Showing posts with label preservatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preservatives. Show all posts

Saturday, April 19, 2014

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
"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" "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

"Abundance Naturally Ltd. recall Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Mouthwash", 2014
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

How To Save Time And Money Over Any Holidays And Recover From Money Spent On Them


Updated January 3, 2013. Happy New Year, no matter what your circumstances have been and are and may 2013 see you and yours well.

To help you save time and money this and any year, remember the basics.

Cosmetics do not need to be expensive to work. They just need to work. Marketing cosmetics is about selling you a product at a profit, in many cases, regardless of how well it can work. Often that marketing entails stretching the truth as to how effective that product may be for the purpose intended and contains misleading information, that contravenes regulations, in effect, making the product a drug. Currently, there are only two recognized drugs for hair restoration and growth and they are both government approved and regulated. While scientific researchers are looking for new drugs that are effective for those issues, the hype continues. See this post for more details.

You do not need to pile on products to have great hair or skin. You can save both time and money by using less products more effectively. See this post for more details.

Not all products are best used, when certain scalp conditions or other conditions are present. See this post.

I get feedback from people who email me asking for recommendations for hair and skin care. By far in the majority of cases, simple hair and skin care has worked best. I have heard back from friends and others alike on cosmetic mineral oil being all that has been required to solve issues with both in many cases, whether it is used with other products like less conditioner or alone. It can return hair to a frizz-free softness, shine and manageability not seen or felt in years, even if the hair has been chemically damaged and abused and it is antistatic. Allergic reactions can cause hair shedding. Cosmetic mineral oil is not a known allergen or sensitizer. Cosmetic mineral oil is a natural product that has been purified. It is safe to use and does not clog pores.

"Chemical-free" cosmetics are not possible, since everything contains chemicals. It is a matter of whether the chemicals are safe to use in cosmetics. Not all are in the quantities used in a number of products. Safety also depends on where and how the product is made and preserved and whether regulations in place have been applied. Some countries do not have stringent cosmetic regulations. Some cosmetic products at first escape notification and inspection and later can be put on government advisories, as in this post, or as in the FDA Press Announcement linked below are seized and removed from the market.

While government regulations and actions taken regarding cosmetics and their safety are being improved, the allegation often made by cosmetic marketers, that consumers are unprotected by regulations in place is patently false. What is important to help regulations be enforced is consumer reporting of adverse effects and advertising claims, that go beyond what is regulated. Reporting can help others, by preventing them from having the problems you experienced. That is not restricted to informing the appropriate government agencies.

It is not a good idea, when you have a serious scalp or skin problem that needs medically qualified attention, to seek treatment advice via the Internet. The best advice you can get is to inform your doctor or dermatologist about everything you are using and may have used to self-medicate, which is vital to help them and you get to the source of a problem. A number of natural products are known allergens in scientific research literature available online and to medical professionals.

Consumers can experience allergic reactions and sensitization caused by unsuspected sources, like essential oils used in cosmetic products. Such reactions may also be caused by spice ingredients in cosmetics, even though you have not had problems with them used in small quantities, or infrequent use in food, in the past. If the doctor or dermatologist is unhelpful, get another medically qualified opinion. To me, a good medically qualified practitioner keeps up with the latest medical research and opinions, is willing to discuss treatment options with you and make you aware of possible side effects.

You can research information as well, that you can bring to your doctor or dermatologist's attention and ask questions. Do not be afraid to do so, as you ultimately decide what you are going to do and you are in charge of your health. However, self-medicating is not the way to go when medically qualified help is needed. There is a growing number of unscrupulous vendors, only too willing to help you for a price, that can be far too dear to pay.

The majority of cosmetics on the market are safe and are kept so by government regulations, as well as proper manufacturing and marketing practices, by reputable cosmetic companies. You can make a substantial contribution to that. By simply reporting complete details to your doctor or dermatologist and government agencies, you can protect others and yourself, from future cosmetic-related problems.

See Also
This forum thread, this one and this one
Newspaper article 2012
FDA Press Announcement 2012
Natural Standard Article on the FDA Press Anouncement
Alternative Medicine: Mayo Clinic 2011
Essential Oils and Allergic Reactions: Mayo Clinic 2011
Essential Oils and Dermatitis: Research Review 2012
Spices: Allergies and Cosmetics 2012
ACAAI: Newsroom 2012
Abstract 2011
Contact Allergy: Ginger 2011
Spice Allergies: Occurrence 2007
Spices: Contact Allergies 2002
Lead in lipstick: FDA 2012
Lead in food products: FDA 2011
Sulfates and preservatives 2012
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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free Versus Conventional Hair Products


Updated, and I will be adding to this post. 

The ideal of using the most natural hair care products is a very appealing one from a number of perspectives. The reality can be quite different. With any cosmetic product it comes down to formulation, ingredient choices and proper, safe manufacturing practices regarding results. Even all natural soaps need to be carefully made to avoid caustic free alkali causing problems in the end product.

 Sulfate-free shampoos are marketed to be preferable for hair care because the cleansers are more mild and less irritating than sulfates. Are they really though? I have read many reviews of sulfate-free shampoos and there are multiple reports of very dry hair and irritated scalps. It is about the sulfate-free cleansers used and their combination with other ingredients that determines the outcome of product use. That applies to sulfate shampoos too.

 Sulfate shampoos have been used for many years without problems and continue to be available today through many companies that offer sulfate-free options. Sulfate-free, paraben-free products are big business right now.

 However, sulfate-free can be tricky to define at times. C14-16 olefin sulfonate is used in a number of "all natural" shampoos and it can be a harsh cleanser that is not what I would call natural. In fact, shampoo cleansers while derived from natural sources in many cases, including the mild sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate are created in laboratories, with processes that vary in artificial additives.

 A less publicly known problem with the most popular sulfate-free cleansers, alkyl glucosides is that they can be potent allergens, causing allergic contact dermatitis. Botanicals used in conjunction with these cleansers, plus fragrance and other additives, individually and in concert can cause one to react to a shampoo and not have a clue as to what exactly may have caused their reaction. Allergy tests can be done. Showing the ingredient list to a dermatologist can be a good idea too, as he or she may spot other known allergens to test first, saving time.

 Parabens and sulfates came under a lot of controversy because of certain research studies, and concerns regarding cosmetic ingredient contamination. Specific parabens have recently been reaffirmed for safety as used in cosmetics in Europe, two with a recommendation that they be used at less concentrations than previously allowed and restricted in use, while others have been banned until further assessment has been made. See updated References below. 

 The contamination issue, regarding 1,4 dioxane, a by-product of the manufacture of a number of cosmetic ingredients has been and continues to be monitored by governments regulating cosmetics. Government regulation stringentness of cosmetics varies in some countries. However, the safety of cosmetic ingredients makes the news and is online too from reputable sources, as well as from scare tactic marketing hype sources, that want nothing more than to sell you their products.

 Preservatives are a necessary part of cosmetic formulations to prevent the growth of bacteria and yeasts that can cause problems for the user if not present. I for one am not fond of of a shampoo or other cosmetic product going off and I toss the product if that occurs.

 Other preservatives have come under scrutiny for safety, like phenoxyethanol for example, widely used in cosmetics, including those that claim to be all natural. The point is that cosmetics ingredients are monitored, scientifically studied and regulated, and consumers are not victims. Are there improperly formulated cosmetic products on the market? Yes. Some "fly under the regulations radar" and are homemade but sold online and locally. Some are smuggled into countries from countries with few cosmetic regulations on safe cosmetic manufacturing. These are exceptions and many of the latter can be found on government Advisories and Recall lists in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

 References
"Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk", 2014, bolding added by me
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk#.VfbzFej2pdQ.twitter
"so far, studies have not shown any direct link between parabens and any health problems, including breast cancer."
"Parabens", 2015
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2015/06/parabens-podcast#.VfbG1IHjE6A.twitter
"European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Consumers: Commission improves safety of cosmetics", 2014 
http://europa.eu/!hU34kN
"Propylparaben and Butylparaben, other parabens ... Methylparaben and Ethylparaben, are safe ... Commission limits the maximum concentration of ... Propylparaben and Butylparaben, from currently allowed limit of 0.4% when used individually and 0.8% when mixed with other esters, to 0.14% ... used individually or together. They are being banned from leave-on products designed for ... nappy area of young children below ... age of three since existing skin irritation and occlusion may allow increased penetration than intact skin ... new rules ... apply for products ... on shelves after 16 April 2015 ... Commission banned ... five other parabens in cosmetic products - Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenylparaben, Benzylparaben and Pentylparaben ... due to ... lack of data necessary for reassessment."
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