Special report on Arbonne and other product reviews

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Arbonne International http://www.cosmeticscop.com/bulletin/062107-full.htmArbonne International is a direct-sales line many of my readers have an intense curiosity about. There must be lots of assertive Arbonne salespeople out there, because no other line with this type of business structure has generated the amount of email I receive, all asking if Arbonne products are worth it and whether or not many of the company's outlandish claims are true. More than many other lines, Arbonne is big on playing up the alleged evil of many benign cosmetic ingredients. Topping this list is mineral oil, which the company maintains interferes with skin functions and delivery systems. Cosmetics-grade mineral oil is not a problem for skin and is in fact one of the mildest and most effective ingredients for making dry skin look and feel better. It doesn't have the best texture or finish, but its effectiveness is indisputable (Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46; Dermatitis, September 2004, pages 109-116). I have also been asked about whether it is true that all mascaras except Arbonne's contain bat excrement. Yes, you read that correctly. It seems many Arbonne salespeople are telling potential customers that their mascaras contain this substance, along with the untruth that their lipsticks contain road kill remnants. I wouldn't mention these tall tales if it was a few isolated incidents, but dozens upon dozens of women have contacted me asking for the truth behind these ludicrous claims. Just to be clear, cosmetic chemists are not venturing into dark caves to collect bat excrement or picking up carcasses of animals on the side of the road all in an effort to save money and create harmful cosmetics. And you have to wonder: if Arbonne products are so wonderfully effective, why do they need to sell themselves using scare tactics about what every other company's products supposedly contain? NutriMinC RE9 REactivating Facial Serum, Day & Night ($40 for 1 ounce)lists several fruit extracts in the hopes that you'll think they exfoliate skin, but they don't. Arbonne also included lactic acid at about 2%, an amount that's below ideal for exfoliation although the pH of this product is in the correct range. The tiny amount of salicylic acid has no exfoliating action on skin. Although not worthy as an exfoliant, this stably-packaged serum is packed with helpful ingredients for skin, from antioxidants to non-irritating plant oils and (mostly) soothing plant extracts. Although the tiny amount of comfrey extract is not likely cause for concern, it keeps this product from earning a Paula's Pick rating. This product is best for normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin. NutriMinC RE9 REnewing Gelée Crème Hydrating Wash ($35 for 3.15 ounces)is a very good water-soluble cleanser but one whose price should give you serious pause. Of course, the cost has to do with the bevy of antioxidants and other high-tech ingredients in this cleanser, but your money is better spend on leave-on products that contain these ingredients. The tiny amount of orange oil adds fragrance and may prove problematic for use around the eye area. Otherwise, this is best for those with large budgets and normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin. NutriMinC RE9 REstoring Mist Balancing Toner ($30 for 3.15 ounces)lists witch hazel as its second ingredient and also contains a significant amount of comfrey extract, which is a problem in products meant to be left on skin (Sources: Chemical Research in Toxicology, November 2001, pages 1546–1551; and Public Health Nutrition, December 2000, pages 501–508.) Wet 'n' Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($3.99) has a good, firm brush that lays down a continuous line of color and a formula that not only dries quickly, but also is tenaciously waterproof. A minor issue is that the color saturation isn't as intense as it should be. This requires layering if you want more definition (and for most of the colors, you will). Not a deal-breaker, but enough to keep this liquid eyeliner from earning a Paula's Pick rating. MegaPlump Mascara ($3.99)has a name that makes you think of...thick lashes, perhaps? Well, that's what I was hoping for, but it didn't happen, not even with successive coats. This basic mascara separates lashes well and makes them slightly longer, but the only thing plump about it is the tube. It wears well, removes easily, and is an OK option if you want minimally enhanced lashes. Mega Shimmer Shimmer Dust ($2.99)is a loose shimmer powder that has an unappealingly dry, slightly grainy texture. It imparts subtle to glittery shine depending on the shade, but none of them cling that well and they feel terrible on your skin when used over large areas (such as the décolletage). Dear Paula,I was impressed by the explanation you provided about electromagnetic radiation in your online Beauty Bulletin. I am a physicist and was dismayed to see an EMF-protection spray being marketed. The information given in your bulletin was accurate. As you can imagine, I am constantly irritated by misinterpretation of physical phenomena in the media and was interested and impressed to read the material given in the bulletin. This has given me confidence in the advice you provide on other areas where I have no expertise. However, it decreases my confidence in using other products by the manufacturer of this spray! N. Chapman, via email Dear N., Thank you for your vote of confidence, it is greatly appreciated. I love feedback from the scientists who read my books, newsletters, and beauty bulletins. It is reaffirming and challenging. I am always astounded by companies who base their marketing on making you afraid of something and then trying to convince you that their product either doesn't contain it or will protect you from it. As I was flipping through TV channels recently, I noticed a news story from a clothing company claiming the clothing they manufacture can protect from electromagnetic fields (EMFs)! I have no information about the relationship of clothing to this issue (and there is no published research either), but the notion that a skin-care product can protect you from cell phones, radios, televisions, microwaves, or even your own body, which also produces EMFs, is absurd. No research anywhere has proven this possible, nor do we have any working understanding of what kind of damage, if any, is taking place. Click and shop our new interactive catalog or request a free catalog for yourself! IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY VIEWING IMAGES IN THIS EMAIL, GO TO HTTP://WWW.COSMETICSCOP.COM/BULLETIN/062107-full.htm Remember to add the Beauty Bulletin (beautybulletin)to your Address Book to continue receiving our emails. How? PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. This email address is used only to send the Bonus Beauty Bulletin and is not monitored. If you have questions for us, please email custserv. Thank you. SUBSCRIBE Un Read Beauty Bulletin FAQs View our privacy policy.©2007 Paula's Choice, Inc. 1030 SW 34th Street, Suite A, Renton, WA 98057.1-800-831-4088. All rights reserved.