Cosmetics—The Billion-Dollar Industry

The cosmetics industry is the biggest growing industry in the United States. Both sexes are obsessed with their looks. The biggest part of the industry is the attempt to make people look and feel younger. There are thousands of products for hair, skin, and nails developed yearly. It is difficult to figure out what is good and what is bad for you. These investigations will have you looking at just a few select areas of the cosmetic industry.

Web Investigation

Investigation 1
Homemade Soaps

In the frontier days everyone made his or her own soap. They made it from lye and the waste fat of animals. They would boil it on an open fire. Many sites on the Internet describe how to make your own soap at home. Select Keyword SOAP to investigate the history of soap making.

Investigation 2
Soap Industry

There are many additives that are part of the soap we use everyday. Most are surfactants and builders that are added to improve the cleansing ability of the soap and detergents. Investigate the various types of additives by selecting Keyword SURFACTANTS.

Investigation 3
Animal Testing

There has been a lot of controversy regarding animal testing of cosmetics. The Food and Drug Cosmetic Act does not require animal testing before a new cosmetic is put on the market. The Food and Drug Administration does require that companies make sure that there are no toxicological side effects in their formulations. Select Keyword ANIMAL TESTING to look at sites that discuss the types of testing that are performed on animals.

Investigation 4
Shampoos

There are many different companies that produce shampoos and conditioners for your hair. They all use similar chemicals to achieve the same results. Select Keyword SHAMPOOS (this link takes you to many different sites) to investigate various shampoo companies. Look up the contents of the shampoo you currently use and compare it to another company's composition.

Communicate Your Results

Exercise 1
Homemade Soap

Now that you have investigated the history of soap making find several recipes for making your own home-made soap. Write a one-page report on how to make your own soap.

Exercise 2
Surfactants

Discuss the various types of surfactants and builders that are used in soaps and detergents. Be sure to mention why they are so important to the formulations of the various types of soaps and detergents.

Exercise 3
Shampoos

Determine what surfactants are found in shampoos. Are they the same as those found in soaps and detergents? Explain why they are the same or not?

Exercise 4
Animal Testing

Discuss the pros and cons of animal testing. Be sure to include any new websites that you may find to assist in your discussion.