phthalates are linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, diabetes, neurodevelpmemtal issue, behavioral I ssues, autism spectrum disorders, and reproductive development.

8. FD&C color pigments and synthetic colors - these synthetic colors are derived from petroleum and coal tar sources. They score highest on the toxic scale. Synthetic colors are suspected to be a human carcinogen, a skin irritant, and are linked to ADHD in children. The European Classification and Labeling considers synthetic colors a human carcinogen and banned them. We still use them in the U.S.

9. PEG - used in many cosmetic cream bases. It's a carcinogen. It's linked to all forms of cancer. The higher the PEG number is on the label, the worse it is for you.

10. BHA/BHT - used in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may be linked to cancer. Europe has banned BTA/BHT but we still use them here in the U.S.

12. DEA/MEA/TEA - used in creamy and foaming products such as shampoos and moisturizers. These are linked to kidney, liver, and breast cancer. DEA/MEA/TEA are restricted in Europe but we don't have any restrictions on them here in the U.S.

13. UREA/DMDM/Methenamine/Quartemium - these are preservatives used in a variety of cosmetics. They slowly release formaldehyde which causes cancer.

14. Petroleum - used a moisture barrier in lip balms, lip sticks, and moisturizers. It's also used in hair products to create shine. It may be linked to cancer.

15. Siloxanes/Methicone - these are used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten. They are endocrine disrupters and a reproductive toxicant.

16. Isopropyl Alochol - this ages and dries the skin. It promotes wrinkles and brown spots.

So there you have it. A list of harmful chemicals found in your everyday cosmetics. Be sure to look for these ingredients on the labels of your products.

What are "cosmetics"

What are cosmetics? Baby wipes, aftershave, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shaving cream, cleansers, makeup, hair care, etc. Any personal care product falls under the "cosmetic" category. 

Who regulates cosmetics? NO ONE! In 1938 the cosmetic industry was granted self-regulation. Nothing has changed since 1938. The FDA isn't even authorized to approve cosmetic ingredients. 

The U.S. federal government doesn't require health studies or pre-market testing on personal care products. Manufacturers are free to use almost any ingredient they choose. As a result, we are exposed to chemicals that cause: neurodevelopment disorders, lung, liver & kidney tumors, genital abnormalities, reproductive/infertility problems, skin allergies, learning disabilities and cancer. 

In the U.S., 80,000 ingredients are used in our cosmetics. Of those 80,000, only 200 have been tested for safety. Of those 200, only 11 ingredients have been banned by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel. Only 11!?!? In Europe, they have a much stricter regulatory environment. The Eurpoean Union has banned hundreds of ingredients. 

YOU need to be responsible for regulating what you buy, what you put on your skin, and you need to learn what chemicals to stay away from. 

Did you know our skin is our biggest organ? We absorb up to 60% of what we put on our skin. The average woman exposes herself to 167 chemicals on her body and face during her daily beauty regimen. The average for men is 100. Children's bodies absorb 40-50% more than adults. They are at higher risks for diseases later in life when exposed to toxins. Over 300 contaminants have been detected in the umbilical cord of newborns. 

I used to be a product whore. I loved buying different scrubs, masks, and cleansers. My shower was so full of product I had no where to put my leg up when I needed to shave. Sigh. My linen closet was just as bad. I had so many products in there I started to run out of room for towels. My makeup addiction was worse, how many different shades of pink lipstick does a girl need? 

These products contain chemicals, very harmful chemicals, that I slathered on my skin with every day. I never thought twice about what I put on my skin. I figured what they sold in the store was regulated and since it was ok to sell it, it would be ok to use it. Boy was I wrong. 

My eyelashes were my pride and joy. They were long, thick, and amazing. People always used to compliment me on them. My mascara of choice was Diorshow. Oh how I miss Diorshow. I had tubes of it everywhere, in my makeup bag, in my car, and in my office. I couldn't live without it. Then my lashes fell out. 

I went to my primary doctor, then to my dermotologist, then back to my primary doctor. I was finally given a prescription that cost $100 and had to be picked up from a compound pharmacy. It was a cream I applied to my lash line every night. My lashes started to grow back within a few days. Once I had stubs, I got Novalash extensions. These lasted until my eyelashes almost fully grew back. Phew. Now back to the Diorshow.

About eight months later, they fell out again. This time I didn't go to the doctor. Instead I started researching. I wanted to find out what could be causing this to happen. I read that castor oil is a hair growth stimulant. Castor oil is an all natural liquid laxative that has been around for years. I went to the store and bought it. I started applying it on my lash line at night. My eyelashes grew back. Faster and thicker than they did before.

While researching, I read article after article about how harmful the chemicals are in makeup. The more I read, the more I realized it wasn't just makeup. It's the face wash I use, the shampoo I use, the shave gel I use, and even my deodorant. I became obsessed with learning more. The more I read about it, the more product I started throwing away. I would go on vacations, read books, come home and throw out more products. 

What a difference two years makes. Now, my shower contains only seven products. Three of those seven products I made. The other four were purchased from chemical and toxin free companies. I don't wear mascara at all anymore. The only makeup I own is a pot of concealer, a pot of bronzer, one pink lipstick and one red lipstick.  I am an expert at reading labels. I know what chemicals to look for and stay away from. I educate my friends and I want to educate others, so I created this blog....