Bismuth= Lead ByProduct

jfaith444 · 02-08-2008, 04:31 PM

Yuck! Ive been researching Bismuth Oxychloride for a class... and just found out that its a byproduct of Lead and Copper refinement! YUCK! I thought we were supposed to be staying AWAY from that stuff?
I cant believe companies use this stuff anymore. Can you say "Its time to reformulate our products"?
Sorry. Thought I would share that info with you guys!

rizzie_x3 · 02-08-2008, 05:12 PM

relax. bismuth oxychloride is not lead, it's just an ingredient that derived from the process of lead refining. just think about it by breaking down the chemicals: bismuth is a soft metal (which explain why bismuth oxychloride is pearlescent) while oxygen & chlorine are nonmetals. bismuth oxychloride is harmless to the skin as long as it's lead free before using for cosmetic purposes.

jfaith444 · 02-08-2008, 06:33 PM

I know its not lead, its just pretty gross when you think of where it comes from, ya know? I know THATS not derived from the natural soils of the earth, which is what a bunch of companies claim!

lotusindigo · 02-08-2008, 07:58 PM

Most of the MMU companies discussed in this part of the forum don't contain Bismuth. I wouldn't actually agree with the above statement saying that Bismuth Oxychloride is harmless to skin. A lot of us turn to online MMU companies because we're aware that a lot of the prestige MMU brands use Bismuth. Many women break out with acne/rashes/itching because of it.

***Sirvinya*** · 02-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Gold can also be a by product of the refining. Quite often these metals are found together. Just because it's a by product of another process doesn't mean it's bad.

KimGranger · 02-10-2008, 12:01 AM

I was thinking the same thing until I researched it a bit myself. I don't use bismuth but i am thinking that it is a byproduct of lead refining. There is no lead actually in it. kind of like when we breathe out our byproduct from breathing is carbon dioxide, right, so my thoughts are surely they can't be selling lead tainted makeup. Since it is a byproduct it is not actually lead or lead containing. Let's hope the FDA does not allow lead in cosmetics!!! that would be horrid. But really I am thinking that the bismuth is probably fine. Bare minerals uses it to make their product because it give a dewy appearance but that can be achieved with other ingredients as well. There are many companies out there who don't use it and actually it can irritate some people but I think the irritation is due to the need for "buffing" into the skin to get the stuff to adhere. I guess one must jsut try out different things until they find something that works.

jfaith444 · 02-10-2008, 09:54 AM

The FDA dosent ALLOW lead in products, but look at the lead found in lipsticks at The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Its all the stuff we are getting from China and importing. I mean COME ON! First they found lead in our kids toys, next lead in our lipstick... whats next? Lead in our tampons?

squirl-nutkin · 02-10-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfaith444

The FDA dosent ALLOW lead in products, but look at the lead found in lipsticks at The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Its all the stuff we are getting from China and importing. I mean COME ON! First they found lead in our kids toys, next lead in our lipstick... whats next? Lead in our tampons?

Hate to depress you more but there are other things in tampons and pads that are bad too. see Lunapads: Lunapads International Home Page
Fem hygiene stuff is not the safest stuff around. I think we just dont know how much of it is affecting us really and think its just another painful period. I havent used plastic pads in almost three years and I feel great not being all hot and sweaty. My faves are Homemade Mama as the hemp stuff really is better in terms of being more antibacterial.

Other good companies to try "NEW MOON PADS" Cloth Menstrual Pads ~ FREE SHIPPING worldwide over $50 and see clothpadreviews.makeforum.org :: clothpadreviews.makeforum.org.

jfaith444 · 02-10-2008, 11:29 PM

Im getting more and more depressed everytime I read this!

I'll have to try those pads!

icecookies · 02-11-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfaith444

Yuck! Ive been researching Bismuth Oxychloride for a class... and just found out that its a byproduct of Lead and Copper refinement! YUCK! I thought we were supposed to be staying AWAY from that stuff?
I cant believe companies use this stuff anymore. Can you say "Its time to reformulate our products"?
Sorry. Thought I would share that info with you guys!

I read that several months back too.

squirl-nutkin · 02-11-2008, 09:52 PM

Paula Begoun debunked that myth about lead in the lipsticks see Paula Begoun - The Cosmetics Cop - Paula's Choice but I dont see her getting worked up about carmine. That could potentially have toxins as its ground bugs.

icecookies · 02-11-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirl-nutkin

Paula Begoun debunked that myth about lead in the lipsticks see Paula Begoun - The Cosmetics Cop - Paula's Choice but I dont see her getting worked up about carmine. That could potentially have toxins as its ground bugs.

I'm with you eye to eye on the carmine/bug thing.

No can do that one.

KimGranger · 02-11-2008, 11:18 PM

Did you know that carmine is in foods for its coloring? I think that is interesting. Hmmmmm......carmine doesn't sound too bad but suppose they had to list on the ingredients pulverised beetles. Ha!! I actually myself am not oppposed to carmine. Bugs are protein and low in fat. Supposedly they provide antioxidant qualities as well. Next thing you know there will be carmine pills for antioxidants. LOL. kidding, but I am not a vegetarian so it am ok with it.

squirl-nutkin · 02-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim Granger

Did you know that carmine is in foods for its coloring? I think that is interesting. Hmmmmm......carmine doesn't sound too bad but suppose they had to list on the ingredients pulverised beetles. Ha!! I actually myself am not oppposed to carmine. Bugs are protein and low in fat. Supposedly they provide antioxidant qualities as well. Next thing you know there will be carmine pills for antioxidants. LOL. kidding, but I am not a vegetarian so it am ok with it.

I am opposed to it cos its not listed honestly and yes I know its in food. Its labeled as natural coloring. I am opposed because if someone has sensitivities dishonest labeling makes it harder for someone to isolate problems. Lots of us turn to minerals because of skin issues but not all understand the formulation or ingredients or even care. They just want to have nice skin and a makeup that works for them.

Do the colour from the bugs contain guts which contains waste? If so someone may react to it but never know unless they really research everything diligently. At one point I was seriously ill and went down to 83lbs because of a reaction to something. No one ever figured what it was and only the Chinese herbalist was able to help me. Unfortunately, that is not covered by medical so it was a pricey illness.

KimGranger · 02-12-2008, 09:12 PM

I would not just go out and find bugs to eat or even consider putting one in my mouth but it doesn't bother me too much when I know that they are processed so much and it does'nt look like an insect at the point when it is entering my system. But if one is allergic to shell fish perhaps they may have a sensitivity to bugs as well. They are crunchy like shellfish. so maybe it is something tothink about. But also folks with such sensitivites have to be so extreamly careful about what they eat so they probably have a heads up to stuff like carmine.

So when you got so sick what did the Chinese herbalist say about it? I am interested in Chinese medicine. Isn't it absurd the way the television is constantly blasting commercials about all kinds of drugs and their possible side effects. I have not faith in Western meds. Emergencies are one thing but for overall health western meds are scarry.

squirl-nutkin · 02-12-2008, 10:10 PM

Luckily, drug companies cant advertise on channels here but I do see US stations and find it a bit disturbing when they have all these disclaimers. I also wonder why some of the drugs are needed when it can be a lifestyle change or that if they looked at alternative medicine it will at least be another option compared to possible side effects. Mind you there are also really shoddy or charlatan alternative practioners too.

A good book about Chinese medicine to read is by Paul Pritchford. Its a very indepth look at it and explains in layman's terms. Four Paws, Five Directions is the one for pets by Cheryl Schwartz.

What happened to me was that for about a week I had severe intestinal distress but I didnt want to go to a doctor. Too many misdiagnoses and bad experiences.
I kept thinking it would go away but it sort of did after a week and some weight loss. Then when I started to eat again I woke in the middle of the night with some horrible rash. It looked like someone threw hot water on me. I thought I had anaphylatic shock and we rushed to the hospital but they didnt know what it was (thought it was flesh eating!) and told me to take Benadryl. That only worked til it wore off. Then I went to a conventional doctor and he said it was something like rosacea? Not sure as I was so weak I didnt understand much. So he gave me prednisone but apparently the dose was so high as I ended up so weak and dizzy. I heard later on there were complaints about his mistakes. I know he didnt last long in that location.

I finally went to the herbalist and she was shocked at how weak I was and did some acupressure and I think gave me some herbs. I think at this point she treated me for my lack of vitality and weak blood but I cant be sure except she was the one who really helped me when everyone failed. Constitutionally my energy is always balanced on the "cool" side that is that I have poor circulation, feel cold, can have painful periods and skin issues. So she treated me for my dizziness and tiredness.