Safe Cosmetics #2 – First the bad

Well, I’ve been having a grand old time with my exploration and investigation of natural cosmetics since I last wrote on the topic (Natural Cosmetics #1). I have found some amazing things, good and bad.

Today the bad, I’ll just share a couple. My recent piece on the significant dangers of exposure to triclosan  included a partial list of products that contain it. Since triclosan is an antibacterial, you would think it would be confined to products with the primary intent of fighting bacteria. Not so, it’s in products you wouldn’t expect, including toothpastes and cosmetics! Another dangerous chemical we’re free to slather on our bodies. Reminder-check the ingredients in all of your cosmetics!

I was also appalled to read about the side effects some people are experiencing from the eyelash builder Latisse. Latisse is supposed to grow hair for those whose lashes are less than full. It is effective for many, even growing hair in folks who have difficulty with having any lashes. However, one of the side effects can be an overgrowth of hair on other parts of the eyelid, and rarely, on other parts of the face. The FDA recently issued a warning because of the side effects some are experiencing.

I’ve certainly used products I shouldn’t have over the years, tempted by their promises of correcting what I perceive to be my natural faults. I’m sorry, but this product is particularly frightening to me, I keep getting images of the classic movie “The Fly”. I’m not saying that in jest. What else might a product like that be doing to a person’s body? The other side effect however, is that it can turn eyes darker over time -hazel to brown. I don’t think something that can affect the body in this way is worth the risk. As an aside, if a middle aged woman (or man for that matter) begins to see a thinning of lashes, as well as their hair elsewhere, it may be time for a thyroid check. Sometimes the proper levels of iodine can reverse these issues.

Errgh, enough bad. Friday – some really good stuff!