Brand Name Cosmetic Dangers They're Not Telling You About!

We live in a world where we'd like to think that the powers that be are regulating ingredients that may cause danger to the consumer, protect as from harm when necessary and at the very least monitor activities within billion dollar industries that obviously affect the lives of millions of consumers. In the cosmetic industry, although that might be logical, there is are far less regulations to safeguard the consumer than you'd care to imagine.

In the cosmetic industry (lipstick, lotions, mascara, fragrances, foundation, makeup, etc.) there is a myth that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is in charge of keeping a watchful eye over anything cosmetic and questioning with scrutiny anything that is deemed unsafe. But the fact of the matter is that the FDA does not approve or reject cosmetics, like they do drug manufacturers seeking to be released to the marketplace. Even worse, the cosmetic industry is not required to "prove" anything besides being "safe when used as directed in the labeling or under usual customary conditions of use," as said by FDA spokeswoman, Stephanie Kwisnek.

Cosmetics need not be pre-approved before being released to the general public, conduct safety testing, nor are they required to provide proof of performance claims. Think about that. In fact, unless there is a major public outcry, or an onslaught of complaints about a product, the FDA pretty much keeps out of the industry all together.

There are however, self-regulated, voluntary boards, groups, policies and systems in place within the cosmetic industry to offer some guidance, but they are often viewed as "the fox guarding the hen house", as they have their own agenda, without "official" power to make sweeping changes.

There are also, environmental groups in place which seem to offer the most help, and united may lead to the kind of changes most women wish assume are already in place. For example, there are brand name cosmetics, with multi-million dollar corporations who include dangerous, red-flag, ingredients in their cosmetic line right now (January 2008). These include, but are not limited to: mercury found in eye-drops and mascara, lead reported in lipsticks, phthalates (potentially toxic synthetic components used in many industries, even outside of cosmetics) found in some nail polish, perfumes, and hair spray, parabens (known endocrine disrupters that may block hormonal activity within a woman's body as well as be potentially toxic found in many types of cosmetics, petrochemicals (literally a by-product of crude oil that is non-renewable), and many other ingredients most people don't even want to fathom.

So what's a woman to do, with all this danger lurking in the shadows of today's trusted brands? In a word, simplify. Find cosmetics that have fewer ingredients, and that are words that you recognize, preferably being all-natural. Open the cap and smell what's inside; if it smells like chemicals, odds are they're probably in there. Buy your cosmetics only from reputable people who are looking out for your best interests.

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Beauty and Purity - The La Claree Cosmetic Brand

The market share of organic beauty products have increased drastically over the last couple of years. New organic cosmetic brands are entering the market and some established cosmetic brands are starting to launch organic products as part of their offering. Consumers are more informed and they are starting to make decisions based on what is good for their health and the environment.

Deciding on the best organic cosmetic product to buy can be a daunting task and it is important to look at the approach, ethics, vision and background of an organic beauty product brand when comparing products. In this article we will be taking a closer look at the La Claree cosmetic brand.

The Claree River winds it way through an unspoiled and peaceful valley in France with snow capped mountains in the background. The beauty of this valley, with the Cleree river as the central point, is the inspiration behind the popular and well know La Claree brand of organic skin care products. Purity, beauty and ethics form the foundation of the La Claree brand and they have been able to create a range of beautiful skin care products that have become very popular with consumers of organic beauty products. None of the products or ingredients used is tested on animals and all of the suppliers of ingredients that are used in the products have to comply with strict quality standards.

La Claree is a member of the "For the Planet" organization and they contribute 1 percent of their yearly sales to the preservation of the natural environment. All of the products have been certified by Ecocert and are guaranteed to be free from petrochemicals, coloring, synthetic fragrances, GMO and parabens. The materials that are used for the packaging and promotional items are manufactured from recycled or recyclable materials to ensure that any impact on the environment is limited. The wood that is used to manufacture all of the paper required by La Claree is sourced from forests that is managed in a sustainable manner and that carries the Eco-label.

La Claree guarantees the quality and traceability of the raw ingredients used in the manufacturing processes of their range of products. Ingredients are sourced from suppliers that can prove that they employ ethical production methods that are focused on sustainability, bio-diversity and the protection of natural areas.

It is refreshing to find a company that believes in transparency, investing in sustainable agriculture, commitment to the environment and with strong ethics. La Claree is the real deal and their products are certified by Ecocert as safe to use and free of dangerous chemicals. Consumers can purchase any of the organic skin care products that are manufactured by La Claree without having to be concerned about the origins of the ingredients that are used. As consumers we have the ability to vote with our buying power and it is important that we support companies that are committed to creating a better future for humankind.

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Assessment of Philosophy Cosmetic Products

Philosophy cosmetics are a new line of makeup products from Philosophy, a skin care company that started by selling dermatological grade skin products to the public.

The cosmetics and makeup line of the brand is fairly new - so, what are some of the best products? What are some of the worst products? Are they worth the price? For the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Price

The cost of Philosophy cosmetics is comparable to most mid-level department store brands like Clinique, for example. On average, the products are about twice the price of a drugstore brand such as L'Oreal, but are generally well worth the extra price. For example, a lip stick will cost around $20, but the quality is great.

How Easy are the Products?

All the Philosophy makeup products are fairly straightforward to use. The company carries a small line of foundations, concealers, blush, lip makeup, eyes and brows, and basic accessories like brushes and blotting papers. The foundations are all powders, which might be a new experience for some customers, but they are still simple to use.

Cosmetic Quality

As a company that has won multiple Best of Sephora and Glamour Magazine Beauty awards, Philosophy is a brand that's committed to quality. Like their famous creams and cleansers, their cosmetic line is backed by years of medical research and the belief that looking great starts with great skin.

As for the color choices, Philosophy didn't take any risks here - the palette of their cosmetics is built around neutrals and soft tones intended to compliment the skin tone, not fight it. It's a classic look, but not very daring.

Products to Look For and Those to Avoid

Probably the best selling product in the Philosophy lineup is the Supernatural Foundation with an SPF 15 rating. It's a powder foundation that goes on smooth and provides both coverage and sun protection - making it a great choice for someone who wants a light finish.

Avoid the brow and mascara products in this line. Admittedly, the quality is there, but there are much better options from other brands. For example, Philosophy's Big Gorgeous Eyes Mascara doesn't give the length, curl or thickness that other brands in the same price range do - and for $22, you can do better.

The Final Word

In short, Philosophy cosmetics are a quality make. Women may want to stay away from the brow and mascara products, but they'll find a winner with the loose powder foundation. The selection is pretty limited, however the price is right and the overall quality is certainly there.

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