We've known for a long time to read the labels on our food and increasingly, more of us are reading the labels on our cosmetics.  Think about it: we've all heard the claim that the average women eats over 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime.  If that's true, it would be nice to know what we're digesting along with that morning latte. 

Though there has been controversy around the use of cosmetic chemicals, most of us don't have a sweet clue what they are, why they are considered questionable or much of anything about the rest of the unpronounceable ingredients on the label.

Burt's Bees prides themselves on using natural ingredients in all of their products so we took the opportunity to get the lowdown on which ingredients are the most controversial and why.  Scientist Celeste Lutrario heads Burt's Bees research and development team and gave us her top list of ingredients to watch for:

Oxybenzone
It's a component of sunscreen currently under scrutiny by environmental scientists and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), whose recent report showed that a whopping 97% of Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone via sunscreen overuse.  While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still considers it safe, some scientific studies have linked it to free radical production and endocrine disruption. 

For the non science geeks in the crowd, endocrine disruption affects, among other things, hormone levels.  Your Banana Boat rinses off in the beach waters and interferes with fish reproduction.  Sunbathers and mothers protecting their children using SPF 45 or higher should keep informed with the research as it is updated.  In the meantime, look for alternative ingredients such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

Phthalates
This chemical is a plasticizer, added to hair spray and nail polish to make the products flexible.  Because it too is also a hormone disruptor, the European Union has banned its use.  While the US and other countries still allow it, many companies have voluntarily stopped using phthalates.  Check your product labels for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).

Ethoxylates
Many additives require ethoxylation to make them more soluble in water.  It's what makes your shampoo so decadently foamy, found also in detergents and toothpastes.  Recently, concern has been building about 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation that may be a carcinogen (cancer-causing).  You will not find this ingredient on your label, but any compound with -eth in its name has been ethoxylated.  Sodium laureth sulphate is a good example.

These compounds are still being evaluated for their true risk to human health; the US FDA currently considers them to be safe.

Scientific studies yield many results, some of which can be contradictory.  It's important to be as aware of what is in your favorite beauty brands as the food on your plate.  These compounds may eventually be proven harmless, but if you'd prefer to be on the safe side, we have some favorite natural beauty products we adore:


(1) Burt's Bees natural Anti-Blemish Solutions Purifying Daily Cleanser with Willow Bark: Keeps blemishes at bay without drying out your skin and contains all natural ingredients.

(2) Burts Bees Natural Anti-Blemish Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment: It zaps zits quickly using natural ingredients.  Apply this instead of squeezing and watch it work its magic!

(3) Exuberance Beauty She's So Lovely Beautifying and Balancing Rose Daily Moisturizer: Light, luxurious and made of the finest organic ingredients here in Canada.  All Exuberance products are free of parabens, petroleum by-products, artificial fragrances, synthetic colorants and are made without harsh chemicals or sulphates.

(4) Origins Youthtopia Age Correcting Serum with Rhodiola: It is natural and uses Rhodiola, an herb linked to longevity and the rejuvenating Amlalaki complex, the "Fruit of Immortality" from the Himalayas to help skin thrive and avert the appearance of aging.  It feels luxurious to use.

(5) Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Flower Dew Moisturizing Gel Cream for Eyes: Ideal for women in their 20s and early 30s with minimal signs of aging who want a natural yet luxurious product.  Decleor is a 100% natural skincare line that is based on the purest essential oils and plant essences.


(6) Cake Beauty Desserted Island Supreme Body Mousse: Tahitian vanilla and coconut.  Need we say more?  Cake Beauty products are known for smelling amazingly edible, but did you know they're also formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, triclosan, petrochemicals and gmo?

(7) Consonant Body Spearmint and Sage Organic Body Wash: Get squeaky clean with this organic body wash from Canada that won't dry out your skin.

(8) Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel: Organic Surge is an inexpensive natural line that's easy to love.  We've tested the Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel, which we love, but the citrus mint smells even better.

(9) Origins Totally Pure Deodorant: Smell like the spa (instead of the men's locker room) without the aluminum.


(10) LUSH Big Shampoo: This lemon lime margarita shampoo rates well on ChickAdvisor and is comprised primarily of natural and/or organic ingredients

(11) Ojon Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment: Saturate your dry or damaged hair in this intensely moisturizing treatment of Ojon oils from the South American rain forest.

(12) Kiss My Face Whenever Conditioner: We already love Kiss My Face's Organic lip balms, but did you know they have an entire line of organic products including several varieties of shampoo and conditioner?

It's important to note that though certain ingredients are controversial, any product that goes to market must meet the same rigorous safety standards and the chemicals in question are usually in very small doses.  Further some of these same ingredients and other popular chemical additives like parabens can appear in small doses in our food.

How do you feel about the ingredients in your beauty products?