Jax
02-04-2010, 02:53 PM
Firstly I will agree that we should all be eating as healthily as possible to help our skin reach it's maximum potential, and that in turn gives us our natural beauty. But for some of us, we may need a helping hand with perhaps some of our mitakes in our previous more unhealthy life ;)
Obviously the safest products are those that are as natural as possible and contain no chemicals, are raw, and we'd like products that aren't tested on animals, is ethical and has as least packaging as possible. So ideally we'd all be making our own products like James Wong - Grow Your Own Drugs (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917566525&ref=search&sid=100000360413036.4112466215..1&v=info#%21/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=58917566525) (although some ingredients/processes aren't raw), and whenever I come across any natural 'recipes' I put them up on this section, to hopefully help people out. But not everybody can afford the time or have the ability to grow many plants and then make preparations etc, so ideally I'd like to see a network of people who make their own preparations, swapping with others who make something that they don't, but this can be problematic with the realms of health and safety when something may go wrong.
If you don't have the ability to gow or make your own skincare regime and don't know of anybody or a small business local to you who is catering to your needs, you're pretty much left with the internet or local shops. The internet can be a good tool to source what you want, but sometimes you don't get the information that you want or are unsure about the companies ethics, don't hesitate to email them if you feel strongly about a point not being catered for, 9 times out of 10 you will get an answer that will help with your decision. As for products in shops, if it's an independent then ask, if it's a chain you'll probably have to rely on the labelling and then back it up with some online research or again email them!
To help with research purposes for established products, I've compiled the following list of sites that are readily accessible;
Safe Cosmetics UK (http://www.safecosmetics.co.uk/)
Good Guide (http://www.goodguide.com/)
Cosmetics Data Base - Skin Deep (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/)
Paula's Choice - The Cosmetic Cop (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn-paulas-choice.aspx)
Derm Doctor (http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter108.asp) - explains why certain chemicals are added
Insignia Labs (http://www.clinicares.com/notusing.html) - list of possible skin irritants
Better Healthy Skin (http://www.betterhealthyskin.com/lets-talk-cosmetics-james-e-fulton-jr-md-phd.aspx)- aimed at acne
Organic Consumers Organisation (http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm)
Fairtrade Foundation (http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/beauty_products/beauty_products/beauty_products/beauty_products_qa.aspx)
BUAV (http://www.buav.org/)
PETA (http://www.peta.org.uk/)
If anyone knows of any other links that would be helpful with this topic please do post them for others, many thanks.
Obviously the safest products are those that are as natural as possible and contain no chemicals, are raw, and we'd like products that aren't tested on animals, is ethical and has as least packaging as possible. So ideally we'd all be making our own products like James Wong - Grow Your Own Drugs (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917566525&ref=search&sid=100000360413036.4112466215..1&v=info#%21/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=58917566525) (although some ingredients/processes aren't raw), and whenever I come across any natural 'recipes' I put them up on this section, to hopefully help people out. But not everybody can afford the time or have the ability to grow many plants and then make preparations etc, so ideally I'd like to see a network of people who make their own preparations, swapping with others who make something that they don't, but this can be problematic with the realms of health and safety when something may go wrong.
If you don't have the ability to gow or make your own skincare regime and don't know of anybody or a small business local to you who is catering to your needs, you're pretty much left with the internet or local shops. The internet can be a good tool to source what you want, but sometimes you don't get the information that you want or are unsure about the companies ethics, don't hesitate to email them if you feel strongly about a point not being catered for, 9 times out of 10 you will get an answer that will help with your decision. As for products in shops, if it's an independent then ask, if it's a chain you'll probably have to rely on the labelling and then back it up with some online research or again email them!
To help with research purposes for established products, I've compiled the following list of sites that are readily accessible;
Safe Cosmetics UK (http://www.safecosmetics.co.uk/)
Good Guide (http://www.goodguide.com/)
Cosmetics Data Base - Skin Deep (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/)
Paula's Choice - The Cosmetic Cop (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn-paulas-choice.aspx)
Derm Doctor (http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter108.asp) - explains why certain chemicals are added
Insignia Labs (http://www.clinicares.com/notusing.html) - list of possible skin irritants
Better Healthy Skin (http://www.betterhealthyskin.com/lets-talk-cosmetics-james-e-fulton-jr-md-phd.aspx)- aimed at acne
Organic Consumers Organisation (http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm)
Fairtrade Foundation (http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/beauty_products/beauty_products/beauty_products/beauty_products_qa.aspx)
BUAV (http://www.buav.org/)
PETA (http://www.peta.org.uk/)
If anyone knows of any other links that would be helpful with this topic please do post them for others, many thanks.