I started this article as I sat on the veranda of my villa in the Maldives, gazing out at the bright blue ocean and thinking that in this corner of paradise, one natural coconut oil is enough to be irresistible. This is not Moscow, where you have to put on a lot of money in order to somehow protect yourself from the bad ecology and weather of a big city.
In fact, it's scary to even imagine how many kilograms (or tons?) Of all kinds of creams and serums an average girl puts on herself in her entire life. Here, perhaps, it is worth thinking: are all these beautiful jars safe and useful, as the inscriptions on them promise?
The first time I seriously asked myself this question eight years ago, when I was expecting a daughter. I came to the doctor's appointment, fragrant with vanilla and caramel body creams. The doctor threw up her hands: they say, don't I really understand that this sweet aromatics are solid chemistry that gets through the skin into the child's blood!
Ashamed and wary, I called Google for help. The result was so deplorable that I really felt uneasy: in the overwhelming majority of countries there is no strict legislative regulation of the cosmetic industry, and most often cosmetics manufacturers decide for themselves the issue of its safety. Of course, the global industry giants spend a lot of money on research and testing of their products, but the main purpose of these tests is to check the cosmetic effect and avoid allergic reactions to the product.
Let's focus on security. In cosmetics, a number of substances and compounds are still used, which, entering the bloodstream, can affect the endocrine and immune systems, cause allergies, and complicate the development of the fetus in pregnant women; many of them are carcinogenic. I will list a few quite common ones.
- Parabens. Used for preservation of products. They are associated with the risk of developing cancer, endocrine disorders, and fetal toxicity.
- Formaldehyde. Often found in nail polish, hair dye, eyelash glue. Banned in the EU, carcinogenic.
- Talc. Innocuous in appearance and often used in baby powders, eyeshadow, and deodorants, it can cause ovarian cancer and respiratory problems.
- DEA / TEA. These emulsifiers are responsible for the formation of foam in shampoos, shower gels, and soaps. All are carcinogenic.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS). The degreasing agent, a frequent visitor in shampoos and soaps, is absorbed by the skin and can be very irritating.
- Hydroquinone. It is a whitening ingredient, banned in a number of countries, an extremely toxic and carcinogenic substance.
- Phthalates (phtalates). Plasticizing ingredients banned in the manufacture of children's toys in Europe and the United States, but present in perfumes, lotions, deodorants. They can harm the lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine system, and are carcinogenic.
- Oxybenzoin. It is used in sunscreens, accumulates in fat cells of the body, provokes allergies, hormonal disorders, and can cause low weight in newborns.
- Mineral oils. These petroleum products create a film on the skin that prevents it from breathing.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG). The conductivity-enhancing ingredient often contains 1,4-dioxian and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
- Lead. Another carcinogen, often found in lipstick and hair dye, but not listed in the composition, as it is a side, not a main component.
- Silicone and its derivatives. Not degradable in nature, they do not allow air to pass through while on the skin.
- Triclosan. Contained in antibacterial agents, deodorants, hand sanitizing gels. Causes cancer and endocrine disorders.
Some of the ingredients listed in the product may actually contain other, much more dangerous substances. For example, seemingly harmless fragrance components - they are often called the general word fragrance - in fact, hide in themselves a huge number of chemical compounds such as phthalates, toluene. They are associated with multiple cases of allergies, headaches, dizziness and even asthma.
Fortunately, there is a huge amount of excellent cosmetics on the market that meet all safety standards. Check out brands like Ren, Tata Harper, Aesop, Nourish, Ila, The Organic Pharmacy, RMS Beauty, Tracie Martyn, Suki, KORA Organics, and veterans like Weleda and Dr. Hauschka.
When choosing a product, keep in mind that the term "natural" is not regulated by law and a product containing only a couple of useful components along with all the others can already be proudly called such. So always read the composition carefully. But to be called "organic", the product must pass a strict control system and contain at least 95% organic components. You can already trust such products!
My favorite remedies:
Mask Resurfacing from Tata Harper smoothes the skin, gives it shine, tightens pores and reduces redness. I order it on spacenk.com.
Regenerating Eye Cream by Dr. Hauschka is one of the best eye creams that you can also buy at the Gorod-Sad store.
I love the Nubian Heritage brand for its wonderful shower gels, fragrant soaps with an amazing composition, which do not dry the skin and hold their shape for a long time in a soap dish. But my favorites are their hand creams, super nutritious and delicious smelling. All means of this brand can be found in my network of shops "Gorod-Sad".
The organic body cream Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer brand Nourish gives the skin a golden glow. The best friend of a girl going to a party in an open dress. Nourish cosmetics can be bought at Whole Foods Market and in my shop "Garden City".
A couple of years ago, my friend, the commercial director of a large automobile concern, decided to drastically change her life. Now she lives in Bali, where, together with her beloved, she created her own line of Chakra's Cosmetics - so natural that it needs to be kept in the refrigerator. The effect of Oil Treatment F or All Hair Types lasts even if you wash your hair a couple of times. I usually wear it full length during sports, then rinse it off - and all day rip off compliments about how beautiful my hair shines and smells. You can buy cosmetics at www.chakraisland.com.
