/oss/taxonomy/term/2055/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-jar <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-in-a-jar-and-profits-naturally">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> <hr /> <p>It used to be that cosmetics were sold for what was in them. Creams and lotions would hype their copper peptides, antioxidants, collagen, bull semen, ambergris (whale regurgitation), caviar, placenta extract, crushed pearl, snake venom or nightingale poop. Yes, snake venom and nightingale poop!</p> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:05:38 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9978 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition/california-sees-red <p>The state of California is planning to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye No. 3 from use in foods by 2027. BVO prevents citrus oils from separating in beverages, but has mostly been phased out because of concerns that it interferes with thyroid function. Potassium bromate is used by bakers to make dough springier and to promote rising, but is a suspected carcinogen based on rat feeding studies. Propylparaben is a preservative added to some foods and cosmetics and concerns have been raised about its hormone-like effects.</p> Wed, 18 Oct 2023 22:51:44 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9696 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-health-toxicity-you-asked/you-asked-should-we-be-concerned-about-parabens-cosmetics <p>Not if you look at the numbers. Many cosmetics now advertise "no parabens," as they cater to chemical paranoia. Parabens are very effective preservatives and prevent bacterial growth in creams and lotions. The reason that they have made news is that they have estrogenic activity. But the fact is that this activity by comparison to the body's natural estrogen is essentially insignificant, some 10,000 times less. Based on studies carried out with animals, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) has been determined to be about 800 mgs per kg of body mass.</p> Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:30:57 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2281 at /oss