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Many consumers don’t realize the hidden dangers lurking in product fragrances. This is because, in the U.S. as in many other countries, manufacturers don’t have to specify on product labels exactly what ingredients a fragrance contains. With many “fragrances” now comprising complicated mixtures of hundreds of ingredients, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) not requiring safety tests of cosmetic products, this makes the exact composition of a “fragrance” a black box of many different, untested chemicals.In the worst cases, some of the chemical cocktails listed on product labels merely as a “fragrance” have been linked to allergies, skin reactions, hormone disruptions, birth defects and even cancer.

This problem isn’t confined to just a few products, since about 95% of 3,000 the different fragrance ingredients now used consist of low cost synthetic compounds derived from petroleum.Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are a top hazard in fragrance mixtures. These are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly added to plastics to increase their flexibility. Certain phthalate esters are also used in the manufacture of nail polishes, paint, adhesives and perfumes.

In 2004, a joint Swedish-Danish research team found a strong link between allergies in children and the phthalates; this study was later published in The Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. Subsequent studies have also linked phthalates with birth defects, toxicity and damage to adult reproductive, adrenal, liver, and kidney organs. Although some manufacturers have removed these chemicals from their products, a recent study conducted by the Environmental Working Group found phthalates in nearly three-quarters of 72 name-brand products tested.Artificial musks can also cause unintended side effects. These chemicals remain popular, however, since the price of natural musk, which is derived mainly from a gland of the male musk deer, has become prohibitively expensive.

Of the three primary types of synthetic musk (nitromusk, polycyclic musk and macrocyclic musk), nitromusk is particularly dangerous as it has been linked to reproductive and fertility problems in women at high levels of exposure. Because of this, the EU has banned the usage of some nitromusks in cosmetics and personal care products, but in the United States, musk chemicals remain unregulated, and safe levels of exposure have not yet been set. Many synthetic fragrance components are considered allergens and can both cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.

But when the Environmental Working Group conducted a survey in 2005 of U.S. cosmetic industry ingredient reviews, it found that for about one third of all ingredients, allergen and sensitizer determinations were made inadequately.In contrast, natural fragrance ingredients such as essential oils are obtained entirely from plants. When properly prepared, they have not been associated with significant adverse reactions. However, natural ingredients tend to be more expensive than synthetic chemicals, resulting in fewer skin care product manufacturers using them.

You can find a lot of body moisturizer reviews that promote one brand or the other. Here is your inside guide on how you can choose effectively which is the best body moisturizer for yourself without relying on biased body moisturizer reviews.

How can you decide which is the best body moisturizer? You cannot find that by looking at the brand name, products slogan or the product label. But by knowing what ingredients have been used in the product, you can make the best decision without searching for numerous body moisturizer reviews.

Firstly, should be aware of what type of harmful chemicals that you should be avoiding in skin care products. Some of them are –

1) Parabens — they are used as preservatives in cheap skincare products. They cause rashes, allergies and irritation. They disrupt the body’s endocrine system and are also known to cause cancer!

2) Mineral oils — they give a temporary moisturizing effect to the skin. But they clog the skin’s pores and lead to an accumulation of toxins. This causes acne eruptions, allergies and irritation. Mineral oils destroy the skin’s moisture balance, so you suffer from excessive skin dryness when you discontinue using such moisturizers.

3) Fragrances – They can refer to 4000 different types of synthetic chemicals that are used to create a nice smell in skincare products. They cause depression, anxiety, hyperactivity and hormonal disruptions.

You should avoid such harmful chemicals in your skin care products at any cost. Rather than doing a good to the skin, they cause adverse health consequences in the long-term.

Here are some of the essential components that you should look for the best body moisturizers –

a) Essential oils — look for natural moisturizing oils such as avocado oil, macadamia oil and grape seed oil. They have a composition very similar to the sebum (natural oils secreted by the skin) and are very easily absorbed. They replace the essential oils that the skin loses throughout the day and keep the skin soft, supple and vibrant.

b) Moisturizing ingredients — look for natural moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil and Shea butter. They hydrate the skin deeply and create an invisible barrier that locks in the essential moistures.

c) Emollients — Maracuja and Crodomol are two of the best emollients. They soften the skin and soothe inflamed skin without clogging the pores.

d) Antioxidants — Look for active Manuka honey, coenzymeQ10 and natural vitamin E. They are the best antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and prevent premature skin aging.

Besides the above mentioned elements, the best body moisturizers should also contain natural ingredients that enhance the youth giving proteins in the body called collagen and elastin. They are essential for maintaining skin firmness, suppleness and strength.

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