Petroleum and Cosmetics: What Are The Potential Health Risks?
What is petroleum?Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.Millions of years later, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day. Through a process called fractional distillation, petroleum refineries break petroleum into many of its smaller components. Each of these smaller components is made up of molecules called hydrocarbons.The world is full of products that come from petroleum. For example, gasoline, styrofoam, lubricating oils, and many other items are all derivatives of this raw material. How are petroleum and cosmetics related? The two seemingly unrelated items, petroleum and cosmetics, are indeed closely related in our modern world.Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many cosmetic products today.
Both mineral oil and petroleum have the same origins in fossils fuels. Cosmetics such as foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers often contain mineral oil. By locking moisture against the skin, mineral oil sits on the skin's surface and can potentially block pores. This may cause the appearance of pimples because the skin cannot properly ?breathe'.Fragrances in lotions, shampoos, and many other cosmetic products are composed of aromatic hydrocarbons. Perfumes and products containing fragrance can contain many hundreds of chemicals to produce a distinct scent.
A significant number of these aromas are derived from petroleum.One popular chemical additive that carries moisture in cosmetics is propylene glycol. It is also a derivative of petroleum. Some products that list propylene glycol as an ingredient include:
- anti-freeze
- laundry detergent
- paint
- shampoo
- conditioner
When you use products on your skin such as cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos, the ingredients in these products come into direct contact with your body's largest organ; your skin. You may ask yourself, where do the ingredients in the products go? Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. Today, hormone therapy treatments and smoking cessation medications are often prescribed as patches that you apply directly to the skin. The medication passes through the skin and directly enters the bloodstream.For pregnant women, the risk is not only for her body but also for the developing fetus. If the chemicals found in cosmetics readily enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin, then they will also reach the developing baby.
Researchers at the Brunel University in England are looking closely at a family of preservatives called parabens. Their research has recently linked parabens to the possibility that male babies will have lower sperm counts. These preservatives are derived from petroleum and help to maintain the freshness and integrity of the product. Currently, many manufacturers add parabens to cosmetics to allow a minimum of 3 years shelf life. Therefore, the parabens kill any bacteria that could potentially enter the product.
If these chemical ingredients can kill the bacterial cells, what are they doing to your skin cells? In most cases, there is no conclusive answer to this question. However, the research mentioned strongly suggests that the synthetic ingredients may have a significant impact on our bodies.In many cases, the long-term effects of many of the chemical additives in our cosmetics are not known. However, other chemical additives are known carcinogens. These types of chemicals can cause cancer in humans. Such chemicals include some artificial colours in cosmetics.
The effects of chemicals and other synthetic ingredients in cosmetics may lead to mild allergic reactions causing rashes and minor skin irritation to more significant problems such as lesions on the skin.What are your alternatives for cosmetics?Luckily, there are alternatives to cosmetics filled with synthetically produced ingredients. Increasingly, cosmetic manufacturers are answering the public's demand for alternatives to the chemically loaded beauty and grooming supplies. The Organic Make-up Company is one such company that is leading the way in producing high-quality, organically manufactured cosmetics! As a consumer, you have the ability to decrease the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body. To avoid using the synthetically derived fragrances, look for products containing essential oils. These are pure oils derived from flowers and other plants in nature.All you have to do is make the simple choice of purchasing cosmetic products with all-natural, organic ingredients.
Whether you continue using cosmetics that contain petroleum-based ingredients or not is a personal choice. What is the most important is to get the facts and to know that you have a choice when it comes to buying organic or synthetic cosmetic products.References:- Fairley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley : London, 2001.- http://www.hans.org/web_articles/h07drugschemicals/h0799whatisreallyinyourhbprods.aspl, accessed Oct. 3, 2004.- http://www.organicmakeup.ca.
Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.info@organicmakeup.caIntroducing the Tara Sabeti Line of Cosmetics for Women
The Tara Sabeti cosmetics company announced the launching of the corporate website today, www.tarasabeti.com. The website showcases her exciting new line of cosmetics for women of all colors.Established in 2004, the new company launched its initial product lineup of lipstick and lip gloss in spring 2005.
An aggressive schedule of new product launches is planned for the coming year.
The company's president, Iranian-born Tara Sabeti, developed the line of cosmetics in response to the lack of high-quality cosmetic products available to women of color. "Ethnic women especially want and deserve a full line of luxury cosmetics at reasonable price points.
I am intimately involved in all stages of production, making sure my products meet those needs.""There really is no such thing as a "pink" undertone," says Sabeti, "Yet many cosmetic companies continue to manufacture products which suit women with a supposed...
Introducing the Tara Sabeti Line of Cosmetics for Women
Cosmetics > Introducing the Tara Sabeti Line of Cosmetics for Women
An End to Animal Cruelty...All Things Are Possible With PETA
I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I was when Carla Bennett of PETA agreed to do an e-mail interview with me! PETA's headquarters are located in Norfolk, Virginia and they have offices in several other major cities and countries. PETA was incorporated in 1980 and made national headlines about one year later with the first-ever conviction of an animal experimenter for cruelty to animals, specifically cruelty to monkeys. (What animal would hurt a monkey?!) PETA then began a series of successful campaigns that ended car manufacturers' use of animals in crash tests, brought about a mainstream rejection of fur, and caused nearly 600 cosmetics companies to eliminate product-testing on animals, among other successful PETA endeavors in the fight to give animals a genuine voice. When I asked Carla what law regarding animals she would most like to see changed, she expressed that she would like factory farms to be abolished and an overall public change toward vegetarianism. (Great answer.....
An End to Animal Cruelty...All Things Are Possible With PETA
Cosmetics > An End to Animal Cruelty...All Things Are Possible With PETA
Juicy Cosmetics For Holiday 2005
(ContentDesk) September 1, 2005 -- Juicy Cosmetics has several new products for Holiday 2005 giving that are really must sees and must haves. Juicy Cosmetics Icing Sugar Shimmer in Hi Beam:Juicy's Sexy Icing Sugar Shimmer Powder gives you a subtle sparkle with a hint of colour. Perfect for anywhere on the body or to highlight your eyes or cheeks or anywhere that takes your fancy. Hi Beam - A beautiful, shimmery gold with just the right amount of star-like sparkle to make every woman a heavenly body. In a perfect easy to carry and no mess tall shaker pot, perfect for in your purse and on the go.
Hi Beam - (Soft Gold Shimmer) A beautiful, shimmery gold with just the right amount of star-like sparkle to make every woman a heavenly body. Princess - (Soft Pink Shimmer) Soft, silky and subtle...an understated pink that blends easily and goes anywhere... perfect for adding just a hint of a glimmer.Juicy Cosmetics Super Shine Lip Gloss in Sonic:This sheer, vanilla scented shade of plumy-gold...
Juicy Cosmetics For Holiday 2005
Cosmetics > Juicy Cosmetics For Holiday 2005
Mineral Makeup - Natural Makeup for a Healthier Skin
As a doctor I know what damage some traditional makeup products can cause the skin if worn over time for prolonged periods without adequate cleansing. So the advent of mineral makeup to the cosmetic counters is a major breakthrough in healthy living and skincare.
Mineral cosmetics have their basis in ground-up minerals, including various metal ores and iron oxide. Being natural, they are allergen-free and contain no chemical dyes, added preservatives, fillers, perfumes, oils or talc ? or other ingredients commonly found in traditional makeup products.
Mineral makeup contains only pure mineral pigments in concentrated form. Due to their concentration they perform the functions of concealer, foundation and powder - and incredibly all in a single application which binds to the skin so well that very little touch-up is required as the day progresses.
After mineral makeup is first applied ? and this can be done very simply with a brush - the skin...
Cosmetics > Mineral Makeup - Natural Makeup for a Healthier Skin
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