The organic way to beauty

Everything is going organic these days from clothes to food. Then how can cosmetics be left behind? Organic make-up is the in thing in the fashion industry, the popularity and acceptance of which are rising day by day the world over. This article studies this hot new product in the market i.e. organic make-up - in detail.
What is organic make-up?
Organic make-up, also called natural make-up or green make-up, refers to cosmetics made the natural way. Broadly speaking, organic make-up can refer to cosmetics made in any one or a combination of two or more of the following ways:
Made from plant substances
Made from natural sources, such as minerals
Manufactured in a way so as to cause no harm to the environment and ecology, i.e. not involving processes such as testing of the cosmetics on animals
Manufactured using materials on which no pesticides have been used
Manufactured without the use of any kind of chemicals
Why go organic?
Awareness about the various kinds of chemicals used in cosmetics, as well as about the use of various processes that are harmful to the environment, is rising. With this rising awareness came the invention of a new class of cosmetics called organic make-up.
There are a few chemicals commonly used in cosmetics, which are best avoided. These can be stated as under:
Sodium laurel sulfate: It can cause skin irritation and rashes. It can also lead to irritation of the eyes and the lungs. If swallowed, it can be dangerous.
Hydrosols: Sometimes hydrosols are used in cosmetics, but the water in them might not be purified properly. This leads to the entry of a number of harmful chemicals.
Aluminium: It is found in most anti-perspirants, and is believed to cause Alzheimers disease.
Artificial colours: They sometimes contain substances derived from coal tar, which can cause health risks to patients of eczema and asthma. They might also create health complications for people who are allergic to Aspirin. Such substances are also believed to cause juvenile hyperactivity, headaches, blurriness of vision and itchiness as well as watering of the nose and eyes.
Formaldehydes: Formaldehydes are used in cosmetics as preservatives. They are known to create skin irritation as well as contact dermatitis.
Fragrances: Artificial fragrances, like artificial colours, could be harmful to health. They have been known to cause skin rashes and irritation, hyperpigmentation as well as dizziness.
Benzoates: Benzoates are used for the purpose of preservation of cosmetics. They cause mouth numbness and gastric irritation. Also, they are known to aggravate the condition of asthma patients.
Essential oils: Some essential oils used in cosmetics cause adverse effects on health. For instance, rosemary is not advisable for use in case of epilepsy patients. Similarly, the use of sage should be avoided by pregnant women.
Dibutyl phthalate: This substance, widely used in cosmetics to aid absorption of other ingredients, is known to cause birth defects. In males, it has been known to cause damage to the reproductive system.
DEA, MEA, TEA: These substances used in cosmetics are known to cause allergies, eye irritation, as well as dryness of the hair and skin.
Tallow: Tallow is a product derived from animals, and often used in cosmetics. Over and above being unsuitable for vegetarians, it can also lead to irritation of the skin.
Toluene: Toluene is largely used in nail polish removers and some other nail-related products. It is known to cause problems such as tiredness, weakness, nausea, appetite loss and even confusion. It might also affect the nervous system adversely.
Keratolytic chemicals: These chemicals are known to wear away the outermost layers of the skin, rendering the skin open to damage by the sun and other irritants. It also leads to thickening and deadening of the skin.