Cosmetics and beauty aids offer natural enhancement

Cosmetics and beauty aids are products used to enhance physical appearance, such as makeup (lipstick, concealer, eye shadow and eye liner, foundation, bronzer, and blush), nail polish, antiaging creams, hair products (shampoo, conditioner, styling products, dyes), and perfume. Nontoxic cosmetics and beauty aids are free from potentially harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and1,4-dioxane, as well as skin irritants such as synthetic preservatives, fragrances, oils, and dyes. These products often use natural ingredients like essential oils, plant pigments and extracts, cacao or shea butter, beeswax, and minerals. Increased demand for nontoxic cosmetics and beauty aids has led to legislative efforts like the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 and new labels such as NSF Made with Organic—an alternative to the USDA Organic label.