Known Allergens in Cosmetics

Awareness of known allergens means easier identification of one in a product, and testing you for it, if a reaction occurs.

2014

"Contact reactions to lipsticks and other lipcare products"

http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/lipstick-reaction.html

alba cera (Cera alba) = beeswax

Interactions and cautions are included below.

2014

Natural Standard: Propolis - Propolis is in alphabet listings

http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/monographs

Grade C - "C (Unclear or Conflicting  Scientific Evidence)" = unproven effectiveness

2014

Natural Standard: Beeswax - Beeswax is in aplhabet listings

http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/monographs

Grade C - "C (Unclear or Conflicting  Scientific Evidence)" = unproven effectiveness

Cosmetics and Preservatives

I will be adding to this post.

Added March 19, 2015
"Close Scrutiny Of Cosmetic Preservatives Continues", 2014 (David C. Steinberg is a cosmetic preservatives consultant), @cenmag 
http://cen.acs.org/articles/92/i23/Close-Scrutiny-Cosmetic-Preservatives-Continues.html  
"In Steinberg’s opinion, FDA should have done much more than tell consumers about Badger’s recall." (of its baby and kids sunscreens) "FDA should have said to Badger, ‘You have a noncompliant drug manufacturing facility,’ and then shut them down. Marketers, rather than scientists, seem to be in charge of formulating products these days, Steinberg observes, by insisting on so-called natural ingredients." ... “We’re highly subjected to social media,” complains Michael Mack, ... a maker of both synthetic and plant-based preservatives. “Information gets out without scientific backing, and people assume certain chemicals are bad.”

Email Reply: Tree sap as a cosmetics preservative?
1. It is processed, and not "all natural". 2. Research its history of working well, and safety.

Companies selling botanical-based cosmetics often tell you what they do not contain, often inaccurately, leaving out what is in them. Of course if you do not have the correct INCI cosmetics preservative name(s), you cannot do research on safety and history. That is the idea - if the preservative(s) are not on the label, you are not able do so. And the company has violated the cosmetics labeling transparency regulations that now exist in most countries. Water-based, and other cosmetics need broad spectrum preservatives for safety. Natural-based ones are blends and NOT "all natural".

2010
"Preservatives Under Fire", @cenmag
http://cen.acs.org/articles/88/i20/Preservatives-Under-Fire.html "Preservatives consultant Steinberg warns that if formulators avoid the tried and true preservatives, they do so at their own peril. ... he contends, they have done a good job of preventing bacterial contamination of personal care products. If formulators aren’t careful about cosmetics preservation, “people may get injured,” he warns."

2013
"The preservative wars", @aocs
https://www.aocs.org/stay-informed/read-inform/featured-articles/the-preservative-wars-february-2013
"Preservatives are necessary to curb microbial growth in lotions, creams, makeup, and other personal care products."

All you have to do is read government Recalls on a number of natural cosmetics products to see they have been recalled because of bacterial contamination. That is becoming an unfortunate trend. It means consumers have paid a premium price to be put at a health risk. The Recalls are fact. The advertising and or marketing of such products is often pure, unadulterated, misleading, inaccurate hype.

The information that no injuries have been reported can also mean 3 things: reluctance to report, ignorance of the Recall, and not connecting a problem to the product. Cosmetics manufacturers are supposed to do their own testing for product safety of the finished product BEFORE it goes to market and needs to be recalled.

Am I against botanical "all natural" products? No. Most are NOT "all natural" though. That said to me, it is about their safety. Safety is vital. I read ingredients lists for food and cosmetics. A lot of cosmetics labels are scary if you see no broad spectrum preservatives and do the research, and I do the research.

A number of consumers complain about certain chemicals in mainstream products. The fact is they are often hidden in many "all natural" products, NOT on the labels. And they are not declared in marketing and advertising either.

2013
"The Current State of Preservatives" http://www.gcimagazine.com/business/rd/ingredients/The-Current-State-of-Preservatives-218883301.html "Alternative preservatives that offer a similar level of broad-spectrum protection have yet to be found."

You do not have to do extensive math. Alternative preservatives often, and increasingly = Recalls.

"Kiss My Face, LLC recalls Foaming Soaps", 2014 http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2014/39065r-eng.php

"Abundance Naturally Ltd. recall Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Mouthwash", 2014
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2014/39061r-eng.php

Cosmetics And Food Safety Regulations

I will be adding to this post.

"Death of British journalist after eating organic peanuts highlights absurdity of GMO safety scare", 2015, @onguisaac
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/03/18/death-of-british-journalist-after-eating-organic-peanuts-highlights-absurdity-of-gmo-safety-scare/

"The legal and consumer issue should be whether a food is safe or not safe rather than whether it is or is not GM. By focusing so much on GMOs, advocacy groups manipulate consumers to think that everything non GM is safe and anything with GMs is not."

"Genetic Literacy Project", 2015, @GeneticLiteracy

http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/mission/
"The Genetic Literacy Project is an independent non-profit organization funded by grants from non-partisan foundations."

"As success grows for Bangladesh’s Bt brinjal (eggplant), Mae-Wan Ho renews GMO disinformation campaign", 2015, @JonEntine 

http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-articles/as-success-grows-for-bangladeshs-bt-brinjal-eggplant-mae-won-ho-renews-gmo-disinformation-campaign/ 

"Why ‘Natural’ Doesn’t Mean Anything Anymore", 2015, @JonEntine, "Very thoughtful Pollan piece except silly GMO v heirloom seed framing." 

http://nyti.ms/1HSWNds

"10 studies proving GMOs are harmful? Not if science matters", 2015, @BioChicaGMO

http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/01/26/10-studies-proving-gmos-are-harmful-not-if-science-matters/#.VUQ3RWYeBno.twitter 

"The current scientific consensus regarding GMOs remains unchanged: they are safe and do not pose a health risk to humans."

"Are GMOs increasing profits of farmers and biotech companies at environment’s expense?", 2015, @Thoughtscapism
http://owl.li/MhZxw

"there is actually no scientific evidence of harm from GMOs – but it doesn’t stop there. Conversely ... there are several environmental benefits of biotechnology."

"Organic board busts ‘no synthetic pesticides’ myth, okays new herbicides and fungicides", 2015, @washingtonpost 
http://owl.li/MoQLC 

Email Reply: non GMO cosmetics
"no scientific evidence of harm from GMOs" from links above (different wording in one)
Non GMO cosmetics = scare tactic bs marketing. And who loves scare tactic bs marketing the most? Quacks - who have 0 reputable evidence for everything else they shill for profit and their egos, too. Quackery no matter the form can and does kill - it is reprehensible in all forms. And too often, young children are the ones suffering, dying. 

"Cops bust largest fake beauty supplies ring in US", 2014

"FBI - Counterfeit Cosmetics, Fragrances Hazardous to Your Health", 2014

"Laws & Regulations FDA Authority Over Cosmetics", 2014

"Providing better information and protection for consumers" UK, 2014
"Enforcing the EC Regulation on Cosmetic Products", in effect 2013

Do government cosmetics safety regulations exist? YES
Are they being improved? YES
Can you do anything to improve enforcement? YES 
You can report adverse cosmetics reactions AND advertising and marketing violations, to stop the violators.

Be informed! Be aware! Take action! Don't be scammed! 

"Compliance Resources Inspection of Cosmetics", FDA, 2014

Those who say consumers have NO safety protection under laws are selling and or promoting products with A LOT of misinformation regarding cosmetics, food, and any other product.

"FDA Basics Who makes sure the food I buy at the grocery store is safe to eat?", 2014

"Organic Products" Health Canada, 2014 

"Pesticide residue found on nearly half of organic produce", 2014 

I buy organic and regular produce. I wash (rinse) all.

Do some farmers violate government pesticide use regulations? YES - both organic AND regular food producers, and all need to be stopped. That does not mean most food purchased is unsafe. It does mean governments are monitoring, testing and enforcing regulations.

Odd or Bad Odors Developing from Cosmetics

I keep getting email inquiries regarding this topic, I have replied to on Twitter as well because of their frequency.

Here are my Tweets today on the matter, expanded for this post.

Email reply: Odd odor cosmetics There is no reason a cosmetic should begin to smell odd except if it is going or has gone off, regardless of the expiry claims.

Cosmetic preservatives are supposed to accommodate consumer use, temperature fluctuations, and more. Cosmetics that contain water or infusions can go bad.

An odd or bad odor of any cosmetic can be the last sign something is wrong. Tossing it out is best, or a refund, or get a free replacement.

"When Should I Throw Out a Product?"
http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skin-care-basics/_/when-should-i-throw-out-a-product
"And remember: If it smells funky, looks gunky or the texture has changed significantly—definitely toss it out!"

Within a reasonable time reputable cosmetic companies do not excuse, or refuse refunds, or free replacements over such matters.

I have had food well kept go off before a best before expiry date too. I have never had a problem getting a refund, or free replacement. The product was unstable.

2011 "Effective vs. Ineffective Preservation Using Water Activity*"
http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/function/preservatives/112901129.html?page=6#.Ur8a-7aiJa4.twitter
"This illustrates the need need to concentrate on controlling and preventing microbial contamination during manufacturing."

The point is that you should be able to count on a cosmetic not to go off well before keeping it too long becomes a hazard.ttp://www.

2013
"Challenges Persist in Working with Green Materials in Beauty Product Development"
http://www.gcimagazine.com/business/rd/ingredients/Challenges-Persist-in-Working-with-Green-Materials-in-Beauty-Product-Development-225967991.html#.Ur8zdyCPq_8.twitter
"Stability also is a major issue, with some green preservative systems leading to discoloration and/or odor changes."

2013
"The preservative wars"
http://www.aocs.org/Membership/FreeCover.cfm?itemnumber=18591
“No single preservative is equally effective against all types of microorganisms” ... Although synthetic preservatives bear the brunt of criticism from anti-preservative groups, natural preservatives are not free from controversy." 

The topic of "all natural" cosmetics and the preservation of cosmetics is not a simple one. What side of the preservative wars am I on? Cosmetics must be safe to use. I am on the side of reputable evidence-based information with history.

Email Reply: Why did I say with history? From http://www.aocs.org/Membership/FreeCover.cfm?itemnumber=18591
See the paragraph starting with "While consumers tend to view" and the one after it under "Going natural has its own challenges" To be clear, I side with the first of the two paragraphs.

Peer-reviewed evidence-based science is used to re-evaluate cosmetic ingredients and levels used in cosmetics as needed, with continuing research.

Note: the 2nd paragraph "some studies have reported adverse effects of natural preservatives, including allergic reactions, early puberty, and cancer".

Ongoing reputable scientific research "in context" is very important!

The 2nd paragraph comments make no sense to me without reputable, peer-reviewed, scientific evidence to support them. And by those same comments,
"The data haven’t been presented to scientific committees and papers haven’t been published"

Update

Due to a number of time constraints I have not been doing my usual full posts here. However, I am still replying to blog email inquiries. I have been and will continue to post new hair and cosmetic research, with my commentary, on Twitter. Replies on topics raised or inquired about through emails are also replied to in some cases on Twitter, minus any inquiry identification or personal details, the same way I have done so in blog posts. That is to help others, who may have the same or similar issues and questions.

The information here is current. I update links and information as needed. New research on hair restoration or growth is in the very early stages, and is the most promising yet.