Any self-proclaimed eco diva knows a green philosophy has to penetrate further than her exterior and your beauty cabinet should be your first port of call. The products you slather on your face and body are absorbed by your skin and eventually become part of you - so an eco-friendly beauty regime is absolutely essential. At present, not one cosmetic company warns consumers about the possible carcinogens - cancer-causing substances - in their products. Dangerous chemicals often used in personal care products include ammonia derivatives, known to have hormone-disrupting effects. By themselves such ingredients are not carcinogenic, but when combined with products containing nitrates - a common preservative - a chemical reaction takes place, forming nitrosamines. Most nitrosamines are carcinogenic, but as nitrosamines are classed as "impurities" they are not shown on product labels.
A 1980s report conducted by the United States' Food & Drug Administration found 37 percent of tested products contained cancer-causing nitrosamines. While the UK Department of Trade and Industry - now known as the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform - confirms, "nitrosamines are more toxic in more animal species than any other category of chemical carcinogen". Today, organic skincare and makeup by brands such as Aubrey Organics (www.aubrey-organics.com) and Jurlique (www.jurlique.com) provide safer alternatives, so you can look great while having peace of mind. To find out more about what goes into your favourite brand of lipstick or shower gel pick up a copy of Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan - a fascinating read.
