| The largest organ of the human body is the | | | | bacteria. Thus, our desire to sterilize the |
| skin. It protects our bodies from the | | | | skin also destroys beneficial bacteria, such |
| environment, maintains body temperature, | | | | as streptococcus mutans, and micrococcus |
| excretes waste matter, gives sensory | | | | luteus . Toners, for instance, are |
| information to the brain and regulates body | | | | beneficial in keeping bacterial populations |
| moisture. We think about our skin more than | | | | down, thus reducing acne flare-ups resulting |
| any other part of our bodies, and we manifest | | | | from microbes which invade and proliferate in |
| that attention by investing our emotions and | | | | the pores. Overuse of anti-microbial agents |
| about 6 to 20 % of our disposable income into | | | | can produce harmful results when too many |
| our skin (Lappe, 1996). It is worthy to | | | | beneficial bacteria are destroyed, allowing |
| consider, then, how cosmetic products affect | | | | pathogenic bacteria to multiply unchecked on |
| our skin. In this article the psycho-social | | | | the skin. The skin also produces |
| impact of cosmetics will be examined as well | | | | antimicrobial proteins, two of which are |
| as why cosmetics are deemed necessary. The | | | | called defensins and cathelicidins, which |
| physiology of skin, how cosmetics affect skin | | | | increase when the skin is damaged. |
| function and the effects of synthetic and | | | | Perspiration, necessary for the maintenance |
| natural cosmetic ingredients on the skin will | | | | of internal body temperature, also excretes a |
| also be considered.The Psycho-Social Impact | | | | germicidal protein called dermicidin to |
| of CosmeticsOur society is preoccupied with | | | | combat bacteria producing body odour. |
| the "culture of beauty" (Lappe, 1996) which | | | | Deodorants also assist in keeping the |
| includes the notion that our skin must always | | | | bacterial population down, thus decreasing |
| look young and appear free from blemish. Our | | | | the odours produced as they feed on the waste |
| psychological well-being is often closely | | | | matter excreted by the sweat glands. |
| enmeshed with perceptions of how our skin | | | | Research has shown that people who wash |
| appears to ourselves and others. We define | | | | excessively are more prone to infection and |
| our self-image to include the visible | | | | eczema as a result of 'washing" away natural |
| representation of our skin to others, so as a | | | | bacteria and germicides too frequently |
| result, it has become the "primary canvas on | | | | (Awake!, 2004).The Effect of Natural and |
| which our cultural and personal identity is | | | | Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients on the SkinA |
| drawn" (Lappe, 1996). Cosmetic companies set | | | | natural substance is any plant or animal |
| aside concepts of natural beauty so that | | | | extract, rock or mineral which is obtained |
| flaws such as large pores, fine lines and | | | | from the earth (Antczak, 2001). An artificial |
| wrinkles are brought to the fore, influencing | | | | or synthetic substance is a substance which |
| our spending habits in pursuit of flawless | | | | has been modified through chemical reactions |
| skin.In the animal kingdom, most male species | | | | in an industrial process (Antczak, 2001). We |
| are endowed with colourful physical | | | | use a myriad of cosmetics on our skin, but |
| attributes so that a less colourful, but | | | | before we use these beauty aids, three |
| wisely camouflaged female mate will be | | | | essential questions should be asked:- What is |
| attracted to it. Humans do not have | | | | the composition of the cosmetic?- Why is each |
| equivalent ornamentation, so women use | | | | ingredient used?- Do the ingredients have |
| cosmetics, specifically make-up, to decorate | | | | positive or negative effects on the skin and |
| their faces to attract prospective mates.The | | | | body? (See glossary at products claim to be |
| Need for CosmeticsA cosmetic is any substance | | | | safe or even may appear to be safe, but |
| which, when applied, results in a temporary, | | | | beyond the short-term benefits of using the |
| superficial change (Anctzak, 2001). We use a | | | | cosmetic, are there any long term effects |
| myriad of cosmetics on our skin, from | | | | from daily absorption of its use? Skin used |
| moisturizers to lipstick. Make-up alters our | | | | to be considered an impermeable barrier, but |
| visual appearance by enhancing our facial | | | | transdermal drugs have proven that the |
| features through the artistic application of | | | | opposite is true; the skin allows many |
| colour. It can beautify the face and be used | | | | substances to pass through its layers into |
| to express our sense of self to others. | | | | the bloodstream.Several factors affect the |
| Make-up can hide blemishes, scars, under-eye | | | | rate with which the skin will absorb various |
| circles or even out our skin tone. It can | | | | cosmetic ingredients. The condition of the |
| boost self-esteem, make us feel more | | | | skin, such as whether it is dry or damaged |
| attractive and increase our social | | | | will increase absorption. Cuts, acne or |
| acceptability in some social situations. | | | | abrasions also increase absorption. Other |
| Using make-up can contribute to a | | | | ways to absorb cosmetic ingredients is to |
| well-groomed image, which positively | | | | inhale them, such as with hairspray or talcum |
| influences our confidence, self-esteem, | | | | powder, or through the mucous membranes. |
| health and morale.Skin care cosmetics treat | | | | Moist substances are most readily absorbed |
| the surface layer of the skin by providing | | | | and powders are absorbed the least by the |
| better protection against the environment | | | | skin. Many products claim to address a skin |
| than skin left untreated. Creams treat the | | | | issue, such as acne or dry skin, but contain |
| skin's surface by imparting moisture to the | | | | ingredients which exacerbate these problems. |
| skin cells on the outermost layer of the | | | | For instance, acne treatments may contain |
| skin. It also forms a thin barrier which | | | | comedogenic, or pore-clogging ingredients. |
| traps moisture underneath, thereby preventing | | | | Creams that are supposed to treat dry skin |
| the evaporation of water from the skin's | | | | may actually strip the skin of its natural |
| surface. Creams also accelerate the | | | | oils which are useful in preventing dryness. |
| hydration of skin cells on the outer layer, | | | | Some contain chemicals which seep through |
| giving the skin a temporarily smooth, plump | | | | the skin and dissolve skin oils and defat the |
| appearance. Exfoliants improve the | | | | skin (Lappe, 1996). A growing trend is |
| appearance of the skin by sloughing away | | | | chemical sensitivity, which can develop at |
| flaky skin, blackheads and some dead skin | | | | any time, even after long term use of the |
| cells. Astringents improve skin tone and | | | | same product. The ingredients in many |
| texture by swelling the pore walls so dirt | | | | cosmetics cause 20% of the population (U.S. |
| and debris do not collect within. Soaps | | | | data, Erickson, 2002) to develop the symptoms |
| loosen particles of dirt and grime by | | | | of chemical sensitivity. Natural cosmetics |
| dissolving the greasy residue left on the | | | | emphasize more traditional skin treatments |
| skin from natural skin oils, creams and | | | | with few of these harsh effects, |
| make-up.The Physiology of the Skin and How | | | | acknowledging that short term beauty does not |
| Cosmetics Affect Skin FunctionSkin is made up | | | | balance with long term hazards to health.The |
| of three main layers: the epidermis, the | | | | health of the skin is dependent on sound |
| dermis and the hypodermis. The epidermis is | | | | nutritional practices, healthy living and |
| the only layer we can see with our eyes and | | | | effective, safe protection on its surface. |
| as we age, remarkable changes occur which are | | | | The organic make-up co. can help you achieve |
| hidden from our view. For instance, the skin | | | | healthy, radiant skin by offering a complete |
| gradually thins over time, especially around | | | | line of cosmetics and makeup composed of all |
| the eyes. Some cosmeceuticals can minimally | | | | natural ingredients, with no animal, |
| re-thicken the skin, but the process of | | | | synthetic or petroleum-based ingredients. |
| thinning is inevitable. Elastin and collagen, | | | | Our products are made fresh for you once we |
| located in the dermis keep the skin resilient | | | | receive your order, and contain preservatives |
| and moist, but with ageing these fibres break | | | | such as d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), |
| down to create lines and wrinkles. Exposure | | | | ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and other plant |
| to ultraviolet radiation accelerates this | | | | oils with anti-microbial properties.We invite |
| process, and since few cosmetics can actually | | | | you to give our natural products a try. Our |
| reach the dermis, the idea that a cosmetic | | | | cosmetics and make-up are developed on the |
| can reverse this process is unfounded. The | | | | basis of sound, scientific principles and the |
| best way to prevent fine lines and wrinkles | | | | physiology of the skin. Our products will |
| is to limit our exposure to the sun and | | | | convince you on their own merit, since they |
| ultraviolet radiation.The skin is a highly | | | | are natural, vegan, and an excellent |
| complex, dynamic tissue system. One square | | | | alternative to conventional make-up and |
| inch of the skin is composed of 19 million | | | | cosmetics.Please contact us at for further |
| cells, 625 sweat glands, 90 oil glands, 65 | | | | information.References:- Anctzak, Gina & |
| hair follicles, 19 000 sensory cells and 4 | | | | Stephen, Dr., (2001). Cosmetics Unmasked, |
| metres of blood vessels (Lappe, 1996). The | | | | Harper Collin, London.- Erickson, Kim, |
| outermost layer of the epidermis is called | | | | (2002). Drop Dead Gorgeous, Contemporary |
| the cornified layer, and is made of sheets of | | | | Books, USA.- Lappe, Marc Dr., (1996). The |
| keratin, a protein, and squames, dead, flat | | | | Body's Edge, Henry Holt & Co., New York.- |
| skin cells. It is our barrier against | | | | Purvis, Debbie, (1989). The Business of |
| dehydration from the environment. It receives | | | | Beauty, Wall & Thompson, Toronto.- Awake! |
| its primary supply of moisture from the | | | | Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New |
| underlying tissue, since constant contact | | | | York, Canada, February 8 2004.- Stryker has |
| from the external environment tends to dry | | | | been researching and developing all natural |
| out the skin's surface. When the skin is | | | | skin care and make-up for the purpose of |
| exposed to dry conditions, the cornified | | | | offering men and women safe, natural |
| layer can become dry, brittle, firm and if | | | | cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her |
| untreated, it can crack and lead to | | | | research a specialist in human biology from |
| infection. Creams create a waxy barrier to | | | | the University of Toronto, coupled with a |
| prevent dehydration and keep the skin moist | | | | professional home economics degree and an |
| and supple. Underneath the cornified layer | | | | education degree from the University of |
| lie six more layers of the epidermis | | | | British Columbia, fusing chemical and |
| responsible for cell generation. The life | | | | biological knowledge with food, family and |
| cycle of skin cells within this layer takes | | | | textile sciences.You may use this article but |
| approximately 28 days, so it may take three | | | | any modification or publication of this |
| to four weeks to observe any changes at the | | | | article for fiancial gain must be approved of |
| skin's surface from using a new cosmetic.The | | | | by the author. The author's name, Lori |
| skin surface is also home to millions of | | | | Stryker and her company's name, The Organic |
| healthy micro-organisms which increase our | | | | Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used. |
| immunity to pathogenic, or disease-causing | | | | |