Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Maybe you're curious to know whether natural feels better and is better for you. Maybe you'd like to reduce your exposure to chemicals. Or maybe you've read some scary news about the potential health risks of an ingredient, only to learn that it's in your daily face cream. Whatever your reason, finding a truly "natural" product can be tricky.
"The FDA doesn't provide guidance on natural personal-care products, be they toothpaste or mascara, and there is no legal or medical definition of 'natural,' either," says New York City dermatologist Anne Chapas, M.D. Consumers will have more help if the Cosmetics Safety Act, currently under congressional review, becomes law; it will "mandate that the FDA regulate chemicals in cosmetic products, as it does in drugs and food," says Dr. Chapas. In the meantime and it may be a long meantime it's up to you to figure out which synthetic ingredients you want to avoid.
To help you decide, Good Housekeeping surveyed 900-plus readers to find out which synthetic ingredients topped their list of concerns. Then we asked experts to weigh in on which are simply annoying (for example, merely skin-irritating) and which may lead to more serious trouble (endocrine problems, or even cancer). Unfortunately, because research in humans tends to be scant, the risks in many cases are not well-known. But here is what we do know, and what you can do about five of the ingredients that worry you most.
Next:
1. PARABENS
Listed on labels as methylparaben, benzylparaben, or other ingredients ending with the same word, these effective preservatives are used in cosmetics from lotions to lipsticks.
Since many parabens appear to mimic the activity of estrogen in the body, there's concern that they may affect the endocrine system (hence the term "endocrine disruptor") and lead to decreased sperm counts in men and even breast cancer in women. A much-debated 2004 study found parabens in a small sample of 20 cancerous breast tumors. A follow-up study this year yielded similar results: Parabens were found in the breast tissue of 40 women who'd undergone mastectomies. However, "neither study proves parabens caused the cancer," explains breast cancer researcher and retired surgeon Susan Love, M.D. "The published data on cancer risk from parabens is either on cells grown in petri dishes or on lab rats, and unfortunately, you cannot extrapolate from those to women. We need more research in women to actually figure this out." One study has shown that even a very strong paraben is only a weak endocrine disruptor at worst, 10,000 to 100,000 times less active than estrogen itself. And most products that use parabens contain only low concentrations, from .01% to .3%. The FDA maintains, based on currently available data, that parabens are safe for use in cosmetics, but if you're still concerned, paraben-free beauty options are abundant check labels.
2. SYNTHETIC COLORS AND DYES
Colorants are "the most highly regulated cosmetic ingredients in the U.S.," says cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski.
In 1938, to protect consumers, Congress gave the FDA authority to regulate color additives. Due in part to questions about carcinogenicity, the agency has banned a number of dyes and has specified where certain ones may be used for example, only food-grade dyes can be used in products applied around the eyes, Romanowski says. One exception to the ban: coal-tar dyes. These dyes can be used in darker hair-coloring products, provided they carry a warning about possible skin sensitivity and against dyeing eyelashes or eyebrows (which may cause blindness). "Coal-tar dye ingredients [listed on labels as, for example, 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (4-MMPD)] are infrequently used," says Romanowski. In addition, the FDA notes that surveys show the industry has phased them out (go to fda.gov for a list of hair dyes shown to cause cancer in animal studies).
3. PETROCHEMICALS
This large class of chemicals derived from fossil fuels includes gasoline, coal, tar, and the common beauty-product ingredient petrolatum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly).
An inexpensive, effective sealant that traps moisture, petrolatum is well tolerated by people who have irritable skin and is a choice dry-skin remedy of dermatologists, says Valori Treloar, M.D., of Newton, MA. While petrolatum may contain trace impurities of a class of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) probable carcinogens manufacturers can eliminate the contaminants via a chemical process, says Nneka Leiba, a senior analyst with the Environmental Working Group. "The petrolatum grade used in cosmetics undergoes strict purification," says Romanowski. Still, a 2001 study found tiny quantities of a few PAHs in multiple petroleum jelly brands. The risk, if any, is contested, but if you're concerned, minimize exposure to PAHs by choosing cosmetics without petrolatum, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil on their labels.
Trying to pick natural products? This smart guide has the lowdown on questionable ingredients, plus $20 and under mascaras, face creams, and lip balms that topped our
Organic Beauty Now - Organic and Natural Beauty Products
All natural beauty products made with certified organic ingredients; such as natural hair and spa products, natural and organic kids products, and play makeup. We
natural makeup - Cosmetics, Beauty Products, Fragrances ...
Shop all natural makeup brands at Sephora. Browse our selection of organic makeup, skin care, hair care, bath products and more from trusted brands.
Organic Makeup and Natural Beauty | Vitacost.com
Enhance your look with natural beauty essentials from organic beauty brands like Avalon Organics, available at Vitacost.com at prices so low youll blush.
Natural and Organic Beauty Products | Walgreens
Natural and Organic Beauty Products at Walgreens. Free shipping at $25 and view current promotions and product reviews on Natural and Organic Beauty Products at
15 All-Natural Beauty Products - Woman's Day
Beauty the way nature intended is easier than ever to achieve, thanks to products with ingredients that come straight from the earth. Natural cosmetics, which include
JuiceBeauty - Official Site
Juice Beauty offers organic skin care and organic beauty products that are clinically validated to show transformative results. Our organic skincare products include
So Organic - Natural Beauty, Cosmetics & Skin Care online ...
Organic Skin Care. Cleansers. Face Wash; Cleansing Lotion & Cleansing Cream; Wipes & Cotton Wool; Face Scrubs & Exfoliating Products; Toners & Facial Mists
LoveLula | Organic Skincare | Organic Beauty | Organic ...
online store & award winning organic beauty, Uber Natural; Une Makeup; UrbanVeda; Products. Face. Moisturisers; Exfoliators; Cleansers;
Natural Beauty Group | Organic Skin Care
Natural Beauty Group | Organic Skin Cosmetics. Makeup. Eyes; Lips; as your preferred online retailer of organic and natural skin and body care products
