NEW YORK -- The last time you stroked shadow on your eyelids, applied astringent to your face or removed polish from your fingernails you probably used a swab, cosmetic puff, round or wipe. What do you think these products were made of?
According to Cotton Incorporated, the fiber company of U.S. cotton growers, many women think the swabs, puffs, rounds and wipes they regularly purchase are made from cotton.
"People buy personal care products and automatically assume that they are made of cotton," says Ira Livingston, vice president, U.S. marketing for Cotton Incorporated. "They want cotton in these products because of the fiber's naturalness, purity and hygienic properties, but they're sometimes disappointed to find that what they bought is made of rayon, polyester or polypropylene."
Although personal care products made from other fibers may look like cotton, Livingston says they often don't perform as well. Below are some basic facts about the benefits of good grooming the "natural" way.
Cotton has superior absorbency features. Astringents, toners and other beauty preparations are readily absorbed by 100% cotton balls because fluids are actually drawn within the structure of the cotton fiber. Cotton becomes even stronger when wet, so saturated cotton balls are unlikely to shred or tear.
Cotton has a naturally textured surface that cushions contact with the skin. Synthetics, on the other hand have relatively smooth slick surfaces. Oil-based beauty products such as creams or eye makeup removers will cling to oil based synthetic cosmetic rounds and feel slippery next to the skin.
Cotton has a strong attraction to polar substances such as alcohol or acetone and the fiber's irregular surface construction makes it an effective cleanser. Synthetic cosmetic puffs, soaked in nail polish remover, provide less scouring action than those made from cotton because the solvent displaces on the fiber surface.
Cotton personal care products are "finish free." Synthetics used for personal care products are often chemically treated to make the fiber suitable for processing. Individuals with hyper-sensitive skin, prone to allergic reactions, may prefer to stick with beauty aids made from natural fibers.
Beauty professionals have long extolled the benefits of using top quality products in order to achieve the best results. Consumers can take a tip from the experts by making certain the personal care items they choose meet the same exacting standards. Women seeking to avoid the high cost of salon services by going the do-it-yourself route can help perfect their beauty treatment techniques with this inside information.
With proper care and attention, every woman can achieve a perfect ten - fingernails that is. But, Elisa Ferri, nail care consultant for Cutex advises that the wrong beauty aids can ruin even the most meticulous manicure. "As a manicurist I've used a lot of products and I find that 100% cotton works the best. When I've used an acrylic puff to remove nail polish the acetone breaks down the fibers, which then adhere to the nail surface. When I go to apply the new polish there's a residue of broken particles that mix with the nail enamel, making it lumpy and bumpy, when I use pure cotton I never have that problem."
A deep pore cleansing facial at a professional skin care salon is a luxurious way to pamper yourself. But you can easily make this soothing ritual part of your own beauty routine. Just make sure you follow all the steps thoroughly. Lia Schorr of Lia Schorr Skin Care, NYC, suggests women use cotton pads to gently remove facial masks. "Washcloths or tissues can be too rough on delicate complexions," she claims.
If you're a contact lens wearer, anything that goes near your eyes should be scrupulously clean. Follow the recommendation of makeup artist James Takos - when applying cosmetics don't run the risk of letting dirt and bacteria from your hands enter your eyes. Use a cotton swab instead of fingers to blend shadows or dab on concealer. "In addition to being more sanitary, it's a more precise method of application" he says.
Cotton personal care products can easily be identified on retail shelves by the distinctive Cotton Seal, Cotton Incorporated's registered trademark. Note: Because the fiber can withstand high temperatures, cotton can be sterilized, making it ideal for medical use. For this reason, cotton balls, wipes etc. are frequently found in the first-aid section of your drugstore or pharmacy. |
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