The truth about cosmetics and skin care.

Talc

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:49:23 +0000

This is a mineral most commonly found in baby powder that gives a pleasant slippery feel. Application to the skin is safe, but prolonged inhalation is linked to lung cancer and application to female genitalia is linked to ovarian cancer.

Talc is not an irritant or an allergen.

It is also known as French chalk.

Calcium carbonate

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:45:18 +0000

This is an exfoliant with absorbent properties, sometimes used to make food and cosmetics whiter. It is also used as a filler in deodorants. It is the prime ingredient in Tums and serves as a gastric antacid and diarrhear medicine. Eggshells are made of 95% calcium carbonate.

Calcium carbonate is not an irritant or an allergen.

It is also known as chalk.

White tea

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:40:58 +0000

Read our entry on green tea to find out about all the benefits and uses of green and white tea. There is some evidence which suggests that white tea is far more effective than green tea. Unfortunately, most studies have been solely on green tea, so it is not certain at this point if white tea is more effective, less effective or the same as green tea. Until further study presents itself, we recommend using both green and white tea in your cup and on your face.

White tea is not an irritant or an allergen.

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Lush Sex Bomb Bath Bomb

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:27:46 +0000

This makes a fun an invigorating experience for some, but maybe it’s not for everybody. In bathwater, it fizzes up and produces a very strong, sexy scent, turning the bath water a vivid pink. Some hate it and feel that the smell is much too strong, while others love to be wrapped up in the musky jasmine scents.

Despite the company’s image, these products are not all natural. Not all the ingredients are gentle, either. Although there are some nourishing ingredients such as soy milk and rice starch, there are also some irritating ingredients, so we cannot recommend this for frequent use. Luckily, it’s the sort of product one reserves for a special night and for most people, it’s just fine for that. This is definitely not a product for those with sensitive skin or tendency to develop urinary tract infection.

Ingredients
Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Soya Milk, Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Synthetic Musk, Jasmine Absolute, Clary Sage Oil, Ylang Ylang, Perfume, Titanium Dioxide, Rice Paper Flower, FD&C Red No. 4, D&C Red No. 33

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D&C Red #33

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:20:34 +0000

This is a bluish red used in lipstics and blushers.

D&C Red #33 may cause allergic reactions for some.

It is also known as acid red 33.

FD&C red #4

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:18:20 +0000

This is a coal tar colourant which is banned from use in food due to the damage it can cause to bladders. It should not be used in the eye area.

FD&C red #4 may cause an allergic reaction for some.

Rice starch

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:13:53 +0000

This ingredient is made by grinding up parts of the rice plant, known as oryza sativa. It is mostly used in baby powders. It functions as an emollient (makes the skin feel soft), and forms a protective film on the skin. It can also soothe iritated and inflamed skin. Unfortunately, it can also clog pores.

Rice starch can cause allergic reactions for some.

Titanium dioxide

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:06:58 +0000

This is a mineral with mild broad spectrum sunscreen properties, also used to thicken and whiten. It is a good ingredient to find in make up or moisturizer as it can give extra protection from both UVA (wrinkle-causing) and UVB (burn-causing) rays. A product with this ingredient should not be used alone for a sunscreen unless it also contains mexoryl or tinosorb. Like all sunscreen ingredients that protect from UVA rays, it has the unfortunate drawback of leaving a white cast on the skin. It is very gentle for sensitive skin.

Titanium dioxide is not an irritant or an allergen.

Ylang Ylang

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:59:24 +0000

A fragrance with a delicate, custard-like scent.

Ylang ylang can be an irritant and may cause allergic reactions for some.

It is also known as cananga odorata.

Clary sage

leodora — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:56:21 +0000

This is a fragrance with an unusual spicy scent that some people love and some people hate.

Clary sage is not an irritant or an allergen.

It is also known as clary or salvia sclarea.