cosmetics

When it comes to beauty, humans started early – People have been primping for a very long time: Scientists now have evidence that Neanderthals wore “body paint” 50,000 years ago. And the exotic eye makeup that seen on statues of Queen Nefertiti and other ancient Egyptian royals may have been used to help prevent or treat eye disease. Plus, in those days, cosmetic contained no dangerous nanoparticles! And other ingredients in modern cosmetics may make them unsafe for pregnant women.
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Are the beauty claims made by cosmetic companies too good to be true? In a word, yes?sometimes in surprising ways. Some of us turn to them when we want to cover up the green in our skin, but creams claiming to have antioxidant properties can cheat ageing are probably worthless.

In this recession (which we predicted), we want to know what’s worth paying for. Promises that a product can “reverse the aging process” or “deliver the results of a facelift” leads consumers to spend billions of dollars each year to try an array of anti-aging skin care products in hopes is that one of them will actually live up to its claims.
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In a study by the Organic Consumers Association, a cancer-causing compound called 1,4-dioxane has been found in some of the most commonly used petroleum-based cosmetics?including many “NATURAL” products.

1,4-Dioxane is a foaming agent that is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and mouthwash, which is why it may contaminate these items. 1,4-Dioxane is classified as an ether and is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant that easily penetrates the skin. It should not be confused with the similarly-spelled chemical “dioxin,” which is a major environmental pollutant.
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Cosmetics can be dangerous in surprising ways, which is why it’s important that they be tested. But many people object to testing cosmetics and drugs on animals. Soon there may be a way to test potentially hazardous chemicals on a microchip instead.
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