Natural Cosmetic News » new ingredient http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com Natural Cosmetic & Personal Care News & Articles Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:29:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 5 Dangerous Natural Cosmetic Ingredients http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/toxic-products/5-dangerous-natural-cosmetic-ingredients/ http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/toxic-products/5-dangerous-natural-cosmetic-ingredients/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:20:40 +0000 Craig Payne http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/?p=883 To the trustworthy, non-concerning consumer, “natural” has a direct association with safe.  Although ingredients may be natural, that does not mean they are safe.  In order to get to the bottom of this, and to find out which ingredients are safe, and which pose a certain health risk, I reviewed the book, “Volume 1 of Plants in Cosmetics: Plants and Plant Preparations Used as Ingredients for Cosmetic Products,” which summarizes a detailed study performed by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products.

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products for this specific study reviewed 71 plants and plant preparations which are used as ingredients for cosmetic products.  Out of the 71 ingredients studied, 54 are considered safe, 5 are not recommended for cosmetic use, and the remaining 12 require additional data to make an accurate assessment.

Below lists the 5 non-recommended natural cosmetic ingredients that pose serious health hazards:

  • Betula alba
  • Juniperus oxycedrus
  • Pinus sylvestrisr
  • Gaultheria procumbens
  • Cinnamomum zeylanicum

The study was conducted following the methodologies similar to that of safety-in-use of cosmetic products based on man-made ingredients, whereas this study was based on plant and plant preparations.  The guidelines set forth to determine if the ingredients were in fact hazardous and toxic were based on the analysis of two types of data and characteristics: Evaluation of human exposure, and evaluation of toxicity.

Evaluation of Human Exposure to Natural Cosmetic Ingredients

The Evaluation of human exposure was classified by measuring the specific toxicity of the ingredients, as well as estimating the extent the consumer is likely to be exposed, including: the type of cosmetic, quantity of the ingredient being used, the quantity of the ingredient contacting the consumer in each application, the frequency of application, the area of the body being exposed, and the foreseeable misuse of the product.

Once the of exposure is estimated, the likely amount to enter body is calculated.  That, coupled with the review of past studies of the same ingredient provide an educated estimate of the complete extent of exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.

Evaluation of Toxicity in Natural Cosmetic Ingredients

The evaluation of toxicity is based on exsting knowledge obtained through similar studies of topical effects data and systemic effects data that has been complied through skin and other relevant exposure routes, such as eye and ingestion.  However, if the natural cosmetic ingredient is new, topical and systemic effect data should be obtained using internationally acceptable guidelines such as the OECD guidelines for testing of cosmetics.

]]> http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/toxic-products/5-dangerous-natural-cosmetic-ingredients/feed/ 0 The Powerful Noni Plant and Skin Care http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/new-ingredients/the-powerful-noni-plant/ http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/new-ingredients/the-powerful-noni-plant/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:18:18 +0000 admin http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/?p=649
Although Noni plant  (Morinda citrifolia) is not new product, it is being widely recognized for its medicinal and regenerative value in the skin care market.
The noni plant is assumed to have originated in Southeast Asia. It is believed that French Polinesians took the noon plant with them when they colonized the islands of the South Pacific, as a source of food and medicine, about 2000 years ago. Written documentation exists stating that the fruit was used as food in Tahiti, Fiji, Roratonga, Samoa, Australia and India. They also used a yellow or red dye that was obtained by scraping and pounding the roots and bark. This dye was later used to color tap cloths and clothing.
Every part of the noni plant, from the root to the leaves, has been used for some sort of healing or curative purpose. Healers used the leaves as bandage for wounds, juice was extracted from the green fruit to cure lesions and mouth sores. Inflammation or infections were treated with the root or bark. All kinds of conditions were cared for with noni: fevers, skin disease, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal upset, menstrual or urinary problems, diabetes, and venereal diseases.  Research into the traditional uses of noni indicate that it was the second most popular plant used in herbal remedies with approximately 40 known and recorded formulations.  Noni is included in the traditional pharmacopedias of Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Asian populations.
The noni plant is a small evergreen tree that grows 3 to 6 meters high. All parts of the plant can be used and are reported to have some role in the treatment of common everyday illnesses.
Some of the illnesses the noni plant is used to treat and modern uses are: ADD/ADHD, addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, brain problems, burns, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive problems, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, gout, hypertension, immune deficiency, infection, inflammation, jet lag, multiple sclerosis, muscle and joint pain, polio, rheumatism, severed fingers, sinus, veterinary medicine.
Different parts of the noni plant are also marketed as powerful ingredients in many products or as products on their own.. Noni fruit oil is used in shampoo. The tree’s dried leave’s are marketed as tea for their medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Noni juice contains a variety of antioxidants which are very useful because they prevent free radicals from damaging cells.  Its medicinal benefits have nor yet been established scientifically, but the plant does contain compounds of proven medicinal value. They include metabolism-regulating xeronines, anti-inflammatory scopoletin and immune-boosting polysaccharides.
Although all information on noni seems to be positive, some claim that the sugar and potassium contained by it make it unsafe for diabetics and people with renal failure to use. It may also cause constipation, although some believe the leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can be used as a laxative. Some also think that noni can help treat many ailments such as  as cancer, AIDS, heart disease and diabetes, but this info was found to be groundless according to the Creighton University’s Medical Center.
Some examples of research done on noon fruit and its benefits in skin care are the following:
- Dr. R.M. Heinecke from the University of Hawaii, discovered with his studies that xeroxine, a powerful alkaloid, which acts as powerful cell regenerating agent.
- “introduction of Normal Phenotypes in RAS-transformed cells by Damnacanthal from Morinda Cirtriolia /9noni fruit)” by T. iramatsu. M. Imoto, T. Koyano, K. Umezawa. Cancer 73 (1993) 161-166 . These Japanese researchers studied the effect of over 500 extracts from tropical plants on the K-ras NRK cell (a pre-cursor to certain types of cancer). The compound, damncantha found in the Noni fruit, was found to be an inhibitor of as function.
- “Analgesic and Behavioral Effect of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni Fruit)” by C. Younos, A. Rolland, J. Fluerentin, M. Lanhers, R. Misslin, F. Mortier. Planta Mdica 56 (1990) 430-431. In this study, the analgesic and sedative effect of extracts from Noni fruit are tested. The researchers conlcuded that the noon fruit extracts did in fact have a consistent analgesic effect in each experiment.
Also if you want to read more on the subject you can look for the following:
- “Noni Phenomenon”  by Neil Solomon
- “53 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice ” by Isabelle NAvarre-Brown
Although Noni plant  (Morinda citrifolia) is not new product, it is being widely recognized for itsnoni_fruit medicinal and regenerative value in the skin care market.
The noni plant is assumed to have originated in Southeast Asia. It is believed that French Polynesians took the noon plant with them when they colonized the islands of the South Pacific, as a source of food and medicine, about 2000 years ago. Written documentation exists stating that the fruit was used as food in Tahiti, Fiji, Roratonga, Samoa, Australia and India. They also used a yellow or red dye that was obtained by scraping and pounding the roots and bark. This dye was later used to color tap cloths and clothing.
The noni plant is a small evergreen tree that grows 3 to 6 meters high. All parts of the plant can be used and are reported to have some role in the treatment of common everyday illnesses. Some of the illnesses the noni plant is used to treat and modern uses are: ADD/ADHD, addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, brain problems, burns, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive problems, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, gout, hypertension, immune deficiency, infection, inflammation, jet lag, multiple sclerosis, muscle and joint pain, polio, rheumatism, severed fingers, sinus, veterinary medicine.
Its medicinal benefits have nor yet been established scientifically, but the plant does contain compounds of proven medicinal value. They include metabolism-regulating xeronines, anti-inflammatory scopoletin and immune-boosting polysaccharides.
Different parts of the noni plant are also marketed as powerful ingredients in many products or as products on their own. Noni fruit oil is used in shampoo and conditioner, other products available are capsules, deodorant, noni body powder, hand and facial soap, noni foot and body lotion, juice, fruit extracts, eye cream and rejuvenating face masks. Another product available is noni collagen which is supposed to be used as a maintaining product for cosmetics thus improving products’ effectiveness. It is intended to replace some harmful chemical additives. The tree’s dried leave’s are marketed as tea for their medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Noni juice contains a variety of antioxidants which are very useful because they prevent free radicals from damaging cells.
You can find many companies offering these products online. Some of them have created hair line products using noni as its main ingredient Noni capsules may range from $8 (100 capsules/ 500 mg) to $14 (60 capsules/  375 mg). Juice can be found for  $23 – $30 for 32 oz to $13 for 18 oz. You can find 2 oz noni deodorant for $7.50 and body powder for about $7.50 to $9.50 for 3-4 oz.
Some products you may find that contain noni mixed with other natural ingredients. For example, there is a company that produces noni and lemongrass shampoo for about $5. Shampoo can cost from $15 to $30 depending on the concentration of the ingredients used.
There are a  wide range of products available but, it is easier to find noni juice than personal care products using noon as a natural ingredient.
Although all information on noni seems to be positive, some claim that the sugar and potassium contained by it make it unsafe for diabetics and people with renal failure to use. It may also cause constipation, although some believe the leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can be used as a laxative. Some also think that noni can help treat many ailments such as  as cancer, AIDS, heart disease and diabetes, but this info was found to be groundless according to the Creighton University’s Medical Center.
Unfortunately there seems to be little interest in using this wonderful ingredient in products nowadays.  Also there is not much information on the benefits of adding such a powerful fruit to personal care products.
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