Want to look good, help the planet and be safe and healthy? It is possible, but not be using most of the commercial brands of cosmetics these days, most containing things you would give your worst enemy (well, almost).

The regulatory requirements which control the cosmetics sales are not as strict as other products monitored by government agencies. Cosmetics manufacturers can use any ingredient or raw material, except for colour additives and a few prohibited substances, and market a product or brand without any government review or approval.

A 2005 safe cosmetics campaign revealed that only 11% of the 10,500 ingredients used in everyday cosmetics are ever tested for safety or toxicity. Fragrances are also considered to be ‘trade secrets’, so manufacturers don’t have to disclose their ingredients at all. Some lipsticks still contain lead. A chemical which causes birth defects is a common ingredient in nail polish. Some sunscreens and mascara contain the same carcinogens used in cleaners and floor polish. Many synthetic fragrances cause asthma and allergies.

We are literally awash in potentially and actual harmful chemicals from inside out, head to toe and birth to death. Here’s a few other shocking cosmetic ingredients in common products:

• Synthetic chemicals in hair dyes are dangerous during pregnancy. Many contain coal-tar derivatives, as well as harmful ethanolamine, potassium persulfate and sodium persulfate.
• Hairspray is always labeled ‘flammable’ – containing carcinogenic PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and formaldehyde. Hairspray can also result in you contracting thesaurosis (the ability to find parable words. Just kidding. It’s a condition where you abnormally retain foreign substances and toxins in your body).
• Some lip balms contain phenol – a poisonous chemical used in pesticides, which is absorbed by the skin. It can cause vomiting, nausea, convulsions, paralysis and even death. Even very small amounts can cause rashes, pimples, swelling and hives. Lip glosses and balms also contain plasticizers such as microcrystalline wax and polyisobutane – both are allergens.
• Makeup removers may contain a host of nasties, including petroleum-based carcinogens, which can penetrate your skin easily.
• Nail polish removers contain even worse chemicals than the toluene, formaldehyde and phthalatesin in the nail polish you want to remove.

Is there any wonder there is a huge increase in cancer and other disease rates each year worldwide, especially in Western countries.

Check out www.safecosmetics.org to see what products you use or want to purchase are safe or not. Let me know if you find any other great websites which help people find natural and safe cosmetics and alert us to harmful ones.