(NaturalNews) Stores stock thousands of brands of cosmetics to help us look like the latest Hollywood actress. We bought the ads and the products lock, stock and barrel to the tune of $200 billion in retail sales in the year 2000. According to TNS Media Intelligence, just the ad sales in 2006 for the cosmetics industry was higher than any other industry with a staggering 2.2 billion dollars.These cosmetics in pretty containers that we dish out lots of money for, are advertised using psychological factors in ads to motivate us to buy them, no matter what the price. The higher end cosmetics offered in stores base their price on hand-holding, and the brand they have built with their packaging and advertising campaigns.These companies claim they spend millions on research and use more expensive ingredients. However, truth be known, it's how the advertisement looks and whether it successfully calls us to action, that sells us rather than the ingredients.It is shocking to learn the FDA does not assess the safety of cosmetics and the industry has been left to police themselves. The basic ingredients used are mostly the same whether it's purchased at a high end counter in a fancy package, or for a tenth of the cost at a low end store.As consumers, what you need to know is that there are ingredients in high end or inexpensive cosmetics that could cause health concerns. For example, the following is a small list of ingredients that could cause allergies and possibly lead to chronic illness, yet found in many cosmetics. Others are known toxins:Pthalates - Known toxin. Found in many nail polish, including expensive brandsAlcohol - Dries the skinSalicylic acid - Revered for many uses, can cause allergiesSodium Lauryl Sulfate - This is an industrial detergent and can cause allergiesAs wise consumers, we must become educated before buying cosmetics and skin care products with our hard earned money.As you can see, consumers must be aware and become educated before going for the pretty package. There is a good websites that sheds light on this subject: Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org) . EWG's website (www.cosmeticdatabase.org) even rates cosmetic brands for safety. Go there to check yours.Dr. Flora Stay is the author of Secret Gateway to Health, Clinical Professor at University of Southern California School of Dentistry and founder of Cleure (fusion of Clean and Pure), (www.cleure.com) is the trusted company for chemically safe personal care and cosmetic products. You can receive a FREE e-book "Product Labels, A Cautionary Tale" to help you learn how to become wise shoppers and avoid products with toxic ingredients. Just go to (http://www.cleure.com) right now and download this e-book. About the authorDr. Flora Stay is the founder of Cleure (fusion of Clean and Pure)(www.cleure.com),the trusted company for chemically safe personal care and cosmetic products. She is currently an Associate Professor at U.S.C. School of Dentistry Dept. of Diagnostic Sciences. Her new book 'Secret Gateway to Health' is available at Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. Go to her website now for a FREE e-book "Product Labels: a cautionary tale" at http://www.cleure.com (Source: NaturalNews.com)