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Most cosmetics companies utilising the term organic on their label are
using the chemistry definition of organic - meaning a compound that
contains carbon. Carbon is found in anything that has ever lived. So,
by using this definition of organic we could say that a toxic
petrochemical preservative called methyl paraben is organic because it
was formed by leaves that rotted over thousands of years to become oil,
which was used to make this chemical preservative. |
| The decaying process is natural and goes on with or without
preservatives. Cosmetics do not (and should not) last forever. Just
like food, all cosmetics containing natural substances will eventually
grow microorganisms and go rancid. The chemical preservatives, colours
and fragrances in cosmetics hide the obvious signs of putrefaction.
Chemicals used to preserve cosmetics are far more toxic, and cause many
more reactions, than the bacteria they are supposed to protect us from.
Their effectiveness (not safety) has only been proven by torturing and
killing animals (otherwise known as animal testing). Chemical
preservatives are not used to protect the consumer; they are used to
protect the manufacturer from economic loss. It is far cheaper to
produce vast amounts of product and warehouse it than to create small
batches that ensure product freshness. Avoid these toxic chemical
preservatives: |
| How do we know what is truly natural and safe?
Most adverse reactions to cosmetics go unreported; the vast majority of
people who react to cosmetics simply stop using the offending product
without notifying the manufacturer. Many chemicals in cosmetics dont
even cause signs of toxicity on the skin but still contain systemic
toxins. |
| Another important factor to consider with creams made from plant oil is
the use-by date. The most beneficial plant oils (like rosehip, borage
and evening primrose oils) are polyunsaturated, which means they oxidise
and go rancid fairly quickly (about 6 months). Most off-the-shelf
cosmetics have a shelf life of three years. Rancid oils are harmful,
they form free-radicals, which damage and age your skin. |
| You are what you eat (and touch)
Our skin, the largest eliminatory organ in the body and our first line
of immunity, is permeable to all chemicals. Medical research shows that
significant amounts of cosmetic ingredients, including carcinogenic
substances, penetrate the skin and end up in the blood stream. Many
chemicals in cosmetics dont cause obvious signs of toxicity on the skin
but slowly poison us thorough repeated use. |
