Author: Ewa Farjon, M.S.
Women have always wanted to look beautiful. Since ancient times they have used different techniques to prolong their youth.
One of the fastest growing areas in the cosmetic industry is natural cosmetics. This is a direct result of people becoming aware of the difference between the use of harmful and harmless ingredients and the impact that they have on us. Due to the positive response, the upward trend in natural cosmetics is growing. Not surprisingly, customers continue to become more informed about the negative influence of harsh chemicals that are found in many personal care products. With allergy diagnoses on a rapid incline, more and more people are reading labels and choosing products with natural ingredients.
The average adult has approximately 20 square feet of skin. As such, the skin is the largest organ in the body. The skin absorbs anything that is applied to it and enters our body via our pores. That is why prescription medication is effective when used in the form of patches that are worn directly on the skin. Some examples include birth control, smoking cessation, and pain management. Because skin contact is effective, it is important to use only natural ingredients. We know that some chemicals (such as parabens that are linked to breast cancer) actually accumulate over time in the body. As such, it is vital to view cosmetics in a holistic way; to be aware of the influence that different chemicals have on the whole body - both positive and negative.
There are numerous natural products on the market. Many of them, however, only contain the word "natural" in the name. Unfortunately, the cosmetic industry does not have a strict definition for the term "natural" cosmetics. As such, many companies abuse this and advertise their products as natural even though their cosmetics are just "dusted" with a few natural ingredients.
How does one find out which products are natural, and which ones are just pretending to be Earth and people friendly? The best way is to read the list of ingredients, and to be familiar with those ingredients. The companies that sell truly natural products are comfortable in publishing their list of ingredients on their websites. It is also good to be aware of the order in which cosmetic ingredients are listed on the label.
According to the FDA regulations, ingredients must be listed in order from the largest amount used, to the smallest amount used, unless the quantity of the ingredient is 1% or less. In this case, ingredients can be listed in any order. Let's use jojoba oil as an example. In the right quantity, this is a great moisturizer. But how much jojoba oil is used in this product? It is not enough to have the right ingredient, but this ingredient must be used in the amount that works.
Unfortunately, most cosmetic manufacturers do not divulge this information - it's the company's secret. But our skin will tell us. Is this product absorbed quickly? How do I feel after using it? Do wrinkles minimize? You should be able to see visible results after three weeks. Sometimes the best way to find the appropriate cosmetic for our skin is as simple as trusting our intuition…
Ewa Farjon, M.S., has been a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists since 2001, and has years of experience in the cosmetics industry as a formulation chemist.
Today, she utilizes her knowledge and skills to develop natural, holistic products without harsh chemicals for her own company, Gems & Herbs. Ms. Farjon is also an international speaker and SPA consultant. More information may be found at About Us.
