The New OLGA COLA Cosmetics Bio Natural Line!

We are extremely excited to announce today, the brand new OLGA COLA Cosmeticsline is now available online, and exclusively on ToBeOrganic!
An eco-bio natural line, whose formulations reflect the international standards of bio, with an exclusive combination of bio actives that combine the power of nature with high compatibility with the skin, without having to give up luxury.

The formulations are with 0% of: Parabens ,Petrolates, Paraffins, Silicones, Mineral Oils, PEG, SLES/SLS, PABA, EDTA, DEA, Propylene glycol (PG), Phthalates, Phenoxyethanol, Palm Oil, Sythetic coloring, alcohol, Farmaldehyde and its derivatives, Dioxin and its derivatives, and GMOs.

It consists of a 24 h antioxidant face cream suitable for all skin types and of rapid absorption, a body cleanser, fresh and extremely delicate, a treating shampoo to keep in for one minute as if it were a mask, and finally a nourishing body cream and elasticity.
All products in the line are vegangluten free100% Italian, and cruelty free, never tested on animals!

The delicate fragrance within our formulations will win you over!
In the next few days, we will tell you about this new and exclusive bio line!

Click here to purchase!

Restrictions on the use of Toxic Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables

Further restrictions are being made by the European Food Safety Agency regarding the consumption of conventionally grown foods in the USA with two neurotoxic pesticides (acetamiprid and imidacloprid) that can influence the development of the nervous system in children.

Both of these risk present a significant risk for people, especially children.

These have been detected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in residues of both neurotoxic pesticides on various types of fruit and vegetables conventionally grown as apples, pears, and even baby food.

As always, the food that often has the worst pesticide concentrations remains the apple, due to its natural tendency to mushrooms and insects, it is heavily treated with various pesticides that we find also in apple and derivative juices, followed by strawberries, celeries, and peaches.

For parents, the advice is always to favor organic fruit and vegetables, especially for the nutrition in early childhood.

Our New Antioxidant Face Cream!

A brand new antioxidant face creamfrom the OLGA COLA Cosmetics line has just arrived on the market! 
This cream uses an innovative Eco-Biological formulationthat combines efficacy, tolerability, and a luxurious, particularly pleasant texture. It is a multifunctional creamthat guarantees everything that the skin needs in a singular product 

But what are therein functions of this cream?  
Anti Aging skin through its strong antioxidants
– Moisturizing for dehydrated and sensitive skin.
– Nourishing for dehydrated and sensitive skin.
– Elasticizing of the skin on the face.
– Illuminating for dull skin.

What are the characteristics?

What it does NOT CONTAIN:

What does it contain?

….A INCI (ingredients) very green!
Formulated with a mix of precious active Antioxidants, moisturizers, and nutrients such as:

Bisabolol: an active vegetable obtained from the distillation of camomile essential oils which has strong soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-reddening properties, suitable for extremely sensitive skin
Organic Karite Butter: anti-aging, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, healing, antioxidants
Tocopherol: more commonly known as Vitamin E, is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, moisturizer
Panthenol: Provitamin B5 is moisturizing, regenerating, and soothing
– the ingredients also include almond oil, coconut oil, and lemon essential oil, all strictly organic

How and when to use it

To be used both in the morning and in the evening, on perfectly clean skin with a light circular massage until completely absorbed.
Ingredients (INCI) 

Aqua, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl stearate SE, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate, Sorbitan stearate, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum parkii butter(*), Saccharide isomerate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil(*), Tocopheryl acetate, Lecithin, Allantoin, Cocos nucifera oil(*), Lactic acid, Panthenol, Xylitol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citrus medica limonum extract(*), Equisetum arvense extract(*), Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract(*), Salvia officinalis leaf extract(*), Citric acid, Benzyl alcohol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Parfum.

* Produced from organic farming/From organic farming.

Click here for more information on the OLGA COLA Cosmetics line!

Cosmetics During Pregnancy

It is known that, during the delicate period of pregnancy, doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid exposing themselves to substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.

However, recently, the attention has been moving internationally toward toxic substances contained in cosmetics and other consumer products.

This new focus is because some chemicals in personal care products have the potential to interfere with the reproductive system, pregnancy, and even childbirth.
Recently, doctors at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, have invited doctors to inform their patients about the potential toxic side effects caused by the exposure to certain chemicals in conventional cosmetics used by women during pregnancy.

Previously, in 2005, researchers at the University of Rochester found that prenatal exposure to phthalates used in cosmetics is linked to an abnormal development of newborns. Phthalates are still used, especially in glazes. The same goes for the phthalates that are still present in most conventional moisturizers today.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that cosmetics do not always remain on the skins surface but can penetrate into the skin.

Our advice is always to use these products as infrequently as possible, especially during the delicate period of pregnancy and birth, where hormonal changes make the skin more sensitive and prone to allergic reactions.

The use of natural skin care products, especially Organic products, being more similar to the natural nature of the skin, and especially because of their lack of toxic chemicals, are the ideal choice to protect the well-being of both the mother and the child. Check out our natural, organic, vegan cosmetic line by OLGA COLA Cosmetics!

Dr. Olga Cola for ToBeOrganic

A Question From a Customer

Greetings to all of our ToBeOrganic friends who follow our blog! I began to read the articles from the beginning of this site and, thanks to it, I became aware of a new world, that of certified organic cosmetics and organic in general, which I never had the chance to approach.
It is widely believed that this sector is a mere consequence of current lifestyle trends. But, I realized that this is not true…

I believe that natural products are the result of the evolution of knowledge that distinguishes a company as vanguard as ours. Research and the tendency towards improvement is inherent in the modern world, and to think that all this can happen with a comprehensive respect of the plant and animal world makes these products worth of note.

From the point of view of us consumers, however, I believe it is necessary to attempt to protect ourselves from any scams or inconsistencies in which we may run into at the time of purchase. For this reason, I would like to ask Dr, Cola, an expert in the field, how can we recognize a REAL bio natural cosmetic? And, in addition, what values, codes, or words should we expect?

Thank you for giving me a voice on this blog! I hope, in the interest of the readers, that we hear feedback on this subject. See you soon!

Valentina
Una bio curiosa 😉

Prendersi cura del proprio corpo in gravidanza – Guest Blogger Dott.ssa Luisa Bifulco

Durante questo periodo così particolare, quella che subisce maggiore vulnerabilità’, è proprio la pelle del corpo, sia per la variazione più o meno netta del peso, sia per il full ormonale, che contribuiscono insieme ad alterare prima l’idratazione e poi l’elasticita’ della pelle.

Buona regola generale ed in particolare in gravidanza,e’utilizzare un detergente corpo,i cui tensioattivi non siano molto schiumogeni,tali da lavare e portare via anche il film idro-lipidico di protezione cutanea.

Il detergente corpo Cola Cosmetics,non solo ha tensioattivi  derivati dal glucosio e da altre sostanze naturali, ma a contatto con la pelle sprigiona una vera e propria crema, che mentre idrata la pelle,la va a nutrire,grazie alla presenza di avena e ginseng.

Inoltre,da test empirici, si e’ riscontrato che e’ ottimo anche come detergente viso,struccante occhi e per la presenza di acido lattico,perfetto per l’igiene intima.
Dopo la doccia,la pelle della donna in gravidanza,va coccolata sin dalle prime settimane di gestazione,con un’opportuna routine di idra-nutrimento.

Bando agli olii convenzionali,dal suono commerciale,che il piu’delle volte,nascondono paraffine ed altri petrolati;al contrario,mi vede favorevolissima,l’uso di olii essenziali,ma solo se biologici.L’olio di mandorle dolci,in questo caso occupa il primo posto,con il suo pool di sostanze elasticizzanti e protettive.

Ma per avere il massimo dei risultati,e’bene alternare l’olio in purezza ad un’ efficace crema corpo,che contenga una miscellanea di olii essenziali che in sinergia,amplificano la loro azione dermo-elasticizzante.

La crema corpo Cola Cosmetics, consigliata anche da molti ginecologi di mia conoscenza, grazie ai suoi componenti tutti vegetali e biologici quali il burro di karite’,l’olio di mandorle dolci,gli olii essenziali degli agrumi,il vinacciolo,l’avena,il bisabololo e l’equiseto sono un ottimo concentrato di vitamine,AHA(alfa-idrossi-acidi),fosfolipidi,aminoacidi,peptidi e grassi polinsaturi,che mentre leniscono  la pelle dallo stress quotidiano apportandongli il giusto nutrimento,le conferiscono una incredibile elasticita’ evitando la comparsa antiestetica di smagliature e quell’effetto spento tipico delle pelli molto secche,reattive e sensibili.

Nel nostro prossimo incontro sul Bio-Blog, vi spieghero’ le tecniche di applicazione degli olii essenziali e delle creme corpo, per avere il massimo dei risultati desiderati.

E ricordate…….l’assiduita’di applicazione….premia sempre !!!

Guest blogger – Dott.ssa Luisa Bifulco, Biologa esperta di dermocosmesi.

Differences Between Natural, Organic, and Conventional Cosmetics

Organic cosmetics have become more than a conscious choice, and much more than a fashion trend, with all of the implications that are included. Searching for beneficial products, it is easy to find many products launched on the market that appear to be natural and organic, with promises that are not always fulfilled.
What are the differences between conventional, natural, and organic cosmetics?
Natural Cosmetics: has a good starting composition, but only about 5% of natural ingredients are enough to use the phrasing “natural”.
Eco-Organic Cosmetics: on the contrary, to be able to use this term, it should contain 100% of natural ingredients in which at least 20% of it is from organic farming. To be organic, it should respect not only the skin, but also the environment through rigorous production systems with reduced environmental impacts, reduced secondary packaging, and minimum packaging.

The Conventional Cosmetics: this has no particular restrictions, it is composed of almost all chemical substances that can be the cause of concern.

How can it be helpful and protective for the consumer when choosing Bio cosmetics products?
As previously mentioned in earlier posts, the first thing a consumer should do is to learn to read the labels of cosmetics, the famous INCI, which are nothing more than a list of ingredients. How should you read the INCI?

1) Ingredients are always listened in descending order. First are the ingredients that have higher concentrations within the product, and those listed last will have the lower concentrations.

2) Chemical substances are always written in English.

3) Vegetable substances are always written with the botanical name, in Latin, without the translation.

4) Dyes are written with C.I. (color index) followed by an identification number

5) Only hair dyes are written with the name in English.

What tools are available to identify harmful and toxic substances in cosmetics? 

1) Biodiversity is a useful tool that allows you to know immediately through the color of vignette associated with the tested substance. The color will be green if a substance is safe, yellow if it is borderline, and red if it is dangerous for the environment or dangerous for human health.
2) One of the main, private, organic certification groups in Italy has created a very useful ICEA CHECK app that allows you to copy and paste directly into the app the INCI of a product and to immediately check whether the substances are safe or not.
3) For the average consumer, it is possible to rely on the certifications of some private groups such as ICEA, Natrue, BDIH, and ECOCERT, which have strict regulations to ensure that the product is organic and safe.

Which substances are NOT allowed in BIOLOGICAL cosmetics? 

Silicones (ending in -one, -thicone, or -siloxane): these are used in hair products and make-up for their fake healthy and shiny effect on hair, which is only an illusion because they actually damage the hair and skin.

SLS (sodium laurylsulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate): present in shampoos, bath foams, and soaps, are very foaming and aggressive surfactants

Petrolatum (petrolatum, paraffinum, liquidum, vaseline, mineral oil): petroleum derivatives are considered to be class II carcinogens.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) and PPG (Propylene Glycol): derived from petroleum.

EDTA, DEA, MEA, TEA (triethanolamine), MIPA, Trimonium, and I-Dimonium

Triclosan: used as an antibacterial and is considered an aggressive pesticide.

Finally, it is important to remember that organic cosmetics, like OLGA COLA Cosmetics, as well as being safer, tolerated, and active on the skin, need a smaller quantity of product to get great benefits as they are much more concentrated!

Dr. Olga Cola (for ToBeOrganic)

Carcinogenic Ingredients in Perfumes

Welcome back from the holidays! 

In the first post of September, I want to tell you about a recent confirmation by a board of American scientists called National Academy of Sciences on the presence of carcinogenic substances for humans in the perfumes present in most of the products for cosmetics and cleaning products used in the house. 

Not everyone knows that less than 30% of perfumes are common aromas, while the remaining part is made of chemically obtained, synthetic substances such as toluene, aldehydes, naphthalene, and produced from benzene.

The incriminated substance is called Styrene, and is a chemical element synthesized precisely in a laboratory. Scientists have defined this chemical as a “dangerous substance that must be strictly controlled” with “convincing evidence shows that it can cause cancer” and states that “styrene as a known carcinogen to humans”.

The focus is on the presence of styrene as well as in perfumes, even in some plastic containers for food (known as polystyrene).

Identifying the products whose fragrance contains styrene is very difficult because, while in cosmetics and detergentsfor the home it is mandatory to divulge the ingredients, under the heading “perfume” it can hide any substance, because they are not required to report the individual ingredients. What then can we do to avoid exposing ourselves to a substance that is reasonably carcinogenic like styrene?

The best solution is to buy household products such as dish soap and laundry detergent without perfumes.

With regard to cosmetic products, you should always focus on eco-biological products whose specifications prohibit the use of these substances in perfumes, which, for the most part, are derived naturally (from essential oils).

While waiting for the substances used in perfumes to be more stringently regulated, it may be useful to keep up to date with news from the scientific field. More information can be found on the website of the American EWG.

Make sure to stay up to date for all of your organic, vegan, natural needs at ToBeOrganic.
For custom requests, contact us at info@olgacola.com

New Plastic Legislation in California and New York

There has been a proposal to ban plastic microspheres used in cosmetic municipalities for skin cleansing and exfoliation products in both California and New York, as they are not sustainable for the aquifer system.
These micro-spheres have such a small dimension that they flow through urban sewer drains, overcoming the purification systems, allowing it to easily seep into the waters of the sea, lakes, and rivers. These are then ingested by fish and other marine organisms, having a large impact on marine biology. This impact is then passed on to other animals along the food chain, and finally is then found in our dishes.

The microspheres in question can be found in the labels of the cosmetic exfoliating and non-cosmetics, under the name of polyethylene and polypropylene.
In nature, there are very valid alternatives to these plastic particles such as apricot kernels and cocoa beans abundantly used in natural and organic cosmetics that have real, green INCI.

Some big companies are already running for cover by reducing or eliminating the use of these micro plastic particles in their products.

I would like to underline the importance of these types of legislative proposals aimed at prevention as well as the reduction, of the short and long term impact, of the poorly biodegradable substances on our environmental ecosystem. This is why OLGA COLA Cosmetics never uses polyethylene or polypropylene in our products!

Doctor Olga Cola (for ToBeOrganic)