Hooked on Pinterest?

I'll bet you have found Pinterest and am as hooked as I am, right?  For the past few months I have been scouring that site, looking at other pin boards and repinning my heart out.  It has taken me this long, but I have finally started my Green Beauty pin board chock full of all my faves.  Check it out!

I will continue to add to it, as that is just a teensy fraction of what I really love in organic/natch cosmetics.  And, yes, I will be adding a Pin It! button to my site in the near future.  Hope you like :)

Pinterest Logo via Pinterest.com

Gluten Free Cosmetics

You have probably heard of, or know someone who eats, a gluten-free diet. This means eliminating wheat products from the diet, and often oats, rye, and barley too. These four grains contain a protein, called gliadin, responsible for the unwanted symptoms intolerance to the protein can produce.

There are three gliadin-associated conditions that benefit from a gluten-free diet: Celiac Disease is a permanent intolerance to gliadin, and continued consumption of the protein results in an immune system reaction. Gluten-intolerance most often presents as digestive issues after consuming foods containing wheat or gluten. Wheat allergies are fairly common and cause allergic type reaction; rash, swelling, wheezing, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

It is also important for those with Celiac Disease, or gluten or wheat intolerance, to use cosmetics and personal care products that are gluten-free. Because our skin is very absorbent, products containing gluten can trigger a reaction in some people. Products made for lips and face (lipstick, balm, facial creams) are the biggest concern.

To avoid gluten in cosmetics, look for products labeled “Gluten-free” and familiarize yourself with the most common gluten-containing cosmetic ingredients. The following is a good starting point, taken from Go Gluten Free Gracefully.com:

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
Triticum Vulgare Extract
Triticum Vugare Lipids
Wheat Germ Extract
Wheat Germ Glycerides
Wheat Germ Oil
Oat (Avena Sativa) Oil
Oat (Avena Sativa) Extract
Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract
Vitamin E- Derived From Wheat
Semino Peptide Complex
Dextrin
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Fermented Grain Alcohol
Barley Extract
Barley Lipids

Vitamin E appears on the list because it can be sourced from wheat germ.  However, many cosmetics manufacturers denature their wheat germ to remove the gliadin, making it safe for use by those with gluten intolerance.  If you spot wheat germ or Vitamin E (Tocopherol) on an ingredient listing, check to see if the label says it has been denatured or is gluten-free.

For a more extensive list of gluten-containing cosmetic ingredients, go to Naturally Dahling.com.

Many nontoxic cosmetic lines carry products that are gluten-free. Love True Natural.com carries several gluten-free products. 100% Pure, Dr. Hauschka, Hamadi, Pangea Organics, and Badger all make products free from gluten too. I will add to this list as I come across other brands.

Image:  RaeAllen at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Organic Cosmetic Review: Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara

As we’ve covered before, nothing quite completes your look like a truly great mascara. And now I have another fave to add to my list.

While I have tried many Dr. Hauschka products, all pure and high-performance, I had never tried much of their makeup line. Well, now I have and I must say Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara is a keeper.

My main requirement for a fabulous mascara is good consistency. Nothing too water, but definitely not cakey. This one is the perfect in-between – thick, rich and glossy with no clumping or skidding. Main requirement met.

The other thing I love about this mascara is the brush. I know that many mascaras these days include a wand with a teensy, tiny brush, said to better coat every little lash. Well, give me a big, fat brush any day. This baby coats, lengthens and adds a big, fat lush fringe. Love it!

Made with natural mineral pigments, Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara comes in three hues: golden green, aubergine, pearl anthracite (a dark grey), and (of course!) black. Dr. Hauschka has added beeswax and plant waxes to this mascara to give it that glossy look and feel, and silk powder for a plumping effect. Neem leaf extract strengthens lashes. And somehow they have even managed to make a mascara smell Dr. Hauschka-y…that fresh, soft scent.

Get yourself a Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara at Saffron Rouge. You won’t be sorry you did.

Image courtesy Saffron Rouge

True Natural Winner

We have a winner!  Carrie* will receive a True Natural Advanced Lift & Firm Serum for entering my giveaway.  Congratulations to Carrie, and a big thank you to everyone who submitted their favorite anti aging tip. 

Have a great weekend!

*randomly selected at random.org

Image:  A Dose of Ship Boy at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Preservatives: Natural v Synthetic

Ever wonder why some cosmetic products contain natural preservatives, others parabens, still others none at all?


If a product is water based (like cleansers, shampoos and some lotions) it has the potential for the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast. Preservatives are used to limit microbial and bacterial growth in a product, which is very important. A contaminated cosmetic product can cause skin irritation, acne and infection.

It is not safe or necessary to use synthetic preservatives, but avoiding them may be more difficult than you would think. Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetic and food products. Although more research is needed to understand the full depth of the dangers of using parabens, there is enough data to justify great concern. Parabens are believed to mimic estrogen in our bodies, and they have been found in the tumors of breast cancer patients. While it is not believed that parabens are the cause of breast cancer, researchers now know that they can be absorbed by our skin and accumulate in breast tissue, and because of their estrogenic properties, could accelerate tumor growth.

While there are set limits on the concentration of parabens that can be used in a cosmetic product, manufacturers can still use more than one paraben in a product. If you are using several paraben-containing products each day this can add up to significant exposure to these toxic synthetics…daily.

Is paraben-free the answer? Cosmetic and personal care products labeled “paraben-free” seem to be everywhere these days, but this does not necessarily mean they are free from synthetic preservatives. There are other toxic preservatives that are not parabens but are just as bad for you, if not more so, like formaldehyde and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT). See the Ingredients to Avoid list for more information on these ingredients.

The bottom line is, if a product requires a preservative to be safe for use, the preservative cannot simply be removed. The product would either need to be reformulated to be made stable without the use of a preservative, or a different (nontoxic) preservative would need to be substituted for the synthetic. If a cosmetic product maker goes to the trouble of reformulating or starts using a natural preservative, you can be sure they will want consumers to be aware of this and say so on their packaging. If the product only says “paraben-free” check the label to see what they are using to preserve the product.

Certain plant and essential oils, herbal extracts and vitamins are natural preservatives. Packaging in tubes and pump bottles helps in the preservation of a product, as does the use of the purest ingredients. Many natural cosmetic manufacturers have developed their own unique and effective preservation systems.

It is important to remember that preservatives are needed to keep certain products safe for use. But there are safer, healthier alternatives to synthetic preservatives.

Image:  Picture Wendy at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

What's your take on calcium?...http://feelgoodstyle.com/2012/02/10/got-calcium/

Natural v Synthetic Fragrance

With natural cosmetics, fragrance is an issue all its own. There is synthetic fragrance = bad for your health, gives you a headache... And there is natural fragrance = healthy, aromatherapy benefits… But finding out whether your products are made with synthetic or natural fragrance is not always as simple as reading the ingredient listing.

The article I wrote last week on Primavera Life products spurred some reader questions on fragrance -- their's is listed as "fragrance (parfum)". We have been conditioned to believe that fragrance or parfum are all and always synthetic. Not true. Manufacturers of nontoxic cosmetics can also label their fragrance (from essential oils) as fragrance or parfum.

Why would they do this rather than listing out the healthy essential oils they use in their products? To protect their signature scent.

A trade secret loophole allows cosmetics makers to work around disclosure laws and keep their fragrance blends a secret by using fragrance, parfum or perfume on their ingredient listings, synthetic or natural. Many nontoxic brands will add a footnote clarifying their use of essential oils for fragrance, but not all. And don’t be fooled by a product claiming to be unscented or fragrance-free. Many synthetic fragrances can mask other fragrance. The product may have no noticeable odor but can still be packed with a bunch of nasty chemicals.

Obviously, this makes it much more complicated to determine whether or not the products you plan to use are made with chemical fragrance or pure essential oils. If you can not find any information on a product label or brand website regarding their use of fragrance ingredients, do not be afraid to contact the company and ask what ingredients they use for fragrance.  I did so with Primavera Life and was told that they use all natural fragrance ingredients in their products.

Let’s cover some of the facts on fragrance…

What are synthethetic fragrance ingredients? Synthetic fragrance is usually a combination of many different ingredients. These ingredient cocktails can cause allergic reactions; including headache, dizziness, and rash, and have also been linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and cancer. Children tend to be particularly sensitive to them.

What are natural fragrance ingredients? Pure essential oils, plant and flower extracts, and floral hydrosols are all used to lend scent to cosmetic products. These are much safer than synthetic fragrance ingredients and, depending on which oils and extracts are used, can even provide health benefits like soothing stressed skin and mind, invigorating mind and body, or working as a preservative.

INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) Labeling: This cosmetic ingredient labeling standard is used in Europe and Canada, and requires full ingredient disclosure. Cosmetic ingredients are listed by scientific names, ie Jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil). INCI requires essential oils used as scent ingredients be listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”.

CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) Labeling: The US cosmetic ingredient labeling standard is comprised of over 600 personal care companies, and is therefore self-policing. Ingredients are listed using common English names.

Image:  Picture Wendy at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Read the helpful comments I got on this article on raw food...http://feelgoodstyle.com/2012/02/02/raw-food-diet-yes-or-no/#comments

Organic Cosmetic Review: Primavera Life

Alrighty, today let's review some products!

These are from the lovely Primavera Life, one of the first companies on my radar when I started out in the organic cosmetics biz a long time ago.  Primavera is the epitome of pure and natural.  After 25 years of making organic skin care and personal care products, they have it down. 

Here is my report on the company and their products, reposted from Feelgood Style ~

When it comes to nontoxic skin care, Primavera is the cream of the crop. High-quality, super-effective, pleasant-to-use products. You can practically feel the purity when you use them.

Well, Primavera does not stop with making fabulous organic skin care. No, this company is also fair trade and carbon-neutral.

For the past 25 years the German Primavera Life has been dedicated to creating pure, plant-based skin care and partnering with independent fair trade growers around the world. And last year they opened their new innovative, carbon-neutral headquarters.

Primavera Life is “Germany’s first administrative and production facility of its size to systematically use sustainable building practices, while also considering feng shui and energy flows to foster productivity. When all sustainability initiatives are in full swing, the entire facility is set-up to be carbon neutral.”

Cool, huh?

The entire Primavera range is certified as natural and organic by NaTrue, a stringent certifying body of organic and natural cosmetics. Primavera products use the highest percentage of certified organic ingredients available, are never tested on animals, and packed in enviro-friendly packaging.

Primavera skin care consists of three product lines; Moisturizing, Revitalizing and Balancing. I sampled the Sage Grape Seed Gel Cleanser from the Balancing line, and Neroli Cassis Protective Lotion from the Moisturizing line. The Gel Cleanser is very light and not at all irritating, even on my sensitive skin. The Protective Lotion is lightly hydrating and leaves skin soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom.

The range also includes Body Care (body wash, body lotion and body oils), Wellness mists made with essential oils, and Air Sprays and essential oil blends for Home.

Image: Primavera Life.com