Ingredients of cosmetics
Cosmetics often use vibrant colors that are derived from a wide variety of sources, ranging from crushed insects to rust.
[1] Cosmetics in a variety of forms date back to early civilizations, with the need to improve ones personal appearance being an important factor in attracting a mate.
During the era of the Greek Empire it was common to use face paints, while cosmetics in ancient Rome contained starch, olive oil, beeswax, saffron, rose water, and lead.
[3] Cerebrosides (cells from the nervous systems of cattle or swine) were once used in some high-end skin-care products to increase moisture retention and to create a smooth skin surface,[4] however the BSE controversy has put an end to this practice.
[7] Pearlescence, also sometimes spelled as "pearl essence", is a shine or gloss effect commonly used in a wide variety of cosmetic products.
[8] Alternatives exist, including the suspension of tiny flakes of a suitable material within the product, often a wax such as glycol distearate.
Lipstick is known to have been used around 5000 years ago in ancient Babylon, when semi-precious jewels were crushed and applied to the lips and occasionally around the eyes.
Cleopatra had her lipstick made from crushed carmine beetles, which gave a deep red pigment, and ants for a base.
[13] There is some controversy over the presence of these trace ingredients, especially since makeup worn on the lips is not just absorbed through the skin, but also swallowed with drinking and eating.
Islamic cultures contributed significantly in the development of western perfumery in both perfecting the extraction of fragrances through steam distillation and introducing new, raw ingredients.
Both of the raw ingredients and distillation technology significantly influenced western perfumery and scientific developments, particularly chemistry.
France quickly became the European center of perfume and cosmetic manufacture, cultivating vast amounts of flowers for their essence.
[citation needed] Perfume has been used to mask body odor for many hundreds of years, but in the late 19th century the ability to reduce such odour was developed.
[17][18] Research has shown that the aluminum salts used in antiperspirants have detrimental effects to a number of species such as non-human primates,[19] mice,[20] dogs[21] and others.
An experiment with mice found that applying an aqueous solution of aluminum chloride to the skin resulted in "a significant increase in urine, serum, and whole brain aluminium.
Aside from color additives, cosmetic products and their ingredients are not subject to FDA regulation prior to their release into the market.
