By Kristie Hayes
The first thing any woman learns about makeup is that goal is to create as “natural” a look as possible. But taking a brief look back in the history of cosmetics, the products were quite dangerous including compounds such as lead, mercury and arsenic that often lead to poisonings and death. Society has come a long way from those days but typical cosmetics currently sold by major retailers contain many synthetic chemicals such as petroleum, plastics, silicones, parabens and artificial dyes and fragrances that can lead to allergic reactions and have been shown to have adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Although cosmetics are typically applied in small amounts, women often use them for most of their adult life on a regular basis.
In addition to following the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines for cosmetics, organic cosmetic manufacturers have to follow the agency’s rules for what constitutes organic; compounds put in organic cosmetics have to come from crops that were not genetically modified or treated with herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides and manufactured in a way that does not add or produce harsh chemicals.
Organic cosmetics come from natural sources that are grown organically and harvested and manufactured in a way that eliminates the aforementioned chemicals from being put into the product even before they are put on the shelves. Saffon Rouge, a retailer that sells different organic cosmetic lines called has what they call a “black list,” chemical that would not be considered part of organic makeup. Afterglow is a line of cosmetics that sells a range of products and like many organic cosmetic brands they tend to be more expensive than conventional make up as are many other organic products. But like other organic cosmetic manufacturers, they use natural oils and extracts from organically grown fruits, barks and plants to give them a wide range of beautiful colors that women expect to find when they are shopping for makeup. After searching the internet, it is obvious that the majority of organic cosmetics contain ingredients are minerals and some of the mineral ingredients typically found in organic cosmetics are as follows:
Titanium dioxide- major component of mineral makeup and sunscreens since it protects the skin from UV light and reflects it and helps the makeup stay on.
Zinc Oxide-Similar to titanium dioxide in that it protects the skin from the effects of sunlight and helps it stick. An added benefit is that it alleviates skin irritation due to conditions such as rosacea.
Magnesium Stearate- Combines the metal magnesium which is found in nature and a component of vegetable oil, stearic acid. Adds to the consistency, opacity, texture, and increases the ability of the makeup to stay on.
Serecite Mica-Typically found in organic foundations and mineral eye shadows. It does not have a lot of luster, reflects light and masks enlarged pores and fine lines. Some people are sensitive to mica and there are mica-free based cosmetics available.
Talc-Although harmful things can be found in talc, there are processes that remove them and studies linking it to certain cancers and other health issues no studies to date have confirmed those concerns. It gives cosmetics its silky feel.
The goal of makeup should be to enhance natural beauty and using organic cosmetics allows beauty to be enhanced by nature.
The first thing any woman learns about makeup is that goal is to create as “natural” a look as possible. But taking a brief look back in the history of cosmetics, the products were quite dangerous including compounds such as lead, mercury and arsenic that often lead to poisonings and death. Society has come a long way from those days but typical cosmetics currently sold by major retailers contain many synthetic chemicals such as petroleum, plastics, silicones, parabens and artificial dyes and fragrances that can lead to allergic reactions and have been shown to have adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Although cosmetics are typically applied in small amounts, women often use them for most of their adult life on a regular basis.
In addition to following the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines for cosmetics, organic cosmetic manufacturers have to follow the agency’s rules for what constitutes organic; compounds put in organic cosmetics have to come from crops that were not genetically modified or treated with herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides and manufactured in a way that does not add or produce harsh chemicals.
Organic cosmetics come from natural sources that are grown organically and harvested and manufactured in a way that eliminates the aforementioned chemicals from being put into the product even before they are put on the shelves. Saffon Rouge, a retailer that sells different organic cosmetic lines called has what they call a “black list,” chemical that would not be considered part of organic makeup. Afterglow is a line of cosmetics that sells a range of products and like many organic cosmetic brands they tend to be more expensive than conventional make up as are many other organic products. But like other organic cosmetic manufacturers, they use natural oils and extracts from organically grown fruits, barks and plants to give them a wide range of beautiful colors that women expect to find when they are shopping for makeup. After searching the internet, it is obvious that the majority of organic cosmetics contain ingredients are minerals and some of the mineral ingredients typically found in organic cosmetics are as follows:
Titanium dioxide- major component of mineral makeup and sunscreens since it protects the skin from UV light and reflects it and helps the makeup stay on.
Zinc Oxide-Similar to titanium dioxide in that it protects the skin from the effects of sunlight and helps it stick. An added benefit is that it alleviates skin irritation due to conditions such as rosacea.
Magnesium Stearate- Combines the metal magnesium which is found in nature and a component of vegetable oil, stearic acid. Adds to the consistency, opacity, texture, and increases the ability of the makeup to stay on.
Serecite Mica-Typically found in organic foundations and mineral eye shadows. It does not have a lot of luster, reflects light and masks enlarged pores and fine lines. Some people are sensitive to mica and there are mica-free based cosmetics available.
Talc-Although harmful things can be found in talc, there are processes that remove them and studies linking it to certain cancers and other health issues no studies to date have confirmed those concerns. It gives cosmetics its silky feel.
The goal of makeup should be to enhance natural beauty and using organic cosmetics allows beauty to be enhanced by nature.
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