Comments on: Don’t Be Tricked By Cosmetic Ingredient Lists http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/ Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:38:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: scatter brain http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-20057 scatter brain Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:21:34 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/#comment-20057 So in other words, the quality of the actual ingredient may be in question, not just whether or not the product contains an efficacious amount? (see, in the marketing world, I've never been "privy" to that information) It seems the FDA or the FTC would have some sort of standardization for raw ingredients. I'm assuming this would apply to herbal supplements as well. You mean the Omega 3s I've been taking might be nigh on next to worthless? Shoot...now I have to go geek out and do research. I can't stand not knowing stuff. [mad face] So in other words, the quality of the actual ingredient may be in question, not just whether or not the product contains an efficacious amount? (see, in the marketing world, I’ve never been “privy” to that information) It seems the FDA or the FTC would have some sort of standardization for raw ingredients.

I’m assuming this would apply to herbal supplements as well. You mean the Omega 3s I’ve been taking might be nigh on next to worthless? Shoot…now I have to go geek out and do research. I can’t stand not knowing stuff. [mad face]

]]> By: thebeautybrains http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-20054 thebeautybrains Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:13:59 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/#comment-20054 Great point picaloflapjack. Great point picaloflapjack.

]]> By: picaloflapjack http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-20053 picaloflapjack Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:00:14 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/#comment-20053 The other problem not mentioned in the article above, is that many different suppliers of an ingredient may have different specifications and different actives within it. Let me explain, by taking the example of aloe vera, used a lot in personal care products. In the ingredients list of a product, you would see "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice", but this name covers more than a hundred different ingredients from different parts of the world, some of which are concentrated by removing water (so they may be further down the listing than a more dilute product), some are measured and standardised for their actives while others are just cheap juice. At the moment, unless you are within the industry and can find out the specific supplier of an ingredient, there is no way to know the quality of an active, other than trusting the manufacturer and (in Europe) being sure that any claims made for the ingredient are supported by tests. The other problem not mentioned in the article above, is that many different suppliers of an ingredient may have different specifications and different actives within it.
Let me explain, by taking the example of aloe vera, used a lot in personal care products.
In the ingredients list of a product, you would see “Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice”, but this name covers more than a hundred different ingredients from different parts of the world, some of which are concentrated by removing water (so they may be further down the listing than a more dilute product), some are measured and standardised for their actives while others are just cheap juice.
At the moment, unless you are within the industry and can find out the specific supplier of an ingredient, there is no way to know the quality of an active, other than trusting the manufacturer and (in Europe) being sure that any claims made for the ingredient are supported by tests.

]]> By: scatter brain http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-20027 scatter brain Sun, 26 Aug 2007 15:03:19 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/#comment-20027 Lauri, One suggestion would be to check with your dermatologist about the therapeutic amount of legitimate ingredients. I'm also a big geek about reading drug inserts on any meds I take, so if a cosmetic contains an ingredient that is classed as a drug (remember it will be listed first) then I recommend asking a pharmacist and/or going online to the drug manufacturer's website. They usually have downloadable drug information. When all else fails, I do a lot of "googling" on the internet. I can usually find a reputable website that can answer my question. Lauri,

One suggestion would be to check with your dermatologist about the therapeutic amount of legitimate ingredients.

I’m also a big geek about reading drug inserts on any meds I take, so if a cosmetic contains an ingredient that is classed as a drug (remember it will be listed first) then I recommend asking a pharmacist and/or going online to the drug manufacturer’s website. They usually have downloadable drug information.

When all else fails, I do a lot of “googling” on the internet. I can usually find a reputable website that can answer my question.

]]> By: jeni http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/comment-page-1/#comment-19968 jeni Wed, 22 Aug 2007 06:39:31 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/08/18/dont-be-tricked-by-cosmetic-ingredient-lists/#comment-19968 woops, I read your Angel Dusting post first, and this post just answered my quandary. Thanks! Jeni woops, I read your Angel Dusting post first, and this post just answered my quandary. Thanks!

Jeni

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