Weekly Bulletin from Dr.Weil
Getting Informed about Cosmetics
People want to look and feel good when they use cosmetics. But sometimes what’s in those cosmetics isn’t exactly pleasing. Certain ingredients can be more than unappealing – they can be downright dangerous.
In the past, I have recommended against using cosmetic products containing dyes. I’ve also warned consumers against cosmetics and personal care items containing phthalates, a type of plasticizing chemical found in deodorants, nail polish, hair sprays and mousses, perfumes, and hand and body lotions. These chemicals have been linked to birth defects in animal studies and higher than average levels have shown up in the urine of women of childbearing age, presumably from the cosmetics and personal care products they use. You can get a list of phthalate-free products by logging on to
www.ewg.org.
I also caution consumers with sensitive skin to be on the lookout for generally harmless ingredients that could cause irritation. These include jojoba oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, coconut oil, and even vitamin E. In some people, these ingredients may cause allergic contact dermatitis – a skin rash that develops on contact with the product. If you have worries, test the product on a small patch of skin to see if a rash develops.
When shopping for cosmetics, choose natural products whenever possible. If you’re interested in conventional products that hype natural ingredients, read the labels carefully. You may find that the ingredients are neither safe nor natural.