RISKS OF CHEMICAL BASED COSMETICS Vs. ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS

An EWG (Environmental Working Group), analyst Sonya Lunder, recently reiterated that the personal care products that you put on your face, hands, hair, or body go right through your skin and get absorbed into your tissue and bloodstream. Synthetic chemicals from personal care [products] show up in blood tests. They show up in urine tests. And absorption occurs even with products like shampoos that you rinse off promptly besides the fact that most people are exposed to a range of products over and over, often on a daily basis.

Skin absorption is just one entry route for the 200-plus common chemicals the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that most people harbor in their bodies. The upside is that personal care is a route you can control by choosing which products to use and reducing the number of chemicals you expose yourself to.

Consumers need to be aware of this because many of these same chemicals are linked to health problems. Let’s take just one disease—breast cancer—as an example. Since researchers first began collecting data, these rates have risen steadily. According to a report conducted by the Breast Cancer Fund, rates of the disease have increased over 40 percent in the 25 years between 1973 and 1998, with rising incidence in younger women over the last decade. But cancer is not merely a case of bad luck or bad genes. The President’s Cancer Panel Report of 2009 uncovered what it called “the growing body of evidence linking environmental exposures to cancer,” noting many “exposures that could have been prevented.” Much more research is needed to establish whether or not these toxins actually lead to cancer or other disorders.

So how do you choose wisely when many products labeled “healthy” or “natural” contain synthetic chemicals that contribute to allergies, cancer, and more, as well as environmental damage? For instance, Clairol Herbal Essences, one of the most popular shampoos, was able to claim it offered an “organic experience,” even though, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, it contained “more than a dozen synthetic petrochemicals.” Malkan explains that, “unlike the organic seal for food, for personal care and cosmetics, there is no regulation or standard for what can be labeled ‘natural,’ ‘healthy,’ or ‘hypo-allergenic.’ The companies producing these products just use these terms for marketing no matter what’s in a product, and no one is overseeing that.”
We’ve compared a few products in the “natural” category to see how they fared when it came down to being as healthful as they claimed to be:

Shampoo
BAD CHOICE: Hemp Hydrating Shampoo
EWG Score: 9 (the group gives its worst rating, “High Hazard,” to products with a rating of 7 to 10)
Amazon reviewers enthused that this product smells “delicious and organic, kind of like a homemade hippie soap.” But it’s rare that either homemade or organic soaps would include substances containing formaldehyde or oxtinoxate (which risks “developmental or reproductive toxicity”).

GOOD CHOICE:  Healing-Scents Shampoo/Body Wash, Basic Formula
EWG Score: 0
This shampoo is basically castile soap with a little lavender oil and water. Effective, not fancy, and toxin-free!


Moisturizer
BAD CHOICE: St. Ives Facial Moisturizer, Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin
EWG Score: 5
Though it’s one of the top 50 beauty products sold on Amazon, this moisturizer contains mineral oil (toxic to some bodily organs), fragrance mix, and propylene glycol, an immune system-challenging chemical that enhances absorption of its ingredients. Pass!

GOOD CHOICE: Zosimos Botanicals Restorative Facial Moisturizer
EWG Score: 0
With aloe vera gel, Tamanu seed oil, and marine collagen as its top three ingredients, this product is good for your skin and good for the inner you. Look for it at health food stores.


Shower Wash/ Liquid Soap
BAD CHOICE: The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel
EWG Score: 7
It’s surprising that this iconic “healthy” brand contains ingredients associated with endocrine (hormone) disruption, allergies, and damage to the immune system.

GOOD CHOICE: Enkido Sensitive Kids 3-in-1 Wash
EWG Score: 0
This is a perfect example of a truly non-toxic product: This wash is formulated entirely with plant-based and non-toxic ingredients, and though it’s for kids, grown-ups can use it as well.


You should also consider whether you really need to buy separate face, body, hand, eye, foot, and cuticle moisturizers and other beauty products. “Companies urge us to feel that we ‘need” many different kinds of products,” says Stacy Malkan, but we can minimize our exposure to harmful ingredients by picking a few well-formulated products that can multitask. “Relying on simple products with limited ingredients is the best way to limit your exposure to toxins,” she notes.
Check the Skin Deep database for any products you own or are considering buying. The EWG’s researchers have evaluated every ingredient in a wide range of personal care and beauty products and scored them on how they measure up against research about health risks. “People have to choose [products] according to their own comfort level, but most prefer products in the zero to two range,” reports Alex Formuzis, vice president of media relations at EWG. And if you’d like to urge the federal government to study and regulate chemicals so that we don’t have to do all this guesswork, go to Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LIPIDS IN COSMETICS

The latest research by York University highlights risks to the development of foetal brain due to abnormal level of lipids.  The abnormal levels of lipids could be caused by the chemicals used in the cosmetic products.  The beauty industry uses certain lipids purportedly in order to fight aging signs.



 Research questions health risk associated with lipids in cosmetics



There are more reports coming in which highlight adverse effects on skin caused by chemical ingredients in cosmetics.  Prolonged use of potentially harmful cosmetics can sometimes lead to skin allergies or lasting damage to skin.



Consumers therefore need to satisfy themselves of the safety and reliability of the products they use.  We at HERBALLY RADIANT manufacture all our products with certified organic ingredients, which is a guarantee of their safety and utility.

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ROOIBOS TEA EXTRACTS IN HERBALLY RADIANT FORMULATIONS

Rooibos tea shrub grows mainly in the Cedarberg region near Cape Town, South Africa. Also known as red bush tea, it has remarkable health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, this tea can be used for deriving unique skin benefits as well.  We have to remember that nearly 2 per cent of whatever we apply on skin joins our blood stream. Therefore, rooibos tea extracts are contained in several Herbally Radiant products in combination with other herbal ingredients. Some of the main benefits are :

1.Rich in antioxidants :Rooibos tea contains a wide array of antioxidants, which help protect the body in a number of ways. Two polyphenol antioxidants called aspalathin and nothofagin are found in high concentrations in rooibos tea. These antioxidants protect the body by fighting free radicals. These are unstable cells, which attack healthy cells in order to stabilize themselves. The polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory properties and can safeguard against heart disease.

2. Can relieve skin conditions –A recent study found that rooibos tea can help you to look more beautiful! Rooibos tea contains phenylpyretic acid, which can help to improve acne, psoriasis and eczema. You can apply a freshly brewed and cooled tea bag to the affected areas and it will soothe and heal any inflammation.

Caffeine free – Rooibos tea grows without caffeine and does not require any chemical process usually required to remove caffeine.  It is thus a good herbal drink for every age.

3. Prevents against some cancers –Some studies have demonstrated a link between consumption of rooibos tea and a reduction of cancer-causing chemicals. This is because of the high level of dominant antioxidants, some of which have anti-mutagenic (anti-cancer) properties. This means that they defend cells &DNA against damage and inhibit them from developing into cancer.

4. High mineral content –One of the key health benefits of rooibos tea is that it contains several minerals that are vital to health. These include: magnesium (essential for the nervous system), calcium & manganese (essential for strong teeth and bones), zinc (important for metabolism) and iron (critical for helping blood &muscles distribute oxygen).

5. Improves circulation –One of the many potent antioxidants in rooibos tea is called Chysoeriol. It can improve circulation by preventing the activity of the enzyme that triggers cardiovascular disease. Drinking rooibos tea also has been known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

6. Relieves stomach complaints –As rooibos tea contains high levels of flavonoids, especially one called quercetin, it has the ability to relieve numerous abdominal ailments such as cramps, diahorrea and indigestion. Flavonoids are known help to reduce spasm, inflammation and allergies. It has also been widely stated that the health benefits of rooibos tea extend to alleviating colic in babies.

7. Aids absorption of iron –Unlike most black teas, which prevent the body from absorbing iron effectively because of the tannins they contain, rooibos tea supports the body in absorbing iron. Rooibos tea contains less than half the tannins of black tea.

8. Caffeine free – Rooibos tea grows without caffeine and does not require any chemical process usually required to remove caffeine.  It is thus a good herbal drink for every age.

 9. Can protect against Parkinsons/Alzheimers disease –Drinking rooibos tea regularly can protect against a process known as lipid peridoxation. This occurs when free radicals damage brain cells and nerve tissue. If this is prolonged, it can lead eventually to progressive and deteriorating brain disease, such as Alzheimer’s.

10. Calming effect –Rooibos is unique in that it can be consumed as often as you wish and at any time of day. Due to high mineral content and lack of caffeine, it is known to help people feel calm and relaxed. It is thus a good herbal drink for every age.

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ORGANIC FOOD AND SKIN CARE FOR HEALTH

Washington Post journalist Tamar Haspel has come up with good study on the choice of organic or conventional food.  

Organic food does more good in terms of better nutrition without leading to harmful effects in the form of fewer contaminants and pathogens. Take milk, for example. Compared with conventional milk, organic milk has higher levels of omega-3 fats, though in small quantity, which protect against heart disease and may decrease the risk of depression, stroke, cancer and other diseases. Similarly, some organic meat and poultry have more of omega-3 fats. Some findings concerning the bacterial contamination levels, however, suggest that organic meat may be slightly more likely to be contaminated, possibly because no antibiotics are used.

Thus we find that there is more interest among consumers about the benefits of organic food products, and despite higher cost, they are willing to prefer them. 

Same growing trend is also being noticed increasingly in natural organic skin care products.  Europe is catching up fast in adopting organic products.  Germany in Europe is the leading nation for organic skin care formulations, closely followed by UK.  Germany has also been allowing sale and use of organic products from alternate medicine systems.

Consumers in US are moving slowly but steadily towards the use of natural organic products.  Annual growth of this segment is estimated around 9% which is expected to rise further.  Future projections of total market share of this sector are about $ 17 billion annually. 

We at Herbally Radiant have witnessed steady rise in the popularity of organic beauty products. Despite lack of a mandatory regime to regulate manufacture and sale of safe cosmetic products, US consumers are learning more about the lasting benefits of the natural organic cosmetic products, just as Yoga system has gained popular hold. 

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EFFECTIVE REMEDY BY HERBALLY RADIANT FOR ACNE PRONE SENSITIVE SKIN

Acne can be one of the most embarrassing and stressful skin conditions for both teenagers and adults. In recent months, Herbally Radiant has received increasing number of customers seeking safe and effective remedy for acne problems.  Normally, acne problems occur due to hormonal factors, unhealthy diet and drinking, besides high level of stress. Dermatologists tend to treat them with prescription drugs like steroids, which provide only short term relief, if at all for many women experience break outs again.

Acne is of many types : bumps or black heads or pimples.  It is better to treat it from the initial stage because many a times little bumps become bigger, inflamed pimples which leave visible scars on face.  Once acne really takes hold, it becomes tougher to treat, besides resulting graver risk of potential scars associated with more serious form of acne.

There is now growing trend for applying organic formulations to acne prone skin.Various reports indicate that most over-the-counter creams and gels for the condition employ benzoyl peroxide, a compound developed decades ago that helps slough off dead skin cells and reduce inflammation.  Benzoyl peroxide does not work for all, and for those who find it ineffective or want an alternative, some experts recommend tea tree oil.  The pleasant-smelling essential oil is extracted from the leaves of a tree native to Australia, Melaleuca alternifolia, and has been shown to have both antibaceterial and cosmetic properties.

To cater to the needs of those seeking effective herbal organic formulations for relief to acne prone skin, Herbally Radiant has introduced CLEAN range of cleanser, toner, serum and scrub - a complete beauty routine to rid skin of acne disorder.  This CLEAN range uses wonderful tea tree essential oil along with lavender, aloe barbadensis, pro-vitamin B-5, extracts of rooibos tea and bilberry, cranberry in combination with other complementary organic ingredients. 

Scientific studies have found tea tree essential oil particularly effective against mild to moderate acne. Researchers at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia tested 124 acne patients, and found that the tea tree oil worked more slowly than the benzoyl peroxide but it also produced fewer side effects. The British Journal of Dermatology in 2002 also concluded that tea tree essential oil produced excellent anti-inflammatory effects. 

Herbally Radiant team has added many other organic ingredients in its products which speed up relief from acne and other break outs, creating a glowing clean skin.

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AT HOME BEAUTY TREATMENT MORE CONVENIENT AND COST SAVING

Going through the deliberations at the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatologists, we came across a welcome development reported by the P&G that consumers of skin care products, especially for face masks, were beginning to prefer at-home treatment instead of visiting salons. This trend reflects the choice of convenience of self-application and cost saving solution.  Similarly, sale of at-home beauty devices was also showing jump.

A word of caution here.  Consumers need to satisfy themselves about the safety and reliability of face masks especially those being marketed with unverifiable claims, or counterfeit products.  Recently a lady customer visited Herbally Radiant to show damaged facial skin which she said was due to a "new" face mask she bought from e-Bay for use at home. She added that she had purchased it on line after reading 99% positive reviews about this "new" product - the reviews claimed that this "new" product had transformed the skin appearance of the users after only few applications.  The "new" product she showed had impressive brand label on it, but in content it had nothing but strong chemical ingredients, quite harmful to skin even with single application.

To deal with such cases, Herbally Radiant has recently launched CLEAN range of very effective organic formulations, consisting of Cleanser, Toner, Serum and Scrub. The lady customer took these and gave us excellent feed back immediately after single application.

The mineral-based and other plant ingredient-based masks which Herbally Radiant has launched, especially the  ANTIOXIDANT GLOW FACE MASK for home use, have amazingly better effect on skin than many other highly priced and aggressively marketed products.

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VEGETABLES AND FRUITS MORE IMPORTANT FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY

The recent issue of the Jourbnal of Epidomology and Community Health in Britain has published results of a 12-year long study on 65,000 people which reveals that people who take 7 or more portions of fruits and vegetables, drop their risk of death due to a wide variety of factors by as much as 42 per cent.  Specifically, the risk of death by cancer dropped by 25 per cent, and cardiovascular by 31 per cent.

Such intake in food creates a "protective effect" for the body.  This is the first such study which has quantified health benefits per portion.  For example, daily fresh vegetable intake will reduce the overall risk of death by 16 per cent.  The conclusions reached are far more objective as these are based on people's own reports of their eating habits rather than observed data.

We would say the same conclusions would apply for skin care regime.  In terms of maintaining healthy skin and healthy looks, organic ingredients in cosmetics play far more important role than is normally accepted so far. It is mainly because of the Essential Oils in the ingredients which help improve blood circulation that keep skin naturally healthy and beautiful.

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