[.ca] A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients: ... (ISBN 1400052335)

From Amazon.com:
You wouldn't eat something without knowing what it was--don't you want to take the same care with what you put on your face, hair, and body? Find out what's in that shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, lotion, or perfume here, with more than 6,000 entries, organized alphabetically. Cosmetics are barely regulated these days, leaving it up to you to learn what those strange-sounding names mean and how they might affect you. For example, did you know these intriguing tidbits? Abietic acid, a texturizer in soaps, is harmless when injected into mice but causes paralysis in frogs. The American Medical Association frowns on medicated makeup, because their potential to do harm often outweighs their benefit. Mayonnaise is as effective a dry-hair conditioner as the expensive preparations. Milk is a good face wash, but you'd better rinse it off well, or rancidity will give rise to bacteria that will cause pimples. Don't skip the introduction, a provocative discussion of "cosmeceuticals," anti-aging products, what's really meant by the word "natural," "culture and cosmetics," and what to do if you have an adverse reaction. This is the fifth edition of this guide, which originally appeared in 1978. Even if you own the fourth edition, you'll want to update, because this edition includes 1,400 newly developed chemicals and hundreds of name changes. --Joan Price

The BIBLE of Cosmetics Researchers!:
I've used this wonderful book for several months now and it is the only book I need to find the answers I want. It is unfortunate that the hysterical rantings of the previous reviewer, (who asks for credentials, but offers none of his/her own), has reduced the "star" value of this great book. (For anyone interested in pursueing the wild accusations of the previous reviewer, I would direct you to "toxnet.nlm.nih.gov" for a professional, definitive assessment of nearly every chemical known). Nor is this a recipe book as another reviewer expected. It is, plain and simple, a "Dictionary" of over 6,000 cosmetic ingredients and a book that belongs on every bookshelf.

seen better:
As a Beauty Therapist I am very interested in what kind of product goes in to those little jars lined up on my bench. I thought that this book had some good information, but not enough. I would have liked to have it broken down a little more so that each subject (or the majority of them) had a section I could see at a glance on adverse reactions and contra indications. Many products shouldn't be used in conjunction with acne treatments etc and knowing as I do how people don't follow advice given out by their 'expert' it would be useful to see it written down - something longer than a paragraph. For basic reading it's good, but it just didn't do it for me. There are better books out there.

Thorough, helpful, complete:
What a fabulous find! If you have sensitive skin, allergies, or just want to know what's in the products you put on your face, skin or hair, this is the book for you. The author even gives you the lowdown on kids' products and all the so-called anti-aging potions out there. Don't go to the drugstore without it!

THIS BOOK IS GARBAGE, WHO THE \oheck\c IS RUTH?:
THIS LADY, IN ATTEMPTING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, CONTRADICTS HERSELF MANY, MANY TIMES IN THE 5TH EDITION. SHE CONSIDERS BENZYL BENZOATE \oCAS: 120-51-4\c NON-TOXIC AND BENZYL ALCOHOL \oCAS: 100-51-6\c IRRITATING AND CORROSIVE! HELLO, MS WINTER? WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS? SODIUM BENZOATE \oCAS: 532-32-1\c - NO NONE TOXICITY FOR EXTERNAL USE?!?!? I THINK CONSUMERS NEED ANOTHER VALID, AND I DO STRESS VALID, SOURCE OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO COSMETIC PRODUCTS. I DUMPED MY COPY OF THIS BOOK WITH THE REST OF MY RUBBISH.

Disappointed:
I have to say that I was quite disappointed with the 5th edition of this book. Another reviewer made the observation that Winter tip-toed around a lot of issues and I echo that observation. I feel that it weakens the work. There are a number of ingredients whose potential dangers I have read about but I couldn't find any further information in this book. What am I supposed to conclude? That these controversial ingredients are perfectly safe because Winter says "On the basis of available data, the CIR Expert Panel concludes that this ingredient is safe for topical application in the present practices of use and concentration as a cosmetic"? Granted, there were many ingredients that did get a more fair review. Also, this last edition was printed in 1999 and I think we know a lot more now. As a matter of fact, I think that many "bad" ingredients have stopped being used, at least by some of the more conscientious companies. So, I think it's time for a new edition, one that takes into account the progress that has been made in the cosmetics industry and the desire for today's consumers to know about more current research studies. I would recommend Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary by N. Michalun, et al, and the Don't Go Shopping books by Paula Begoun over this one. This book is not worth the money and I would almost like my money back.