The Beauty Brains

Left Brain is livid…

Here at the Beauty Brains, we get contacted by lots of PR firms giving us the latest press release for all the new beauty products coming on the market. It’s really a great perk of writing a beauty blog. Of course, we get many silly press releases which border on being funny, but sometimes we get ones that are so outrageous we can’t ignore them. Here’s one that really boiled my blood.

Chemical Fear – Chemicals Be Afraid

First the subject line:

“Carcinogens in baby shampoos”

Talk about scary! You can’t help but open up the message.

Then the press release goes on with the following headline…

LIL RINSER SIMPLIFIES CHILD BATHING AND PROTECTS AGAINST HARMFUL SHAMPOOS

Rinse and Run Technology Keeps Dangerous Carcinogens Found in Children’s Shampoos Away from Face

They go on to quote the chemical fear-mongering Campaign for Safe Cosmetics explaining that CSC found “…many children’s bath products contain chemicals that may cause cancer and skin allergies.”

Finally, they pitch their product (the Lil Rinser) by saying “For parents concerned about the potential risk, Lil Rinser,…can help further prevent exposure to toxins in shampoos.”

Lil Rinser

Before I get into what’s irked me, I’d like to say that this sounds and
looks like a great idea. I don’t have kids myself, but I’ve helped my sisters with their kids enough to know that some kids don’t like soap to get in their face. Tear-free shampoos can help however, they aren’t always effective.

The Lil Rinser looks like it would do a great job of keeping soap out of their eyes, water out of their ears and doesn’t look too hard to use. I LOVE the fact that it was created by small-time inventors who had the gumption to take their ideas and do something with it. Too many people have great ideas then never do anything about them. But I digress…

Awful marketing campaign

There are two big problems I have with the way that Lil Rinser has decided to market their product. First, they spread distorted information about personal care products to scare people and second, their message is hypocritical. If they focused more on the real benefits of the product, like the ones mentioned above, I’d be a much bigger supporter.

Are baby shampoos filled with toxins?

The suggestion that baby products contain carcinogens comes from a recent report that shows 1,4 Dioxane and Formaldehyde were both detected in a variety of baby products tested. Both of these compounds have been characterized as “probable carcinogens” by the EPA.

While we have no reason to doubt the test results, the implication that the presence of tiny amounts of carcinogens makes the product harmful is unfounded. All of the best research maintains that the levels are not dangerous. The dose of exposure matters just as much as the chemical. Pure water will kill you at a high enough dose.

The idea that you should be afraid of the chemicals in baby shampoos is nonsense. Indeed, selling products without preservatives (as formaldehyde is a preservative) is much more dangerous.

Shame on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for trying to scare people with distorted science, and shame on Lil Rinser for trying to exploit people’s fear and chemical ignorance for economic gain.

What about toxins in Lil Rinser?

Perhaps the most appalling things about Lil Rinser’s marketing campaign is their own hypocrisy. If you take a look at their lab reports, you might be aghast to find that the Lil Rinser is proven to contain the following toxins

1. Arsenic – a potent human poison
2. Barium – extremely poisonous
3. Cadmium – known to cause cancer
4. Mercury – extremely toxic
5. Antimony – toxic
6. Selenium – toxic

Why are these toxins and carcinogens in the Lil Rinser?

Because they are an unavoidable part of the rubber and plastic making process. And you know over time, these toxins and carcinogens will be leached out into the water that’s your child is soaking in.

Fortunately, these toxins are also in the product at levels that have been determined by reliable, governmental agencies to be safe.

This is also true of the carcinogens that can be detected in your personal care products!

The cosmetic industry has no interest in poisoning people. They do not produce or sell products that are unsafe.

Beauty Brains Bottom Line

Lil Rinser will not make children more safe from their already safe baby shampoos. In our environment we are surrounded by all kinds of chemicals and compounds that are toxic and carcinogenic at high enough doses. Our ability to detect these compounds keeps getting better and better so it’s understandable we’ll find them in more and more every day products. However, presence of a nasty chemical is both unavoidable and should be of little concern if the amount is tiny enough.

It’s impossible to avoid all traces of toxic/carcinogenic compounds. Fear-mongering consumer groups & marketing people who suggest it is are wrong.

If you’re interested in trying the Lil Rinser because it’s a cool gadget (not because it will protect you from cancer) you can see more about it by clicking here.

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Paulaboub is perplexed…I recently came across a new ( to me) product line called Yes To Carrots. It lists mostly natural ingredients. I bought the moisturizing day cream and shower gel/body wash. Smells nice, the cream doesn’t bother my eyes as alot of creams do these days. Just wondering what you thought.

The Left Brain doesn’t care for carrots:

If you like Yes To Carrots because it smells nice and it doesn’t irritate your eyes, then then by all means you should buy it. But if you’re asking my professional opinion, I have to tell you that I’m not very impressed by this faux natural brand.

Yes To Carrots?

According to their website: 

All of our Yes To products combine the fresh, unadulterated goodness of organic fruits and vegetables with the purifying and moisturizing properties of 26 minerals harvested from the ancient world’s most renowned spa- the Dead Sea.

Come on! While it’s true that their formulas contain lots of natural goodies, they don’t bother to mention that the functional ingredients in their products are the same tried and true chemicals used in other mass market beauty products. For example, their shower gel is based on sodium coceth sulfate (a cleanser) and cocamide DEA (a foam booster/thickener).  While I have no problem with brands that like to convey a certain look, feel, and scent by using natural ingredients, I don’t like being mislead to by companies that claim to use the “unadulterated goodness of organic fruits and vegetables” but don’t tell you they include chemicals like propanediol and benzyl alcohol in their formulations. 

Perilous Parabens?

Another issue I have with this brand is their stance on parabens. Their website also gives an explanation for why their products are paraben-free. 

Parabens are a group of chemicals that have been widely used as preservatives in many cosmetics to ensure the products remain free of bacteria, fungus and other microbes. They also help extend the shelf life of cosmetic products. In 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released a report stating that parabens – butyl, ethyl, methyl and propyl varieties – demonstrated “estrogenic activity.”

Sounds like a mouthful, but it means that these chemicals could possibly imitate hormones found in the human body and have an adverse effect on our endocrine system when absorbed by the skin or flushed into our drinking supply. Studies conducted in Europe found similar results and we’ve found better alternatives to ensure your products stay clean while ensuring your safety when using Yes To Carrots^TM products.

The problem is, this is only half truth because subsequent studies have shown that the methyl and propyl parabens have no cause for concern. (You can read the details about parabens here.)  

The Beauty Brains bottom line

In my opinion, Yes To Carrots is just another brand trying to capitalize on the naturals/organics trend by hiding standard cosmetics ingredients behind an over-hyped soup of fruit and vegetable extracts. The products may work perfectly fine but, personally, that kind of hypocrisy turns me off.

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Melia muses….There is alot of hype going on about snail creams where I live. I have friends who have used them for scar reduction/healing for acne and thought that they really did work (they got the tip from their dermatologist). I’ve just watched the millionth infomercial about one of these creams and am wondering if they really live up to the claims.

The Left Brain leaves a slimy trail: 

When I initially heard about snail extract being used in cosmetics my BS detector kicked into over drive. After doing a little bit of research I’m still skeptical but at least I was able to find SOME scientific basis for using this ingredient in cosmetics.  

What is snail extract? 

The technical name for snail slime is “Helix Aspersa Müller Glycoconjugates.” It’s described as a thick  fluid gathered by stimulating live snails. (Sounds like a job Sarah Bellum would enjoy.) Chemically speaking, snail slime is a complex mixture of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoprotein enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides and trace elements including copper, zinc, and iron. 

The science of snail slime

There are a number of brands that claim to harness the power of snail trails. For example, there’s Bioskincare, who says their product “protects, deeply moisturizes, renews and triggers the regeneration of skin damaged by acne, injuries, overstretching, photo-aging or dermatological/medical treatments.” Is there any real science that supports the benefits of  snail extract? Sort of. There are certainly plenty of references in the scientific literature. First of all, there a number of patents related to how to gather the secretion and process it for use in cosmetics. One Chilean doctor, for example, patented a procedure for gathering the secretions by agitating snails in warm water and then filtering the mucin. (I wonder how you can tell when the snails are sufficiently agitated?)  Another patent, credited to a Spanish Oncologist, involves stressing the snails mechanically to induce the production of their mucin. I wish I could be sure that no snails were harmed in the production of this skin cream, but based on these patents, it doesn’t look good!  But just because there are patents on snail slime, that doesn’t mean it actually DOES anything. If you’ll notice the patents are related to how to collect the slime, which has nothing to do with proving it really works on your skin.

Will snail slime make wrinkles Es-car-go-away?

So does it really work? A quick Pubmed search reveals a variety of papers describing the effect of snail slime on cell cultures. In these studies a variety of effects where seen including the proliferation of fibroblasts, stimulation of new collagen and elastin fibers, and increased production of fibronectin proteins just to name a few.  But since these effects were demonstrated on cell cultures I have a hard time understanding how they relate to a topical cosmetic product. I did find a few other studies, though, that indicate snail extract improves skin condition by increasing the dermis’ natural ability to take up and hold water. And perhaps most interesting were the studies suggesting that the slime might have topical wound healing properties. There’s enough legitimate science here to make me think that snail extract may be a beneficial ingredient.

However, I didn’t see any data that indicates that any specific cosmetic snail cream has any special efficacy. Until I see some controlled studies of these products, I remain skeptical. 

The Beauty Brains bottom line

As ridiculous as this sounds at first, snail slime may be a powerful bioactive material. But translating that efficacy to a cosmetic product is another story entirely. In any given product it’s impossible to predict efficacy because it depends on the quality of the snail extract that was used, the amount in the product, and how it’s formulated and processed. Until a marketer of these products can demonstrate they have data on their specific product, I would avoid spending a lot of money on snail creams. 

What do YOU think? Would you use snail snot to keep your skin looking younger? Or is it just too gross? Leave a comment and share your snail-ish story with the rest of the Beauty Brains community. 

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Mo wants to know… I came across an excellent brand called Biotique and all their facial cleansers are soap and surfactant free. The primary ingredient in all their products is “Sapindus / Soapberry/ Soapnut.” Is Soapnut a good cleanser?

The Right Brain is nuts about soapnut:

Actually, Mo, soapnut is one of those natural ingredients that may really be worth the hype. So before we talk about Biotique we’ll give you some background on non-soapy soapnut.

Soap to nuts

Soapnut, also known as soapberry, is a plant belonging to the genus Sapindus. You can extract a chemical called saponin from the plant’s berries which is a natural, low-foaming detergent. Saponin belongs to a class of chemical compounds known as amphipathic glycosides, for those of you keeping score at home. They can be found in may parts of plants including leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, blossoms, and even fruit.  

Are saponins good for skin?

Although they don’t foam much, saponins are good, gentle cleansers. So while they may not be powerful enough to remove waterproof mascara, they are very good at gently cleansing skin to remove excess oils. And, the benefits of this natural extract may extend far beyond mild cleansing. There are numerous studies on the medicinal properties of saponins; for example, according to this article on saponins from Pubmed, certain types of saponins from red ginseng can counteract the effects of ultraviolet B-induced skin aging in hairless mice and have a positive effect on skin thickness, elasticity, and wrinkle formation. Interesting! 

Baffled by Biotique

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any specific list of ingredients for any Biotique products. Without that crucial information we can only speculate about how they use soapnut. One possibility is that they really do use soapnut as their primary cleansing agent leaving out any soaps or synthetic detergents. In that case, it may be a very mild cleanser (although probably low foaming). Another possibility is that Biotique uses soapnut as more of a marketing ploy to differentiate their products in which case they may be adding small amounts of soapnut to formulas that contain typical cleansing agents. A quick review of a Biotique ingredient list, if we can find one, will make the answer obvious.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Soapnut (also known as soapberry) is a valid, gentle, natural cleanser but we don’t know how Biotique is using it. We’ll keep our eyes open and if we find an ingredient list we’ll update this post.

Has anyone bought Biotique or any other soapnut based products? Leave a comment and share your experiences with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

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Leita says…Beauty Brains, I would like to see your opinion in regards to the points made in Jante’s and Rosa’s posts. Right now, I can’t help but feel you’re ignoring these arguments because they’re so full of win.

Left Brain gets prickly:
Thanks for the comments Leita. We didn’t ignore the comments due to a lack of response. We just don’t always have time to go through every comment on every subject and discuss every point.

A lack of response does not indicate agreement.

I find acupuncture particularly troubling, so I’ll address their comments now.

Pointed comments

Jante & Rosa made the following points. You can go back to the comments section of our cosmetic acupuncture post for their entire comments.

Anecdotal Nonsense

“I can’t imagine why Beauty Brain relies solely on her own opinion and others’ poor research for questioning the efficacy of acupuncture, especially when she has never had it herself.”

Our own experiences are a terrible way to make judgments about whether something actually works or not. People are easily fooled. We fill in blanks and falsely assign cause and effect relationships where there might not be. That makes magic tricks entertaining, but it’s practically worthless when it comes to determining truth.

Second, we don’t rely on poor research. We rely on the best peer reviewed research we can find.

Everybody’s doing it

“Why are hundreds of western MD’s now taking medical acpuncture courses at UCLA Medical school to learn this effective modality”

I really don’t know whether this is true but assuming it is, the most logical reason people are taking the course is because their customers are demanding it. They can make more money by offering the service. This says nothing about whether it actually works beyond the placebo effect or not. People, especially ones who don’t exercise critical thinking, are easily fooled.

Just because a large number of people believe something doesn’t make it true.

Argument from Antiquity

“In Asia, Acupuncture and Traditional Asian Medicine has effectively treated all kinds of medical problems for over 2,500 years…In contrast, Western medicine has been practiced a mere 200 years.”

Just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s true or effective. “Western” medicine has been responsible for increasing the human life expectancy from an average of 31 years to an average of over 70 years. This wasn’t achieved through ancient technologies, but through modern, science-based medicine.

Making things up

“over 250,000 people are killed annually by medical errors, including wrong medication, treatment and doctor error. It has become the third leading cause of death in this country.”

I checked. That’s not true. The third leading cause of death (according to the CDC) is stroke.

The claimed number of deaths due to medical error were between 44,000 and 98,000, but even this number is disputably high.

You’re wrong so I’m right

“Even revered journals such as JAMA and the New England Journal of Medicine have been found to contain biased, unsubstantiated opinions.”

You are absolutely correct that scientific literature is full of inaccuracies and mistakes. Those mistakes get filtered out after more experimenting and testing. That way, the knowledge gets more and more accurate. But just because medical research is often wrong doesn’t mean that acupuncture works. One person being wrong is not evidence that your beliefs are right.

Evil corporations

“The problem is, in this country, no one wants to pay for the research to be done because there is no money in it.”

I disagree. There is money in it which is exactly why doctors and HMOs are now offering this unproven treatment to patients. $150 a treatment? That sounds like money to me.

You just don’t understand

“It (acupuncture) is a deep and profound method of healing that goes beyond what most people can comprehend. It is based on the fundamental principle of Qi (chee) which has no Western equivalent.”

Qi is a made-up concept for which there is no supporting evidence. If it is true, where is the evidence? If one person can comprehend it, give the rest of us the evidence so we all can comprehend it. If physicists can get people to comprehend quantum physics, Qi believers should be able to give evidence to get others to comprehend this concept.

Skeptical beauty

“No wonder skeptics are quick to automatically say it doesn’t work.”

Skeptics aren’t quick to say it doesn’t work. There have been study after study after study which demonstrates acupuncture has no effect beyond a placebo effect. That is why skeptics say it doesn’t work. There’s no proof that it does!

Cosmetic Acupuncture

“Regarding cosmetic acupuncture, it will never replace a surgical face-lift. It wasn’t meant to. Two of the many things it will do, is promote the production and movement of qi and blood in the underlying tissues as well as cause a slight micro-trauma which increases collagen production.”

And your proof of this is what? We are supposed to believe it just because you say it is true?

Clinical studies

“Clinical studies presented by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy, as well as for dental pain after surgery.”

There have been a number of clinical studies about acupuncture. If you look at the study design, the ones that show positive benefits have no placebo controls. When you add a placebo control, acupuncture is not more effective than a fake placebo treatment. Millions of dollars have gone into studying acupuncture. The conclusion…it doesn’t work better than a placebo.

Beauty Brains bottom line

For the most part, we love to see companies offering alternatives to the same old wrinkle treatments everyone sells. But it hurts to see people wasting their money on things that have not been shown to be effective. Cosmetic acupuncture, and general acupuncture, still have not been proven effective. They are still, most likely, a waste of money.

Have you had acupuncture?  What did you think of the effects?  Is it worth doing as a beauty treatment?  Leave your comments below.

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A couple weeks ago, we were contacted by a student who was working on a science project about cosmetic animal testing.  She gave us a few interesting questions which we thought we would pass along here.

Seeking Student Says…Could you answer the following questions about animal testing for my school science project?

Left Brain Responds:

Animal testing ban?

1. Do you think that animal testing for cosmetics should be banned? Explain.

While I don’t like animal testing, there are currently no suitable alternatives for some types of tests. I don’t think animal testing should be banned until there are alternative tests that help prove products are safe.

Medicine versus Cosmetics

2. Should animal testing be banned for cosmetics, but still be allowed for medicine?

Animal testing is not something that anyone wants to do. We scientists feel the same affection for animals as everyone else.  (I love my cat!) But until alternative tests are better developed, banning animal testing for either cosmetics or medicine seems unethical.   All life is sacred, but human lives are more sacred than animal lives.

EU and Animals

3. The European Union has recently agreed to a ban on animal testing for cosmetics said to happen in 2009. Do you agree with their decision? What could be the Pros. and Cons. of this decision?

I don’t agree or disagree with the decision made by the EU. The truth is cosmetics are not vital for living a healthy life.  The result of banning animal testing will be that no new cosmetic products will be made.   All you will get in the future are color & bottle changes using the same products you have today.   Cosmetic innovation will stop.  Solutions to acne, dandruff, dry skin, frizzy hair, etc. will not be developed.  Fortunately, the products available now are often good enough.  If these problems were never solved and there were never a new cosmetic made, the world would be just fine.

However, it seems strange people get upset about animal testing, but still eat meat, kill mice & rats, and wear leather products.

Pros of a ban: fewer animals will be killed

Cons of a ban: Cosmetic problems will not be solved, no new ingredients will be used, innovation stops

Naturally better?

4. Would you rather use cosmetics made with natural ingredients (that don’t need to be tested), or with toxic ingredients that have been tested?

It is not true that natural ingredients do not need to be tested.   ALL ingredients in cosmetics have been tested on animals. Whether they are natural or not doesn’t matter. Chemistry is not as simple as classifying ingredients as “toxic” or “natural”. We’ve done a variety of posts on natural ingredients that can kill you.

Natural ingredients to avoid

Water can kill you

When it comes to chemicals exposure level is what’s important.  Sometimes small amounts of “toxic” ingredients are safer than large amounts of “non-toxic” ingredients.

Do You Use?

5. Do you use cosmetics products that have been tested on animals? Would you think twice about using these products, or even try to reduce or stop using them?

Yes I do. So do you. Everyone uses products that have ingredients that were tested on animals.  It is a lie when companies say they don’t test on animals. ALL cosmetics have been tested directly or indirectly on animals.

The truth is, very few cosmetic companies directly test their products on animals.  Animal testing is expensive and terrible for public relations. Companies who say they don’t test on animals either use ingredients that were already tested on animals or have their raw material suppliers do the animal testing.   They can argue that they never tested their formula on animals (which they technically don’t) because they know they are using only raw materials that have already been tested on animals (by someone else).

Since all ingredients have been tested on animals, there does not seem to me to be any moral high ground to avoiding companies based on whether they claim to test on animals or not.

Animal Testing Ended?

6. With all the efforts to stopping animal testing for cosmetics, do you think that it’s possible to one day completely get rid of animal testing for cosmetics?

Yes, I believe one day animal testing of cosmetics will be a thing of the past. Everyone wants to get rid of this type of testing. No one wants to hurt animals.  Scientists are working hard to create testing alternatives that work. We are just now seeing some tests that are receiving approval from governmental agencies. I believe withing 10 – 20 years animal testing of cosmetics will be practically non-existent.  But until there are reliable testing alternatives (there aren’t yet) animal testing will still be necessary.

What are your thoughts on cosmetic animal testing?  Does it affect your decision when deciding what products to buy?  Leave a comment and let the rest of the Beauty Brains community know.

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Hello Beauty Brains community. Today, we have a guest post from a cosmetic chemist who started her own company.

Joan Brindle, cosmetic chemist and owner of The Creative Cosmetic Company shares her recipe for a terrific sugar scrub.

Make Your Own Sugar Scrub

A few years ago as I was getting ready to make my annual bath and body gifts for the Holidays, I invited afriend to join me in making some sugar scrubs.

My friend said “oh, I already make those and it’s really simple. I just mix cooking oil and sugar together and add some fragrance oil.”

Yikes, I had seen those homemade sugar scrubs before. They were nothing but gloopy, oily messes! That year, I made sure to include a jar of my home-made sugar scrub with her gift.

Since then my friend has learned that for just a few pennies more, she can create a much higher end product that stays emulsified and provides some nourishing benefits for her skin. Now, we make our scrubs together every year. The following recipe can be adjusted as you like but the end product will make a very large 16 ounce jar full of sugar scrub.

I use kitchen measurements instead of weights because most people have measuring cups and spoons but not many have accurate scales to weigh quantities. Hint (use heaping tablespoons if you want your sugar scrub firmer.)

Sugar Scrub recipe

Directions:

3 Tablepoons emulsifying wax

4 Tablespoons Stearic acid

4 Tablespoons Palm kernel oil

Melt all of the above ingredients until completely melted in the microwave. About 2 minutes. (It should not have any little white sand-like dots in it when it is done melting)

Use pot holders it should be really hot! Mix in ¾ cup sweet almond oil, 2 cups sugar and approximately ½ teaspoon fragrance oil. Stir and let cool a bit. Pour into plastic jars. This will harden up over the next day and become firm but pliable.

Use Instructions

To use: pinch a small amount, rub all over your body with your hands, washcloth or scrubby. Because of the fragrance oil, this is not meant to be used on your face. Best if used within 2 months. This product is mild enough to use every day. As with any product, discontinue use if you develop any reaction to this product.

You can get more recipes and sources to buy ingredients from Joan’s website at www.thecreativecosmeticcompany.com

If you like these DIY recipes please leave a comment below and let us know.  If there is enough interest, we’ll post more.

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Mid Brain reports…

Next year, the EU has scheduled a ban on all animal testing for cosmetics. Industry experts are skeptical it will actually be implemented. As the Beauty Brains have previously reported, there are not suitable alternatives to replace all animal testing yet.

Artificial Skin Alternative

But they may be changing.  Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart are working on an automated system for creating artificial skin. They envision it to be used for skin grafts and transplants.  However, it might first be adapted to cosmetic testing as a replacement for animal testing.

I am happy to see that scientists are making progress to replace animal testing of cosmetics.  No one likes to see animals still being used.  Of course, no one wants unsafe cosmetics sold either.

Do you believe companies who way they don’t test on animals?  How do you think they are ensuring their products safe?  Leave a comment and let the rest of the Beauty Brains community know.

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Right Brain reports…

Kojic acid based skin lightening products, like Meladerm, have provided benefits to many people and it’s effectiveness is supported by the American Academy of Dermatology. In Europe, it is thought to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone (an ingredient banned in Europe).

Kojic acid is also a natural by-product from the fermentation stage of sake production. Scientists believe it helps lighten the skin by blocking an enzyme crucial in the production of skin melanin. Anecdotal reports by Meladerm customers would support this view.

Overall, it seems like a great ingredient.

Or maybe not.

According to a report from the European scientific body, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), kojic acid used at the maximum 1% concentration level may pose a health risk.

Kojic Acid Good news

On the plus side, the SCCP found that kojic acid is not genotoxic or carcinogenic. (It won’t cause cancer). It also did not exhibit any reproductive toxicity.

Kojic Acid Bad news

On the other hand, with patch tests on real human volunteers they found that skin exposed to kojic acid on a regular basis became more sensitive. This led them to conclude kojic acid may induce skin sensitization and they want to classify it as such. Skin sensitization is bad because it could lead to allergic contact dermatitis.

Kojic Conclusions

This report illustrates a few important points about the chemicals in cosmetics.

1. There is debate among scientists about chemical safety.  Reasonable people can disagree. Regulatory agencies in Europe and the US can look at the same safety data and come to completely different conclusions (banning hydroquinone for example).

2. Animal testing of cosmetics is still done. Even in Europe.

3. There is risk when you expose yourself to any chemical even if it has a history of safe use. If you are worried about things like this, your contact with all chemicals should be minimized.  It doesn’t matter if naturally derived or not since these can be skin sensitizers too.

Beauty Brains Bottom Line

Results from this report are not conclusive so more testing and data collection will be done by cosmetic makers who use kojic acid. Unfortunately, few ingredients actually provide a skin lightening benefit so if that’s what you want, you’ll have to continue to use these products.  But until more data is collected, you might want to apply just a little less.

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Left Brain reports…

This story about a boy who developed permanent scarring from a henna tattoo is an important reminder of the potential dangers this procedure.  According to the report, this 3-year-old boy was allowed to have a henna tattoo in the shape of Bart Simpson while on holiday in Spain. Unfortunately, he had a bad reaction to the ink and may now be left with a permanent scar.

Henna Information

Right Brain had previously written about henna hair dye. And you can find more information in the references for that article.  However, no mention was made of some of the dangers associated with henna tattoos.  The risk of reacting to henna painting is rare but incidences have been increasing.

Researchers reported in the Dermatology Online Journal about Cutaneous reactions to temporary tattoos. In this paper, they presented 6 cases of unfortunate reactions to henna tattoos.  (CAUTION:  There are some unpleasant pictures). The cause suggested is a reaction to “black henna”.

Bad Black Henna

In it’s traditional form, henna dyes give an orange/reddish-brown color.  To get a black color, natural henna is spiked with paraphenylenediamine (PPD).  In addition to providing a wider color range, PPD also increases the speed at which the tattoo develops.  A real henna tattoo can take up to 12 hours to form.  Using black henna, results can be achieved in about 2 hours.  But for some people, permanent scarring is the cost for a quicker tattoo.

Beauty Brains bottom line

If you’re on vacation and want to get a temporary henna tattoo, make sure you avoid “black henna”.  While most people won’t experience a problem, some of you could be scarred with a permanent reminder of your trip.

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