Safer Cosmetics

(Please read our disclaimer)
Personal care products can contain harmful chemicals that may be absorbed by our body. Two such chemicals are Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. Scientists have found that exposure to these two chemicals present a variety of health risks.
Endocrine Disrupters

The National Institute of Environmental Health tells us that endocrine disrupters such as BPA are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s hormones and produce a variety of health problems.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adult women have higher levels of urinary metabolites from phthalates such as those found in soaps, body washes, shampoos, cosmetics and similar personal care products.

In addition researchers found that women who had been exposed to higher levels of phthalates were more likely to undergo early menopause. Early menopause increases risk factors for cardiovascular disease and bone loss.
Formaldehyde

The Melaleuca Wellness Guide contains a 20-page chapter that teaches us how common household chemicals may gradually be making us sick. The Guide explains that formaldehyde is used frequently in both cleaning and personal care products because it is a cheap preservative. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns about formaldehyde, "Suspected carcinogen: May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed though skin; causes burns; inhalation can cause spasms, edema (fluid buildup) of the larynx and bronchi and chemical pneumonitis, extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membrane."

Even with such warnings many companies still use formaldehyde. That may change, because according to a New York Times editorial a panel of experts convened by the National Academy of Sciences found sufficient evidence from human studies to declare formaldehyde a "known human carcinogen."
No BPA, Phthalates or Formaldehyde

Melaleuca carefully formulates cosmetics with colorants and ingredients that are pre-screened for such impurities as lead and other metals. In addition Melaleuca’s products do not contain formaldehyde, phthalates, or BPA. Sei Bella and Affinia skin care and cosmetics are formulated for different skin types and available in a full range of colors. They contain natural antioxidants and soothing vitamins.

~ Richard M Barry

Safer Cosmetics Success Stories

I love the lipstick! I feel great when I am wearing the lip gloss, too! My mentor Doc Phil told me about a great test and I want to share it with you and your readers. Rub a line of lipstick on the palm of your hand. Then take out a gold ring or something gold and rub it for 10 or 15 seconds on that lipstick line. If it turns black it has lead in it! Lead is toxic! Melaleuca does not put lead in their products.

~ Beth

As a big tomboy, I never really used many make up products. As a lifelong vegetarian, I didn't like the fact that most cosmetics were tested on animals. I do like to paint my toes. I learned that many nail polishes contain highly toxic chemicals. So, when I learned that Melaleuca was coming out with nail polish that contains no toluene, DBPs, and is not animal tested, I started trying it and I am so delighted. My faves are silver and the light turquoise blue for mermaid toes! I know our skin is our largest gland and those polishes stay on a while, so I feel like I am really lucky to have a healthy choice and still get to glam up a little.

~ Mimi

I was in a wedding this past fall and I typically don't wear any make-up, but for this special occasion I had it professionally done. After the wedding at the hotel I was taking off my make-up with the hotel make-up wipes (I had forgotten the Sei Bella Cleansing Wipes that I had ordered just for this!). There were only 2 provided wipes in our room, so I went to the front desk to ask for more. They gave me a couple more for me to use. When I got home the next morning, I used the Sei Bella wipes on my face and to my surprise I still had make-up on even after using 3-4 hotel wipes! Sei Bella products are AMAZING!

~ Kelly

I suffered with my face breaking out for years. I learned at 17 1/2 years in the military, after some allergy testing, that I was terribly allergic to formaldehyde. The list of things I could use were extremely smaller than the list of things that I could not. According to the study, I was allergic to literally every cosmetic that could be purchased in a store. I tried many different brands, and tried not to "settle" for one that only aggravated me slightly. Essentially, I couldn't use any cosmetics without suffering a reaction. My reactions ranged anywhere from having a rash to experiencing respiratory problems. I knew that Sei Bella would be safe for me since the product line has no formaldehyde. I tried the skin care first, loved it, and quickly changed my entire skin care regimen, make up, and even my hair care products. They are better than advertised, and I routinely get asked what brand of makeup I wear! I proudly say, "Sei Bella!"

~ Connie

I was so impressed with the Nicole Miller line when Melaleuca brought it on board. I am so thrilled that they kept the formulas and in fact improved them. I am 72 years old and I get told I look a lot younger. I have used the cleanser, toner, and night, and day creams for dry skin and I seem to be keeping up with the "younger look". I don't need to spend a whole week’s wages keeping beautiful. I feel clean when I use them as well. Not sticky and heavy. I like the light scent and the way it is applied. A little goes a long way. These products and my membership at Melaleuca came at the right time for me.

~ Carol

I'm the kind of person who only endured wearing cosmetics for very special occasions and then paid for it the next day. Eye makeup made my eyes terribly itchy, and anything like cleansers or toners or foundation made my skin very red and blotchy. Even so-called "natural" products resulted in a reaction. There is a long list of products I can now use from the Sei Bella product line, and I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to put on mascara, eye liner, eye shadow and lip color when I go out! And no reaction by the end of the night! My skin is happy to be cleansed and toned by Melaleuca products. The Affinia combo product works best for me, and my skin looks so much better! My daughter says I look younger. :)

~ CarolJoy

Sensitive skin seems to be pretty common for people with naturally red hair. Finding a foundation balanced enough to meet all the different zones on one face was difficult. A moisturizing foundation would be too much for the T zone. Others would leave dry patches on my cheeks. Adding to that, trying to find a foundation without harmful ingredients, fragrance, oils, and other irritants was near impossible. My answer is the Sei Bella Mineral Foundation! It provides good coverage and works perfectly! My skin feels great; not too oily, not too dry and it evens out skin tones. As an added benefit, Sei Bella Mineral Foundation also provides some protection from the sun; something I really appreciate!

~ Kaylene

I always had sensitivity to eyeliner. I still used it just because I hated going without, but my eyes would burn during the day. And if I ever cried oh it was bad. I tried all different brands of eyeliners with no success. I joined Melaleuca in May of 2007 and have used the eyeliner without a problem. One time I went out of town and forgot my eyeliner, therefore was forced to buy one at the store, and yes it burned. Not sure what it is that I am sensitive to but all I know is that I love my Melaleuca eyeliner.

~ Lupita

I am a survivor of stage 4 throat cancer and suffered from some heavy burns from radiation. I was petrified of using most products on my skin, especially my neck which now has super thin skin! I was badly scarred but used the Sei Bella products faithfully. After a year of using only Sei Bella products, I sprang for the very expensive cream; the super deluxe, fabulous Sei Bella Luxury Creme Concentrate. It has helped my skin feel and look so much better. It is really worth it if you have sensitive, scarred or wrinkled skin and want to try a product which is safe and will improve your skin. I may need plastic surgery one day to repair some of the damage and scarring, but for now, I am just thrilled with how soothing this cream is. People have noticed my skin on my face, which was not burned, looks really great.

~ Merritt