[shapeshifterstudio]

Thank you, @makingskincare, for the great links, I hadn’t seen them before!

[shapeshifterstudio]

Obviously there is a significant amount of fear mongering and green washing happening, it seems a lot of it is coming from cosmetic companies themselves in their marketing departments, in addition to lazy journalists and blog-activists. What’s a consumer layman to do or believe?

Here is what the FDA currently has to say to the public about Triclosan:

What is known about the safety of triclosan?

Triclosan is not currently known to be hazardous to humans. But several scientific studies have come out since the last time FDA reviewed this ingredient that merit further review.

Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don’t always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

In light of these studies, FDA is engaged in an ongoing scientific and regulatory review of this ingredient. FDA does not have sufficient safety evidence to recommend changing consumer use of products that contain triclosan at this time.

You’re not helping, FDA. So, the average person reading that (myself included!) is seeing “Well, we were pretty certain this ingredient was safe and closed the book on it, but during the last 20 years some studies were done with enough scientific merit that we’re going to check it out again. Please continue to utilize this ingredient in the mean time and we’ll get back to you if it turns out it’s harmful.”

Perhaps only a tiny portion of ingredients have legitimate suspicion that leads to reseach in the scientific community, but maybe you can see how that could contribute to the snowballing paranoia happening?

I think blog posts like the one on Paula’s Choice and ones that Perry and others have written to combat “chemical hysteria” are great. The issue I see is that when I visit, say EWG’s site, they will point readers to those handful of studies that are causing concern, while the FDA and blog posts like the one above seem to say “Trust us, we’re scientists.” Obviously not everyone will develop the working knowledge to be able to parce through the decades of research on the actual safety of these “baddies”, but what can it hurt to make it easier for consumers to access that information? Maybe part of the solution are more bloggers on this side of the issue striving to make it simpler for consumers to inform themselves. Paula’s Choice has a really great database aimed at their customers and readers to explain cosmetic ingredients…maybe take that a step further and provide links to toxicology reports, etc where consumers can find out more about the safety of those ingredients for themselves if they choose. 

Just my two cents as a novice here (o: Of course as I learn more about about these things I plan to blog about them myself!

Edited to say I was just directed to CIR for the first time, this is kind of what I’m talking about…those PDFs could be linked into the PC data base or the article about the dirty dozen.

[shapeshifterstudio]

Hello all,

I’m Sarah in Sarasota, Florida USA and just began Perry’s formulating class. I have a BFA in metalsmithing and enameling, so I guess I have some experience with the material sciences and chemistry of that arena though not from a scientific background. I’ve become very interested in cosmetic formulation over the past year and ready to start experimenting with making my own products. I have some ideas about marketing and packaging cosmetics and would love to make a great product to match! I’m so glad I happened upon this forum and that it seems to have some dedicated and active members to bounce ideas and get feedback from. I look forward to asking a lot of questions! 

I am especially interested in SPF products and will be seeking advice on their formulation and regulations. 

Thanks Perry and all contributors,

Sarah

[shapeshifterstudio]

Interesting, I’m new to this and taking note of all the controversial SPF ingredients I hear about and had never heard a whisper of titanium dioxide being one of them, only oxybenzone and PABAs.

[shapeshifterstudio]

I have normal skin not prone to sensitivities and .5% salycilic acid makes my skin burn, so I agree the high concentration isn’t needed.