Solutions
Tips for using cosmetics
The regulatory requirements governing the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other consumer products such as drugs. Cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. Manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, to market a product. Some regulations do apply: an ingredient declaration is required on every cosmetic product sold to consumers. The ingredients must be listed in descending order of quantity. Water accounts for the bulk of most skin-care products, which is why it usually appears first on ingredient lists. Around 40% of manufacturers who want to project an image of responsible product development voluntarily register their products with the Food and Drug Administration. There are also no regulations requiring cosmetic manufacturers to indicate the shelf life -- the amount of time for which a product is good under normal conditions of storage and use, depending on the products composition, packaging, preservation -- on the labels of their product. Voluntary shelf-life guidelines developed by the cosmetic industry vary, depending on the product and its intended use. The shelf life for eye-area cosmetics is more limited than for other products. Because of repeated microbial exposure during use and the risk of eye infections, some industry experts recommend replacing mascara 3 months after purchase. If the mascara dries out, discard it. Do not add water or, even worse, saliva to moisten it, because that will introduce bacteria into the product. If you have an eye infection, consult a physician immediately, stop using all eye-area cosmetics, and discard those you were using when the infection occurred. Other cosmetics that are likely to have an unusually short shelf life are certain "all natural" products that may contain plant-derived substances conducive to microbial growth. It also is important for consumers and manufacturers to consider the increased risk of contamination in products that contain non-traditional preservatives or no preservatives at all. Expiration dates are only rules of thumb. A products safety may expire long before the expiration date if it has not been properly stored. Cosmetics that have been improperly stored - for example, exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, or opened and examined by consumers prior to final sale - may deteriorate substantially before the expiration date. On the other hand, products stored under ideal conditions may be acceptable long after the expiration date has been reached. Sharing makeup increases the risk of contamination. "Testers" commonly found at department store cosmetic counters are even more likely to become contaminated than the same products in an individuals home. At home, the preservatives usually have a whole day to kill the bacteria that is inevitably introduced after each use, but the brief times between uses of testers in stores do not allow the preservatives to kill the bacteria. If you test a cosmetic before purchasing it, apply it with a new, unused applicator, like a fresh cotton swab.
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