Color additives: how they are made in natural versus conventional cosmetics.
We all want rosy cheeks, pink lips and flawless makeup, right? But what exactly are we putting on our skin in order to get that color we desire? If you’re wearing makeup, it’s gotten its hues from one or more of the following three methods:
1. Synthetic Dyes
These are the nastiest, the cheapest and the most common. Cosmetic companies use FD&C artificial additivessuch as FD&C Blue No. 1, Red. No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 to color their products. Our skin is our largest organ and it absorbs what we put on it. If our bodies don’t recognize something as natural, it will fight and try to resist it (whether you notice it or whether it’s happening beneath the surface). While the FDA recognizes these colors as safe enough to use in food and body products, that doesn’t mean consuming artificial colors and flavors makes them healthy! We don’t even know the long term health harms from these synthetics!
2. Minerals/Iron Oxides
Iron oxides are oxidized iron…and iron is a metal. While this option may seem harmless, it can actually cause your skin to look sallow over time and worsen your complexion. Also, some companies use nano particles, which are ultra-fine particles that can be embedded into the skin or lungs. Dr. Oz believes that long term use of mineral makeup (especially loose powder) can lead to inflammation, irritation and lung disease. If you choose to use mineral makeup, look for non-nano particles, which are larger and don’t penetrate the skin or lungs. (Rest assured that when we rarely use minerals, i.e. titanium dioxide, they are in non-nano form.) Mineral makeup is certainly better than the synthetically-dyed kind, as it generally has less irritants like dyes, binders, fragrances and preservatives. And sometimes it’s the only choice for certain colors or shimmer. But there is almost always a healthier option.
3. Fruit Pigments
Just like it sounds: this category is pure color pigments from fruit! Nothing to hide here! For instance, yellow is achieved from squash pigments, red from tomato, blue from blueberries, etc. This category is essentially health food for your skin! When you wear cosmetics colored from fruit, you are getting beautiful, natural hues. But, what’s even better: you’re getting the benefit of all the vitamins and antioxidants present in that fruit!
The thing is, you have to MAKE plant pigments. Any company can just go buy some FD&C red dye. Minerals are also cheap and readily available. For marketing purposes, some makeup brands will list plant pigments on their labels, and perhaps they threw a little in there to make their product seem healthy. But there’s a difference: I worked ten years to refine, develop and fully perfect the original plant pigment process and make it as effective as it is today. Just like how your tastebuds can discern between mediocre and fine wines, I learned the best method to juice, sift, dehydrate and isolate pigments from fruit for maximum effectiveness. And I believe in the difference my patented fruit pigments make for people of all ages.
Maybe you’re in your 20s or 30s and have flawless skin, but perhaps 40 or 50 hits and you start to see signs of aging. Every time you wear our 100% PURE® products, you’re reaping the benefits of fruit vitamins and fruit antioxidants. This acts as preventative care–an investment in your beautiful future skin.
If you are a little older, then this is just as critical because of those antioxidants doing the work for you! Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect your skin from pollution, the sun and other stressors. The health benefits from fruit nourish your skin and give it the nutrients it needs to maintain a more youthful, clean and glowing complexion. Think of how your body would feel and look if you fed it nothing but candy every day. Now imagine how different your body would feel and look from eating nothing but organic plants. Our skin is the same way–if we feed it well and take good care of it, we will be able to see and feel the positive results immediately and for years to come.