Not Just a Pretty Face, The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan, is a must read for anyone concerned about toxins in skin care and cosmetic products. It's very interesting but has some shocking facts as well, and contains some critical information that everyone should have. It's not just cosmetics, but includes such things as soap, toothpaste, shampoo and shaving cream. Basically all personal care products. Even more surprising is what she has to say about children's toys! However the primary focus of the book is the beauty industry.
One of the many disturbing things mentioned in this book is blood that was analyzed for chemicals by two independent laboratories in one particular study, and was found to be positive for a wide range of chemicals in newborn babies. Toxins were found in umbilical cord blood. Another study done on breast milk in several states found all the milk samples contained chemicals.
While toxins in cosmetics can affect the health of anyone, this message may be of particular concern to young women of child-bearing age tod determine how they can protect their unborn babies by making good choices in their personal care products.
Many people are likely unaware that the skin care and beauty industry is unregulated, which means products do not have to be tested for safety. There is no requirement for companies to safety test personal care products before they are available to the public. For this reason, I believe it's vital that people become educated in this regard, and Not Just a Pretty Face exposes the hidden dangers in products we use every day.
This book is very readable and actually has a very encouraging message of empowerment so we can protect ourselves with the personal care products we buy. There are safe alternatives to be found in virtually everything we buy. The skin is the largest organ in the body and readily absorbs whatever we put on it. Skin care and makeup that is meant to make us beautiful on the outside should not be making us sick on the inside.
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