Global Public Articles

Many people are not aware that many big name brands of cosmetics contain ingredients that are extremely suspect. Now a new study has warned about dangerous cosmetics and the effects that these products can have on teenage girls.

Unfortunately the cosmetics that so many of us use are loaded with ingredients that we really ought not be putting on our faces. For example a recent study of big brand name lipsticks showed that over 50% of the lipsticks tested contained lead.

Lead? Is it possible that we the public are unknowingly using cosmetics like lipstick that contain lead? Yes it is. It’s a sad fact that the FDA doesn’t regulate cosmetics, or for that matter skin care or anti aging products like it regulates drugs.

And yet for those of us using cosmetics we are putting them into our systems just as if they were drugs. When you apply a cosmetic product like a lipstick or a blush our a rouge some of that products ends up inside of us.

That’s because our skin is porous and what we put onto it soaks in and ends up in our bodies rather than just on our skin. Moisturizers, for example, are rubbed in a disappear. Where do they go but into our system? Ok if they are harmless, but what if they’re not?

And now a recent study has cast doubt on whether it’s safe for our teenage girls to use some cosmetics. I’ll quote from the website of the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics which summarizes the results clearly.

“Laboratory tests reveal adolescent girls across America are contaminated with chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and body care products.”

That’s scary. It gets worse and makes worrying reading for any parent of a teen who uses cosmetics regularly, and who doesn’t? Most in fact use more than the average woman.

The Environmental Working Group found chemicals from 4 different families of chemicals (phthalates, parabens, triclosan and musks) in the urine of girls between the ages of 14 and 20 who were tested in the study.

Some of these chemicals were found in the urine of every single girl tested.

Adolescence, of course, is a time when the maturing female body is growing fast and dealing with hormonal changes, and girls of this age do not want to be loading their bodies with potentially toxic chemicals.

The chemicals tested for are considered to be hormone altering chemicals, and so it raises some questions about the implications of teenage girls using cosmetics and skin care products and also possibly acne treatments where there is a good chance they could be loading their systems with these chemicals.

No one really knows, we’re entering an unknown area and the implications for the future health and in particular hormonal and reproductive health is completely unknown.

Either way, so we want our children taking these unknown risks with common cosmetics and skincare and other personal and body care products?

It’s a matter of serious concern for anyone. But there are solutions. There are very good companies that have dedicated themselves to making natural cosmetics and natural skin care products that don’t contain dangerous chemicals. They work extremely well and don’t expose our daughters to the risks inherent in mainstream cosmetics.

Unfortunately these companies are small niche companies unable to compete with the big brand names, and they don’t even try to compete. You’ll never find them advertising on TV for example. And you’re unlikely to find their products in the department stores either.

However if you take the time to find them their natural cosmetics and natural skin care products are excellent, and price competitive.

So don’t play Russian Roulette with your daughters health. Find some top shelp natural cosmetics and natural skin care products that don’t contain dangerous chemicals.

Want to know where to find the best Natural Cosmetics? Visit Peter’s Website Natural Health-Natural Skin Care and find out more about Natural Skin Care ProductsNatural Skin Care Products

Young people seem to be in their own world full of activities and friends. Consequently, there is often little room to listen to parental advice. However, there are things you can do to help your adolescent child make the right choices.

Teenagers are beginning to develop their personal identity; their points of interest are changing. Their fashion sense is improving, and they begin to experiment with many new things to satisfy their curiosity. You may be surprised by the major shifts in your child’s outlook. Their views about life are often influenced by their peers. Their social circle may provide new ideas about what’s right, what’s new, and what is acceptable. If they have friends that are involved in teenage drinking, smoking and illegal drugs, they may accept those behaviors as normal. In fact, they may even feel encouraged to do such things. Unfortunately, many teens fail to realize that engaging in such activities could lead them into trouble.

You certainly want to avoid seeing your child get into trouble, right? Well, to do that you need to make an extra effort to know what’s going on. Try to get to know your child’s friends. Know what their interests are and assess their personalities. Encourage your child to invite his or her friends to your home. A simple chat with your child’s friends can help you know them better. You can also talk to their families as well. By meeting their parents, you can share with them your views about your child’s activities. Doing so will help you supervise your child when he or she is not at home. Ultimately, you always want to know where your teenager is, whom they are with, and what they are doing.

Teenagers may react negatively to your supervision. They will probably be frustrated they do not have the freedom to do what they want with whom they want. Your child may also see your protective behavior as a sign of mistrust. Try not to be too harsh when dealing with your teen. Make an effort to be their friend, and understand their interests and desires. Remember, you were a teenager once too and can empathize with many of your child’s situations. Spending time together and being involve in your teen’s activities allows for easy communication.

You should never fear that all your parenting has been useless. Your efforts will probably pay off in situations when you are not around to see it. The key to success with teenagers is knowing your child. By staying involved, you can assure your child feels safe and protected by your love. They need to know that someone is always there for them, and, someday, they will appreciate the role you played in influencing their teenage years.

Maybe you have a need to relieve some aggression today? Try some relieving fun Shooting Games to work it out!

Or perhaps the kids would enjoy Games For Girls!

Learn some BMX Tricks and Skills the easy way play Bike Games online.

Teen girls still love getting stuffed animals for Christmas. However, they aren’t interested in something too babyish. Girls between the ages of 8 and 12 like stuffed animals that are a little more high tech and sophisticated. The following suggestions can help you navigate the tricky terrain of buying stuffed toys for young ladies in the teen age group.

A large number of major malls across the country have a Build-A-Bear Workshop where you can take your teen girl and let her custom design her very own stuffed animal. A gift certificate and a promise to take her on a date to build the ultimate teddy bear is a present that’s sure to please. Let her work the mouse and click the keys as she picks out her own stuffed animal on the Build-A-Bear website. She will never forget the fun time she had making her furry creation.

Webkinz are stuffed animals that come with a computer code that allows the owner to register their pet on the Webkinz website. This site offers teens the chance to interact with their stuffed friends in a virtual realm. They can pick a name and gender for the pet and then spend time on-line taking care of it and play games on the site with children all over the world. This is the ultimate mesh of traditional stuffed toy and technology age gadget. The stuffed animal itself has an electronic meter on it that tells your teen if it is happy or sad, so it could arguably be a good predecessor for the responsibility of a real pet.

Unusual animals. Larger than life teddy bears are a big hit with young girls. They also still like old fashioned stuffed cats, dogs, and bears, especially if they come with accessories such as perfume or lotion. Girls this age love purses in the shape of stuffed animals. Many teen girls love craft projects or are in the process of learning how to sew. A great gift would be to order the traditional red heeled “sock monkey” socks and gather all the items needed for her to construct her own sock stuffed animal.

Teens often struggle with wanting to be grown up while they still see the world from the eyes of a young child. Many girls this age don’t want to admit that they still are into stuffed animals. By making your stuffed toy gift creative, personal, and cool, you give your teen permission to enjoy being a little girl just a little while longer and that is a precious gift indeed.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, stuffed animals for teen girls, and dolls.

As an advice columnist specializing in Black and interracial relationships, I frequently receive letters from both parents and children seeking understanding and guidance in navigating the conflicts which arise in their relationship. The issue of interracial dating is fraught with the greatest amount of emotional upheaval for both parties.

A reader writes: “My situation is probably typical, but for me it’s very confusing. My parents adopted me from Korea. They are White. I am 19, almost 20 years old and seriously involved and engaged to a Black man. I love him dearly for who he is because he is a wonderful person! Anyways before I began dating him, my mother and I used to have a pretty good and close relationship. She has now done a complete 180 on me, telling me over and over that I am a disappointment to her.

She keeps trying to put my fiancee down by pointing out things about him that to her are not right. The thing is he treats me well and he loves me sincerely like no other man before. I refuse to let her run my life or dictate my choices as a woman. Basically, I know what I want and I refuse to give him up. My problem is my Mom. How can I have any normal relationship with her?

When I try to be open with her about my feelings, my needs, or the relationship, she acts unaffected and uninterested. Then when I withdraw and have nothing to do with her and keep my conversation to myself, she becomes hurt and tries to guilt-trip me. My Mom is putting me into a situation where no matter what I do, I can’t win or please her. Please help me!”

My response to this young woman follows.

I am going to suggest that you write your mother a letter that asks some pointed questions and gives her something to think about. A letter is the best way to get your point across since she won’t listen to you.

Start off by telling her how much you appreciate what she and your Dad have done for you, and how much you love her. Tell her how sad you are that your relationship with her has changed. Point out to her that you are a young woman now and you both have to accept that your separation from her requires an adjustment for you both that is going to be challenging. Let her know that you hope when you arrive on the other side, you two will have a different relationship, but one that will be richer for you both, wherein you relate as peers - as women - not as a mother and child.

Tell her that she forgets you are not White - you are a “minority” just as much as the man you love. She accepted you into her life and home without penalizing you for your skin color or cultural heritage, so ask her why she would not accept another “minority” person? Pointedly inquire if her criticisms are based primarily on racial prejudices because your man is Black?

Remind her that NO MAN IS PERFECT, including your father or hers, but just like millions of other women in the world, you love your man with all his imperfections and bad habits and want to be WITH him more than you do WITHOUT him!

Tell her that you feel she is attempting to manipulate you with her temperamental displays of negativity. Being cold when you try to talk to her (only because you aren’t talking about what SHE wants to hear), then providing drama when you leave her alone (which is what she appeared to want you to do) is confusing to you and not doing anything positive to improve the relationship between the two of you.

Be REAL with her young woman. Hold no punches. Your Mom needs to hear these things from you because she needs a reality check.

Life isn’t perfect, and our children often do things differently than we might have liked. They make choices we would not necessarily think are the best choices.

But they aren’t us.

A parent’s job is to RAISE their child to adulthood, educated, responsible, capable of making decisions on their own and taking care of themselves. Seems like she has done her job but is having a really hard time letting go and adjusting to her new role in your life.

I wouldn’t worry about this too much. You may have to put some space between your Mom and yourself for awhile, but she will come around eventually. I usually see the change occur with great speed when a child is on the way. The racist attitudes usually are dealt with and put aside. Most parents don’t want to miss out on the joys of Grandparenting and usually calm down and start acting like they have some sense!

Wanting to see, hold and have fun, loving family holidays and 1 on 1 time with their grandchild is a strong motivator for parents to grow up.

(c) 2008 Deborrah Cooper. Deborrah has authored dozens of relationship articles and advice columns on Ask HeartBeat!, which focuses on modern relationships for teens and adults. Her dating guide Sucka Free Love! provides street-smart, hilarious insight into the toughest issues facing singles today. Check out The Sucka Free Dating Radio Talk Show on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm PST.