Many people know the benefits of using safe cosmetics. Obviously, when you use something natural, you aren’t exposing yourself to carcinogens, artificial colors, fragrances and ingredients that aren’t good for the reproductive and endocrine system, etc.
However, many natural cosmetic companies seem to teach the “all or nothing” mentality. For most people, this is intimidating and not realistic. To think that someone is going to throw out all existing cosmetics and start new with 100% natural products just isn’t going to happen.
The most important thing to know about cosmetics in this day and age is that there is very little regulation in the beauty industry. Companies can say what they want, do what they want, and there are little to no ramifications for lying or misrepresenting. Until companies are held accountable, you MUST do your part for you and your family, and “Don’t Believe the Hype!”
So, I have created a “Beginners Guide to Safe Cosmetics” to make the transition easier and more realistic: http://www.safecosmetics.org, and the Cosmetic Safety Database, http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/, these are great starting points). Find out what are the ingredients that you WILL NOT use, no matter what. Pick five! Be diligent. Do not use the ingredients that you have promised yourself you will not use. No matter what, stay away from those five ingredients. (Mine are: parabens, artificial colors, artificial fragrance, phthalates, and petroleum).
Educate yourself. Go to the cosmetics you own at home, read the ingredient list, and make a small list of ingredients that you don’t know. Then, google these ingredients, or go to the websites mentioned above. See what these ingredients are, and what they do. You’ll be surprised.
Talk to people. Spread your newfound knowledge to friends and family.
Continue Your Education. Cosmetic companies thrive on keeping consumers mis-educated and in the dark about what they are doing with ingredients. Don’t let them succeed! Empower yourself and the people you love…..
It’s that simple. Start by taking baby steps, and you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll learn. Don’t just believe a company when they tell you something about a product. Make them prove it, or do the research yourself.
Posted by: MRochell on January 7, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Thank you for sharing this important and helpful information! I recently developed skin problems and have been shocked at what I was putting on my skin…and I was using products from the health food store!