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1 Background of the Study

It’s no secret that most women wear makeup every day. A product that was first used by

ancient Egyptians is now a multibillion dollar cosmetic industry. However, a growing concern

over the safety of certain makeup ingredients has created a new view on our favorite beauty

products. Now, cosmetics could be divided into two parts: natural cosmetics and chemical-based

cosmetics.

Consumers are often confused and frustrated about what is healthy for their skin, natural

or chemical-based products?

The most important thing to consider before applying anything on the body is where it

came from. Most of us have been so conditioned to use synthetic beauty products that we have

used for years without paying attention to what they contain and whether they are effective at all.

Being rational and not believing anything at face value we must act responsibly and always

check out what we apply on our body.

“As the old Chinese saying: "Everyone loves beauty". Human have constant pursuit of

cosmetics since ancient times. Han, a Chinese ancient document, had mentioned blacken

eyebrows since 2000 years ago, and the cosmetic also plays momentous role in the daily life.”

Chen, Qiushi (2009)

This research demonstrates advantages and disadvantages of organic cosmetics and the

chemical based product which is prepared to give people an advice on choosing cosmetics. The

study aims to acquire results coming from cosmetic users in the form of survey. With the

accumulated information taken, the ideas will be classified and processed.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

This study aims to seek the answer to the following questions:

 What type of cosmetic is mostly used and preferred by the users?

 Which of the two cosmetics is more effective and safer to use?

 Which of the two is nature-friendly and has a lower price?

1.3 Objectives

 To determine what type of cosmetic is mostly used and preferred by the users.

 To evaluate which of the two cosmetics is more effective and safer to use.

 To differentiate which of the two is nature-friendly and has a lower price.

1.4 Hypothesis

“Natural cosmetics are safer, more effective, nature-friendly, mostly used and preferred

by the users but have a higher price than chemical-based cosmetics.”

1.5 Scope and Delimitations

 This study is limited only to the user of cosmetic products, either organic or chemical-

based cosmetics. Their ages ranges from 16 to 50 years old.

 The study will examine the users to determine which variety of cosmetic products is

better.

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1.6 Significance of the study

This study will have an impact on the following:

 To the user- for them to be aware what products could bring harm to their health.

 To the environment- to lessen the harm to the earth and to limit waste that is harmful to

our environment.

 To the researcher- it will give more knowledge about the difference between Natural

cosmetic and Chemical-based cosmetic products.

1.7 Definition of terms

 Cosmetics - an article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduces

into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing,

beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting

structure or function.

 Natural cosmetics - defines the term ‘natural’ as any ingredient or product that comes or

are made from a renewable resource found in nature without modification and alteration

or the addition of chemicals.

 Chemical-based cosmetics – defines the term as ingredients or products that are human-

made substances.

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2.1 Literature

As people become more aware about their health in terms of diet and well-being, we can also see
an increase in the use of organic beauty products. A research by Mintel states that “71% of UK consumers
think eating healthily is just as important for appearance as it is physical health. This has seen an increase
in interest for organic or naturally inspired beauty products that contain ingredients such as vitamin C,
seaweed, oatmeal and honey (Mintel, 2016).” It’s not just the health awareness that caused the people to
use natural products, one of the reasons is that they learned to be aware in the destruction of the
environment in a statement by (Green Peace, 2016) “Cosmetics Europe made recommendations to the
major beauty brands to phase out the use of microbeads within personal care products, after research
showed that these microbeads were not only polluting the ocean, but also found to be polluting the food
chain.“ thus said it influenced people to buy beauty products in the year 2016.

2.2 Studies

2.2.1 Local Studies

According to the study of Kantar which tracked shopping behavior of 3,000 Filipino homes in
urban and rural areas across the Philippines from June 2014 to June 2015, found that purchases of
personal care items increased by 11 percent over the period. “This growth is a clear manifestation of the
Filipino shoppers’ high regard for hygiene and beauty products,” said Lourdes Deocareza. Thus, Filipinos
are starting to prioritize personal care items such as skincare products.

Also, in the statement of BeautyMNL “When choosing from a line-up of skin care products,
always look for the word “organic”. – Some people confuse natural with organic, and vice versa. One is
not really the same as the other. Natural can mean that the ingredients used are not synthetic, but this label
does not mean the ingredients were grown organically. The label you need to look out for is organic, and
not natural, all-natural, or made with organic ingredients. A product marked “organic” is required to carry
95% organic ingredients. In other words when you wish to look for a healthy product it is important that
you should look for a mark that says “organic” to ensure that it is made from organic or natural materials.

As Miranda Kerr famously said, “What you put on your skin, soaks in!”. Your skin is your body’s
largest organ, so you can imagine the kind of chemicals your skin is absorbing, and really whatever your
skin is absorbing goes into your bloodstream as if you’ve eaten it, it’s affecting your system in the same
way good or bad food would. Consumers must be cautious whether the products they’re being is safe or
not because in an article the products that are already banned by the FDA or Food and Drugs
Administration are still being sold from rural areas. In the report of Aileen Lucero of Eco Waste’s Project

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 Protect, “We were able to buy one of the brands from various outlets Lucero also points out,
“What came as a shock during our store investigation was the easy availability of these mercury-tainted
Jiao Li skin whiteners that the FDA already banned in February 2010.” As we all know that chemicals in
cosmetic products are very harmful, for instance products that contain nanoparticle, which are hidden.
Can easily have access to our blood stream because they can pass through the walls of our skin, and most
of these chemicals can cause cancer. In buying cosmetic products the label doesn’t matter the most
important thing is that shopping for cosmetic products should be clinically proven.

2.2.2 Foreign Studies:

Natural ingredients such as fruit, oatmeal, clay and vegetable-based ingredients are likely to be
popular in the upcoming years. People do too much on their skin thus resulting to lack of awareness
wherein they seldom read the ingredients used in the cosmetics they are buying in which it increases the
probability that the products they bought are hazardous. From what I read in a website called “Today” it
isn’t as simple as chemical products being bad for you and natural ingredients being better for you. When
you think about it, poison ivy is all natural and yet very harmful to humans. In the same regard, some
man-made chemicals may be completely harmless. Which means that we shouldn’t just rely in the
information from other people we should also be smart enough to gather more valid information whether
it is safe or not.

Senator Dianne Feinstein posted the following on her site about propyl parabens: "According to
scientific studies, chemicals that mimic estrogen can disrupt the endocrine system and have been linked to
a wide range of health effects, including reproductive system disorders." Which means that chemicals that
can be found in cosmetic products is very dangerous to our health.

According to COSMOS-STANDARD (2011), for a cosmetic to be considered organic there must

have at least 95% of organic ingredients produced. At least 20% of the total product must be organic.
Exceptionally, the rinse-off products, non-emulsified aqueous products, and products with at least 80%
minerals or ingredients of mineral origin, at least 10% of those total products must be organic. For natural
cosmetics there is no requirement to use a minimum level of organic ingredients. The certification aims to
check the ingredients, processes, production, storage of raw materials, packaging, labeling, use of energy
resources and waste management and the certification of producers to ensure the quality of the final
product. Increasingly, consumers are looking for products which have less impact on the environment.
Today, the cosmetics are “eco-friendly”. Certain processes on the raw materials used in the formulation of
the test and the use of the test to evaluate the effectiveness and toxicology creating a larger impact on
cosmetic product, and this causes the search for this type of product by the consumers.

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2.3 Theoretical Framework:

Trying to convince people to convert to natural beauty products isn't easy. Some of the thoughts
of other people is that natural products are too expensive or they don't actually solve your “beauty
problem”. What goes on your skin eventually goes in your body. If you slather chemical-filled soaps,
lotions and creams over your skin, your body absorbs those toxins. That means common artificial
chemicals in conventional beauty products, like phthalates, parabens, petroleum waxes and others, go
straight into your body. Even worse, many of the chemicals in beauty products have never been tested, so
any potential health problems they can cause are virtually unknown.

In a website named “choice” it is stated that “Many chemicals used in personal care products are
dangerous in high concentrations, high dose (when administered to laboratory animals) and industrial
quantities. Some people may also suffer an allergic reaction to the smaller quantities, such as you'd find in
personal care products, and some endocrine disrupting chemicals have an effect at very low doses.”

Natural or Organic beauty products work better simply because they are made with fine and
healthy ingredients. It’s as if you’re cooking a healthy dish by using healthy ingredients. Thus, said a
healthy dish probably doesn’t include artificial flavors or fake, processed foods. Instead, it’s likely made
of pure, fresh and simple ingredients. Beauty products work the same way. Better ingredients mean better
results. Those with sensitive skin can especially benefit from organic beauty products that contain high
quality ingredients that won’t aggravate or worsen skin. Organic natural skin care products are better for
the environment because organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
Fertilizers and chemicals all have a destructive effect on our water, soil and health.

Source: Emily Sher. TODAY. /Apr. 23.2016 Braz. J. Pharm. Sci. vol.51 no.1 São Paulo Jan./Mar. 2015

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7 Advantages of using natural cosmetics

1. All natural

These cosmetics speak for themselves. Just like their name connotes, they are all natural. It means that the
ingredients used are not chemically or synthetically made.

Instead, plant and flower extracts are used. They also contain natural nutrients like Vitamin E that keeps
skin healthy and glowing.

2. Safe to use

Compared with other beauty products, natural cosmetics are safer to use. They are hypo-allergenic and
tested and proven by dermatologists to be safe to use anytime, anywhere. Since they are made of natural
ingredients, you don’t have to worry about getting rashes or experience skin itchiness.

3. Compatible with all skin types

Natural cosmetics are perfect for all skin types. Whether you are dark or fair, you will find natural
cosmetics like foundation, eye shadow, and lipstick which are appropriate for your skin tone. Women
with oily or sensitive skin can also use them and never have to worry about worsening their skin
condition.4. Wide selection to choose from

Natural cosmetics may still be a new face in the beauty industry but they already offer a wide selection of
beauty products for all make up fanatics out there to choose from.

You will find a fine selection of foundation, eye shadow, lipstick, blush, mascara, concealer, and many
more which are all natural. Further, you will find locally made natural cosmetics or those made by famous
designers worldwide.

5. Fits your budget

Mind you but natural cosmetics are not that expensive. As a matter of fact, some of these products are
more affordable than synthetics ones. They are offered at discount prices and are sold for a cheap price
during sales. Just be resourceful enough to look for great deals.

6. Not tested on animals

Some cosmetics are tested on animals to ensure that they are safe and effective to use. However, natural
cosmetics are not one of them. These natural beauty enhancers are tested by experts in laboratories using
state of the art equipment with no animals involved.

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 7. No side effects

There are beauty products that can irritate your skin, and cause pimples. Block your pores and make your
skin dry or oily. With natural cosmetics, you don’t need to worry about these.

5 Disadvantages of natural cosmetics

Mismatching

Some beauty products marked as “organic” don`t incorporate organic components and they can have no
appropriate certificate. It is not forbidden by law.

High price

The costs for the organic cosmetics are about 25-40% higher than for the traditional one.

Short expiry date

Natural aromatizers, colorants, preservatives, gotten out of the plants by extracting, are less stable
than chemically produced products. That`s why expiry date of the organic cosmetics is 2 or 3 times less
than “common chemical one”. They may keep them for 12 -15 months if they are tightly closed and for
about 6 – 9 months if they remain open.

Not effective enough

Sustainable cosmetics can only deal with a limited number of skin problems. It has not overcome
wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation yet.

Allergy

People are wrong if they think organic cosmetics is the best choice for allergy sufferers. The best
cosmetics for them is the one that contains a limited number of the potential allergens, that are scentless
and without pigments. Not every organic cosmetics can be scentless, even if it is natural. By the way,
such cosmetics is full of natural preservatives to make it last at least 4 – 6 months. An allergy can be
provoked by any natural cosmetic ingredient.

Benefits and Advantages of chemical cosmetics

 Cosmetics are regarded as a means of enhancing one's complexion and beautifying the skin.
 Skin creams and lotions can be used to deep-cleanse the skin.
 If pores in the skin are blocked, it may lead to infection and acne formation. Various cosmetic cleansing
products thoroughly cleanse the skin and remove the dirt and microorganisms from the skin.
 After cleansing, moisturizers are applied to prevent drying of the skin and to keep it smooth and radiant.
Moisturizers also offer excellent protection against cold winds and act as a lubricating agent.

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 There are special sun-protection creams/lotions that can protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
These creams minimize the risk of skin cancer, which is the result of exposure to sunrays.
 Many cosmetics contain vitamins such as A, D, E and K. These vitamins are essential for healthy skin and
hair.
 To cope with body odor, one can use deodorants and perfumes. These help in making one feel fresh all
through the day.
 Apart from skin care, there are also varieties of shampoos and conditioners available, which keep the hair
clean, soft and healthy.
 Cosmetics are used not only for skin care, but also to treat certain skin problems. Dark spots or pimples
on the face can be hidden using cosmetic products like concealers.
 You can enhance your most attractive facial features using makeup.
 You can also cover dark circles and wrinkles using various anti-aging creams and eye makeup.
 Not only your face, you can also decorate your nails using attractive nail colors.
 The wide range of hair colors available today also helps you to modify and highlight your hair in the color
and shade of your choice.

5 Disadvantages of chemical cosmetics

1. Skin infection

Skin infection is one of the biggest skin issues where a person has to suffer from irritation and
allergies which is really very irritating and painful. If you are suffering from a skin infection, then you
may have red marks all over the skin, which causes, even more, irritation when you went outside the
house and the body is exposed to sun and pollution.

This infection may be caused naturally due to hormonal disorder, but mainly it occurs when the
chemicals in the cosmetics and makeup do not suit the skin and affects them badly by damaging the
cells of the skin.

2. Damage to internal organs

Many have a misconception that makeup and cosmetics are applied on the upper layer of skin and
if any side effect is caused then only the top layer of the skin is affected. But, you should not
forget that there are uncountable pores are present on the skin, which helps the skin to respire and
excrete waste from the body in the form of sweat.

The chemicals present in these products seeps into the bloodstream from these pores and attacks
the internal organs slowly but it can be deadly because it may completely damage the organ.
3. Acne and pimples
If the skin of a person does not have enough capacity to retain the attack of the chemicals on the
skin, then the symptoms can be easily noticed on the skin in the form of skin problems including
acne and pimples. Researches depict that 30% patients with acne and pimples are infected due to
the heavy utilization of chemical loaded skin products.

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 You may become a standing joke among your friend circle and you may keep yourself deprived
of clicking photographs because of the appearance of spots on the skin which is caused due to this
reason.
4. Damage to the nervous system
It is not known to many that the nervous system of a human is also attacked by the utilization of
result of excessive usage. The makeup products like lipsticks, kajal and eyeshadows have
contents, including lead, carcinogen and neurotoxin that can affect the nervous system so badly
that it may cause high blood pressure and other behavioral abnormalities.

5. Skin cancer
The chemicals of these products are so harmful that it may cause severe skin disease like cancer.
Mercury and parabens is a chemical used as preservatives in many beauty brands, but these
chemicals may cause cancer. Parabens are added to the products to inhibit bacteria, but actually,
this chemical triggers the growth of cancer cells in the body.

6. Early aging
Excess use of chemical induced products causes early ageing and the symptoms of ageing like
fine lines and wrinkles starts appearing at a young age.

https://beautisecrets.com/benefits-of-cosmetics

http://www.lifetimestyles.com/makeup-products/top-5-disadvantages-of-using-cosmetics-and-beauty-
products

http://www.thenewecologist.com/2010/05/top-7-advantages-of-using-natural-cosmetics/

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