You are What (make-up) You Eat

Last year there was a fair amount of media buzz around the shocking claim that the average woman (I’m still trying to figure out just who the proverbial “average” woman is) eats around six pounds of lipstick in a lifetime. But a few brainiacs did the math and discovered that the claim was wildly exaggerated. Still, around the same time there were a couple of real studies published that described unacceptable levels of toxic chemicals found in many of our cosmetics. Suddenly that lipstick-eating story got a lot of attention again.

Any amount of lipstick we eat can’t be good if it contains toxic chemical and measurable amounts of lead, cadmium and arsenic — heavy metals and additives that end up lodged in our kidneys, liver and tissues. Additionally, since the skin is the largest organ in our bodies it becomes the first line of defense against, and unfortunately absorption of, a lot of these additives, whether we eat them or not. In Shopping for the Real You I mention these facts and encourage my readers to seek out the safest cosmetics they can find. The field of natural cosmetics and skin care is a huge and rapidly growing industry as more and more women begin to demand “cleaner” cosmetics.

Periodically I discover make-up and skin-care companies whose products are manufactured without toxic chemicals. I will be featuring some that I believe are going the extra mile to make sure what we put on our faces and skin makes us more beautiful and healthy-looking rather than sets us up for health problems down the road.

This month I’m delighted to feature Zosimos Botanicals. Named for the 4^th Century Alchemist, Zosimos was founded by Lisa Stein, a mother and former trademark attorney who decided to opt for a more serene, eco-friendly life. Her company’s mission is to create a business that supports a healthy environment and to produce products that support a healthier customer. And her products are never animal tested. (Yay!) In addition to the values reflected in the manufacture of her products, you’ll see that the lipsticks, eyeliners, etc. are just plain pretty! She also carries a huge selection of natural skin care products.

Zosimos has also helped to solve one of the economic frustrations a lot of us experience, namely that we buy a lipstick that looks good in the store but not so great when we get home — and we’ve just spent $20 on it. If you find a yummy-colored Zosimos lipstick that seems to be right for your coloring, you can try it out in one of their $5 mini size versions first. At that price you can buy multiple trial sizes (I did and love every one of them.) And they have refills of many of their products. As I said — it’s a true eco-friendly company. I have great respect for what Linda has done, and I’m very happy to recommend Zosimos to my readers.