/oss/taxonomy/term/1411/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-jar <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-facial-creams-and-lotions-offer-hope-in-a-jar-and-profits-naturally">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> <hr /> <p>It used to be that cosmetics were sold for what was in them. Creams and lotions would hype their copper peptides, antioxidants, collagen, bull semen, ambergris (whale regurgitation), caviar, placenta extract, crushed pearl, snake venom or nightingale poop. Yes, snake venom and nightingale poop!</p> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:05:38 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9978 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-drugs-food-health-history-news/it-comes-earth <p>You may have heard of propylene glycol in several contexts. It is used as a safer alternative to ethylene glycol in antifreeze, as a preservative in foods and cosmetics, as a solvent in some pharmaceuticals and as a carrier of nicotine and flavours in electronic cigarettes. Propylene glycol also appears in the list of substances used by Tom’s of Maine, a company that prides itself on using natural ingredients in the consumer products they sell. According to Tom’s: “We’re always thinking about natural ingredients, where they come from and what they can do for a healthy world.</p> Wed, 27 Aug 2014 21:53:23 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2186 at /oss