Experts

Aubrey Hampton, Chief Executive Officer, Aubrey Organics, 4419 N. Manhattan Avenue, Tampa, Fla. 33614, 1-800-282-7394.

The first company in the United States to be certified “organic”, Aubrey Organics has been the leading organic company in personal care products for almost 40 years. Manufacturing over 220 products sold in over 4000 health food stores and hair salons, Aubrey Organics was founded by Aubrey Hampton in 1967. His premise was to create completely natural hair and skin care products free of synthetics and petrochemicals, products good for both the body and the earth. Today, Aubrey Hampton is acknowledged as one of the few authorities on natural organic cosmetics and phytochemisty for hair and skin care products in the world.

Aubrey has written three books on natural cosmetics: Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care (Organica Press), now in its sixth reprint, What's in Your Cosmetics (Odonian Press), and The Take Charge Beauty Book (Organica Press), co-written with Susan Hussey. Aubrey is also the founder and publisher of Organica Quarterly, an arts and environmental magazine distributed through independent bookstores and health food stores nationwide.

Paula Begoun, The Cosmetics Cop, Author, 1030 SW 34th Street, Suite A, Renton, WA 98057, 1-800-831-4088.

What originally started as a personal search for acne treatment has turned into 25 years of extensive experience and research for Paula Begoun. Her knowledge in the beauty industry combined with in-depth research and study of skin and cosmetics ingredients makes Paula one of the most respected resources among a variety of professional fields that involve skin care. Today, she remains a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, major cosmetics companies, and industry insiders. She has used her knowledge and expertise to develop her own cosmetics line.

Paula is the author and publisher of several best-selling books on the beauty industry, including seven editions of Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal, The Complete Beauty Bible, and Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me. She has sold more than 2.5 million copies of her books and is also a columnist, with her “Dear Paula” column appearing in papers throughout North America. Paula is a nationally-recognized consumer expert for the cosmetics industry has led to repeated appearances on CNN, Oprah, The Today Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, The View, and Primetime. Her website Paula’s Choice has organics information, cosmetic ingredients dictionary, facts, reviews, and her “Dear Paula” column links.

Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., Chairman, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, MC 922, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, (312) 996-2297.

Dr. Epstein is an internationally recognized authority on avoidable causes of cancer, particularly unknowing exposures to industrial carcinogens in air, water, the workplace, and consumer products--food, cosmetics and toiletries, and household products. Dr. Epstein is chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, founder of the Environmental Mutagen Society, President of the Society for Occupational and Environmental Health. He has published nearly 260 peer reviewed articles and authored 11 books including the prize-winning 1978 The Politics of Cancer. His book How to Avoid Cancer from Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: The Neways Story encourages buyers to avoid the products that contain carcinogen ingredients on the labels in order to win the battle against cancer that effects nearly one in two men and one in three women in their lifetimes. Dr. Epstein would be a great source especially to serve as a scientific expert in the field of cancer and its relations to personal care products.

Andrea Kane, The Organic Beauty Expert, 157 Ebony Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, (619) 865 - 1354.

The Organic Beauty Expert is self-proclaimed Andrea Kane. She has her own line of bath and body products called Marley’s Own after serving in the U.S. Navy. After learning about the organic and natural ingredients in toiletries, she decided to start her own online weblog. She claims to be the only organic blog for natural and organic beauty products, The Organic Beauty Expert, on the internet and includes a weekly podcast radio show. Andrea continues to design her own products, run the blog, and offer workshops. She has taught workshops at The University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hickam Air Force Base and for private groups. Andrea is a certified aromatherapist and is a member of the Handmade Beauty Network and The San Diego Chamber of Commerce.

Ruth Winter, MS, Author, 44 Holly Dr, Short Hills, NJ 07078, (973) 376-8385.

Working with her husband, Ruth is the author of more than 34 popular health books and is an award winning science writer with reports on leading edge of medical research including organics. She contributed over a hundred health and science articles to major national magazines including Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and Reader’s Digest with subjects ranging from anti-aging hormones to medicines in foods. She has been covering health, food safety, and pharmaceuticals for more than 30 years.

Ruth was the former science editor of The Star-Ledger in New Jersey, and was a nationally syndicated columnist for The Los Angeles Times. With her master’s degree in science, she was formerly president of The American Society of Journalists and Authors. Ruth also was the winner of the American Medical Writers national award for magazine writing. She is also the author of A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, A Consumer’s Dictionary of Medicines: Prescription, Over-the-Counter, Homeopathic, and Herbal, and Poisons in Your Food. Her wide-range of knowledge, numerous publications, accomplishments, awards and extensive experience makes Ruth Winter a reliable and well-rounded source.