Personal Care Ingredients

While doing a little research this morning, I ran across an interesting web site at terressentials.com with a general listing of cosmetic ingredients and the purpose of each of them. They have further categorized the ingredients into natural (organic) and man-made (synthetic), which is nice to see. The introduction to the page says:

With no government regulation of the word “organic” in the personal care products industry, the use of the word “organic” has exploded in this market. Profits have skyrocketed for the companies who capitalize on the consumer trust in organics. With no one but the fox watching the henhouse, these corporations are filling their personal care products with all manner of synthetic petrochemical and oleochemical emollients, thickeners, detergents, fragrances and preservatives and, to the great confusion of the consumer, are labeling these chemical products as “natural” and “organic.” Consumer beware!

Without a doubt, the best way to read a personal care product ingredients listing is to read each product ingredient as if it were something that you might put in your mouth. Remember, some lip care products actually do go into your mouth and other personal care products are absorbed through the skin, all over your body. Following is a guide to both truly natural and synthetic ingredients–a quick reference to help you make an educated decision about what ingredients you want to rub on your skin, put in your body and put into our waterways.

I think that is some good advice. Educating yourself is always the right thing to do.