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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dr. Fields' Sacred Skin Now Listed as a "Safe Cosmetic" by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
by Jacqueline Fields, MD Feb 17, 2006 -- Safe cosmetics- this is a phase I want to start to introduce to the general public. I currently run a nutritional medicinal store. This was created to provide my patients and the community high quality supplements with products that have quality assurance and physician guidance. Unlike Europe, our supplemental world is not regulated at all and unfortunately quality assurance is not provided to our consumers. Many companies say there are certain quantities of vitamins or minerals in their product and independent lab studies have proved this not to be true. But what is more concerning is to realize that containments i.e. metals may be a significant part of someone's supplements.
A good way to protect yourself is learning about professional companies that do provide outside lab quality assurance, you can check out how your product rates by asking an independent police force that looks into quality of products called consumer lab.com
I went on to research which cosmetic line I would carry for the medicinal store. I was quickly alarmed to learn that the majority of our cosmetic products moisturizers, shampoos, makeup etc are regularly using extremely toxic ingredients. An estimated 100,000 synthetic chemicals are currently registered for use in the US and fewer that 10% of them have been tested for their effects on human health. A significant number of these chemicals have found their way into cosmetics and personal care products and our environment. In trying to educate my patients about their products I provide them with a list of known carcinogens that commonly are in products that I don't want to see in their products.
Two classes of synthetic chemicals known as parabens and phthalates are commonly in our personal care products. The FDA doesn't regulate the use of these chemicals, nor does it require manufactures to disclose them as ingredients. The trade secret loophole allows manufactures to conceal them under general terms such as fragrance.
Both infertility organizations and the Breast Cancer Fund have become very aware and involved in the dangers of these chemicals in our cosmetic products. Jeanne Rizzo, RN, executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund stated, "It is unacceptable that the cosmetic companies continue to use ingredients that are breast carcinogens as well as other toxic chemicals in their products. We call on the cosmetic industry to phase out their use of these harmful ingredients."
Theo Colborn, PhD, president of the Endocrine Disruption Exchange in Paonia, Colorado says, "There is no doubt about the need for extreme caution in using products that contain parabens and phthalates. Well over 100 studies since 1992 have demonstrated that these chemicals can disrupt both male and female hormone function, interfering with the roles of estrogen and testosterone in animal and in tissue cultures, other studies have found intact parabens in human breast tumors."
Colborn also states that a broad spectrum of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments occurred in lab animals exposed to phthalates.
June Hamlitain, vice president of research for Environmental Working Group (EWG) in Washington, DC states a typical US woman applies about 12 products everyday, that together averages a staggering 168 ingredients and she confirms that the risk from multiple exposures add up.
After learning this staggering data, I rapidly started working with a natural pharmacist and created an all natural line of skin care called, "Dr. Fields' Sacred Skin." With this line, I took the best of scientific data and combined it with plant medicine. I made a commitment to eliminate synthetic chemicals, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, EDTA, urea, artificial colors, fragrances and all other known toxic agents. I've also committed to only use herbal infusions, essential oils and plants. I've of course rejected the use of mineral and petroleum because these petroleum based ingredients can clog the skin and because petroleum is a nonrenewable resource.
The body absorbs 60-70% of whatever is applied topically to the skin. Sometimes this is even better then some people's gut absorption. It is essential for our health and our environment to not bombard our bodies with these chemicals. This is no different then what I teach people about food. If there are so many chemicals in the food to preserve it, then I don't want it in your bodies. I hold a motto that if you can't eat what you put on your skin then it is probably not safe.
More importantly I registered my skin care line with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. This organization asked hundred of cosmetic companies to sign their compact for the global production of safe health and beauty products. This includes a pledge that their products will meet all standards and be free of chemicals known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects.
The European Union (EU) has taken the international lead in guarding the public against chemicals in personal and household products. In 2001 it classified phthalates as substances toxic to reproduction. The US manufactures oppose tighter regulations, but with increased awareness and pressure from advocacy groups slowly results are starting to happen. Fortunately 175 companies have signed on with the Safe Cosmetics, but we have a long way to go to educate the public and change legislation. Although changes are starting to happen, don't be fooled by companies who call their products "natural" after adding a few herbs or oils but whose products are filled with other harmful ingredients. A lot still needs to be done before cosmetics labeling becomes meaningful.
Several options to continue to educate yourself... - Use the Healing Gardens Medicinal Store as an educator resource.
Jen is available Monday-Friday 9am -5 pm. (970) 472-6802. We can provide a list of chemicals to avoid, articles, and a list of companies that are listed on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
- Choose Sacred Skin or other lines registered with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at www.safecosmetics.com
- Use the searchable Skin Deep Database on EWG website to find out how the cosmetics tested in its study of more than 10,000 beauty products.
The Breast Cancer Fund
www.breastcancerfund.org
(415) 346-8223 The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
www.safecosmetics.org
(202) 222-0712 The Environmental Working Group
www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep
(202) 667-6982 Think Before You Pink
www.thinkbeforeyourpink.org
Breast Cancer Action
(877) 278-6722 (toll free)
For More Information Contact: The Healing Gardens Health Center and Medicinal Store
315 Canyon Ave.
Tel: (970) 472-6802
FAX: (970) 472-6799
Internet:
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