Womens Fashion By Joanne Louise

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Womens Health And Beauty

Cosmetics

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We have located informationo on your every day cosmetics and thought we should share the information with you and the link in which we found it so you can read all the information and results.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/promos/shopping/shopsmart/winter-2007/what-you-should-know-about-chemicals-in-your-cosmetics/overview/0701_cosmetics_ov.htm

You slather, spray, and paint them on and rub them in. Cosmetics are so much a part of your daily regimen that you probably never think twice about them. If they’re on store shelves, it seems reasonable to figure that they’re safe to use, despite those unpronounceable ingredient lists.

But at least some of what’s in your cosmetics might not be so good for you. One example is the family of chemicals known as phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates), which may be linked to developmental and reproductive health risks. The industry says phthalates are safe, but some companies have dropped them in response to public concern. Essie, OPI, and Sally Hansen, for example, are removing dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which is used to prevent chipping, from nail polishes. Other big-name brands that have reformulated products to remove some phthalates include Avon, Cover Girl, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, Max Factor, Orly, and Revlon.

If you’re trying to cut back on phthalates, however, sticking with these brands may not make much of a difference. You’ll find phthalates in too many other personal-care products, including body lotions, hair sprays, perfumes, and deodorants. The chemicals are used to help fragrances linger and take the stiffness out of hair spray, among other reasons. They’re also in detergents, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and plastic toys. And they have turned up in our bodies.

Although phthalates show up in so many places, they’re often absent from labels because disclosure is not always required. That’s the case with fragrances. We tested eight fragrances and although none of the products included phthalates in its ingredient list, they all contained the chemicals. Some were made by companies that specifically told us their products were free of phthalates, and two even say as much on their Web sites.

Getting your nails done or spritzing on your favorite perfume obviously isn’t going to kill you. But the health effects of regular long-term exposure, even to small amounts, are still unknown.

QUICK READ

Phthalates, a family of chemicals used in cosmetics, may pose significant health risks but:

• They’re found in perfumes, nail polishes, and other products we use every day.
• Scientists say they’re found in our bodies as well.
• In many cases, they’re not listed on labels, so they can be difficult to avoid.
• Some manufacturers are removing them from their products, but the FDA has not restricted their use.

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