Mid Brain muses:

According to Science Daily, researchers from Duke University and the United States Army have found that a common diaper rash ingredient can be used as the basis for a revolutionary new light source.

Diaper cream discovery

The scientists found that by combining zinc oxide, the active ingredient in diaper creams, with sulfur they were able to create a compound that converts invisible ultraviolet light into a brilliant white  light.  They say that this breakthrough could lead to “solid state lighting with better characteristics than current fluorescent ones.” The light produced in this way is even better than the white light from LEDs.

The first generation of this technology requires an ultraviolet light emitting diode to trigger light production but they are hoping to find a way to use electricity alone to create the same effect.  Not only would this light source be energy efficient but baby butt cream has much better toxicity profile than the mercury used in fluorescent lights today.

This may be the best ever example of finding a new use for a cosmetic product!

Have YOU ever found a new way to use a beauty product? Leave a comment and share your experiment with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Livelovelaugh longs to learn…I’ve noticed that Johnsons have variations of their regular baby oil – Johnsons baby oil lavender, and Johnsons baby oil with aloe vera and vitamin e. Do these extra ingredients actually have any benefit, or are they just a gimmick to jack up the price of what would otherwise be cheap mineral oil?

The Right Brain replies

Johnsons Baby Oil With Aloe Vera & Vitamin E sells for 20 ounces for $4.50. Likewise, the same amount of regular plain old Johnson’s Baby Oil also costs $4.50 (at least on Amazon.com). So while these ingredients may be a gimmick it’s not a gimmick that jacks up the price very much. (BTW, Sarah Bellum says it’s much cheaper when you buy it in 55 gallon drums which makes me wonder exactly what she does in her spare time. But that’s another story…)

Mad about mineral oil

Mineral oil is the main ingredient in baby oil. And based on comments we’ve gotten on our previous posts on mineral oil, many people consider it to be the cosmetic equivalent of the Anti-Christ. We won’t open that can of worms here today but we will restate our belief that, based on available data, mineral oil is a safe and effective moisturizer. The other ingredients you asked about are more in question.

Baby oil bamboozle?

Here’s our take on the “featured” ingredients used in Johnsons Baby Oil: Lavender oil can make baby oil smell better but it can also be irritating (and some people say it causes young boys to grow boobies.) Aloe Vera does have some beneficial properties but it’s not oil soluble so it’s highly unlikely that there’s enough in the mineral oil to make a difference on your skin. Vitamin E also provides some skin benefits and it is oil soluble. But the question is, how much is in the formula and how well is it stabilized. If the cost of the formula is the same with and without the vitamin, that’s a pretty good indication that it’s present at too low of a concentration to provide a measurable effect.

Beauty Brains bottom line

Extra ingredients like lavender oil and aloe vera provide little, if any, additional benefit in baby oil. But as long as it doesn’t raise the price, why not indulge yourself with the “special” version? (Unless you’re one of these people whose skin reacts to lavender oil, of course!)

What do YOU think? Do you buy products based on the ingredients you see featured on the front label? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Mid Brain muses:

It’s refreshing to see the mainstream press actually get the science right in their stories once in a while. So kudos to Joe Schwarcz of The Gazette on his excellent piece on the subject of cancer causing ingredients in baby shampoos.

We blogged about this in our post on Lil Rinser. But Joe took it a step further and did an outstanding job of debunking claims by one of the top NGOs, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. (NGO for those of you not in the know, stands for Non-Governmental Organization.)

The dose makes the poison

Joe very aptly pointed out that the ingredients that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics feared the most are not likely to be of concern at the levels used in cosmetic products. Specifically he mentioned formaldehyde and dioxane. He accurately noted the following: “formaldehyde is an indirect additive, released at a controlled rate from imidazolinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin or quaternium 15. Its purpose is to keep bacteria at bay.”

Dioxane, Joe disclosed, is another story. As we’ve pointed out in previous posts, dioxane is a trace contaminant formed during the production of certain detergents. It can be dangerous but only at much higher levels than are allowed in cosmetics. So, it’s not really a serious concern.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

You should definitely read Joe’s entire article, it’s a great discussion that puts the idea of cancer causing ingredients in perspective.

The mission of the Beauty Brains is to educate our community on the science behind beauty care. It’s especially important to get this message to Teens and Tweens who may not have the critical thinking skills they’ll need to sort out the BS from the Beauty Science. Unfortunately, many kids are turned off by science because it’s not presented to them in an entertaining and meaningful way.

Fortunately, there are a number of educational toys on the market that make learning about science fun. So to do our part to help spread the word about science education (and to help you with gift shopping ideas) we present…

The Beauty Brains Top 10 Beauty Science Toys

1. Powerpuff Girls Make Your Own Cosmetic Kit

Make your own flavored lip gloss cosmetic blend, your own room decor accent & art sparkling glitter gel, and perform a fun soap bubble static electricity learning experiment.

2. Creative Cosmetics

Learn how to care for your skin, hair and nails so they are healthy and positively radiant! Start by building a foundation in basic dermatology, and then learn about the chemistry of oils, gels and lotions. Next, mix your own personalized beauty formulas in lovely colors from the cosmetic bases in the kit and natural ingredients from your local market. Finally, learn how to apply your creations to your body, face, lips, nails and eyes. You will also learn the hygiene and safety necessary for proper skin care.

3. Perfume Science Kit

Follow your nose on a fragrant journey through the science, history & art of making perfume. Perfume Science introduces you to the biology, chemistry & techniques of fragrance design. In addition, surprise your friends with perfumes made specially for them.

4. Spa Science Chemistry Kit

This is pure indulgence. Whip your bath into a frothy fizzing sea of color and fragrance. Make colorful, fragrant bath soaps, bath fizzers, oatmeal scrub, and many other fun activities. Also explore the science behind gels, fragrance, and fizzers. It’s perfect for science fairs, birthday parties and family

5. Ultimate Spa and Perfumery Kit

The Ultimate Spa and Perfume Kit includes everything you need for a complete spa experience, and has more for you to make than any other product available. Using natural ingredients, you create bath oils, oatmeal soap, foaming baths, bath balms, and more. Learn about aromatherapy as you blend five different kids of perfume.

6. French Spa Body Lotion Make It Yourself Kit

The French Spa Body Lotion Kit lets you combine fragrance with scents to create your own unique skin lotions to use for you or to give as gifts.

7. Foamy Dreamy Spa Bath Make It Yourself Kit

Turn your tub into a relaxing getaway! With the foamy dreamy spa bath, you make your own luxurious spa experience. Create your own custom scent, and then whip up a fizzy bath. Ages preteen to adult.

8. Spa Therapies Kit

Spoil yourself with an assortment of soothing self-therapies. Bring this beautifying kit with you on your next sleepover or birthday party. Make therapeutic lotions and fizzy scented spa baths, and pamper yourself with a complete relaxing spa experience. Components include sea salt, oats, lavender oil, citric acid, vials, containers and Spa Time guide.

9. Sugar Body Polish Make It Yourself Kit

Learn the spa secrets of making Sugar Polish for your skin. Combine fragrances and sugar shimmer to make products to keep your skin baby soft.

10. Rainbow Crystals Kit

Fizz, pop, and bubble, with this exciting kit! With the Erupting, Sparkling, Fizzing Fun kit you can do all kinds of crazy experiments. Make a glitter wand, catch a wave in a tube, and even erupt lava.

Do you have a favorite science toy you’re giving out this year.  Leave a comment and let everyone else know.

Yesenia’s yes or no: I‘m three months pregnant and I want to know If I can use the Bio Ionic treatment in my hair. I’m worried about what it could do to my baby.

The Left Brain writes back:

The Right Brain has blogged before about the Bio Ionic hair straightening system and there doesn’t seem to be anything unusually dangerous about it compared to a regular permanent wave type formula. But as the two of us have said many times, we can’t give you medical advice. Just to be safe you need to check with your doctor.  (You might also want to read our post on 5 Facts About Pregnancy and Skin Care.) 

If it’s any consolation to you, there’s a recent article at ScienceDaily, written by Katie Bird, that indicates not all scientists are buying into the hype about cosmetics being bad for your health. Specifically the article states that the risk of fragrance use for pregnant women has been unfairly exaggerated. 

Fragrances and fetuses

The controversy was based on research conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, which focused on common disorders of the male reproductive systems. The media reported their findings and warned pregnant women to stop using cosmetics products and fragrances. But, according to the professor Richard Sharpe the scientist who led the research, this “scare story” does not accurately reflect the findings of his team.

Scary story

What Sharpe’s team DID find is that a male rat’s reproductive system may be affected if the rat fetus is exposed to enough hormones during a certain developmental period. However, Sharpe says that there is no evidence that this occurs in humans. Follow the link above to read the full story for yourself. To me this looks like another case of lazy reporting standards on the part of the media.  

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Only you and your doctor can make decisions about what is right for your baby. But try to get all the information and weigh facts instead of jumping to conclusions based on sloppy media reporting.

What do YOU think? Are you worried about the effects of cosmetics on pregnancy? Leave a comment and share your concerns with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.