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