| atural Advantage skin care line of products bears the | | | | The FDA is working to finish new labeling rules that will |
| name of Jane Seymour, a 59 year old star of movies | | | | require manufacturers to be clearer about what the |
| and TV shows. Some people will buy the products, | | | | sunscreens in their products can actually be expected |
| simply because they bear her name. | | | | to do. One of the reasons has to do with an increased |
| No matter whose name a product bears, it is important | | | | incidence of malignant melanoma that has been seen |
| to evaluate the ingredients before you buy. The US | | | | among regular sunscreen users. |
| Food and Drug Administration made that | | | | I am not say that Natural Advantage skin care |
| recommendation years ago. It is especially important | | | | solutions cause or contribute to malignant melanoma. I |
| for anyone that has had an allergic or adverse | | | | am neither for nor against the products. I am simply |
| reaction in the past. | | | | using them as an example, because they are |
| Common causes of allergic reactions include artificial | | | | representative of the vast majority of anti-aging |
| preservatives like parabens and artificial fragrances | | | | creams, lotions and cleansers. |
| known as aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition to being | | | | Almost all of the anti-aging creams on the market |
| common allergens, aromatic hydrocarbons are | | | | contain a sunscreen, even if they are intended for |
| flammable. It boggles the mind why people ever | | | | nighttime use. What is the benefit? As far as we |
| thought it was a good idea to apply something | | | | know, there is none and they could actually do more |
| flammable to their skin. | | | | harm than good. |
| Once you have identified which ingredients cause the | | | | The bottom line is that you should not rely on Natural |
| reaction, the FDA recommends that you avoid using | | | | Advantage skin care creams or any other product to |
| any products that contain them. Sometimes it is | | | | protect you from the sun. Labels like “all day |
| impossible to determine which ingredient caused the | | | | moisturizer” indicate that reapplication is |
| reaction, just because there are so many of them. | | | | unnecessary. But, all sunscreens must be reapplied on |
| Another recommendation made by the FDA is to test | | | | a regular basis if they are to remain effective. |
| any new products on an inconspicuous patch of the | | | | This is one of the issues that the FDA will try to |
| skin’s surface, before using on the face. If you | | | | address with their new rules. By the time that you read |
| have not use the Natural Advantage skin care creams | | | | this, they may already be in effect. But, for the |
| before, it is a good idea to do the patch test, even if | | | | summer of 2010, it is still necessary for people to do |
| you have never had an adverse reaction. | | | | their own research. |
| Like most anti-aging creams, Jane’s line | | | | Whether or not you decide to try Natural Advantage |
| contains a sunscreen ingredient with an SPF rating of | | | | skin care products is up to you. Just remember to test |
| 15. But, what does that mean? A lot of people do not | | | | patch, if you have not used them before. |
| understand. | | | | |