With the dawn of the internet, people are able to access beauty products like never before--but the market has been flooded with outrageous claims. Most of these are easy to spot, especially the ones that promise a lot for nothing. But there have been many terrible truths that have floated under the radar for years.
How, exactly, is this possible? Well, in 1906 the Pure Food and Drugs Act was passed. Its lax boundaries set the stage for multiple disasters, as anything could be claimed by a product so long as the ingredients were labeled. In 1938 the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic act was passed, putting these items under FDA jurisdiction and required that drugs now be labeled with directions for safe use. Over the decades, the FDA imposed tighter restrictions on food and drug ingredients and additives--but beauty products have been largely overlooked.
This April Fool's Day, we'd like to make you aware of a few things you need to know (and which makes us appreciate our products all the more.)
"Non-toxic" is not a regulated term.
"Non-toxic" is not a term regulated by the FDA. The only mention of it is in the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, which defines a toxic product as one that ‘can produce personal injury or illness to humans when it is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.’ What's more, a toxic substance is required to kill 50% of animal test subjects to be considered toxic. These are very wide parameters--so research the ingredients you're putting on your skin!
Our personal care products contain mysterious ingredients.
The European Union has banned over a thousand chemicals for use in personal and beauty care product, while the United States has banned a mere eleven. What's more, in a study done by the Environmental Working Group, 90% of the 10,500 ingredients the FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated by any publicly accountable institution, such as the FDA.
Citrus oil is not good for your skin.
Citrus oils, such as those found in lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit, can damage your skin in various ways. First, they leave the skin vulnerable to UV damage; as well, they can act like a magnifying glass on your skin, increasing your susceptibility to burns, wrinkles, and sun damage. Several studies have shown that citrus oils increase photosensitivity. This ingredient can be found in many beauty products; some brands claim that steam-distilled oils are safe to use. Make sure to always cover your skin with a light cloth, no matter what product you're using.
No tests are required for a product to be labeled "hypoallergenic".
You'd think that a product labeled "hypoallergenic" would mean something, but unfortunately, it does not. According to the FDA, "There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term 'hypoallergenic.' The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA."
Sometimes, expensive products are the same as cheap ones--and neither are good for you.
Some large companies use the same formulas to produce both their high-end and inexpensive products. The difference? The packaging. (This is one reason we're happy to recycle packaging and create quality bottles that last!) Maybelline, Lancôme, Giorgio Armani, BioTherm, Kiehls, Guy Laroche, IT Cosmetics, Garnier, Maybelline... all are owned by the L'Oreal Group. It's a point of pride that our formula was built from the ground up by our founder with a one-of-a-kind recipe.
With all the confusion and misleading claims, you can rest assured that our products contain tested and proven ingredients. From the beginning, Skin and Sky has made it our mission to produce not only a safe but also highly effective product. Check out our earlier blog posts for information on our ingredients, why we use what we use, and how it works.