Lucy thanks Jerome for an Omega 5 oil gift
Most societies have strong opinions about beauty and its enhancement. Piercings, jewelery, hair colouring, and cosmetics all have their roots in body adornment. But some apparently benign habits may hold darker secrets. In fact, a recent study has found that many products fail to meet cosmetics safety standards. Some of the problem ingredients may be surprising, since they sound natural - such as lemon balm oil (Melissa officinalis).
Sometimes, finding responsible and safe products may mean some sacrifices, so be warned if you are tied to that tube of mascara. Here are ten tips to help navigate through the glittering aisles of the local cosmetics department.
1. Check ingredient lists, even with the tiny print. Avoid particularly troublesome ingredients, including lead and mercury.
2. Look out for parabens, whether methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl. They are antimicrobial preservatives, but many people find them irritating to skin, and they are considered toxic.
3. Choose fragrance-free products if possible. Synthetic scents, made up of a number of ingredients including several derived from petrochemicals, may cause skin irritation and other problems.
4. Use fewer products. A simpler routine will reduce the number of chemicals on your skin.
5. Avoid using soap, or choose mild soaps. These products strip your skin’s natural oils along with dirt, causing increased dryness and potential irritation.
6. Use hair dyes with caution. Dark colours often contain possibly harmful coal tar derivatives. In addition, ethanolamine, potassium persulfate, and sodium persulfate are common ingredients but need careful handling and rinsing. It is particularly important to avoid hair dyes during pregnancy, as some absorption may take place through the scalp. Try henna instead.
POMEGA5 products fit the mold
7. Avoid using powders. Talc has been linked to lung damage and certain cancers.
8. Choose nail polishes that are free of toluene, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Take a break from those fancy nails while pregnant to avoid fumes, as some ingredients have been linked to birth defects.
9. Think natural and organic. That said, there are many unregulated claims and ingredients, including the terms “all natural” and “organic”. These labels may have little basis in fact, so be wary. Read the ingredient list. Just because something comes from a plant, it isn’t automatically safe. Lemon balm oil is prohibited by the International Fragrance Association but endorsed for other uses.
10. Get informed so you can make active choices. Health Canada has a hotlist covering some ingredients of concern, while the Skin Deep site offers search capacities for your favourite products. Consider this: many lipsticks tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics had detectable lead levels, but it was not a listed ingredient. Clearly, it’s worth doing a little detective work.
In our workplace we all use Omega 5 oil products
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