The History of Cosmetics
For 3000 years up until the early 1900's eighty percent of all medicines and cosmetics were extracted from only roots, barks and leaves. The explosion of petroleum byproducts into the marketplace in the mid 1900's led cosmetic companies to abandon natural products in favor of synthetic materials due to easy availability and cost considerations. Today, commercial cosmetic companies use only traces of natural products for promotional purposes. Many petrochemicals break down the collagen in the skin and several preservatives used in synthetic cosmetics that are drawn into the skin are known carcinogens.
