Beauty babes beware

I'm a sucker for a shiny lipgloss and hair treatment as much as the next gal, and if you've been reading this here bloggie, you'll know I'm also trying to give up the baddies of the beauty world. Because really, cancer just isn't worth it. But the big brands have the money and the talent to make the most incredible - and incredibly alluring - products, advertise them to the hilt and sell them at (mostly) reasonable prices. Who can compete?

This morning I was flipping through Dr Frank Lipman's excellent book, Spent? End Exhaustion & Feel Great Again. Here are some shocking facts from his book that may just leave you spinning... and heading past the staggeringly gorgeous billboards and straight for the organic skincare counter.
I hope.

* Up to 60% of what you put on your skin can end up in your bloodstream
* I'm moving to France: in 2005 a directive passed by the European Union mandated that chemicals determined to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins be removed from cosmetics sold in Europe
* Although the American cosmetics industry asserts that its products are safe, 89% of the ingredients used in cosmetics have not been assessed by either the FDA or the industry itself
* Phthalates and parabens, used as preservatives, have been banned in Europe since 2003. Both have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer
* Fragrances in products covers about 4,000 different ingredients. Most are synthetic and are either cancer-causing or otherwise toxic. Exposure to them has been shown to affect the central nervous system
* Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly. Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. Essentially, it's a petrochemical that covers your skin, stopping your skin cells from breathing, absorbing or excreting. This slows the skin's natural cell development, causing skin to age prematurely. Mineral oil with added fragrance is sold as baby oil and is 100% bad for you... and for baby
* Talc is related to asbestos, a known carcinogen, and is the main ingredient in baby powder, medicated and perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Links have been made with ovarian cancer in women who use it in the genital area

Do your health, skin and kids a favour... check out your faves here: cosmeticdatabase.com