Look Good, Feel Better. The Power Of Cosmetics
Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating enough but the side effects of loosing your hair, itchy and dry skin, rashes and light sensitivity can crush what is left of the patients self esteem. It was back in 1987 that a doctor asked the US Personal Care Council for help in getting one of their patients a “make over” as a way of cheering them up. By 1989 the Look Good Feel Better charity was launched, it now operates in over 13 countries helping thousands of cancer patients each year. As a joint initiative by the Personal Care Products Council, American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetology Society this charity brings hope and a self esteem boost to cancer sufferers.
Below is a video showing one of the workshops that Look Good, Feel Better run. Whether it be learning how to look after newly sensitive skin or tips on how to choose and wear a hairpiece or wig the LGFB team are there to help. The self esteem and feeling of being back in control is a real boost to the people taking part in these workshops. At Realize Beauty we believe that that has to be a good thing.
Realize Beauty 
I’ve heard of this new skincare product that contains antioxidants no celebrity-endorsed skincare products have. It’s derived from the mangosteen fruit, which can only be found in Southeast Asia.
I bought a whole package and so far I’m happy with it. The antioxidants are said to be 30 times more potent than those found in green tea! Well, that’s according to this site: http://www.mymangosteen.com/tribaljoy2/product/Glimpse.asp.
Hi Rita,
I hadn’t heard of this range before so thanks for drawing it to oor attention. Looking at the moisturiser, the base is made from lots of great natural oils and waxes so it should be very nourishing to dry skin. The benefits of the antioxidants would require further study. The mangosteen may contain powerful anti-oxidants but without further testing we couldn’t comment as to whether the antioxidants remain stable in this base. In our experience antioxidants are very sensitive to light, pH, water and air.
If you love these products then go ahead and continue to use them – at Realize Beauty we believe that if it works for you, go for it!
Regards
Amanda
Hi Rita. I’ve heard of several fruit-based skincare products. They appeal to most people because they claim to be natural and come loaded with antioxidants. I haven’t heard of seriously bad things about the use of antioxidants in skincare applications, but this site might help: http://www.myskincareproductsreview.com
Hi Arthur,
Thanks for the comments. The link to my skincare products review contains some incorrect information which has been re-hashed from other websites. I suggest reading our review on the hazards related to cosmetic ingredients or checking out this link: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/
I checked out the cosmeticsinfo.org site.
Being of a suspicious nature, I went to he link:
http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/disclaimer.php
Here’s what it says there:
Cosmeticsinfo.org has been developed as a service of the Personal Care Products Council (the Council) to permit our members to post information about ingredients contained in or used in the manufacture of their products
I don’t think the information on this site could possibly be unbiased, but that’s just my suspicious nature.
Thanks for all your hard work in keeping us informed about skin care.
Dear Diana,
You are correct that this is a site developed by the industry and yes the industry is self regulated. I think what we all have to come to terms with is that everyone has an agenda and a barrow to push but it is wise to view this with an open mind.
Although the cosmetic industry is self regulated it is answerable to OH&S laws, FDA, EU, and other government regulation. It is also run by scientists rather than marketers and is constantly updating it’s rules and regulations to meet current scientific finding.
The most important thing for consumers is access to correct information. The web contains lots of mis-information and as a chemist I find that dangerous.
At Realize Beauty we want to provide you with all of the information so that you can make up your own mind. Our background is industry based but we are all independently employed so have nothing to gain by peddling misinformation.
Each week we will show you how to make your own products and explain the chemistry behind the ingredients – Then, the power will be in your hands.
Thanks for the feedback, we really appreciate it.