Posts from — March 2009

There used to be a time when we thought that lead in lipstick was an urban myth. Women bought bright shades of lipstick and dismissed all notion that this proven neurotoxin, which accumulates in human body over time, is hiding in their favourite red tube.

But then the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report in October of 2007. 61 percent of brand named lipsticks tested contained lead! And of course, none of them listed it as an ingredient.

How’s that for busting the “myth” part of this “urban myth”?

Among the top brands that were found to contain lead where L’Oreal (with L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” coming in with a whopping 0.65 particles per million), Cover Girl (Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm), Christian Dior (Addict Positive Red – 0.28 ppm) and others…

Lead is a proven neurotoxin. It also easily crosses the placenta, making pregnant women and their children especially vulnerable. But how many women stop using their favorite lipstick when they are pregnant?

Health Canada followed up the study with their own tests. The lipsticks in their samples contained levels of lead from 0.079 to 0.84 ppm. One lipstick had 6.3 ppm! Though, naturally, the brand was not disclosed. Go figure.

The Canadian government had the audacity to claim that the amounts were safe. Despite the fact that there is a growing amount of scientific evidence that there is no such thing as safe amount of lead. Because lead builds up over time. It doesn’t disappear. And when it comes to lipstick – women don’t apply it once in their lifetime. Some estimate that women eat about 4 pounds of lipstick in a lifetime.

As “safe” as lead is supposed to be, the acceptable level for candy is 0.1ppm. But there isn’t much regulation for lipstick.

And when somebody tries to regulate it, the big lobby guns come out. Despite passing the full California Senate, a bill that would ban lead in lipstick was defeated in the Assembly Health Committee, caving to the mega pressure from the cosmetics lobby. The swarm of lobbyists and big name executives from the likes of Revlon, Estee Lauder and Johnson & Johnson proved to be too much.

What a brave new world we live in. Where a few dollars here and there trump any health concern. Cause dollars must be so much more important…

So where does it leave the consumer?

Doing our own homework. Searching, sharing information, supporting those who try to do well by us.

Seeking out organic makeup and organic lipstick is a way to protect ourselves, our friends and our kids. Chasing the mighty dollar these companies forgot that their customers are human with biological bodies and health concern. They feel no responsibility towards us, but feel secure that we’ll let it stand and use their products cause we need it.

They are wrong. We value our health more than their over marketed poison tubes. And we know there are better options. Truly organic and natural makeup products are popping up everywhere. It’s just a matter of doing some digging to find the right product. But when it comes to health – digging is worth it.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much junk email I receive. It makes me tremble every time I open my inbox. So believe me, when I get a sample offer from a truly natural skin care company it is a welcome refresher.

But when a really good company contacts me, backs up their claims and then sends me samples that actually DELIVER on their promises – well that makes my day. And it makes me feel that by spreading the word about them I am actually doing something meaningful.

So, this is my review of Pai chamomile and rosehip sensitive skin cream. Yes, it’s a positive review. They deserve it.

But let me take it one step at a time.

Product name:

Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream

What and who is it for:

It is a moisturizer for sensitive skin.

Price:

As of today the price on the company’s site is at $31.00 US, $39.90 CAD and GB £22.00

Packaging:

The cream comes in a glass bottle inside a recyclable box.

Reading the ingredients:

70% of the ingredients are organic. None of the ingredients look suspicious or unnatural. In fact the product is so pure that I was instructed to keep it in the refrigerator (which I promptly did – probably why it feels even fresher when I put it on).

Another nice thing about Pai is that they list all their ingredients in plain English. On the box every ingredient has the standard latin based name and the English explanation of it. For example, “butyrospermum parkii butter – shea butter”. Very convenient. Cause latin and me never really got along too well…

Other Claims:

Pai is certified by the Soil Association, one of the strictest and most reliable organic certifying bodies.

As a refresher, here is some information about the Soil Association’s standards:

• At least 70% of a beauty product’s non-water ingredients must be organic.
• These organic ingredients must be sustainably grown and harvested and extracted in an eco-friendly manner.
• Products cannot contain parabens, petrochemicals, propylene glycol and other potentially toxic chemicals.
• All non-organic ingredients have to pass strict toxicity and biodegradability criteria and carry a Non-GM certificate.
• Manufacturers have to pass annual inspections and must keep meticulous organic production records.

And just to drive the point further, Pai products contain:

No artifical colors
No artifical fragrances
No mineral oils
No parabens
No petrochemicals
No phthaltes
No propylene glycol
No sulfates

And they are not tested on animals

Phew…

Scent:

Very pleasant gentle scent. Reminds me of spring flowers without overwhelming the senses.

Texture:

It is a very light cream, extremely smooth with silky feeling.

What does it do on the face:

You know that commercial where the mouth sings from excitement caused by a drink? Well, my mouth never sang from a drink, but my skin sure sings praises to Pai. It sings: “thank you for making me moist, and soft, and baby-like. Thank you for making me smooth and gorgeous”.

I mean it. My face loves it. One time I had to apply the cream after being exposed for too long to a heating unit. I was flushed and dry and terrified, because usually creams in this situation sting like hell. But Pai was a real exception. I felt soothed and cooled down and ready to mimic right away. (Believe me, if you have a really dry sensitive face, you know the joy of being able to have facial expressions without pain…)

About the brand:

Pai is the new kid on the block. It has only been around since January of 2007. The founder, Sarah Brown, was inspired to create her own line after developing a bad skin allergy to everyday skincare products.

The name of the brand, Pai, means “goodness” in Maori, a name that Sarah chose because of her mother’s New Zealand’s roots, and because many of the ingredients in Pai have been used by Maoris for centuries in order to heal and protect the skin.

Since its inception Pai has received much favorable press, especially in the UK. It was featured in Marie Claire and Daily Express to name a few.

Verdict:

This is a fantastic product by a company that lives up to what the organic movement is all about. Huge thumbs up and congratulations to Sarah Brown for developing a product that truly delivers.