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Because just about anything we put on our skin will end up in our bloodstream, we take ingredient safety very seriously at True Natural. Considering that women are exposed to 168 unique chemicals in cosmetics and skincare products every day and men are exposed to 85, we think that more awareness regarding ingredient safety is called for. That is the purpose of this blog – to share with you ingredient facts and concerns regarding hair and skincare products, in hopes that we all can make the most informed decisions possible for our health and the environment.

You have seen cosmetics labels reading "no animal testing" or "cruelty free". This is a good thing, of course, as none of us wants our personal care or beauty products to put an animals well being at risk. Lavera does not perform any animal testing – Lavera products are tested on human volunteers under dermatogist supervision.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that cruelty free is not synonymous with organic, natural, or non-toxic. While it is true that most manufacturers of natural beauty products are...

US versus European Cosmetic Safety Comparison

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

The two largest markets for cosmetics and personal care products are the US and the European Union (EU). And while there are similarities, safety regulations differ greatly between the two.

Cosmetics manufactured under the EU Directive are held to higher standards than those from the US, which are loosely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Discrepancies are most apparent in the areas of ingredient safety, testing guidelines and labeling.

Though it is commonly assumed that FDA regulates cosmetics the same as it does food and drugs, "FDA's legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency .... Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives." – taken from the FDA website.

Contaminants in Cosmetic Ingredients

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

So, you may know which ingredients are best avoided in cosmetic products. But many contain dangerous contaminants not listed on product labels.

A contaminant is a byproduct of chemical processing and not intentionally added to the product. Toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde and 1,4-Dioxane, are commonly found in products such as shampoo and baby wash with no mention on the product’s label. These chemicals are linked to cancer and other health problems.

Phthalates are plasticizers (a common industrial chemical used to make plastic softer and more flexible) and are found in everything from children's toys and bottles to i-pods and shower curtains, making them virtually impossible to avoid.

Phthalates are also commonly found in synthetic fragrances, though they will probably not be listed on the product label as such. If you see "fragrance", "perfume" or "parfum" listed on your perfume, body wash or laundry detergent, there is a high likelihood that it contains phthalates.

Top Ten Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

There are a number of ingredients very common in personal care products that we recommend you avoid. These are substances that are known irritants, allergens, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors or otherwise harmful to humans.

We've put together an Ingredient Watch list of substances to avoid. The top ten ingredients are listed below:

Genetically Modified Ingredients

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

Genetically modified organisms are frequently plants that have been modified by scientists working for large corporations to engineer new traits into a field crop. Wikipedia provides a wealth of information on the topic of GMO food. This US PIRG (the national lobbying office of the state Public Interest Research Groups) report provides extensive data on the GMO issues.

GMO crops pose a great risk o...

How are Lavera products preserved

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

We produce using pharmaceutical standards, reducing the possibility of contamination during the manufacturing process. Products are produced and filled in clean rooms. In addition, we utilize a proprietary blend of essential oils and vitamins to preserve the product and prevent bacterial growth. As a result, Lavera products have a 2-3 year shelf life from date of manufacture, without the use of pa...

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is found in most shampoos and toothpaste. It is a known skin irritant and is absorbed through the skin and retained in the heart, liver and brain for long periods of time. It can cause damage to the eyes, even when absorbed through the skin. Exposure can lead to coughing, headaches, nausea and vomiting. It is an ingredient of great concern for scientists, especially wh...

Mineral Oil & Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum)

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

Mineral oils listed as petrolatum (petroleum jelly) or C-18 derivatives are frequently used in personal care products such as lipsticks, lubricants, baby lotions and oils. They commonly contain contaminants that studies have linked to cancer. UCLA studies links "high levels of exposure to mineral oils to increased mortality and incidence of lung cancer, ... melanoma" Source: PubMed.com

Mineral oils...

Lead

Posted on in Ingredient Facts

NEWS UPDATE: FDA's own tests now confirm lead in all 20 lipsticks it tested!

Apply, lick off, and repeat. That’s what we as women do many times a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sure, it comes off on a glass, a friend’s cheek, a lover’s lips. But over the course of a lifetime, we swallow a fair amount of lipstick. Four pounds according to Glamour Magazine, six pounds according to urban lore, a...

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