If you are searching for
organic face cream or
organic moisturizer to buy, you will surely come across Burt’s Bees. Many of their products fall under the heading of “antioxidant
face cream organic”, since honey enzymes have antioxidant activity and what could be more natural than honey? But, does that mean they’re safe?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) does not seem to think so. A non-profit watchdog group for consumer safety, EWG has created a database that allows you to look up the products you are currently using and find out how safe the ingredients really are.
The website is called “Skin Deep” and they rank products on a scale of 0-10, with zero being the safest and ten being the most hazardous. Some of Burt’s antioxidant
face cream organic solutions received a score of zero. Others ranked as high as “six” on the scale. Why?
Well they have over 149 products and each of them carries different concerns, but Burt’s organic face cream for moisturizing is rated moderately hazardous. The reasons are several.
One of the components that makes Burt’s products rank so high is “fragrance”. The use of the word is a loophole left by regulating organizations that allow companies to protect their “secret formulas”.
But, since there is no way for the consumer to know what synthetic chemical was used to create the scent, EWG says that we should simply avoid buying products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.
Dermatologists say that we should always buy fragrance-free and preservative-free products, in order to avoid allergic reactions. One of the reasons that Burt’s antioxidant
organic face cream solution received a five is the inclusion of fragrance. Another is the inclusion of sodium borate, which is more commonly known as “Borax”.
Borax is a strong cleanser. Why would it even be included in
moisturizing organic face cream? It makes no sense. But, EWG’s problem with the ingredient is that it is a poison. It causes
skin irritation, initially, which includes redness. On abraded skin, such as might occur after shaving, the compound is particularly toxic and very slowly eliminated from the system.
Borax is not something that I expected to find in an antioxidant
face cream organic solution. But, the more I research popular skincare products, the more I realize that the company’s that make them simply aren’t thinking about our safety.
The best antioxidant
organic face cream and
moisturizer compounds that I have seen come from New Zealand. They contain “Active Manuka Honey”, which has the highest antioxidant activity of any variety of honey, making this a very safe honey. It is an effective antibacterial, contributes to healing, can be used on broken of damaged skin, without worry and it will not cause irritation.
Nothing in an
organic face cream or
organic moisturizer should increase free radical production, but many organic compounds, such as oxybenzone, damage DNA, increase free radical production and the risk of skin cancer.
You should look for
organic face cream that’s “safe enough to eat”. Otherwise, you could be using a poison. Always shop for health and safety first!
The author: Elizabeth Ruby is passionate about good health and using healthy products on her skin. She does extensive research on the best products to use and what products to avoid. Visit her website at http://www.your-best-skin-care-site.com/ to find out what products she recommends.
I personally love the miessence range as it is completely natural and certified organic. Miessence is available online in
.phy organics store.
