YOUR BEST VALENTINES DAY GIFT FOR YOURSELF IS TO USE NATURAL COSMETICS

Here we are with our second week of my super challenge on cosmetic formula dissection.

Big question, is Mac a natural cream??? Is it safe for your skin, youur health and environment?

For this week# challenge I choose a product I know a lot of young women are using. It’s a very famous brand…wonderful marketing, beautiful business location for their stores, making it a great shopping experience…

As soon as I came back home, my first reflex has been to check on the label….ingredients…here you are…

Woooow!!!

Here is how my eyes are seing this label:

 19chemicals ingredients

12 health and skin threatening

13 vegetal ingredients

Just notice that they are very proud to translate the INCI (international name of cosmetic industry) name in English on the same line, it is kind of underlining the natural ingredients they are using…

Why are they not translating : plastic, silicone….?

I had the comments on my first week challenge dissection….my readers liked it…but….ok interresting to get all this informations hon…BUT boring….boring because all these synthetic ingredients.. .

Sorry girls…this formula is so long…and full of chemicals…

But actually, I agree, so I decided to make a short recap…just to let you know how this cosmetic could hurt your skin,…health…environment…

and on the bottom of this post is my FULL dissection of this Mac Fast Response Eye Cream…with scientific references and sources…links…

Short Story of my week #2 :dissection of Mac Fast Response Eye Cream

This cream is full of 19 synthetized substances. It is going from “only” hazardous for environment to “irritation risks”, or even  “carcinogen” risk (cancer)….or also presenting “genotoxicity” risks (modifying genetic reproductive cells)….

They use 12 vegetal substances. It doesn’t mean this vegetal oils or extracts are still “natural”, but this is another debate! Remember OGM’s…

My Natural recipe to realize a safe and natural anti puff eye cream DIY

To realize this recipe here is your shopping list for your raw material and equipment. If you need some help to find the products, please click on each link and don’t forget? I will come up with other recipes, and you will use your leftover of products:

– Measurement kit: syringe, 0.15 ml spoon and measuring tools or the perfect measurment spoons on Amazon.com

– Caffeine: 3 pinch spoons

-Bamboo Hydrosol: 10ml

-Vegetal Glycerine in CVS Pharmacy Stores: 9ml

–Pearl Powder on Amazon: 4 drop spoons

-Xanthane Gum on essential wholesale lab: 2.5 smigden spoon

-Grapefruit seed extract in Whole Food Market or in your local organic store: 20 drops

-1 drop of Magnolia essential oil

Sterilize your material, measure all your ingredients and mix the hydrosol with the caffeine powder, heat it in a “bain marie” and stir together, than add the xanthane gum, stir again and finish to add the rest of your ingredients. Mix. It is ready.

Allow your preparation to cool down before using.

I use this eye cream very often and I like the “fresh” feeling it gives…the circles around my eyes are reduced…

And now, as I promised, here is the MAC fast response eyecream ingredients review

All the scientific explanations you need to be understand this is an unsafe product to put on your skin…

Cyclomethicone

First and main ingredient is part of the “silicone” family.

Not toxic to your skin, it is however very important to underline the fact that this whole synthetized substance is coating perfectly your skin…or hair, and therefore, is obturating partially your pores. In clear words, used on a daily basis, this is not helping your skin to stay young. You also need to get an extremely good makeup remover…indeed this substance is like glue…staying on your skin for longer than you can imagine…

But this is only the “visible part of the iceberg”….this chemicals are not biodegradable and extremely stable…it means once it is synthetized, it will stay on the planet…forever…as a consumer, I am considering that aspect as a very important point.

Water

Of course…healthy ingredient 🙂

Polyethylene

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. 1,4-dioxane is also persistent. In other words, it doesn’t easily degrade and can remain in the environment.

While carcinogenic contaminants are the primary concern, PEG compounds themselves show some evidence of genotoxicity (polyethylene combined with Glycol are part of the PEG’s family
Products and formulas containing Polyethylene should not be used on broken or irritated skin because it has been proven that polyethylene is toxic for liver and kidneys …

Butylene Glycol

Butylene glycol is considered by EWG’s Cosmetic Database as Human irritant – strong evidence (only for products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized …

euuuhhhh, are we not dissecting an   eye cream cosmetic label???

No Comment!!!

Polysilicone-11

This silicone is helping to get a mat skin…but this is a synthetized chemical ingredient…

Please check above for informations on silicone endangering environment.

I have some good news…: we have other natural options…like bamboo powder for example…

Isocetyl Stearate

According to the cosmetic database, isocetyl is a synthetized substance helping cosmetic to soften the skin, and which is presenting a Human irritant – strong evidence (only for products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized…of course…used in an eyecream…by MAC

Cetyl Dimethicone

According to Environment Working Group database,   CETYL DIMETHICONE: this ingredient is a synthetic silicon-based polymer.

Function(s): Antifoaming Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent – Occlusive; EMOLLIENT.

Wow so much silicone in one only cosmetic!!!

Copolyol

This is a silicone commonly used in anti perspirant products…

Really???

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Plastic…plastic…and more petro chemicals…but that’s fine…it shouldn’t hurt you…unless you are exposing your skin to much to polymethyl methacrylate…(using some resin for your nails…aso)

Any way, not good for environment…so I wouldn’t like to use that ingredient.

Cucumis Sativus or Cucumber

Yes yes and yes…here we are…first  natural ingredients!!!

I love it!!!!

and here are the benefits of this cucumber extract: Cucumber extract has soothing effect on skin. It is composed of water, amino acids, proteins, lipids and vitamin c, great antioxidant that helps soothe, calm skin irritation…yeees now I understant…why they are using cucumber in their formula….to reverse the chemicals irritating actions…good idea. It also relieve puffy eyes… It also contains silica which helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines by tightening of collagen! 

Hellianthus Annuus or Sunflower

As I explained in my #week 1 challenge, sunflower is excellent for your skin. It has anti inflammatory benefits and contain beta carothene which is excellent for your skin.

Apple Fruit Extract or Pyrus Malus

Fresh’s Appleseed Brightening Essence contains apple fruit extract as well as apple and strawberry seed oils to nourish, protect and soften. The key active ingredient is a vitamin C derivative that claims to reduce dark spots over time and even out skin tone.

Good and natural…

Tritucum Vulgare Wheat Germ Oil

This is a natural vegetal oil. Wheat germ contains plenty of vitamin E. This vitamin serves as a powerful antioxidant that protects the wheat germ oil from becoming rancid too quickly. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can protect cell membranes.

Hordeum Vulgare Extract or Barley

Barley extract has antioxidant properties when ingested, but there is no research showing skin benefits.

I don’t see the point…but at least this is not bad for your skin, nor for environment….

Centella Asiatica

Is a wonderful plant extract….I use it in my anti-stretch mark creams and balms…

This is a natural ingredient too…

Lavendula Augustifolia or Lavender Oil

This is a great essential oil. I use it in almost all of my cosmetics, coupled with other essential oils of course. This oil is helping the renew of cells prduction…it is also a good antiseptic…

Yeast Extract

In relation to skin, there is limited information about how Yeast extract may provide a benefit. Live yeast-cell derivatives have been shown to stimulate wound healing (Source: Jama Surgery, May 1990, pages 641–646), but research about this is scant. Much of what is known about yeast’s effects for skin is theoretical, and concerns yeast’s tissue-repair and protective properties (Source: Global Cosmetic Industry, November 2001, pages 12–13) or yeast’s antioxidant properties (Source: Nature Genetics, December 2001, pages 426–434). As a skin-care ingredient yeast has potential, but what its function may be or how it would affect skin is not fully understood.

Tocopheryl Acetate

It is an antioxidant, which is in the family in vitamin E. It is commonly used in cosmetics, however it is showing strong evidence of skin toxicant or allergen on human skin according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments.

One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses according to the Environment Canada Domestic Substances List.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the fluid that bathes joints, in the vitreous humor of the eye and in the skin. It’s abundant in the dermis of young skin, but levels of this important compound decline with age.

It can come from animal substances or from vegetal substances. But the INCI name stayes the same.

I am using the vegetal version in my formulas. It’s hyaluronic acid coming from non GMO wheat…

Retinyl Palmitate

A study by U.S. government scientists suggests that retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight…

Squalane

Squalane is protecting the skin and is soothing it, it is great in cosmetics.. Squalane is found in some popular carrier oils, like for example Rice, bran, wheat germ, olive, but sometimes it is derived from shark liver oil!!!

No obligation for industry to  stipulate if it’s an animal or vegetal origin…

I am sometimes using squalane…only vegetal from olive oil…

Caffeine

This is perfect to treat puffy eyes or cellulite…waking up and stimulating your skin.

Working pretty well…and natural…

Propylen Glycol

Propylene glycol and butylene glycol are toxic ingredients that are no more or less worse than sodium lauryl sulfate. It is used by industry as wetting agents. Pleas check my comment on butylene glycol…

Dimethicone Copolyol

One more silicone…why not…there are already so much…if you don’t care for environment…you don’t…

Quaternium-18 Bentonite

Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful…

and you know what…I don’t even know what this is doing….probably one more….emollient…

Methyldihydrojasminate

Is a synthetized fragrance…

Propylene Carbonate

Is a solvent classified as irritant

Phytosphingosine

Is a skin conditionner from natural ingredients

Tetrasodium EDTA

Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative that’s made from the known carcinogen, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide according to Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol. A10  It is also a penetration enhancer, meaning it breaks down the skin’s protective barrier, going right into your bloodstream. Many companies trying to be “natural” will use Tetrasodium EDTA instead of parabens to preserve their products. In my opinion, Tetrasodium EDTA is just as bad.

Phenoxyethanol

Is a presarvative taking place for the now unfamous paraben…

This substance is now forbidden in cosmetics in Japan and many other countries…but not in the US….are we stronger???

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Last but not least…

The Cosmetic Database classifies Sodium Dehydroacetate to be a low hazard ingredient, although it is a known irritant and does have many listed concerns. The EWG notes cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, occupational hazards, and organ system toxicity as potential side effects, and has lesser concerns regarding neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells showed positive mutation results, and other animal studies showed endocrine system disruption, brain and nervous system, and reproductive effects at high doses. The European Union restricts workplace exposure to low doses, and classifies Sodium Dehydroacetate as toxic or harmful, especially when used around the mouth or lips. Wow, I was almost scared…we are fine here…this is to be used around our eyes…