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