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Dr. Mercola
January 22 2008
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The Rise of Organic Makeup

makeup, cosmetics, organic, personal care products, naturalIncreasing numbers of women and men are trashing their conventional, chemical-laden cosmetics and personal care products in favor of more natural, organic varieties.

Sales of organic personal care items reached $350 million in 2007, increasing 24 percent from 2005. Sales among the top three natural personal care brands -- Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Tom’s of Maine -- brought in $155 million alone.

But are organic and natural cosmetics any better than the others? Maybe, and maybe not.

Cosmetics and their ingredients do not have to undergo any type of government approval before hitting store shelves, and the terms “natural” and “organic” have no definitions. In other words, when it comes to cosmetics labeling, it’s a free for all.

Some products may include a few organic ingredients, for instance, along with several chemical ones -- and still claim to be natural or organic on the label.

Reading labels carefully can be an effective way to sort out which products are truly natural. Researchers recommend watching out for, and avoiding, at least the following three ingredients in your cosmetics:
  • Parabens, preservatives that have been linked to cancer
  • Phthalates, chemicals used in fragrances that are harmful to your reproductive system
  • Talc, which has been linked to ovarian cancer


Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Many of you reading this probably realized long ago that the majority of personal care products sold in the United States are actually chemical cocktails that have no business being on your skin, hair or nails. 

What you may not know is that some products that claim to be “organic” or “natural” may not be any better. I find this disturbing, don’t you?

Take a look under your bathroom sink or wherever you keep your toiletries. Now think about this: none of those products had to undergo any type of testing before they reached you. The companies that make the products are pretty much left to police themselves, and the end results are products that use the cheapest materials possible, at any cost to your health. Do you trust the marketing claims of these “natural” products?

For instance, Alba Body Lotion, a "natural" body product, contains ingredients such as octyl methoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3, and methyl/propylparaben. The EPA has linked methyl parabens to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.

Here is a list of chemicals that are common in personal care products from shampoo and lotions to mascara and perfumes:
  • Paraben, a chemical found in underarm deodorants and other cosmetics that has been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, which can drive the growth of human breast tumors.
  • Phthalates, plasticizing ingredients (present in nearly three-quarters of 72 products tested by the Environmental Working Group), which have been linked to birth defects in the reproductive system of boys and lower sperm-motility in adult men, among other problems.
  • Musks, used as fragrances, can accumulate in your body, and have been linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and cancer in laboratory studies.
  • Artificial fragrances, which are among the top five known allergens, and can cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.
  • Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a chemical used in shampoo to prevent bacteria from developing, which may have detrimental effects on your nervous system.
  • Lead, a known toxin, was found in more than half (61 percent) of 33 name-brand lipsticks tested in September 2007.
So when you slather on lotion, apply lipstick or lather up your hair with shampoo, what do you think happens to the chemicals in the products? They get absorbed directly into your body. It is well-proven that when you apply these chemicals to your skin, they enter your bloodstream and become integrated into your body tissues, In fact, it is probably safer to eat these ingredients than to rub them on your skin (although I strongly recommend you don’t do either!).

If You Wouldn’t Eat it, Don’t Put it on Your Body

Would you take a taste of your mascara or shaving cream? Probably not. However, if you do happen to eat these chemicals, your digestive system can produce specific enzymes to break down these toxins and excrete them … something that doesn’t readily occur when you absorb them through your skin.

In general, you need to seek out personal care products that are so pure you could actually eat them. Coconut oil is a great example here, as it makes a great moisturizer that you can also eat. Olive oil is another one that you can use to deep condition your hair.

Additionally, I am proud to report that my team has been researching this topic extensively and we are getting very close to launching one of the best, most pure skin care product lines out there. It is truly effective, has absolutely no synthetic ingredients, and is packaged in brown glass bottles. 

Until then, I suggest you scrutinize the labels on your personal care products and cosmetics just as closely as you do your food. If you’re not sure what an ingredient is, type it into the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, and you’ll get all the information you need about whether or not it’s safe.

And remember, if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t use it.
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Community Comments ( 94 )
 		Comment on this Article
  
  
wassily
 [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on January 9, 2008 ]
30 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Know what drives me mad? Paying £4 for a small bottle of the safest shampoo I can find, while the other lurid rubbish is being sold in massive bottles for 50p or £1.  Anything that has propylene glycol, SLS etc should be banned.  If it can't be banned  (maybe our govt will cite some flaming Human Rights Act or other, to protect people's rights to buy rubbish) then they should be heavily taxed out of existence.  Because the rubbish is so cheap, people slather it all over, use more than they need and send the surplus down the drains where it then has to be cleaned out of the water supply.  And I get a mouthful of the scented stuff when I inadvertently follow a user in a shop or wherever. And of course, the products that are safely made and produced should be subsidized.  Better still - just ban the rubbish.  the safe stuff should be available economically to everybody.  And for those of you who use 'natural' scented products - please, please remember that some people are so sensitive to smells, even a whiff of a 'natural' scent can make them ill, and also that some of these 'natural' fragrances are supplied in an industrial strength which bears no resemblance to that found in nature.  Better still, if you work at home, or are on leave, try not hairwashing or bathing so often - then you won't have nasty chemical entering your skin from your water supply, if you're on-grid.  Yes, I know we're all programmed to think that it's socially unacceptable to have body smells, but the odd day or two won't harm you!  I do a lot of building work, sometimes having no 'modern' facilities for periods of time.  Okay, I sometimes pong of sweat, but so what? In an office situation, it would cause probs, but - just think before you automatically jump into the shower 2 times a day!
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
energy_203
 [ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on January 9, 2008]
24 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
Doggonnit Jonny, you are going to drag my point rating right into the toilet, cuz I have to agree with you again.  We don't have a problem in this world with too few laws.  What we have is about 200 times more than we need.  "There ought to be a law..."  Um, NO, not so much.  Incidentally, there is an awesome book entitled "Unintended Consequences."  I believe the author is John Ross.  I highly recommend it to anybody.
Mercola
  
New to Natural
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 9, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
I could've sworn there was a post by Johnny here earlier today - what's going on? 
Mercola
  
New to Natural
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 9, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Islander, thanks for clearing that up! 
Mercola
  
DizzyIzzy1
 [ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on January 10, 2008]
7 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Wassily, I couldn't have put it better myself. Why is always so bloody expensive to do what's good for you?! Food, hygiene, cosmetics...

...wait, don't answer that.
Mercola
  
fullofoats
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on January 23, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Almost 400 products sold in the U.S. contain chemicals prohibited from use in cosmetics in other countries! For more information and to see which brands contain ingredients banned in other countries (including Maybelline, Sally Hansen, Avon and more):
  
  
seg
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on January 10, 2008 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Best organic make up really is NO make up at all....You gals are mighty purty as is; and yes not being sexist some guys as well....

For everything else there's good old coconut oil......
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Gruvkitty
 [ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on January 24, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I appreciate your bringing up the idea that just because a big company buys it, doesn't mean it's crap. Clorox bought Burt's Bees because it's very successful as is, and they want to jump on the green bandwagon. Let's hope they actually do! Supposedly, the new head of BB intends to keep all products "edible" thereby passing the "if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin" test. They have simply tweaked the packaging and made it MUCH more widely available. If you ahve reservations, then check the Skindeep database. I still feel good using their products.

Also, look into Keys products. Their sunscreens and moisturizers get excellent marks from Skindeep!
  
  
mmc88121
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on January 8, 2008 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
I did not Know, Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox,  But the problem is you can call anything "organic" as long as it has 1 organic item in it, forget about what else is in it.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Phantom O' Banjo
 [ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on January 8, 2008]
6 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
This is a trend in the organic product lines selling to the big guys.  The products quality suffers over time it seems.
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
 [ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on January 9, 2008]
6 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Organic is mostly a FRAUD in the USA, and a marketing 'buzz' word, and has no legal or actual assurance of safety or better health.
 
The North Americam organic certifiers are self appoint regional and national 'for profit' operators, and cumulatively, they do not even have enough personnel to police 15% of the lands, soils, crops or ingredients or brands 'certified' as so-called 'organic'...

The only true high quality legal enforcement of 'organic' is found in the UK from the Soils Association there.
Mercola
  
New to Natural
 [ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on January 9, 2008]
6 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Russ,
I just happened to see the McGraw-Hill paper (textbook publishing company) and the headline read "US leads the way in Green."  Just shows how mis-informed we Americans really are. 
Mercola
  
Magnolia
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on January 22, 2008]
4 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

"Bleach Bees!" Oh my!
Mercola
  
hoopoe
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on January 23, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I didn't know Burt's Bees was owned by Clorox! Which brings up another issue. If a particular ingredient isn't listed as organic, couldn't it be genetically modified, especially if it's derived from corn or soy? A couple months ago I sent them a message asking whether they use any GM ingredients and never received a response.... The GM stuff kinda weird me out, whether it's going on or in me.
Mercola
  
Graeae
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on January 23, 2008]
2 Points        
   
This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be reviewed with great caution.
  Mercola

Tom's of Maine is now owned by Colgate.  It does seem to be a disturbing trend.
  
  
PepperR23
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on January 8, 2008 ]
10 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I strongly advise that all of us check our organic products by going to safecosmetics.org and checking the Skin Deep data-base.  I have found the Miessence products are the best.  I also like some of Aubrey Organics products.  Because I have problems with soy, I find it difficult to find products that I can use as so many organic products have soy in them.