The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has today launched a new website called www.thefactsabout.co.uk. The website is aimed at generating industry awareness and quashing concerns regarding the media scare stories that shroud the cosmetics industry concerning the use of synthetic materials vs natural ingredients in products.
A press conference was organised to herald the launch of the site, with speakers from across the C&T industry, including Vivienne Parry, presenter and writer, Tracey Brown, director of Sense About Science and Dr Jennifer Jones, consultant dermatologist, coming together to discuss what factors prompted the need for the site initially.
It was widely acknowledged that 'chemophobia' (an aversion to products containing chemicals) is costing British consumers additional costs and could be adding more than £50 a month to their household shopping bills in order to purchase chemical free products. However, are these additional costs really necessary and is all the hype surrounding natural products really just a money-spinning machine?
Despite most speakers strongly denying any favour to synthetic materials, the conference did strive to highlight why it is not always best to have natural ingredients, and that in fact all cosmetic products on store shelves have been through the same regulation processes in order to deem them safe. Indeed, it was stated that we ‘live in a culture of confusion’ regarding matters that affect our own health.
Tracy Brown highlighted that misconceptions are entrenched in our mind regarding chemicals in synthetics, a thought that was mirrored by Jennifer Jones: “Drugs we use are generally synthetic, however we do use many naturally derived drugs which can be just as allergenic as their opponents”.
Tony Morton, head of technical services for The Body Shop, urged consumers to take a wider perspective on synthetic and natural products and suggested that all discerning companies, whether they are using natural or chemical ingredients, have consumer safety in mind. He also suggested that all substances have the potential to be problematic. That said he highlighted three reasons why The Body Shop chose to go natural. “Consumers believe in the products and ingredients, sourcing natural ingredients gives us the chance to get involved with community projects and natural products have an increased chance of sustainability".
Suggesting that our bodies are well adapted to breaking down and extracting bad chemicals, whether they are derived from natural or synthetic sources, the speakers all made valid and thought provoking arguments as to why synthetic materials are more often than not perfectly acceptable for topical application. However, a question from the floor also posed an interesting concept - as the CTPA is funded by C&T companies that generate synthetically produced products, how authentic is the information being supplied?
Christopher Flower from the CTPA tackled this by stating that the association also deals with independent research platforms, such as dermatologists and Sense About Science, and that all primary research materials used to create the information can be accessed if needed.
Overall, the new online forum looks set to create an alternative outlook to the myths and speculation that continues to plague synthetic cosmetic producers whilst providing insightful answers for any questions regarding current issues such as parabens, sunscreens and animal testing.