What's in Your Skincare?

Are you sure you really want to know? Huge gaps and loop holes in public health laws allow cosmetics companies to utilize almost any ingredient they choose in makeup and personal care products. These ingredients (many very dangerous) are in everything from sunscreen and mascara to deodorant and baby shampoo with no restrictions and no requirements for safety testing. In fact, the effects of long-term use of most of these ingredients is simply not known.

There are approximately 10,500 ingredients in personal care products in the United States. Only 11% of the chemical ingredients in cosmetics have been assessed for health and safety concerns by the industry’s "self-policing safety panel". The composition of many personal care products includes toxic, carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting materials.

The FDA does not regulate the cosmetic industry, which includes skin care and toiletries. FDA regulations state, “A cosmetic manufacturer may use any ingredient or raw material and market the final product without government approval.” A few toxins are banned, but many more known toxins and known carcinogens are allowed in cosmetic formulations. Less than one percent of the FDA’s budget is for skin care.

The US has banned only 10 ingredients from cosmetic's use. The EU has banned 1100+.

According to the Skin Deep report by the Environmental Working Group, (a partner in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics), one-third of all personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer.

The following is a list of some of the most notorious ingredients - known or suspected to be toxic, which are still allowed into cosmetics. Though the dangers of repeated use, which results in long term exposure to toxins exists, they still continue to be used.

MERCURY - Mercury is a possible human carcinogen, and known human reproductive or developmental toxin. Considering what has been learned about mercury's ability to damage brain function at low levels, it's hard to imagine that it's still used in cosmetics, but it is. Mercury is often listed as thimerosal on ingredient labels, and is found in some eye drops, ointments and mascaras.
PLACENTA - Placenta produces progesterone, estrogen and other hormones that can interfere with the body’s normal hormone functions and can lead to serious health problems—like breast cancer—when used in cosmetics. It is most often found in hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
LEAD ACETATE - This compound of lead is a known human reproductive and developmental toxin. Prohibited from use in cosmetics in the European Union. Found in some hair dyes and cleansers.
PETROCHEMICALS - These byproducts of crude oil (appearing on labels as petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin) may contain known or suspected human carcinogens as well as harmful breakdown products or impurities from manufacturing processes (such as 1,4-Dioxane), which are not listed on ingredient labels. Found in some hair relaxers, shampoos, anti-aging creams, mascaras, perfumes, foundations, lipsticks and lip balms.
PHTHALATES - These plasticizing chemicals are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Found in some nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.
HYDROQUINONE - A possible carcinogen and probable neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, hydroquinone can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis, which leaves irreversible black-blue lesions on skin. Found in some skin lightening products and moisturizers.
NANOPARTICLES - These highly touted, VERY tiny particles are largely untested and unlabeled in personal care products. Nanoparticles are capable of being absorbed directly into the bloodstream, and can slide up the optic nerve to the brain or burrow inside red blood cells. They are found in some eye shadows, bronzers, sunscreens, lotions and facial creams.

While science is "playing catch up" on the dangers of new cosmetic technologies and long term exposure to toxic chemicals, (particularly chemicals in combination with one another, which has barely been addressed), we believe the best course of action is to play it safe. There are more simple, natural solutions to beauty.

AvivNaturals is dedicated to personal care solutions which you don't have to be afraid to use. You don't have to wonder what our ingredients really are. It's absolutely naturally simply ingredients like: Aloe Leaf Juice, Chamomile Flower Ext, Green Tea, Vit C, Vit A, Vit E, Purified Water, CoQ10, Shea Fruit Butter, Witch Hazel Distillate, Haritaki Fruit Ext, Olive Fruit... you get the picture! You can pronounce it all, and you probably even recognize it all.

AvivBotanicals provide all the good stuff and none of the bad stuff!

Formulated with the natural goodness God created!

What IS in our AvivBotanicals products:
~ 100% Natural Safe Ingredients ~ Organically Grown Fruit, Vegetables, Herbs, Nuts ~ Organically Grown Botanical Oils, Extracts and Distillates ~ All Environmentally Friendly Ingredients

What's NOT in our AvivBotanicals products:
~ NO sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or other harsh or toxic chemicals ~ NO parabens or other harsh synthetic or toxic preservatives ~ NO chemically derived synthetic fragrances ~ NO dangerous FC&C dyes or artificial colors ~ NO fillers, waxes or petrochemicals ~ NO ANIMAL TESTING

AVIVNATURALS... GOD'S GOODNESS NATURALLY!!