What is the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Lyle Hurd: It's a pleasure to welcome Dr. Flora Stay back. Dr. Stay is a formulator of both Oral and Personal Care Products. I'd like to ask you question, when we talked before you mention the campaign for safe cosmetics, can you explain what that organization is? Why there is a need for it? And what they are achieving? Dr. Flora Stay: There are very important organization as far as I am concerned. They are under the umbrella of environmental working group, which is a consumer applicate, non-profit organization that helps inform and educate consumers on safe products, because there are many, many products out there that ingredients have not been assessed for safety. In fact, according to the campaign for safe cosmetics, we use about 123 ingredients or more everyday on our skin. Lyle Hurd: 123? Dr. Flora Stay: That most of them have not been assessed for safety through the FDA. So and of course as you know, we add an epidermic of chronic illness, allergies, rashes all kinds of problems in America these days. So their feeling is which I totally agree with, inform consumers make wise decisions. So through their website, through press releases, through conferences, they are educating consumers on what to use. In fact, on their website they even grade different brands of companies from personal care products to cosmetics for safety. Lyle Hurd: So in this society where so many people are developing very serious chemical sensitivities, some of the problems we may have maybe tied to those kinds of things that we are using? Dr. Flora Stay: Absolutely! I mean there are many causes for chronic illness. There are many causes for allergies, respiratory disorders etcetera. Stress, hereditary, pollution in the environment, the junk food that we bombard our bodies with. But another very important factor could be all of these questionable ingredients that we're introducing in our body through the skin and the mouth. Lyle Hurd: And didn't you tell me they say there is something like 5.2 pounds for the average women of that type of ingredient that could be absorbed in their bodies over the period of a year? Dr. Flora Stay: That's right! So they took -- again on a daily basis, you think about 123 ingredients and of course, these are in everyday products, like deodorants and shampoos and toothpaste and mouthwash and skincare everything imaginable that we use to so called beautify our bodies, or to just keep them clean can contain questionable ingredients that could potentially be harmful. Lyle Hurd: Well I guess, what we need to stay is that you need to be a student of your own body, you need to be co-captain of our own healthcare team. You absolutely need to be sure what you take in orally, and what you put on your body. Dr. Flora Stay: And of course, use products from companies that are respected, that you've looked into, that are reputable and really making products that are good for you as a consumer and your family. Lyle Hurd: Well, let's leave you with the thought that maybe you want to check on the campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Dr. Flora Stay: And consumers can go to cosmeticdatabase.com for more information about their particular brand that they use. Lyle Hurd: Thank you very much! Dr. Flora Stay: Thank you!