A BRIEF NOTE ON SYNTHETIC COSMETICS

Synthetic cosmetics cannot be rejected across the board as "inferior" cosmetics, however there are significant arguments for preferring pure natural cosmetics. Skin Care Links About Skin Care Benefits of Essential Oils deep's Raw Materials deep's Vitamins deep's Natural Skin Care deep's Skin Care Range Most synthetic cosmetics contain artificial preservatives that impair or even eliminate the effectiveness of any natural substances they may contain. Many of these preservatives are known to damage the skin's flora. They promote aging of the skin by reducing its water-absorbent capacities. As they penetrate the skin's layers these preservatives remove the skin's elasticity. The wrinkles resulting from this process are then likely to be treated with some anti-aging cream that is equally likely to contain harmful preservatives. The dilemma, of course, is that commercially produced products need a preservative to last, plus a disinfecting agent is needed since germs can form once the product is opened. However, there are less aggressive, naturally based preservatives and anti-microbal agents available, but at a higher cost. Any soap or foaming product, shampoo, bubble bath etc is likely to have a drying effect on the skin. To compensate for the negative effect, oils must be added to replace those lost. The same negative consequences apply to the chemical dyes and fragrances used in the cosmetic industry. Studies in Europe have found that the skin can only absorb 10% of most synthetic creams. This is partly because of the mineral oil they contain that cannot be dissolved by our skin fats and partly because large molecules such as collagen and elastin cannot penetrate the upper layer of skin (liposomes and essential fatty acid do penetrate the skin). Therefore 90% of synthetic cosmetics do not penetrate the skin and only act as a protective layer. The promise held out by certain collagen-containing products can only be temporary as the large molecules can not penetrate the skin, and sit there until the next time the skin is washed.