• 25Feb

    Finding the ingredients lists for natural skin care products

     

    Beware of natural skin care product lines that don’t list all their ingredients on their website. If a skin care product line that claims to be natural or organic lists only “key” ingredients or only names a few natural or herbal ingredients, then it’s very likely that they  have something to hide.

     

    Most truly natural skin care companies, who really believe that all their ingredients are safe and healthy, will provide the complete ingredients list on their website.

     

    At worst, at least until today, an e-mail to the company will generally get the ingredients list or a link to where it can be found.

     

    However, I was sent on a wild goose chase yesterday and today when I tried to get the ingredients in the new “Pink Body” line by Victoria’s Secret. They claim the ingredients in their new skin care products are natural, organic and 100% vegan. If you try to locate the ingredients on their website, all you will find is two or three ingredients listed in a brief description of each product.

     

    When I see a skin care company that claims such high standards for the ingredients in their supposedly natural and organic skin care products on top of alleging they are also “green,” I want to check them out!

     

    Because I didn’t find complete ingredients lists on their website, I did the usual and sent them an e-mail. The response I got back mentioned the same few ingredients they list on their website and they directed me back to the website. When I replied and said I wanted the COMPLETE ingredients lists for their products, they sent me the phone number for the lab that does their MSDS’s (manufacturers safety data sheets). I called and spoke with a very helpful gentleman who then told me that the MSDS’s don’t contain ALL the ingredients in each product. He then gave me the corporate phone number for Victoria’s Secret and a lab that actually manufactures some of the products.

     

    I wasn’t about to waste any more time trying to chase down all the ingredients in these supposedly organic, natural and vegan skin care products. If they put that much effort into making the ingredients unavailable to the consumer, I can only assume that they have something to hide.

     

    Now it is up to Victoria’s Secret to come forward with full disclosure! I dare them!

     

    In the meantime, make sure you can read the entire ingredients list and all the ingredients are safe for any skin care product you intend to buy. Dying To Look Good will help you decipher the safety of ingredients you find on the labels when you shop.

     

    Christine H. Farlow, D.C.

    The Ingredients Investigator

    Protecting You From Harmful Ingredients…

    www.dyingtolookgood.com

    www.dyingtolookgoodbook.com

     


  • 19Feb

    Nuvo Cosmetics all natural skin care - how natural are they?

     

    NuvoCosmetics.com, located in Wisconsin, claims to be “a leading online retailer of quality natural skin care and cosmetic products manufactured in the European Union under Nuvo Cosmetics brand name.” According to the company website, their primary goal is “to offer consumers firsthand natural, environmentally- friendly, European skin care and cosmetic products.”

     

    They claim to have “the highest quality blends of natural and pure ingredients that are good for you: essential oils, botanical extracts, powerful nutrients, vitamins, and vital antioxidants.”

     

    Do they live up to all this, and are they really, as they say, “the essential step towards naturally beautiful skin?”

     

    Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients in their products. While, it’s true that these products do contain some healthy ingredients like sweet almond oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, jojoba  and wheat germ oil, most also contain some objectionable ingredients that I do not recommend.

     

    The majority of these products contain phenoxyethanol and benzyl alcohol.

     

    Phenoxyethanol is a naturally-occurring solvent that can be derived synthetically. It is an eye and skin irritant and can cause contact dermatitis. It is harmful if absorbed through the skin. There is evidence that it may cause neurotoxicity, immune system toxicity and endocrine disruption.

     

    Benzyl alcohol is a synthetic ingredient, derived form petroleum or coal tar. It is an eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant. There is strong evidence that it is toxic to the nervous system. It is classified as harmful by the European Union. It has also been shown to disrupt the endocrine system.

     

    Some of the other ingredients in the Nuvo products, that should be avoided, are

    • Kojic Acid
    • Butylene Glycol
    • Methylparaben
    • Laureth-7
    • Disodium EDTA
    • Triethanolamine
    • Benzalkonium Chloride
    • Parfum
    • DC Red #33
    • Trideceth-9
    • PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
    • Propylene Glycol
    • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    • Hydrolyzed silk
    • Hydrolyzed keratin
    • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

    Despite their philosophy “to create high quality, natural European skin care products, using natural benefit rich botanicals for a flawless, beautiful skin” and incorporating, as they say, “the best of science, combined with the most effective ingredients the nature has to offer, and hundreds of years of knowledge to deliver gentle but effective skin care products,” their so-called all natural skin care products leave a bit to be desired.

     

    Their website claims they “only use natural and/or organic ingredients,” however, the objectionable ingredients listed above are neither natural nor organic.

     

    These are only some of the harmful ingredients in skin care products on the market today. Make sure you read the ingredients list on every product you buy to make sure the ingredients are safe. Dying To Look Good is a handy book you can take with you when you shop if you need help understanding the safety of the ingredients listed on the package.

     

    You can also find truly natural and organic skin care products at DyingToLookGood.com.

     

    Yours in health,

     

    Christine H. Farlow, D.C.

    The Ingredients Investigator

    Protecting you from harmful ingredients

    www.dyingtolookgood.com

    dr.cfarlow@dyingtolookgood.com 

     


  • 11Feb

    10 ways to pamper yourself or your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day

     

    Here are some simple things you can do to make Valentine’s Day special this year, whether you have someone to share it with or not.

     

    1. Get a massage. Give a massage gift certificate. Or you give the massage.
    2. Go to your favorite outdoor spot and sit quietly and enjoy the scenery, the birds and enjoy the peace and quiet.
    3. Volunteer at a senior center, a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen and help give someone less fortunate a happy Valentine’s day. Cut out some paper hearts to pass out and say happy Valentine’s day.
    4. Get a facial or give yourself an all organic natural skin care facial. Get together with a friend and give each other facials.
    5. Give yourself or your special someone a gift of real, raw organic chocolate. It’s a sweet treat that actually is a health food and is good for you.
    6. Smile at everyone you see on the street and say Happy Valentine’s Day, especially to those who look less fortunate or unhappy! Make someone’s day and enjoy the good feelings knowing you made a small difference in their life.
    7. Pamper yourself with truly organic skin care, so every day when you use it, you’ll know you’re doing something good for yourself.
    8. Treat yourself or your special someone to some impeccably pure all natural body care from Bali.
    9. Meditate on love and peace at 7:25 am to celebrate the dawning of the New Age of Aquarius
    10. Love yourself and be kind and loving to everyone you come in contact with, especially those you find it most difficult to love.

    Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

     

    Christine H. Farlow, D.C.

    The Ingredients Investigator

    Protecting You From Harmful Ingredients…

    www.dyingtolookgood.com

    www.dyingtolookgoodbook.com

     


  • 06Feb

    Free certified organic skin care product from miessence

     

    Act quickly and you will have the opportunity to experience the miessence certified organic skin care product, Rejuvenessence Facial Serum – FREE!

     

    This highly sought after organic natural skin care product, Rejuvenessence Facial Serum, was a finalist in the Best Organic Facial Skincare Product category of The Natural and Organic Awards 2008.

     

    Now you have the chance to try this exceptional product at no cost to you!

     

    What’s the catch?

     

    During the month of February, when you purchase a miessence Skin Essentials Pack, you will receive absolutely free of charge, a bottle of Rejuvenessence Facial Serum – while supplies last.

     

    Click here to choose your Skin Essentials Pack. Then, proceed to the checkout to enter the promotional code: febpromo to receive your free Rejuvenessence.

     

    Enjoy!

     

    Christine H. Farlow, D.C.

    The Ingredients Investigator

    Protecting You From Harmful Ingredients…

    www.dyingtolookgood.com

    www.dyingtolookgoodbook.com

     


  • 04Feb

    Four new natural skin care ingredients

     

    Here are some new ingredients you may be seeing in natural skin care products.

     

    GATULINE® SKIN-REPAIR BIO is a new “active ingredient” that stimulates skin regeneration and repair. Made by “hydro-alcoholic extraction of the cotton thistle,” it is certified organic by Ecocert and approved for use in The US, Australia, Japan and Europe. (INCI: Alcohol andWater and Onopordum Flower/Leaf/Stem extract) 

     

     Saberry™ is a standardized natural extract of fresh Indian gooseberries. Processed with a “solvent free technology that preserves the natural goodness of the fruits,” it is rich in antioxidants.

     

    TEGO® Cosmo LSG (Scleroglucan) is a “water-soluble, natural beta-glucan  biopolymer” produced by fermentation. It is used in products intended to protect the skin; is biodegradable and said to be non-toxic.  However, since it is a product of fermentation, it is a possible hidden source of MSG.

     

    TEGO® Cosmo PGA is a polypeptide of the amino-acid L-glutamic acid produced by biotechnology, i.e. it’s genetically engineered. It’s also a potential source of hidden MSG (L-glutamic acid). It is said to be derived from the same micro-organism as natto and to be edible, non-toxic and biodegradable. However because it is genetically engineered and a potential source of MSG, I do not recommend it.

     

    As always, to make sure you’re using healthy natural skin care product lines read the list of ingredients on the back of the label. You can find more information on safe and healthy natural skin care ingredients in the book, Dying To Look Good.

     

    Christine H. Farlow, D.C.

    The Ingredients Investigator

    Protecting You From Harmful Ingredients…

    www.dyingtolookgood.com

    www.dyingtolookgoodbook.com