Is It Really Natural?

In light of the increased awareness of the dangers of certain chemicals, some companies have begun to label their products “safe” and “natural.”

The problem is that these terms are not regulated either. They are mainly media hype to try to sell more products. Unlike terms used in food labeling, these words can appear on cosmetics packaging without any specific requirements. So it is up to us to read labels and research the companies that we buy cosmetics from.

Some companies have shown their dedication to eliminating dangerous chemicals in their products by signing the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. This is a pledge to replace hazardous chemicals in their products with safe alternatives within three years. While the compact is not overseen by the government, it does have strict requirements for signers.

Natural makeup is not yet the norm, but it is becoming more popular. And as more users learn of the dangers of chemicals commonly used in cosmetics, it can only become more mainstream.

Until then, it’s up to us to seek out companies that care about their customers enough to avoid using hazardous ingredients. Read the labels, and don’t just jump on the latest fashion bandwagon for such items as ‘minerals’. Fashion trends often spawn much cheaper imitations that can have disasterous consequences for our skin.

Similarly, Botox injections are actually injection of botulin poison, which is commonly used to kill rats. No one has done any long terms safety studies on the effects of putting that in our bodies.