What is hiding in 'fragrance'?

This is the third in a series of posts about ingredients to avoid in cosmetics and personal care products.

When a personal care product lists 'fragrance' as one of it's ingredients, run for the hills (and leave the product behind); for hiding there is another ingredient that we are better off with out.

Phthalates (pronounced THAlates) can be used to moisturize as well as to help chemicals absorb into the skin. It will show up as dibutyl phthalate in nail polish; however, it may not show up at all on most of your cosmetic & personal care product ingredient labels since companies are not required to list the ingredients in fragrance mixtures, and that is where it is hiding, inside the 'fragrance' mixture. It is most likely to be in most anything that contains artificial fragrance, especially cosmetics and body care products.

This does not mean, however that if a product has an aroma, it has Phthalates in it. It may be that it contains cucumber, hence has the scent of cucumber, or contains the true essence of lavender and so hints of lavender. THAT is a good thing and can have therapeutic value.

It is the synthetic fragrance that you want to avoid, that is where you will find Phthalates, and Phthalates can interfere with hormones in the body, posing potential risks to the reproductive and thyroid systems.

So, if your product lists the word 'fragrance' on your label, pass it up.

Because Phthalates are found in many everyday plastic products (it softens plastic) exposure is unavoidable. One good way to reduce your exposure is  is to choose phthalate-free cosmetics and body care products. Choose products that do not list "fragrance' as an ingredient and nail polish that does not contain dibutyl phthalate. You could also choose fragrance free cleaning products, and of course, use less plastic.

This information taken from Environmental Working Group.

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Is it Organic?

I often get asked "Is your mineral makeup organic?" I find this a very interesting question, and the answer is something that I had not considered until I really thought it through. Let's look at that....

The answer to that question is actually... well...No.
The question does not really make sense when applied to true Mineral Makeup.

Here is a definition of 'organic' from a google search:

• relating or belonging to the class of chemical compounds having a carbon basis; "hydrocarbons are organic compounds"
• being or relating to or derived from or having properties characteristic of living organisms; "organic life"; "organic growth".
• of or relating to foodstuff grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or hormones; "organic eggs"; "organic vegetables"; "organic chicken"
• simple and healthful and close to nature; "an organic lifestyle"
• a fertilizer that is derived from animal or vegetable matter

Of course, the term 'organic' can mean different things in different contexts. However, minerals, by their very nature are inorganic.

Typically, when asking the question "Is this organic" we are talking about 'organic' that comes from a practice of farming that does not use pesticides, but instead works with rotation of crops and healthy soil practices. That is not the case here. For minerals are not farmed. Therefore, they cannot be organically farmed. They are rocks...and there are no chemicals used in the growing of the rocks. (!)

Style Essential 

Scarves 

I dont often go anywhere without a scarf of some type somewhere on my person. Usually it is a large pretty pasmina type that I can throw over my shoulders or wrap around my neck if the weather turns colder than I am prepared for. It makes a great leg warmer in a theater too. A scarf, small or large, can be a fun and functional accessory to grab on your way out the door.

Share YOUR style tips...Go ahead, comment and share. I love to hear what you have to say!


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