dirty secrets of the cosmetic industry - exposed

7. What we're covering today: We'll discover what “natural”, “organic” and “certified organic” means on a cosmetic label? We'll decode some cosmetic labels and learn how to see through greenwashing and deceptive labelling practices. We'll be shocked by the 'safety' regulations of the cosmetic industry and learn how being an informed consumer is the only way to avoid toxins and create change. And finally, we'll appreciate the sublime beauty, potency and effectiveness of the Miessence range.What we're covering today: We'll discover what “natural”, “organic” and “certified organic” means on a cosmetic label? We'll decode some cosmetic labels and learn how to see through greenwashing and deceptive labelling practices. We'll be shocked by the 'safety' regulations of the cosmetic industry and learn how being an informed consumer is the only way to avoid toxins and create change. And finally, we'll appreciate the sublime beauty, potency and effectiveness of the Miessence range.

8. Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists proposed definition May 2007: “any material Currently, there are 'certified organic' cosmetics in Australia (certified by bodies other than ACO) that wouldn't even meet this definition. Cosmetic Industry definition: Cocamide DEA - a foaming agent in shampoo. One of the processing aids diethanolamine (DEA). MSDS Diethanolamine WARNING! CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. CAUSES EYE BURNS. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION. Potential Health Effects Inhalation: Vapour or mist cause irritation to the respiratory tract; symptoms include sore throat, sneezing and coughing. . Ingestion: Estimated lethal dose 20 grams in humans. Skin Contact: May cause irritation and redness. May also cause an allergic reaction. May be absorbed through skin. Eye Contact: Vapour may cause irritation, tears, redness, and pain. Contact may cause severe irritation and corneal damage. May cause burns. Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated skin exposure may cause dermatitis. Animal studies have shown target organ effects on the liver and kidney. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver, kidney, and pulmonary function may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. The dangers of naturally derived/synthetic To be discussed later.Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists proposed definition May 2007: “any material Currently, there are 'certified organic' cosmetics in Australia (certified by bodies other than ACO) that wouldn't even meet this definition. Cosmetic Industry definition: Cocamide DEA - a foaming agent in shampoo. One of the processing aids diethanolamine (DEA). MSDS Diethanolamine WARNING! CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. CAUSES EYE BURNS. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION. Potential Health Effects Inhalation: Vapour or mist cause irritation to the respiratory tract; symptoms include sore throat, sneezing and coughing. . Ingestion: Estimated lethal dose 20 grams in humans. Skin Contact: May cause irritation and redness. May also cause an allergic reaction. May be absorbed through skin. Eye Contact: Vapour may cause irritation, tears, redness, and pain. Contact may cause severe irritation and corneal damage. May cause burns. Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated skin exposure may cause dermatitis. Animal studies have shown target organ effects on the liver and kidney. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver, kidney, and pulmonary function may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. The dangers of naturally derived/synthetic To be discussed later.

9. Organic agriculture: protects our next generation by minimising children’s exposure to toxic and persistent pesticides in the soil in which they play, the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the foods they eat. Organic products: An increasing number of companies are now claiming to have “organic” products. What does this mean if organic describes a farming method. Is there an authority that governs the use of the term 'organic' on labels? NO. Then how can we tell if a product is truly organic?Organic agriculture: protects our next generation by minimising children’s exposure to toxic and persistent pesticides in the soil in which they play, the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the foods they eat. Organic products: An increasing number of companies are now claiming to have “organic” products. What does this mean if organic describes a farming method. Is there an authority that governs the use of the term 'organic' on labels? NO. Then how can we tell if a product is truly organic?

10. Certified organic products: The term 'certified organic' is regulated by government and independent certification bodies. Certified organic is an independent third party guarantee of an “organic” claim. Purchasing products with the logo of a certifying body on the label is the only way you can guarantee the organic authenticity and integrity of every ingredient in the product. Without this, the organic claim means nothing, as it cannot be verified. Here are some examples of internationally recognised certifying bodies: ACO, USDA logoCertified organic products: The term 'certified organic' is regulated by government and independent certification bodies. Certified organic is an independent third party guarantee of an “organic” claim. Purchasing products with the logo of a certifying body on the label is the only way you can guarantee the organic authenticity and integrity of every ingredient in the product. Without this, the organic claim means nothing, as it cannot be verified. Here are some examples of internationally recognised certifying bodies: ACO, USDA logo

11. Requirements for a 'certified organic' product:': at least 95% of the agricultural product ingredient must be certified, with a 5% allowance for the use of non-agricultural, non-organic agricultural ingredients (excluding salt and water). Certified Organic products are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation. The onus is on the Processor to keep detailed written purchasing, production and sales records (audit trail) to ensure traceability of ingredients, to maintain strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products; and to undergo periodic on-site inspections (audits). Requirements for a 'certified organic' product:': at least 95% of the agricultural product ingredient must be certified, with a 5% allowance for the use of non-agricultural, non-organic agricultural ingredients (excluding salt and water). Certified Organic products are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation. The onus is on the Processor to keep detailed written purchasing, production and sales records (audit trail) to ensure traceability of ingredients, to maintain strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products; and to undergo periodic on-site inspections (audits).

19. Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for cosmetics and other personal care products before they are sold. The toxicity of product ingredients is scrutinized almost exclusively by a self-policing industry safety committee, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. Because testing is voluntary and controlled by the manufacturers, many ingredients in cosmetics products are not safety tested at all. Chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects do not belong in cosmetics. However, some common brands of shampoo, deodorant, face cream and other everyday products contain these dangerous chemicals - including phthalates, acrylamide, formaldehyde and ethylene oxide – which are listed by USA Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Many of these chemicals have entered our bodies, our breast milk and our children. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of a number of environmental and consumer groups. Their mission is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals that are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation or reproductive harm. www.safecosmetics.org The Environmental Working Group's (EWG's) six-month computer investigation into the health and safety assessments on more than 10,000 personal care product ingredients found major gaps in the regulatory safety net for these products. They developed an on-line rating system that ranks products on their potential health risks and the absence of basic safety evaluations; (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com)? To help people use what they learned called Skin Deep, the core of the analysis compares ingredients in 7,500 personal care products against government, industry, and academic lists of known and suspected chemical health hazards.Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for cosmetics and other personal care products before they are sold. The toxicity of product ingredients is scrutinized almost exclusively by a self-policing industry safety committee, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. Because testing is voluntary and controlled by the manufacturers, many ingredients in cosmetics products are not safety tested at all. Chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects do not belong in cosmetics. However, some common brands of shampoo, deodorant, face cream and other everyday products contain these dangerous chemicals - including phthalates, acrylamide, formaldehyde and ethylene oxide – which are listed by USA Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens or reproductive toxins. Many of these chemicals have entered our bodies, our breast milk and our children. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a coalition of a number of environmental and consumer groups. Their mission is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals that are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation or reproductive harm. www.safecosmetics.org The Environmental Working Group's (EWG's) six-month computer investigation into the health and safety assessments on more than 10,000 personal care product ingredients found major gaps in the regulatory safety net for these products. They developed an on-line rating system that ranks products on their potential health risks and the absence of basic safety evaluations; (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com)? To help people use what they learned called Skin Deep, the core of the analysis compares ingredients in 7,500 personal care products against government, industry, and academic lists of known and suspected chemical health hazards.

20. Coal tar is often formulated with penetration enhancers which increase the absorption through the scalp and into the blood vessels below. Coal tar is often formulated with penetration enhancers which increase the absorption through the scalp and into the blood vessels below.

22. 1982 – Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (CIR) “ the cosmetic industry was aware of the problem of the presence of the 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics and was making an effort to lower or remove 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics” 2000 – USFDA Office of Cosmetics and Colours “continuing concerns about 1,4-dioxane, noting its potential to contaminate a wide range of products, its ready penetration through the skin, and the evidence linking it to systemic cancer in a skin painting study.” 2003 – USFDA notes that 1,4-dioxane can be removed “by means of vacuum stripping at the end of the polymerization process without an unreasonable increase in raw material cost 2003 – CIR “Of concern was the possible presence of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide impurities. The importance of using the necessary purification procedures to remove these impurities was stressed” but such treatment would be voluntary on the part of industry. 1982 – Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (CIR) “ the cosmetic industry was aware of the problem of the presence of the 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics and was making an effort to lower or remove 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics” 2000 – USFDA Office of Cosmetics and Colours “continuing concerns about 1,4-dioxane, noting its potential to contaminate a wide range of products, its ready penetration through the skin, and the evidence linking it to systemic cancer in a skin painting study.” 2003 – USFDA notes that 1,4-dioxane can be removed “by means of vacuum stripping at the end of the polymerization process without an unreasonable increase in raw material cost 2003 – CIR “Of concern was the possible presence of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide impurities. The importance of using the necessary purification procedures to remove these impurities was stressed” but such treatment would be voluntary on the part of industry.

23. According to scientists from San Jose University, the common nitrosamine impurity N-nitrosodiethanolamines (NDELA) “is readily absorbed through the skin and accumulates in organs, such as the liver, bladder, etc. where it induces chronic toxic effects” (Matyska et al. 2000). The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens has found that nitrosamines are carcinogenic in all animal species studied, including primates. No other carcinogen has been found to be carcinogenic in as many species as nitrosamines. (IARC, 1978; 1982; 1985; 1987).According to scientists from San Jose University, the common nitrosamine impurity N-nitrosodiethanolamines (NDELA) “is readily absorbed through the skin and accumulates in organs, such as the liver, bladder, etc. where it induces chronic toxic effects” (Matyska et al. 2000). The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens has found that nitrosamines are carcinogenic in all animal species studied, including primates. No other carcinogen has been found to be carcinogenic in as many species as nitrosamines. (IARC, 1978; 1982; 1985; 1987).