Great Green Idea: Green Cosmetics: Is Your Make-up Environmentally Friendly?

Is Your Make-up Environmentally Friendly?

Can looking your best be bad for you? You wouldn't think so. If your smashing body is exclusively attributable to good genes, good nutrition, good exercise habits and general clean living, you don't have anything to worry about. If, however, you are like the rest of us, you may be tempted to turn to cosmetics for a little enhancement. Then, the question becomes more serious.

Unlike food and drugs, beauty products are not regulated by the FDA. This means that whatever the manufacturers decide you will buy to improve your self confidence is okay to add to their products. As a result, women everywhere are using cosmetics that haven't been shown to be safe. In fact, some of the ingredients in your lipstick and foundation are associated with cancer, birth defects and other serious conditions.

What is even more frightening is that cosmetic companies are advancing technologies designed to cause their products to be absorbed faster and deeper. Tests of women's body fluids and tissues have been found to contain dangerous chemicals attributable to the use of cosmetics. Urine tests have confirmed the presence of industrial plasticizers called phthalates. Breast tumor tissue has tested positive for preservatives known as parabens. Fragrance components like musk xylem have been found present in human fat.

Even products such as shampoo and deodorant can contain dangerous chemicals. The only pretense of over-sight is provided by a safety committee called the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel. This organization is controlled by the very manufacturers it is supposed to patrol, and is not much comfort to those who get sick from using cosmetic products. Since there is so little policing of the cosmetic industry, ingredients in personal care products are not monitored for safety. In fact, ingredients that have been proven harmful are often included in commercial cosmetic preparations.

It is estimated that the average woman has contact with over 100 chemicals before she even has her morning coffee. Many of the toxins to which she is exposed are cumulative in effect. This is to say the longer she is exposed to a given carcinogen; the greater is her chance of having sufficient chemical deposits in her tissues that can affect her health.

At least two of the most dangerous phthalates, DBP and DEHP are banned as cosmetic ingredients in the European Union. However, these additives are still freely used in the United States, and don't even seem to be a blip on our government's radar screen. Without responsible oversight, a seemingly innocuous routine, such as applying foundation and lipstick becomes a death defying activity. No woman should be forced to risk such serious health consequences for something as unimportant as fashion, especially if she doesn't realize the danger to which she is being exposed.