The Difficulties of Avoiding Chemicals

There are many different chemical preservatives called parabens and are often seen listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, and butylparaben.

All U.S. cosmetics and personal care products are required to have a list of ingredients placed in order of their relative quantity.  However, any ingredient used in fragrances or mixtures that are considered trade secrets are exempt from these requirements. Phthalates are frequently components of fragrance, which often contain dozens of chemicals.  The entire mixture simply appears as “fragrance” on the ingredients list. Thus, reading labels cannot assure there are no phthalates in a product.

In May 2002, a coalition of environmental and public health organizations contracted with a major national laboratory to test 72 brand-name, off-the-shelf beauty products for the presence of phthalates. The majority of the products tested contained phthalates, yet none of them included phthalates on their ingredients list.

This fragrance and trade secret loophole gives consumers little power to avoid phthalates when purchasing their personal care products.

Visit our website (www.ParadiseSkinProducts.com) to find paraben free and phthalate free products.

What's the Big Deal?

What’s the big deal about having something Chiral Correct? In the 1950s, many pregnant women taking the drug Thalidomide for “morning sickness” gave birth to babies with severe birth defects. It was later discovered that while the chiral version of this drug curbed the morning sickness and did no harm the to the babies, whereas the non-chiral version of the drug actually caused devastating birth defects.  Another example is the more commonly known drug Allegra.  It’s manufacturer decided to cut costs making Allegra’s sibling Seldane.  This product was introduced in 1985 and by 1990 the FDA began seeing a dramatic increase of toxicity in the heart causing fatal reactions.  Seldane was pulled from shelves while the chiral correct Allegra made it's final and permanent appearance.  When this technology is used in skin care a person can receive a stronger dosage of an ingredient without the irritation.  For example, someone who gets irritated from a 5% Vitamin C will most likely not have issues with Paradise Skin Product’s 20% Vitamin C product.  This allows customers to receive optimal benefits of vitamins and peptides without negative side effects.

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Free radicals, highly unstable molecules that attack, infiltrate, and injure vital cell structures are constantly forming in the body as a natural by-product of body chemistry.

Environmental pollution contributes to the formation of free radicals and so does "internal pollution". Cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol and caffeine, drugs, stress, constipation and illness all increase the body's load of oxidizing substances.

Antioxidants stop the damaging spin of unstable free radicals. Research shows antioxidants to be nature's way of rejuvenating and restoring youth to the organs, adding control over the way we age.

Be sure that your daily skin care regimen contains a free radical fighter to help minimize the aging process.  Our favorites are Intense Wrinkle Serum and Vitamin C&E.

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Oats: Soul Food for Your Skin

As the cold months approach us, take time to fix yourself a bowl of oatmeal. You’ll enjoy a quiet moment to yourself while boosting your skin’s appearance. Not only does oatmeal provide aromatic and comforting effects for your soul, but oatmeal is beneficial for the skin as well. When consumed, oats provide an assortment of Vitamin B, which will reduce stress and anxiety. Oats are also a strong antioxidant, which combats free radicals and will ultimately help reduce the signs of aging. Packed with a high lipid content oats can soften and heal dry, itchy skin all while reducing stress.

Aging Ingredients

Methylparaben, an antiseptic and preservative agent, widely used in cosmetics and skin care products. Research indicates that this ingredient also advances the aging process in skin cells when exposed to UV rays, causing wrinkles and liver spots. It is included in powders and lotions for its high antibacterial effects. The agent ironically is used in products intended to

reduce the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet rays, such as sunscreen.

Researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine conducted a study to determine side effects from normal use of the agent, which has been deemed safe under government standards. The researchers added methylparaben to skin cells in a density similar to that used in products. The skin cells were then exposed to about 30 millijoules of ultraviolet rays per

square centimeter, about the average daily amount on a summer day. The study revealed almost three times more damage on the skin where the Methylparaben had been applied Professor Yoshikawa who conducted this study noted that the findings confirm that Methyl-

paraben, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, advances the aging process in skin cells.

Chemical Ingredients in the USA

The European Union (EU) has more stringent and protective laws for cosmetics than the United States FDA. The EU Cosmetics Directives requires companies doing business in Europe to eliminate chemicals in personal care products known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation, birth defects or harm to human health. Although there are thousands of

questionable chemicals, the directives specifically targeted about 450 chemicals, compared to the 9 chemicals the FDA has banned or restricted.

The EU banned two types of phthalates—dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate. As a result, many major manufacturers have agreed to reformulate their products in Europe. Paradise Skin Products continues to carry products... more specifically ingredients that are beneficial to your skin.