Is Organic beauty important? The cold hard facts...

DOES THE SKIN REALLY ABSORB WHAT GOES ON IT?

• The skin is only 2mm thick and according to new estimates, can absorb up to 60% of substances applied to its surface... so every time you put something on your skin, and its about to be ingested, ask yourself 'would I really want to eat this?'
• Since the skin is the largest organ in the body it soaks up contaminants in much larger amounts than the intestines or the lungs!
• Many synthetic product manufacturers include 'penetration enhancers' a common one is propylene glycol. When a potentially carcinogenic chemical it enters the bloodstream and lymph ducts - they eventually go to the kidneys , liver for decades.
• If using inorganic products - you will use more than 200 chemicals in just one morning session of cleansing, toning, scrub, moisturising, showering with gel and cream.

HOW BAD ARE SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS?

• Toxic ingredients may lead to other serious diseases including allergies, fertility problems, diabetes and Alzheimer's. In the best case scenario they could cause acne or an allergic reaction that resembles acne.
• When poisonous chemicals are absorbed into the skin and carried by the blood all over the body, the offending chemical can react with other chemicals in the body... sometimes these reactions produce substances that provoke cells to evolve in the wrong way, resulting in cancer.

IS THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY NOT REGULATED? SURELY UNSAFE PRODUCTS CAN'T BE SOLD?

• Approx 90% of cosmetic ingredients have NEVER been analysed for health impacts.
• In 67 years the FDA (US Food and Drug Admin) had banned or restricted only 9 personal care ingredients.

WHAT ABOUT SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE?

• Medical research has already proven that synthetic fragrances trigger asthma
• Of the more than 5000 ingredients currently available for use in fragrances, only 1300 were tested for safety
• Fragrance formulas are considered trade secrets, and manufacturers don't have to tell anyone what's in them... including health authorities.
• Asthma, Migraines, hyperactivity disorder in children and adults, rashes, depression, and seizures have been linked to synthetic fragrances

WITHOUT LEARNING ABOUT EVERY INGREDIENT IN THE BOOK, WHAT SHOULD I STEER CLEAR OF?

• Parabens (commonly used synthetic preservative) -In 2004, tests found parabens in breast cancer tumours in 19 out of 20 women with breast cancer.
• Solid research links phthalates (contained in many best selling fragrances) to the rising hormone related conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility and breast cancer. In men, Harvard Uni linked this ingredient to decreased sperm counts and testicular cancer in men.
• Watch out for anything on the back of a label ending in 'eth' or PEG plus Propylene Glycol (used as penetration enhancer) they can cause serious skin irritation. Female animals who ate glycols had babies with birth defects
• Products should contain no synthetic dyes, preservatives, fragrances or detergents.