January 5, 2020

DANGEROUS COCKTAIL

I’ve paid 73 euro for an eye cream to feed my skin and body with a dangerous cocktail:

PETROLATUM: Carcinogen potential, petroleum derivate

CERESIN: Carcinogen potential, petroleum derivate

BENZYL SALICYLATE: Endocrine disruptor potential, Allergen, fragrance

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate: Irritant, Not biodegradable

TRISODIUM EDTA: could increase the absorption and toxicity of substances with negative health effect, Pollutant/contaminant

How would you feel by realizing that you put on your face petroleum derivative? I was shocked!!!

PETROLEUM DERIVATIVES ACCUMULATE IN THE BODY AND ARE NOT ELIMINATED

I went further and have learnt that mineral oils like Petrolatum and Ceresin may contain problematic residues. They can act as genotoxic carcinogens which promote the development of cancers and damage DNA.

Ceresin accumulates particularly in the lymph nodes and liver and can cause inflammatory reactions which effects are unknown. Once accumulated, it stays in the body. It is not eliminated!

This is not all. The eye cream also contained benzyl salicylate, a fragrance substance that is suspected to be endocrine disruptor.

COSMETICS POLLUTE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR BODIES

PEG-30 is an irritant and is not biodegradable. It remains in the environment, where it can be ingested by other organisms. Since we are one whole and one ecosystem, don’t we pollute our bodies back?

HOW TO “READ” AND DECRYPT COSMETIC INGREDIENTS?

When I scanned this eye cream with a specialized app, Yuka, it has got a grade of 6 out of 100 possible. It means that it is almost at the lowest possible level in terms of health impact. It is doing more harm than good to my health and the environment. And I used to pay for that cream 73 euro per box of 15 ml!

I share with you screenshots from the app Yuka with detailed description of the ingredients and sources of the information. You could have other apps in your countries and each of them could apply own methodology. Once we have access to relevant information and learn how to read cosmetic labels, each of us can judge and decide on whether accepting the reality or changing.

What is inside your creams? Are you able to “read” and decrypt what is behind the ingredients indicated on the cosmetic label? Which are potential impact on health and environment?

The info on ingredients used for cosmetic is also public and available on European Union Commission official sites.

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/cosmetics/

It is indicated that “Regardless of the manufacturing processes or the channels of distribution, cosmetic products placed on the EU market must be safe. …. A special database with information on cosmetic substances and ingredients, called Cosing, enables easy access to data on these substances, including legal requirements and restrictions”.

In fact, it is not easy at all to find the information in an aggregated way like Yuka does. After navigating the official website of the European commission found on Petrolatum below table.

I could understand that may be legally there are substances for which we do not have yet enough studies to prove the negative effects or the quantities allowed to be used in one cream are not significant.

ENLIGHTNING LEARNING

From my point of view: Petrolatum is mentioned on 2nd position after water as ingredient on my eye cream package. It means there is a significant quantity since manufacturers should indicate the ingredients in descendent order in terms contained %. Once I use the cream 2 times per day during years of my life, doubtful substances are accumulated, can not be eliminated and the body becomes a trash can?

From environmental impact point of view, these ingredients are synthetic. While manufactured, the environment is polluted and then once obtained and used, they are not biodegradable.

WHAT TO DO? ACCEPT OR ACT?

This is the way I felt when my transformation journey started. I have tried to find a “clean” product on the market to replace my eye cream. You can read more on my journey in About Me on my blog.

Eventually, I realized that I should not wait others to change and have to start changes with myself.

I have started making myself the cosmetics and wherever possible from organic ingredients and in respect of environment.

When I look at the ingredients of the cosmetic products I used before and compare with what I do now, I feel shifting from complex to simple.

What have I done initially to replace this eye cream? There are simple organic ingredients available in shops/pharmacies. They also cost less while calculating per package or per unique dosage applied.

NATURAL ORGANIC EYE CARE

I have discovered for skin around the eyes the organic rose vegetable oil and organic avocado vegetable oil. I often apply these oils, specially over the night, instead of a home made eye cream. I alternate them. Rose oil is hydrating, revitalising and renewing skin. Avocado oil softens and smoothens the skin.

This was a simple way to start shifting to a healthy habit for myself and in harmony with the nature.

With the time, I have learned how to make by myself eye cream in “solid” and “liquid” forms. I have attended specialized courses, practiced and found my formulas that actually have visible effects.

DO YOU ALSO CARE? JOIN THE JOURNEY!

I enjoy a lot my journey! I am looking for those who are not indifferent to which “food” they use for the body and also for those who care about their impact on environment. If you are one of them, I invite you joining the journey or forward the info to people for whom you consider that it might be relevant.

Let’s discover, share and learn quicker together than each of us individually. Together we can generate movement and make an impact that matters and that is greater than each of us alone!