"Beauty's Oats": A Natural Alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide

Beauty’s Oats: A Natural Alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide

The Use of Benzoyl Peroxide

   Benzoyl Peroxide is used in some skin products to treat acne. An example of a product containing this chemical is Advantage by Clean and Clear, which stated “In a clinical study, 100% of people had clearer skin in as little as one day”. It is so effective because it kills the bacteria that causes it in the first place, “P. acnes.” This is generally done for esthetic purposes to treat acne, and is also used as a bleaching agent, and can lighten the skin to minimize the appearance of scars, though in the past it has also been used in the bleaching process of foods such as flour and italian cheese.

Health Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide

   The extent of damage done by benzoyl peroxide depends on amount and concentration in the substance that the skin is exposed to and absorbs, as well as the frequency. This chemical generates free radicals, also called “oxidated stress”, which is harmful to the skin and the body in general because in excess, these naturally-occurring molecules can overwhelm the body and overcome antioxidants. If this occurs, it may interfere with and slow the skin’s healing process. Relatively less serious effects include premature ageing of the skin due to damage to the cell structure and cellular DNA, and irritation and redness, also a result of a potentially “over-drying” effect that inhibits the body from producing natural oils and moisture. A report in 1950 by an S. Moskowitz and B. Grabois reveals that “concentrations of 12 mg/m3 and higher have resulted in pronounced irritation of the nose and throat.” While there are relatively less serious effects, the biggest health concern is that benzoyl peroxide has been linked to skin cancer.

   Skin cancer is a potentially fatal disease, and while overexposure to UV rays can cause it, effects of benzoyl peroxide are similar to those of overexposure to the sun. Risk of damage can also be increased because it removes the top layer of skin, reducing protection from the sun. Potential environmental toxicity is also a concern, if an ecosystem were to be contaminated with it. Testing benzoyl peroxide on animals is also a health concern for the animals themselves, and such testing has shown lethal doses, that moderate levels may be toxic, and higher doses may have effects on reproduction. Originally, benzoyl peroxide was classified as category 1 acne treatment by the FDA, however it has been as moved to category 3 of unknown safety until further research.

A Natural Alternative

   The name of this alternative product is “Beauty’s Oats” (a reference to Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty), a natural oatmeal facial scrub. The ingredients for making the scrub are 1 cup of rolled oats, 3.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 7.5 tsp honey, and 4 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Use a rolling pin to gently roll the oats so that there was a bit of powder. After combining the wet ingredients, mix with the oats in a bowl.

 

Reflection

   The scrub worked well, achieving its purpose of cleaning the skin and clearing the pores thoroughly, but not roughly. The oats acted as an exfoliant, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice as an astringent and toner, and the honey was the softener. After use, the skin felt cleaner and looked clearer. Cleanliness is which is one way to prevent or reduce acne, therefore it’s an effective natural substitute for benzoyl peroxide.

Reference List

Clean and Clear. (n.d.). CLEAN & CLEAR® ADVANTAGE® Acne Control Kit Skin Care.

Skincare & Acne Treatment Products | Clean & Clear® | Canada. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from http://www.cleanandclear.ca/product/treatments/clean-clear-advantage-acne-control-kit

El-Samragy, Y. (n.d.). Benzoyl Peroxide Chemical and Technical Assessment (CTA) First draft  

prepared by Yehia El-Samragy. Food and Agricultural Association of the United Nations. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agns/pdf/jecfa/cta/63/Benzoylperoxide.pdf

Working Group. (n.d.). BENZOYL PEROXIDE. Skin Deep Cosmetics Database | Environmental

Working Group. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700694/BENZOYL_PEROXIDE/#

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (n.d.). CDC - Immediately Dangerous to Life or

Health Concentrations (IDLH): Benzoyl peroxide - NIOSH Publications and Products . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 22, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/94360.htm

Skintactix. (n.d.). Benzoyl Peroxide Skin Damage. Acne Treatment | Skintactix. Retrieved May 22,

2013, from http://www.skintactix.com/benzoyl_peroxide_skin_damage.htm

Cancer Villages

(See photo here, http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/03/05/article-2288377-1871FFB4000005DC-505_636x410.jpg)

Rising cancer rates in China has brought attention and acknowledgement to “cancer villages.” Supportive global campaigners and outraged victims in China have raised the issue of increased cancer rates due to pollution through social media. Utilizing social networking websites such as Weibo and Twitter more people have been made aware of cancer villages and the raised voices have also caught political attention.

One example of a Cancer Village is Huangjiawa in China’s Shandong province, whose inhabitants suffer with one of the highest stomach cancer rates in the world. Huangjiawa’s water is believed to be contaminated by toxins from an aluminum smelter which is also polluting the air, in contrast to the clean river from the past recalled by a villager, Mr Zhang.

This degradation of water sources --including groundwater-- is also evident in polluted waters of other villages, all suffering from high cancer rates, with pollution from industrial facilities. According to Greenpeace East Asia, 320 million people in China are without access to clean drinking water and 190 million drink water severely contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Amoung such people are farmers who have no choice but to water their crops with contaminated water. The communist party has promised to address the poor air, water, and soil conditions of these villages and others in the country, as the people’s health depends on it.

As a basic necessity of life that a human cannot survive more than a few days without, a necessary resource for farming crops and for hygiene, and literally the substance that marine wildlife breathe, absolutely taking away someone's access to safe water is inexcusable. Where I live usually we can turn on a tap in the kitchen and clean water comes straight out which is generally safe to drink and wash our food and hands with. We also have hoses in the backyard to water a garden, toilets and sinks for a sanitary washroom, and there are many bodies of water where people can go fishing and what we catch is safe to eat. Safe water sources are all to easy to take for granted here.

This year’s National Cancer Prevention and Care Week slogan is “Protect the Environment, Keep Cancer Away.” The more knowledge there is of water-related issues, the more we know how important it is to not take clean water for granted, and of the shocking degree of polluted resources that many people and other animals around the world are forced to live with. Cancer villages are dying proof that human health is deeply connected with the condition of the environment, and that we cannot continue polluting water and making toxic air. Both local and international public response is also proof that many people really do care, and it’s good to hear that after the increase in awareness there are plans being made to help. Ma Jun, one of China’s leading environmentalists, says in another article on cancer villages that the recognition of issues is the first step taken in order to eventually solving them.

The boom in communication technology has played a big role in awareness on issues like this, and hopefully environmental awareness will continue as more than a passing trend and will fuel changes in lifestyle to improve the health of ecosystems and all living things, including humans.

2019-03-19 update: Here is a link to a later post about an English-translated map of the canccer villages: http://naturenimbus.blogspot.com/2018/02/comments-on-cancer-villages-map.html

Sources

RT. (2013, February 23). China admits pollution brought about 'cancer villages' â   RT News. RT. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://rt.com/news/china-water-pollution-cancer-346

Tatlow, D. K. (2013, April 17). As Cancer Rates Rise in China, Trust Remains Low –NYTimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/world/asia/18iht-letter18.html?_r=0

Webb, S. (2013, March 5). 'Cancer villages': Global twitter revolt over hamlet where wells are poisoned and disease rates are soaring. Mail Online. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288377/Cancer-villages-Global-twitter-revolt-hamlet-wells-poisoned-disease-rates-soaring.html

Updated June 4, 2015, and March 19, 2019

Walkerton E. coli Contamination

    In the year 2000, Walkerton, Ontario suffered tragedy from the worst E. coli contamination in Canada. A series of irresponsible water management was the cause of the terrible occurrence with seven deaths and 2,300 cases of illness resulting from it, and possibly some lasting effects for surviving victims, especially children. Additionally, economic impacts include that it costed a total of approximately $6.9 million, factoring costs in maintenance and suffering of the victims.

    The source of contamination was cattle manure washing into a shallow water supply well, and revealed a number of flaws in the city’s water management system when members of the community began to fall ill, as the groundwater system is depended upon by the residents. Well 5 had been contaminated by the cattle manure spread by a local farmer that had been following guidelines, however the well was not continuously monitored for adequate chlorine residual as it should have, and it is very likely that the impact of the crisis could have been reduced, if not averted. Frank Koebel was the foreman of the town Public Utilities Commission, and him and his brother Stan Koebel were both charged and pleaded guilty for public nuisance, uttering and forgery and breach of public duty, as they failed to sufficiently maintain the water at safe levels. It was stressed that neither of them had ever intended to cause harm to anyone, but was a result of negligence in their duties, and it was reported that monitoring and maintenance was in fact neglected. However, the Koebels were not the only ones responsible for monitoring the water, and other employees had received no formal training or certification, and were not prepared for the task; some reports were even falsified.

    Justice O’Connor issued several recommendations, including ensuring there is sufficient funding,  and adequate training for employees in water management. Also keeping vigilant monitoring, which could have prevented the tragedy in the first place, so that adjustments can be made to keep the water safe. Considering environmental factors was another one of his suggestions, and using multiple protection barriers including continual maintenance and inspection to keep water safety first priority in the community.