Health statistics

What do health statistics say about the effect of chemicals on teen skin and teen health?

Adolescent Health Statistics and Cosmetic Chemicals Research

An Environmental Working Group (EWG) study on 20 teenage girls aged 14 to 19 in the USA revealed 16 hormone-altering chemicals present in the bodies of the girls. These chemicals are commonly found in cosmetics and personal body care products and according to laboratory tests, are capable of disrupting the hormone system.

An independent study by Friends of the Earth found nanoparticles present in all 10 randomly selected cosmetic foundations. According to an About.com article, nano particles are ultra-small particles that can penetrate cell membranes and integrate themselves into larger molecules. They can resist cellular defense systems but are large enough to interfere with cell processes.

EWG has condemned nanoparticle cosmetics as the modern equivalent of lead and arsenic face powders. Of the 10 cosmetic foundations analyzed, only one disclosed the presence of nanoparticles on its label. Seven of the 10 contained "penetration enhancers" which enable the nanoparticles to reach beyond superficial skin layers into organs, tissues and bloodstream.

Two significant issues stand out in the EWG study.

One, teenage girls use more personal care products each day than the average adult woman.

Two, because teenagers are in the dramatic process of transitioning to a fully mature adult body, they are particularly vulnerable to low levels of hormone-active chemicals found in daily personal care products.

Indeed, over the last 40 years, teenage girls in USA have been reaching puberty earlier and earlier. Half are showing signs of breast development by the time they reach 10 years of age, and the mean age of menstruation has fallen from 12.8 years to between 12.1 and 12.6 years (depending on ethnicity). The clinical definition of precocious puberty was revised in 1999 from 8 to 7 years for white girls, and from 7 to 6 years for black girls.

Faced with these observations, how should ethical individuals and organizations respond?

Are there Alternative Beauty Products, Personal Care Products, or Cleaning Products we can Trust?

Thankfully, the answer is yes.

More and more companies are responding to people's concern about their health and making personal and body care products that claim to be natural and organic and to contain no harmful chemicals. There are organic beauty products and natural beauty products that claim to be paraben-free and petrochemical free.

While this is a welcome move away from cosmetic chemicals, be cautious. Never take a product at face value. Always look for the third party Certified Organic logo (e.g. USDA Organic, Australian Certified Organic) to make sure a product that claims to be organic has been audited by a reputable third party and is entitled to call itself an organic product.

There are companies that water down the meaning of organic (this is called "green washing") and confuse the ordinary user. For instance, they equate the (synthetically obtained) derivative of a natural substance as being natural and as "good" as the source. As one reputable manufacturer of certified organic products explains, this is like saying vodka is organic because vodka is derived from potatoes!

There is so much information, misinformation and misleading information out there about alternative beauty products and personal care products and health statistics.

If you want to protect your health and the health of your children and grandchildren, the first step in the right direction is to switch to certified organic for as much of your daily routine as you are able.

The smaller your body burden, the fewer harmful chemicals your body has to work to eliminate. This gives you and your children and grandchildren a greater chance of many long, happy, healthy years together.

Study the health statistics for yourself, and see if you come to the same conclusion.

If you do, you will agree that there is a safer and healthier alternative to the lifestyle products you are using: Certified Organic Skin Care, Organic Hair Care, Organic Makeup

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