(Natural News) Do you know what your makeup is made of? At least “60 [percent] of the products we use on our skin are absorbed and deposited into the circulatory system.” Lori Stryker, from OrganicMakeup.ca, explains that our skin “wraps and protects our bodies.” Part of the integumentary system, skin is comprised of a “living, dynamic tissue system.” It can partially or completely absorb products that are applied to it, and the average woman absorbs 30 pounds of the ingredients used in moisturizers within 60 years. This has become a cause for concern, especially due to the “chemical cocktail effect,” or the “possible long-term effects” of the various chemical combinations included in cosmetics. Consumers still buy products that are made with known irritants and carcinogens, most of which are “derived synthetically or from petroleum.” Knowing is half the battle, so avoid any cosmetics that include the harmful ingredients listed below. (h/t to OrganicMakeup.ca) Aluminum – Possibly causes Alzheimer’s disease, aluminum is an ingredient for almost all antiperspirants. It blocks pores so the skin doesn’t release sweat. Artificial colors – Artificial colors are derived from coal tar. An example is Azo dyes, which are “a risk to asthmatics, eczema sufferers, and people sensitive to aspirin.” The dyes can make children hyperactive and it can cause severe headaches, blurred vision, and itchy/watery eyes and nose. Benzoates – Also called benzoates, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, or parahydroxy benzoate. A preservative in cosmetics and fizzy drinks, benzoates can cause gastric irritation, numbing of the mouth, and aggravates asthma. Certain essential oils – Rosemary is harmful to epileptics, and sage is not recommended for pregnant women. DEA, MEA, TEA – Known as ethanolamine compounds, diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and triethanolamine (TEA) can cause allergic reactions. These ingredients can irritate the eyes and dry out hair and skin. Dibutyl phthalate – Used in cosmetics to assist in the absorption of other ingredients, dibutyl phthalate can cause birth defects in animals and damage the male reproductive system. Formaldehyde – A preservative, formaldehyde can cause skin reactions. Fragrances – Fragrances often contain at least 200 undeclared substances. Fragrances can cause skin irritation and allergies. May also cause dizziness and hyperpigmentation. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) – Some GMOs may include soy and corn, and the effects of GMOs are still undetermined. Isopropyl alcohol – A drying agent derived from petroleum. Keratolytic chemicals – Includes hydroxyl acids and retinoic acid, these are corrosive and used in skin peels. These chemicals can dissolve the outermost layer/stratum corneum of the epidermis and makes skin more sensitive to sun damage. It also accelerates production of dead skin cells and the skin thickens to repair its surface so that vulnerable skin cells underneath are protected from the effects of skin peeling. Methylisothiazolinone – Causes allergic reactions and irritations. Parabens – Derived from petroleum, parabens can trigger skin irritations and may be a xerestrogen (XE). XEs are “chemicals that mimic the effect of estrogen in the body.” Parabens are linked to decreased sperm counts and rising breast cancer rates, and they are used in 99 percent of all cosmetics [...]

Like other B vitamins, biotin is an essential nutrient that’s almost inexplicably important. It helps the body break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.[1] It is a cofactor in many enzyme-driven metabolic reactions.[2] And, because biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss (and other effects like depression or an inflamed rash on the face), biotin has been associated with normal hair growth.[3] You may have noticed that the labels of many brands of shampoo and conditioner boast about added vitamins and nutrients, including biotin. It is true that biotin is essential for hair but biotin isn’t absorbed through the hair or skin in a way that will benefit the cells in the body. This means that a shampoo or conditioner with added vitamins won’t make your hair grow faster, healthier, or thicker. Vitamins must be taken orally to have an effect. Additionally, there’s not yet a clear, scientific consensus on whether or not biotin can help people with normal biotin levels grow more hair.   The Role of Biotin for Hair Growth Biological processes are complex–all of them–and hair growth is no exception. Biotin plays a role in the infrastructure of keratin, the protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails.[4] Visible hair is actually cells that have been keratinized, organized into strands,[5] and pushed out of the hair follicle. As they’re pushed up and out toward the scalp, they dry, harden, and actually die[6] because, as they get farther from the follicle, they don’t have access to blood flow and the nutrients it delivers.[7] Thus, it is inside the hair follicle where cells are alive and active and hair is formed; adding biotin to hair care products isn’t going to benefit those cells. Strands of hair have three layers–the medulla (the core), the cortex, and the cuticle. Healthy hair isn’t produced from the outside in, but rather the inside out. That’s why biotin added to shampoo or conditioner is little more than marketing-speak to spice up the label. Hair, nail, and skin health are key indicators of nutritional status. Strong, shiny hair is often seen as a physical representation of health and youth; it’s no wonder it’s so desirable.[9] Conversely, not only is thin hair viewed by some as an indication of poor nutritional status, in some cases that may actually be true.[10] Inadequate biotin has been tied to hair loss[11] and increased hair shedding is actually considered a symptom of biotin deficiency. Hair follicles divide more quickly than other cells and hair loss from a biotin deficiency can manifest as quickly as one week.[12, 13]   What Does the Research Say? Thinning hair and hair loss are troubling conditions that may cause self-consciousness and affect self-esteem.[14] The average person sheds 50-100 hairs a day and not everyone will replace those lost hairs.[15] Though biotin deficiency is rare,[1] evidence suggests that when inadequate biotin is to blame for hair loss, biotin supplementation may help stop the problem and strengthen the infrastructure of keratin.[4, 11] In [...]

Unfortunately, just because it’s sold over-the-counter does not make products safe for use. In fact, there are almost 13,000 chemicals used in cosmetics and only 10 percent have been tested for safety. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, they often do not exercise it. Personal care products are allowed to reach store shelves without any prior approval by any agency. Only after a product has demonstrated harm, has been misbranded or adulterated, may the FDA take action. According to the FDA’s description of their authority over cosmetics:1 “The law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have FDA approval before they go on the market, but there are laws and regulations that apply to cosmetics on the market in interstate commerce. FDA's legal authority over cosmetics is different from our authority over other products we regulate, such as drugs, biologics and medical devices. Under the law, cosmetic products and ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval, with the exception of color additives. However, FDA can pursue enforcement action against products on the market that are not in compliance with the law, or against firms or individuals who violate the law.” Compounding this situation, the FDA also has made manufacturers responsible for ensuring the safety of the products they produce and those manufacturers are not required to share the tests that reportedly demonstrate the safety of these products with any Federal agency or the public. What does this mean for a health-conscious person like yourself? When you use body lotion, deodorant, shampoo or nail polish, you may be applying harmful chemicals to your body, even if the product claims to be nontoxic and safe. Adverse Event Reports From Cosmetic Products Rising According to researchers who examined data from the FDA database of adverse effects, there were an average of nearly 400 adverse events reported yearly directly to the FDA between 2004 and 2016 for personal care products, such as shampoos, lotions, tattoos and perfume.2 The number of reports surged by the end of 2016 to nearly 1,600, triggered by the FDA’s public appeal to consumers and physicians to report adverse events related to products manufactured by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioners under the brand name WEN.3 In their analysis of the data,4 researchers found the three personal care products that were reported most commonly were hair care, tattoos and skincare. The products that involved the more serious health conditions were baby products. Haircare products were reported at a rate of 35 percent and skincare products represented 22 percent of the complaints. Lead author Dr. Steve Xu, dermatologist from McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern University, commented on the number of adverse effects in the study,5 saying, "You can start making a cosmetic and start selling it the next day without any kind of permission from the FDA.” It was only in December 2016 that the FDA publicly released6 adverse [...]