We live in a society where too many individuals become obsessed with outward appearances and overly attached to the cult of beauty. The evidence surrounds us each and every day in the form of popular magazines, cinema, and cosmetic brands with enormous advertising budgets and the potential to distribute record-breaking profits to their shareholders. There are significant numbers of women and a smaller percentage of men who depend upon conventional cosmetic products. It’s possible they are risking their health for the sake of appearances. There’s little doubt that many of the chemical ingredients contained in conventional cosmetic products are toxic and damaging to health. Consider the parabens, for example. This class of synthetic...

The chemical compound Diethanolamine (DEA) is used as a wetting agent in some of the most popular shampoo brands which are currently stocked in supermarkets and hair salons. While unlikely to be carcinogenic in its pure form, DEA is inclined to react with other shampoo ingredients to form carcinogens like nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). Once transformed in such manner, the harmful recombinant can be readily absorbed through skin. The potential for interactive effects is of considerable concern to health advocacy and consumer groups. There are approximately 10,000 chemical ingredients manufactured for use in cosmetic and personal care products. Given that some individuals use a range of products, several each day perhaps, the potential for interaction...

There are many products available for skin cleansing and treatment. Sometimes it can be difficult selecting the best one for the job. Natural beauty consultants or knowledgeable staff within the pharmacy and health food sectors will usually provide helpful information and advice, but before shopping around for organic skin care products, it helps to know what you’re after and why you’re after it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common skin care treatments. Cream cleansers are among the safest and most effective skin care products available. They work with a combined action, suspending both oil and water based particles. Oily secretions are gently lifted then held in an oil based emulsion while water based secretions...

It is now widely accepted that indiscriminate exposure to the ultra violet radiation of sunlight contributes to permanent skin damage and visible signs of ageing. Depending on certain genetic characteristics and skin type, a percentage of incident ultraviolet radiation will be directly absorbed in a way that affects the growing cells. Sunburn is the skins immediate response to an overexposure of ultraviolet radiation. Under microscopic investigation, cells from sunburned areas reveal evidence of damage similar to those in cancer cells. Tanning is caused by increased production of melanin. It is the skins delayed response to overexposure of ultraviolet radiation. One of the surest ways to minimise wrinkles and lines associated with ageing is...

Beauticians and cosmetic consultants will frequently classify an individual’s facial skin type according to surface characteristics. Their five classifications are useful in the sense that they provide some practical recommendations for daily care. It should be remembered, however, that surface characteristics of skin will vary considerably according to factors like general health, ageing, stress, diet, and exercise. Below we take a look at each of the five facial skin types and consider some of the steps that can be taken to optimize the appearance of each skin type. Normal skin Normal skin is smooth and firm to touch with no evidence of dryness or excessive oiliness. It has its own natural resilience that helps to prevent common problems...