Cosmetics

Subject Area

Family Studies (Self and Society) Fashion Arts Introduction to Fashion NZA3G1. This activity forms part of Unit 2: Fashion Design Principles (core unit) as outlines in the Fashion Arts Curriculum Guideline: Senior Division 1990 on page 33. This material has been designed to explore objective “C” on page 34.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching, learning and evaluation will focus on the student’s ability to:

• Investigate the ingredients, composition, packaging and marketing of cosmetics;
  
• Create simple cosmetic products;
  
• Develop a packaging/marketing plan for the cosmetic product.

Teaching Strategy

Before this activity begins, have students brainstorm the reasons why cosmetics are such an important part of many of the cultures which make up our society. Try to get students to suggest alternatives to cosmetics, as well as alternative reasons for using cosmetics in various cultures. Hopefully some students will notice that there are cultures in which it is the male who adorns his body with what we might call “cosmetics.” If possible, direct the discussion to consider the issue of the fundamental environmental hostility of an industry that focuses only on the superficial and artificial aspects of the female gender.

1. Have students complete and share their responses to the worksheets that accompany this guide, using the suggested resources.
   
2. Using recipes provided and researched, have students design and create an “environmentally friendly” cosmetic product.
   
3. Develop an environmentally responsible packaging and marketing strategy to promote one or more of the cosmetic projects prepared.
   
4. Develop a checklist for purchasing cosmetic products.

Background Information

This topic is covered well in The Canadian Green Consumer Guide on pages 59 to 65. Key ideas include: simple and natural ingredients, animal testing (cruelty-free products), and responsible marketing strategies.

Timing

Allow about 160 min to investigate the nature of cosmetics, review safety procedures and create simple products. This time will have to be spread over a couple of days to allow students time to research and collect materials.

Resources

The Green Consumer Supermarket Guide. Pages 140-48.
Shopping for a Better Environment. Pages 234-66.
Science Action Coalition. Consumer’s Guide to Cosmetics. New York: Anchor, 1980.
Bremness, Lesley. The Complete Book of Herbs. London: Penguin, 1988
Cobb, Vicki. The Secret Life of Cosmetics. New York: Lippincott, 1985.
Facetti, Aldo. Natural Beauty. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.
Guyton, Anita. The Natural Beauty Book. London: Harper Collins, 1991.
Lyman, Francesca. “Personal Hygiene Products” Garbage Magazine. Jul/August, 1990. Page 58.
Pardue. “The Green Cosmetics Revolution.” E.: The Environmental Magazine. Nov./Dec. 1992. Pages 50-54.
Garcia, Pat. “The Costs of Beauty.” Earthkeeper. Oct./Nov. 1992. Pages 18-22.
Winter, Ruth. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. New York: Crown, 1989.

Cross-disciplinary Links

Chemistry—Chemistry teachers may be interested in sharing techniques, equipment and time with you.

Get the Facts About Cosmetics

Consider each statement below about cosmetics. Circle T (true) or F (false).

1. T F Even people who “never wear make-up” probably use cosmetics in some form.
   
2. T F Cosmetics are modern products first developed in North America.
   
3. T F In Canada, manufacturers must list the ingredients used in cosmetic products.
   
4. T F The value of cosmetics may be psychological as well as physical.
   
5. T F Cosmetics are among the safest of all product available to consumers.
   
6. T F Many cosmetic products use ingredients from the petroleum industry.
   
7. T F The packaging used for cosmetics may be more expensive than the ingredients used to make the product.
   
8. T F Animals such as rabbits may be used to test the effects of cosmetic ingredients or products.
   
9. T F Cosmetic products pose no significant threat to the environment.
   
10. T F Consumers who buy name-brand products are paying for the product as well as part of the cost of the advertising campaign used to promote the product.
    
    

Answer Sheet

1. True Cosmetics are preparations applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying or altering appearance. Cosmetics include soaps, creams, lotions, deodorants, colognes, shaving aids, and hair care products.
   
2. False Ancient cultures around the world used cosmetics for such diverse purposes as to indicate rank/status, to frighten enemies, to ward off evil, to evoke magic, to beautify, and cleanse the body, and to attract the opposite sex.
   
3. False Ingredient lists are not required by law and are not usually listed on packages. Most cosmetic formulas are closely guarded secrets.
   
4. True Cosmetics may be of more psychological or even sociological benefit than physical.
   
5. False Many cosmetics contain ingredients that are harmful to humans or are environmentally unsound.
   
6. True Petroleum chemicals are very common ingredients in cosmetics. Lipsticks are frequently made with “coal tar dyes.”
   
7. True The cosmetic industry is frequently criticized for excessive/wasteful packaging. Packaging costs are frequently greater than ingredient costs are for a cosmetic product.
   
8. True Animals are subjected to painful tests to determine the safety of some cosmetics. Most scientists agree that these test are of no value whatsoever, and they frequently lead to the death of the animal. Animals that survive these tests are generally killed.
   
9. False Cosmetic manufacture and use contribute to water pollution (detergents), animal cruelty (testing), wasteful use of resources (packaging), and air pollution (aerosols).
   
10. True Cosmetic companies spend millions of dollars each year to sell their products. The costs of advertising is added to the cost of the product.

Sources of Cosmetic Ingredients

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate name from the list of common cosmetic ingredients below.

1. ------- is made by grinding soap stone into a fine powder. It is used for baby, face, and foot powders.
   
2. ------- is an oily substance removed from the wool of sheep. It is used in hand creams.
   
3. ------ is a liquid obtained from a spiny desert plant. It is used in face creams and for burns.
   
4. ------ is a protein substance extracted from the connective tissues of animals. It is used in skin creams.
   
5. ------ is a clear, oily fluid obtained as a byproduct of soap making. It is used in face creams and lotions.
   
6. ------ is a purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons form petroleum. It is used in baby creams, lip balms and cold creams.
   
7. ------ is a white, almost tasteless fat extracted from the fatty tissues of cattle or sheep. It is used in shaving creams and soaps.
   
8. ------ is a white, almost colourless, flammable highly poisonous liquid produced by fermentation. It is used in after-shaves and colognes.
   
9. ------ is the same type of solid was used in candle making. It is used for cold creams, lipstick and mascara.
   
10. ------ is a white, semisolid fat expressed from the kernels of the coconut. It lathers well, so it is used in hair dressings, soaps, and shampoos.

Answer Sheet

1. Talc is made by grinding soap stone into a fine powder. It is used for baby, face, and foot powders.
   
2. Lanolin is an oily substance removed from the wool of sheep. It is used in hand creams.
   
3. Aloe is a liquid obtained from a spiny desert plant. It is used in face creams and for burns.
   
4. Collagen is a protein substance extracted from the connective tissues of animals. It is used in skin creams.
   
5. Glycerin is a clear, oily fluid obtained as a byproduct of soap making. It is used in face creams and lotions.
6. Petroleum jelly is a purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons form petroleum. It is used in baby creams, lip balms and cold creams.
   
7. Tallow is a white, almost tasteless fat extracted from the fatty tissues of cattle or sheep. It is used in shaving creams and soaps.
   
8. Ethyl alcohol is a white, almost colourless, flammable highly poisonous liquid produced by fermentation. It is used in after-shaves and colognes.
   
9. Paraffin is the same type of solid was used in candle making. It is used for cold creams, lipstick and mascara.
   
10. Coconut oil is a white, semisolid fat expressed from the kernels of a tropical plant. It lathers well, so it is used in hair dressings, soaps, and shampoos.

Additives in Cosmetics

Chemical ingredients are added to simple cosmetic formulas for a number of reasons. Select the word form the list below to complete each statement about the purpose of the additive.

Additives

1. __u___c_____ retain moisture and keep cosmetics like creams from drying out.
   
2. ____p___s_____ keep particles suspended throughout liquids such as make-up and prevent them from settling to the bottom of the container.
   
3. ____f___t_____ help liquids such as hand lotions to spread quickly and easily over the surface of skin.
   
4. __b_____v___ are polishing agents such as the fine grit in the texture of toothpaste.
   
5. __m____f____ keep liquids such as oil and water from separating into two layers in products such as lotions.
   
6. __x___v__ stabilize fragrances so that cosmetics will not lose their pleasing aromas.
   
7. _b___b____ attract and hold moisture so that cosmetics such as powders feel dry on the skin.
   
8. __r________v___ help to keep cosmetics from deteriorating or spoiling by killing bacteria and fungus.
   
9. __l___r__ may be natural but many are synthetic created from petroleum (called coal tar dyes).
   
10. ___l___t__ are used to dissolve ingredients just as ethyl acetate does in nail polish.

Answer Sheet

1. Humectants retain moisture and keep cosmetics like creams from drying out.
   
2. Dispersants keep particles suspended throughout liquids such as make-up and prevent them from settling to the bottom of the container.
   
3. Surficants help liquids such as hand lotions to spread quickly and easily over the surface of skin.
   
4. Abrasives are polishing agents such as the fine grit in the texture of toothpaste.
   
5. Emulsifiers keep liquids such as oil and water from separating into two layers in products such as lotions.
   
6. Fixatives stabilize fragrances so that cosmetics will not lose their pleasing aromas.
   
7. Absorbents attract and hold moisture so that cosmetics such as powders feel dry on the skin.
   
8. Preservatives help to keep cosmetics from deteriorating or spoiling by killing bacteria and fungus.
   
9. Colours may be natural but many are synthetic created from petroleum (called coal tar dyes).
   
10. Solvents are used to dissolve ingredients just as ethyl acetate does in nail polish.

Checklist for Buying Cosmetics

Consider the following questions when purchasing cosmetic products

1. Are the ingredients listed?
2. Are the ingredients simple and natural - avoiding unnecessary synthetic chemical additives?
3. Is this product cruelty-free - not tested on animals?
4. Does this product avoid wasteful packaging?
5. Is this product sold in a container that can be refilled/reused, or only recycled?
6. Is this product reasonable priced or are you paying for excessive packaging and advertising?
7. Is this product safe to use or does it have cautions and warning about harmful effects?
8. Do you really need this product?