Phthalates in cosmetics: my non-scaremongering version

I've recently been eyeing a lip conditioner from one of my favorite Korean brands. When I checked its ingredients with cosdna.com, I found out that it had a phthalate (DPHP). I really want to buy the product because sale and I like lip care products, but I felt that the unrated DPHP component listed with cosdna needs some checking.

Bis(2-propylheptyl) phthalate or DPHP belongs to a class of components known as phthalates. In cosmetics, phthalates have been used as plasticizers in nail polishes or hair sprays or as solvents in creams and fragrances. Interestingly, phthalates are used in medical supplies, both invasive and non-invasive chemicals, even on the examinations gloves doctors use.

So what is the deal with phthalates then? They are used in medical supplies and cosmetics but then EPA says long term exposure to phthalates (specifically, DEHP) may lead to various problems. Are phthalates really as scary as they sound or are they victims of the greenwashing movement?

Personally, I'd still prefer a life saving transfusion with phthalates over natural nothing.
(Image from blog.phthalate-free-plasticizers.com)

Is that face paint on you safe?

It's that time of the year when Westerners, rich Pinoys or social climbing Pinoys celebrate Halloween. From cute get-ups to cool props, a wide variety of costumes and accessories are made available for the Halloween party guy/gal. Makeup, and face paint too, is an essential part of the Halloween getup. But how can we assure ourselves that a scary mark made from paint or makeup will not cause irritation or a bizzare reaction and become a permanent mark on your face?

Image from diy-enthusiasts.com

Book Review: It's okay to have lead in your lipstick by Perry Romanowski and Randy Schueller

Weeks ago, while I was browsing through the Beauty Brains, I stumbled upon the book "It's okay to have lead in your lipstick" written by the founders of The Beauty Brains themselves, Perry Romanowski and Randy Schueller. The title was definitely intriguing as I too have this notion of how "bad" of an ingredient lead is.

The authors have impressive background of the cosmetics industry. Perry Romanowski is a cosmetic chemist, inventor, scientist, instructor, founder of Chemists Corner blog and training program. Meanwhile, Randy Schueller is a former Sr. Director of Hair and Skin Care R&D for Alberto Culver and Unilever, while also being a member of the National Association of Science Writers. The authors are basked in the cosmetic industry, and the quality of information in the books proves it.

Review: MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Following several raves about this product, especially as a more economical alternative to the also famed SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, I decided to try MISSHA's Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence. When I first heard of these product as containing products from fermentation, I have to admit my curiosity got the best of me and I haphazardly bought this product without checking the price first. Better make good use of the money by making a review and sharing my experience.

Natural is not always safer

Whenever I look out for ingredient used in cosmetics, I almost always run across advocacy for "natural products" over products with synthetic ingredients, along with other scaremongering tags (SLS-free, paraben-free and the likes). Now, by all means I am not against the use of organic products (in fact I reviewed a couple, one of which turned out to be an excellent Vitamin C serum), but I do not like the fact that most of these products are much more expensive compared to their synthetics-laden, more effective counterparts.

The main points to those who advocate for anything "natural" is safety. So let's presume these products really are derived from natural products - say, vitamin C really came from citrus fruits are not from synthesis. Of course, the process of extraction of such from natural produce may require synthetically formulated chemicals, but let's ASSUME this possibility is bypassed by hippie magic. So are products made of natural ingredients safer?

Wild Cherry. All-natural. May contain cyanide. (Image from www.eatweeds.co.uk)

Review: Too Cool For School O2 Bubble Cleansing Pack

Chicken.

Whenever I touch my face, I can't help but feel tiny bumps on it, and I hate it. My office mate even commented on how scaly my face looked. I figured I might have dry skin, or I simply lack exfoliation (because I am afraid of exfoliating as I get damaged capillaries very easily - and I am being gentle). 

So I decided I should moisturize more often (even at work, during breaks.. definitely buying a handy moisturizer) and I should get an exfoliator. I was in TCFS's North EDSA branch and the SA recommended this cleansing pack when I told her I was looking for an exfoliator. 

So how did it perform?

Review: Laneige Lip Treatment SPF 17

I cannot deny that my work is so stressful. This is mainly because I sometimes am unable to sleep worrying about some of the decisions I've made. So sometimes, I go to work pale and looking like a ghost, that sometimes my boss and colleagues can't help but comment on how pale and colorless my face is, especially with my lips.

So I decided to look for tinted lip balms. This lip balm was an "impulse buy" as I did not research the ingredients until now, so together, let's discover Laneige's Lip Treatment.

Review: MISSHA All-around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk

Back again with a sunscreen review, because I bought a tiny tiny 40 mL bottle of MISSHA's All-around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk, and I've used up 3/4 of it. Better review it while I still have some of the product. I just realized that I've just opened this bottle less than a month ago and using the peso-sized amount of sunscreen can be expensive.

Anyway, I bought this from a sale, along with two other MISSHA sunscreen, so my pockets were not burned by this purchase. On with the review then!

Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

So I've been so busy with work that I have not been updating my blog as much as I'd want to. As I am a big fan of sunscreen, I still make it a point to reapply sunscreen several times in a day, depending on whether I should take my lunch out, go to a job site, or if I'm lucky enough to get an early time off work. So as not to waste the experience of a new sunscreen, I decided to quickly share my thoughts on Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock.

Internet gems: skeptical beauty resources

It's an ugly prejudice most people are guilty of - myself included. Most of us think that beautiful people are tantamount to stupid people, therefore beauty blogs are nothing more than random raving over some anti-aging, miracle product. This perception is one of my motivations in creating this blog which I plan to make as informative as I can.

Nope. Nope .Nope.

So when I found out about other blogs which aim for the same advocacy of informing the consumers of cosmetic and beauty products, I was ecstatic! These blogs are gems, so while I'm away slaving for the projects, I'll introduce you to these beauty skeptic-themed blogs, which I highly suggest for your reading: