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Reading Beauty Labels: What is Urea?

It’s time for another closer look at the stuff that goes into our favorite beauty products. Today’s target: urea. Urea (sometimes known as carbamide) is an organic chemical compound. It is produced by humans and many other mammals, amphibians, and some fish. It is produced when the liver breaks down ammonia and protein or ammonia and amino acids. The kidneys then send urea out of the body along with urine. Urea helps carry excess nitrogen out of the body. Um… sounds like kind of a yucky thing to put into beauty products! But it’s used in cleansers, conditioners, hair dyes, … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Paraben?

I’ve been reading labels again. I’m always curious about what goes into the products I love, like lotion, fancy bubble bath, and other bath and beauty stuff. Part of that is because I like to try making home versions of expensive bath products… but the other part is that I like knowing what’s going in or on my body. Paraben is one ingredient I’ve heard concerns about — and in response, seen a lot of “paraben-free” items appear on the shelves. So what is paraben, anyway? The different types of paraben (including proplyparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are chemical compounds that … Continue reading →

Reading Beauty Labels: What is Glycerin?

I’m a reader; always have been, always will be. You put something with words on it in front of me and I’ll end up reading it. I was reading the ingredients on a bottle of lotion (usually I’m looking to see what kind of fragrance it has — natural or synthetic) when I noticed that the second ingredient was glycerin. I’ve you’ve tried making your own soap at home, you may already be familiar with glycerin (or glycerol). It’s popular in soap because it acts as a humectant — it attracts moisture to the skin. Check your labels — glycerin … Continue reading →