"Is Your Make-Up Killing You?"

*Shira* · 10-05-2007, 06:02 PM

See this link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

It's an interesting, thought-provoking article about the cosmetics we use in our daily lives.

AngelaDiCaprio · 10-05-2007, 06:31 PM

They may be killing me, but Damn... I look good!!

Bellydancingcaroline · 10-05-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucinia

They may be killing me, but Damn... I look good!!

you beat me to the flippant remark. curses !

Nat242 · 10-05-2007, 06:37 PM

I'm more astonished by the amount of cosmetics the two subjects used! My god! Who could be bothered?

Bellydancingcaroline · 10-05-2007, 06:43 PM

4 cans of deoderant A WEEK - now something has got to be wrong there., Also, I really like the comment at the end "well, it doesn't seem to have done joan collins any harm!"

Monica · 10-05-2007, 07:50 PM

I am assuming that is a pretty trashy paper? I did click the link to this article about a teenager who keeps running off to Egypt to get married!

"With her money dwindling, Amy took a job as a club rep at a nearby hotel, entertaining Russian package holiday tourists and encouraging them to go to evening shows.

Free food and board came with the job, but she was fired after just two days because she couldn't speak Russian and refused to sing karaoke as her bosses demanded.

"I might try for another job, as a receptionist or as a tour rep. I just don't know what I'm going to do - whether I'm going to stay here or go home. I feel very lonely without Noby and I've cried a lot of tears."

But, she says, the local people have been very kind. She is still hoping Noby will come back for her and resurrect her rose-tinted dreams of love, romance and marriage. " :Awhatchutalkingabou

angelique2 · 10-05-2007, 08:00 PM

They spend £1,000 a month on cosmetics.

1,000.00 EUR = 1,413.21 USD
Is this correct?

The most I have ever spent in one month on cosmetics is about $200.00 at the Mac counter.

AngelaDiCaprio · 10-05-2007, 08:17 PM

Sorry Caroline.. next time I'll let you go first.

Lilladancer · 10-05-2007, 08:20 PM

It's kind of a shame because there is some truth to the dangers of chemicals in many cosmetic and hygiene products, but this article tries so hard to sensationalize it, it almost makes me feel like brushing it off entirely. Of course, I don't use anywhere near the volume of products these ladies do - I rarely use hairspray or nailpolish (just for certain shows), I've never dyed my hair, only wear light or no makeup anytime I'm not performing, and to me it seems to take FOREVER to get through a bottle or container of any product that I use, because I use them so sparingly. A lipstick can take me an entire year to use up.

Maybe these kinds of scare tactics work on some people, and I suppose that can help some decrease the amount of chemical stuff they use, but this particular article is sort of over the top... I guess that's called entertainment

beafarhana · 10-06-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelique2

They spend £1,000 a month on cosmetics.

1,000.00 EUR = 1,413.21 USD
Is this correct?

The most I have ever spent in one month on cosmetics is about $200.00 at the Mac counter.

US$2,000 more like- the £ is currently worth approx US$2.00

beafarhana · 10-06-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica

I am assuming that is a pretty trashy paper?

You're assuming absolutely right.

Bellydancingcaroline · 10-06-2007, 04:04 AM

I probably spend about £10 a month (maybe £20 or £30 in a splurge month) on 'war-paint' and £40 a month on skincare.

Lauren_ · 10-06-2007, 07:26 AM

This article does seem far-fetched & ridiculous. And I agree that it trivializes what should be real concerns about the products we put on our bodies.

The FDA is still evaluating beauty products based on an old notion that chemicals can't be absorbed through the skin. But of course, we know differently now -- we even use skin patches to deliver medication! So it's better to be cautious.

But how to be cautious? This crap about 'chemicals' doesn't make any sense. Everything on the planet is made of chemicals, including us. The distinction between 'natural' and 'manmade' chemicals is kind of vague and outrageous. Lots of 'natural' chemicals are harmful -- radon is natural. So is lead. I don't want them in my makeup! So buying all-natural products doesn't equate to 'safe.'

*Shira* · 10-06-2007, 09:09 AM

I agree with everyone who has pointed out that these young women use an enormous quantity of products compared to most of us. I would also point out that from a statistician's point of view, a "study" that features only 2 subjects is no valid study at all. And I agree with Lauren that just because something is natural and comes from a plant, doesn't mean it's "safe" - just ask the family of anyone who died from eating poisonous mushrooms.

If you can look beyond the poor journalism for a moment, though, there are some points worth considering. Triclosan and parabens do present valid cause for concern. Phthalates are another unwholesome category of common substance.

It is proven fact that chemicals (healthy or otherwise) can be absorbed into the body through the skin - look how effective skin patches for birth control, smoking cessation, and other treatments have been. There was the one recent medical study where tea tree oil and lavender in personal care products were found to be absorbed into the body through the skin and cause gynecomastia in pre-adolescent boys.

My motive in posting this thread was to encourage people to educate themselves about the ingredients in the products they place on their skin/hair on a frequent basis, and to think about changing brands if their products contain substances that may be harmful with long-term, regular use. Was this particular experiment an example of well-executed scientific method? No, but the thoughts that it raises are valid ones for us to consider.

NajlaHalem · 10-06-2007, 09:30 AM

It's so hard to know what chemicals amongst the huge list of ingredients, is harmful. Something like arsenic would definitely stand out though! I'll be more watchful of my product labels.

melody white · 10-06-2007, 10:08 AM

I like this site . My friends sister is involved with Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and sent me these links ,pretty cool. BTW those ladies in the article need help! $2000 a month? Less is more.....

check this out: Here's a link to the Skin Deep website
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2...php?key=nosign
OR
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php

Here's a link to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:
http://www.safecosmetics.org/

fayzah · 10-06-2007, 12:10 PM

I´m sitting in my sofa right now with deep conditioner, some cream in my face for better skin, all organic and without harmful stuff. I´m a total Dr. Hauschka fan.(I´m like a new age hippie :) ) Changing to the alternative cosmetics really changed my life, i had been struggling with bad skin since puberty. I had tried it all, new creams, products, prescriptions from doctors, laser treatments, homeopathy... everything. In just one week i could actually wear a revealing top without thinking of this huge problem. Wearing bellydance costumes was a big problem for me.
For performances i usually wear the solid average makeup, waterproof mascara and lipstick that stays on (I know... lead). I tell myself that i will not be wearing it for long.

You can check your lipstick by putting some on your hand and rub some gold (ring for instance) on the lipstick if it goes black it has a high level of lead. So you might be in risk of oral cancer or breast cancer.

Those labels that were mentioned in the article are not all organic, but some are organic and exellent. If you are going to go natural you might as well go organic :)

nasila · 10-06-2007, 12:36 PM

When pregnant with my first son, I partipated in a UCLA study where they measured my phthalate levels; and they've measured it in his urine twice in the last six years. Their study results show that the level of phthalates in a pregnant mom significantly affect that of the boys even years later, and high phthalate levels are causing low sperm count all over the US (as adults).

Phthalates are found in flexible plastics (don't nuke even the so-called microwave-safe' plastic bowls!!), some eyeshadows, creams, and ALMOST ALL MASCARAS.

So, if you're preggers or gonna be some day, remember that what you put ON you (as well as in you) will affect the health of your little dudes too...and the chances of making it to gradma-hood!

Lilladancer · 10-06-2007, 04:20 PM

Pthalates are definitely something to be concerned about. I would bet, though, that very little gets into our systems from having mascara on eyelashes - I have not heard anything about hair being able to absorb things into the system, only skin. Unless you were to allow your mascara to collect under your eyes and on eyelids alot, it's probably not a huge source of pthalates in the system.

What is, though, is all the plastic containers we eat and drink out of. Heating plastic causes it to soften and release chemicals into whatever is in it. How many people keep a plastic water bottle in their cars? Or just plain drink water and other beverages out of soft plastic all the time? It's a really good idea to switch to stainless steel or glass whenever possible. Many parents are now turning away from plastic baby bottles and using glass again because of the pthalate concern.