I received a newsletter from Gwyneth Paltrow's mailing list recently:
Dear Friend,
It’s a well-known fact that lead is toxic, especially to children. But did you know it could be lurking in your lipstick, eye shadow or shampoo?!
Most people mistakenly believe that the personal care industry is highly regulated. It’s not. At all. Companies are not even required to say on the label whether a product contains lead – no matter how much is in it!
The number one question I am asked is how people can avoid chemicals in their cosmetics.
I always preface my response with the statement: "I think consumers should have access to well formulated, safe to use, and effective cosmetics." This is a statement I stand behind 100%. I am absolutely not a subscriber to the the "chemicals are bad" bandwagon that permeates the industry today.
And that means it is time for my annual sunscreen lecture. Yes, my friends are sick of me warning about sun tanning, sun exposure, avoiding excessive light exposure, proper protection when out of doors . . . . . . . .
Yes, yes all my dear friends; I hear you - but I will continue to lecture.
Here's why proper skin protection should be taken more seriously:
1. Skin Cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in North America at 3.5 million new cases every year.
By far and away the very first thing consumers do when evaluating a new cosmetic product is smell the emulsion. Smell is a powerful sense, and fragrance elicits so many emotional responses. Cosmetics companies know that consumers respond to fragrances in a way that compels them to shop. One of the most researched (for marketing ability) ingredient categories is fragrance. Last year, I read a report on how Biotherm spent literally millions of dollars to develop the fragrance used in their Skin Vivo line. The fragrance was developed to make consumers think of youth when smelling it.
