Category — General Information

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 was inspired by a fellow Julie’s post Healthy Food on a Thrifty Budget to write a similar list for organic skin care. For it is remarkable how many people think that organic skin care has to cost you hundreds of dollars. It really doesn’t. That myth is perpetuated by celebrities (who can afford to spend all they want on looking pretty) and companies that create endless “10 steps” program and making you believe that you need all the products on their list to see the benefits.

Organic skin care can be simple. Organic skin care can be inexpensive. And best of all, it is always good for you.

So here is a list of tips that will help you enjoy natural products and stay on the budget at the same time. It isn’t in any particular order, so be sure to read through the whole thing!

1. Make your own skin care preparations. This way you control the purity of ingredients and it will cost virtually nothing. There are many recipes online and books in the library. My favorite tip is still the one about using oatmeal as an exfoliant and a cleanser . Use cucumber to take care of dark circles under your eyes and use parsley for a whole range of applications. These ingredients are probably already in your house anyways, so the cost of a facial pampering procedure would be complete zero.

2. Use fewer products overall. You probably don’t need a toner. You don’t need a mask for all occasion (and for rare occasions where you need one – find a recipe and do it yourself). You don’t even need a night cream! Did you know that Dr. Hauschka don’t even make a night cream? The point is your skin needs some rest and night time is the best time for it.

3. Don’t buy into the “you must use our whole line of products” routine. You don’t. Pick and chose what you need.

4. Use less of the product you are using. If you are using a moisturizer and your skin feels fine – apply less now and then or skip a day. If your skill looks fine and the exfoliant bottle says you should do it two to three times a week – don’t bother. Of course the people who sell it want you to run through the product faster. But if you feel fine – let it be.

5. Look for samples of the products you want to try. Almost all the manufacturers supply them to the stores. If your particular store doesn’t have a sample, write to the manufacturer. There is no point investing in a fancy new cream if you have no idea what to expect – it’ll just dust away on your beauty counter.

6. Invest in a good moisturizer. This might sound counterintuitive, but by getting a good main product you’ll prevent many other issues that will require you to spend on corrective measures in the future. Those who’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m fanatical about Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream. But you may like something else, of course. We are all different…

7. Eat better. Now this is common sense, isn’t it? Your skin is a mirror of your health. The more you take care on the inside, the less you’ll need to worry about the outside. Cut out junk and load up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Nothing is better at supplying you with all those anti-aging antioxidants. And if you want to eat healthy on a budget, read Julie’s post on how to do so.

8. Drink plenty of water. It’s the best moisturizer yet invented.

9. Eat almonds. Small wonder that so many under-eye creams use almond butter as a key ingredient. It’s a proven anti-wrinkle warrior. For greatest effect soak them overnight in pure water. This makes them easier to digest.

10. Get plenty of fresh air (but use sunscreen, of course).

11. To prevent wrinkles, gently rub your face with an ice cube in the morning. Yes, it’s probably an advice from your grandma’s days, but it still works.

12. Remind yourself over and over again that perfect skin on magazine photos are an illusion. They are heavily photoshopped. Just look at this photo magic. Nobody looks that flawless. So don’t kill yourself over it.

I hope these tips are going going to help you pamper yourself without feeling guilty. And if you have more ideas, be sure to share them in the comments section!