The definition ORGANIC is defined by law - all organic agriculture, food production and processing is governed by a strict set of rules. Organic farmers, as far as possible, avoid using unnecessary chemical sprays such as pesticides and herbicides, and Organic standards ban the use of Genetically Modified technology. Organic farming is friendlier to the environment, so there is a much greater diversity of birds, butterflies and plants on organic farms. Food additives linked to asthma and heart disease, and many preservatives and aggressive health and environment damaging chemicals are banned under organic standards.
Are you one of the many people that despite reading labels before you buy are still confused about using chemical ingredients on your skin and body that are laden with toxic substances? You think - will these so called "safe" chemicals prove to be unsafe with the passage of time? What does "Natural" really mean anymore and you wonder what is a safe product to use now and in the long term for our health and wellbeing, let alone that of our family? You may also wonder about how you are helping the environment in what you buy and consume when choosing a product. If labelling confuses you - look for the CERTIFIED ORGANIC logo as this will tell you the product has been through a vast set of checking and inspection proceedures like no other - down to the last and smallest ingredient.
GO ORGANIC TODAY - Then you dont have to worry about this anymore - as once you step over to the world of organics and carefully chosen and tested ingredients, you will become one of the many who are now waking up to the fact that being as chemical free is a way of life and not just a philosophy! Put the skip back into your step as Organic "people" dont JUST care about the environment - there are many of us who care about toxins and chemicals on our skin and have seen far too many bad case of "skin dis-ease" than we care to mention.
Reward your skin with one of our Cupcake Organc Flower Creams and all at once in the mirror - your skin will say a "Thank You!" by smiling back! Why wait for someone to tell you that a synthentic chemical you thought was safe, is in fact not safe, nor ever was? We have to remember the World is Flat group that was supported by the majority and being that most majorities are wrong historically and proven so, individual thinking and collective thinking as a whole is needed. Why bother using toxic chemicals if you dont have too? In your skin or body - let alone in food or anywhere else?
What we do know is that toxins are not good for us. That is a fact. There is no doubt that toxic substances are causing all sorts of long-term health related problems from cancer to obesity. let alone allergic reaction or "un-diagnosed" skin problems. This is without even considering what is not yet evident. Choosing an organic product reflects that the person choosing it would rather take a chance on organic ingredients than those with chemical ingredients.
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that operate as a preservative to extend a product’s shelf life to ward off bacterial growth. Dr Philippa Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading carried out tests on samples of 20 different human breast tumours. Writing in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they say they found traces of parabens in every sample. Their tests suggested the chemicals had seeped into the tissue after being applied to the skin. "This is the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues," said Dr Darbre. "It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals, then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies." In late 1998 John Sumpter's group at Brunel University in West London, published a paper identifying parabens as oestrogen mimics (Routledge et al., 1998). As mimics, this means that the chemicals act like the hormone oestrogen in the body, interfering with the body’s natural systems. The authors states: "Given their use in a wide range of commercially available topical preparations, it is suggested that the safety in use of these chemicals should be reassessed, with particular attention being paid to estimation of the actual levels of systemic exposure of humans exposed to these chemicals. The acquisition of such data is a prerequisite to the derivation of reliable estimates of the possible human risk of exposure to parabens."
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is a solvent used in cosmetics, hair care products, deodorants and after-shave. It is also the main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid and is considered to be a skin irritant causing dermatitis, especially in children. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), a related agent found in most skin cleansers, is a caustic used to dissolve grease and is the same substance found in oven cleaners. Isopropyl Myristate , an alcohol used in hair rinses, hand lotions and fragrances, is also a solvent that dries the skin and hair, and creates cracks and fissures in the skin, which encourage bacterial growth.
Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most identified cosmetic preservative causing contact dermatitis according to The American Academy of Dermatology. Imidazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in many cosmetics, toiletries, lotions and pharmaceutical preparations and is often found in preparations labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’. However, if you have sensitivity to Imidazolidinyl urea, these products are far from hypoallergenic and should be avoided, as it will cause dermatitis. Try to avoid other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives also known by the following names: Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
SLS is commonly used in shampoos, hair conditioners and shower gels. It is a very harsh detergent used to make the products foam when used. SLS can cause irritation of the eyes, skin rashes and flaking skin, and possibly permanent damage to the eyes, especially in children. Research was conducted in the Department of Dermatology at the School of Medicine, University of California on the ability of SLS to penetrate into the skin and underlying tissues. The research found that Sodium lauryl sulphate penetrated the skin directly to a depth of about 5-6 mm below the applied site. Epidermal levels of the compound after application of 1% aqueous solution for 24 hours were above threshold levels known to evoke skin irritation responses. Deeper underlying tissues may also have been exposed to high levels of the compound. SLS reacts with other chemicals found in shampoos and cleansers to produce nitrates, which can enter the blood stream easily.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has recently been declared a potential carcinogen. It is a chemical that is used in many products in our environment and some sources may be surprising because it is so widespread, even at low levels, that it is almost impossible to avoid in our daily lives. Formaldehyde is not only a sensitizer, but also a potent irritant. Frequent or prolonged exposure may cause hypersensitivity, leading to the development of dermatitis through contact with products containing formaldehyde in the form of preservatives, or clothing made from fabrics that have been treated with it.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a large family of industrial chemicals linked to birth defects in the male reproductive system. Hundreds of animal studies have demonstrated that phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially the developing testes. Phthalates are used as a plastic softener and solvent in many different consumer products. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bite or suck on plastic toys, and are inadvertently directly administered to patients from PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) medical devices.
The Environmental Working Group, Coming Clean and Health Care without Harm, contracted with a major national laboratory to test 72 named brands, off-the-shelf beauty products for the presence of phthalates. The lab found phthalates in 52 of the 72 products tested - or 72%, and more than one phthalate in 11 products. Only one of the products listed phthalates on the label. These products included hair products, deodorants and fragrances. In their report Aggregate Exposures to Phthalates in Humans it describes the failure of USA and EU regulators to address the health impacts of multiple exposures to phthalates from a variety of products.
