A is for A L C O H O L
#BEAUTYSHELFIE
The use of Alcohol in skincare is a controversial subject, from the initial conception of a Skincare or Makeup line to the final completion with Brand Marketing on our TV screens, the consumer will almost always be interested in labels and what's in their Cosmetic product.. The creation of celebrity endorsed anti-ageing face creams, rejuvenating eye masks, miracle cleansers, and long lasting makeup products, will almost always include a group of substances with several combinations of Alcohol compounds.
Because alcohol has such excellent antiseptic and disinfectant properties, small quantities are often used as a unique and safe form of preservative. Almost all Certified Cosmetics will contain 100% natural alcohol only, extracted from plants, and fruits. The general public on purchasing these products will be safe in the knowledge that they contain No pesticides, GM modified ingredients, or Parabens. Many cosmetics houses will continue to find it challenging, to source alternative natural alcohol combinations.
Certified Regulators collaborate with the strict regulations of the Food Standards Agency in the UK, to audit and licence only the finest quality products for Organic food, whilst observing limited regulation and guidance for skincare and cosmetic preparations. Many skincare houses still use many forms of alcohol combined with minimal quantities of petroleum, mineral oils, silicone and synthetics. These ingredients work in harmony to enhance the visual surface of the skin, in turn making it appear more beautiful, youthful radiant and attractive to the consumer.
How can we be sure?
The confusion in the types of alcohol, and the safety of its use, can sometimes cloud the consumers view of alcohol. Alcohol is mostly seen as one item, by many of the public, and the skilled terms used by Scientists to describe the many layers and derivatives of alcohol confuses most people. Continued and extensive research into the use of alcohol for the preservation of longer shelf life is important, and also a leading factor when costing Brands. However as potential consumers, we must be aware that leading Scientists, and highly skilled Dermatologist's are still unsure of the potential risks of prolonged use of alcohol on the skin and to the body.
Trying to establish which products to use can be a difficult and confusing task, especially as natural and synthetic alcohol's are here to stay. Hopefully with ongoing product development, Eco education, No modified or GM products, we will be able to make a healthy educated decision which brands are more beneficial our families and provide product purity for our children.
As a mother and qualified Holistic Beauty Therapist, I made a long term conscious decision to ensure that I research and try to source ethically safe Beauty and Makeup brands. I am working to include limited use of products that contain ingredients, which are not essentially beneficial to our skin.
I am a huge fan of natural skincare, and have made a personal and conscious decision use branded ranges that work to provide safe ingredients, ethical products, with cruelty free methods of research.
When it comes to professional education and safe research, we can all aim to ensure that we adopt a philosophical attitude to what's going into our bodies and onto our bathroom and vanity shelves!
Over the coming years in an ever changing world we must strongly recommend using brands that have passed stringent testing with ingredient listings, making ethical choices for all Beauty and Cosmetic products.
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| Photo-credit-Welsey-Wilson |
Why not actively start using brands that have smaller quantities of chemical ingredients, there are some fantastic companies out there! I intend to continue to choose my skincare preparations, beauty cosmetics with a healthy ethos, armed with as much information as possible. I am a huge fan of natural skincare, and have made a personal and conscious decision use branded ranges that work to provide safe ingredients, ethical products, with cruelty free methods of research.
There are good and bad alcohols when it comes to skincare, but with professional education and safe research, we can all aim to ensure that we adopt a philosophical attitude to what's going into our bodies and onto our bathroom and vanity shelves!
Do you use a fantastic cosmetic brand that is environmentally and ethically friendly, have you recently discovered a brand that you want to share, drop me a line on the comments box below.
