Don’t feed your skin junk food
Most people would be surprised to learn that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require testing of cosmetics and personal care products before they hit the shelves. In fact, cosmetics are among the least regulated products out there. Food and drugs must demonstrate safety, but not personal care products. The FDA leaves it up to the cosmetic manufacturers to test their own products, making them self-regulating.
The cosmetic companies are allowed to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into products with no monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling. That just seems crazy since some of the chemicals used in commercial shampoos, face creams and makeup are linked to reduced fertility, cancer, hormone disruption and birth defects. Less harmful, but still a huge problem for some of us are conditions such as allergies, skin rashes and eczema. Companies use harsh, toxic chemicals even though there are safer alternatives available. They do this mainly because they can get away with it, it’s cheaper and it gives their products a longer shelf life.
So what can we do? We can search out natural products, educate ourselves, read labels, use products with ingredients that can be pronounced and recognized. Avoid the big ones like parabens, sulfates, ureas, petrolatum, propylene glycol, talc and synthetic colors and fragrance.
There’s no need to throw everything out at once. As you use something up, replace it with the good stuff. However, what I’ve learned is that the most important personal care products you want to be chemical-free are the ones that stay on the face and body for long periods of time like a face cream or hand and body lotion. So start there.
To your health and beauty!
-Sheila
