Today is a great day, just as many others. But it’s a special day because we present a topic that’s a big interest for many of us, – cosmetics! For you and only, let us tell you a wee history, followed up by research and our observations…
So, cosmetics. It has become a necessity and a big part of our daily routines for most of us, but it is not a modern invention, nevertheless! Humans have used various substances to alter their appearance or accentuate their features for at least 10,000 years, and possibly a lot longer.
Women in Ancient Egypt used kohl, a substance containing powdered galena (lead sulphide—PbS) to darken their eyelids, and Cleopatra is said to have bathed in milk to whiten and soften her skin…
By 3000 B.C men and women in China had begun to stain their fingernails with colours according to their social class, while Greek women used poisonous lead carbonate (PbCO3) to achieve a pale complexion. Clays were ground into pastes for cosmetic use in traditional African societies and indigenous Australians still use a wide range of crushed rocks and minerals to create body paint for ceremonies and initiations.
Today, cosmetics are a big business. We use cosmetics to cleanse, perfume, protect and change the appearance of our bodies or to alter its odours. The market has bloomed to such an extent that not only are there different cosmetics for every part of the body, – there are different ones for different seasons too!
But before makeup is marketed to us, it is tested on animals. Do you ever wonder why is it so? Because the cosmetics we trust to make us beautiful are full of so many harmful chemicals. And despite that it makes us look good temporarily, in the end they are going to leave an ugly effect. Here are some of the most common side effects of the cosmetics that you apply without a second thought:
Dries our skin / makes it oily
Some foundations and powders tend to dry out your skin and make it look flaky and ashen. Such cosmetics can also cause cracks and fine wrinkles in your skin, which could cause infections to develop.
It ages our skin quicker
The chemicals used in makeup contribute to the ageing of your skin because they dry out the natural oils and essential vitamins and minerals present in human skin. This causes your skin to lose its natural moisture and texture, and it starts to develop wrinkles and dry patches. Prolonged usage of makeup will make your skin look older than it is. And since it is almost impossible to get the youthful glow back, cosmetics marketers are launching products that help counter the effect of aging that has been cause by them.
It provokes allergies
Cosmetics such as deodorants and antiperspirants contain alcohol and can cause redness and irritation and itching which may eventually lead to pigmentation of skin. They also block your sweat glands and can lead to conditions like contact dermatitis and allergies. From rashes to inflammation, the wrong kind of cosmetic that is not compatible with your skin type can have a deep – rooted impact on your skin.
Can cause cancer
The most threatening side effects of excessive use of cosmetics is skin cancer. Lipstick contains aluminum which may cause long term anemia and even glucose intolerance. Many products contain chemicals like zinc oxide and barium sulphate which are toxic and can result in organ failure, especially that of the kidney and liver. Cosmetics like body moisturizers can disturb the thyroid content of the body. Parabens, a preservative used heavily in cosmetics has been linked to causes of cancer.
What means organic?
While most cosmetics are effective almost instantly, we can see that they are damaging in the ‘long run’. That’s our hint to better look for organic products full of natural remedies. Nevertheless, when natural can mean, “we use some natural ingredients,” and cruelty-free can mean “we still test our products on animals in China,” we have to know how to read a label, more now than ever.
One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea of natural versus organic and that they are interchangeable labels. A product can be natural and organic, but not all natural products are organic, or even 100 percent natural.
If the product is organic, that means it is made of 95 percent or more of organic ingredients derived from plant sources. All of ingredients were grown without pesticides, bioengineered genes, or petroleum-based fertilizers, which could be toxic to the environment. Natural products are simply derived from natural sources without added synthetic compounds.
What are the benefits?
Everything Will Smell Better
When ingredients are natural and organic, everything is naturally-scented. Your rose cream is made from real rose water and your essential oils are from the real plant, never an imitation. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to notice the difference between an imitation and a natural fragrance, and you’ll never want to switch back.
Your skin will be softer
Did you know that many drugstore and luxury brands add drying agents to products such as moisturizers, lip balm, and conditioner? If you actually want your products to moisturize, make sure they say “sulfate-free.”
Your skin might clear up
The reason this is a “might” is because everyone’s tolerance varies for different ingredients, both natural and unnatural. You might break out using only toxic makeup and switching to organic makeup might be your cure.
It’s better for your wallet (in the long run)
Anybody who’s ever switched from drugstore skin care to natural and organic skincare might be laughing out loud at the fact that the switch could be good for your wallet, but there is merit to this statement! The average consumer buys products from a variety of brands with prices that vary from a few euros to a couple hundred euros. If you replace your luxury, designer, or even spa brands with natural and organic brands, you are very likely to spend much less. Plus you may find that switching to organic and natural products improves your skin and simplifies your routine, meaning less money spent on other products as a ‘compensation’!
To summarize, yes, most cosmetics have their own unique way to make you feel or look good. But temporarily! Choosing organic (really, organic) products has a much more useful and rich purpose in the long run. If you are looking for a product to buy, think twice before you do it, and make sure you really need it. In case you are wondering of where to get a high quality, very well taken care of and preserved cosmetics, check our products. In our company, we use only all – natural and organic remedies to make sure no product has any unneeded ingredient just to make it look like it’s better ‘coloured’ or scented. Please, take care of your health and let us help you!
Yours,
Biomedicanna