Non-Toxic Living: Natural Makeup & Cosmetics
"Some days, you just gotta put on a little lipstick and pull yourself together."
—Marilyn Monroe
Many slather them on every day, trusting their cosmetics to enhance their appearance. But what if the beauty products lining your bathroom shelf held a hidden threat? Shockingly, the FDA has only banned a mere 9 ingredients from cosmetics since 1938, a stark contrast to the European Union's ban exceeding 1,300. This raises a troubling question: are the cosmetics we use truly safe?
This article delves into the potential dangers lurking in makeup, particularly the link between certain ingredients and serious health concerns like cancer, infertility, and developmental issues.
Empower yourself to make informed choices about what you put on your body. Join me as I unveil the unseen threat in your makeup bag and explore ways to achieve a safer beauty routine.
Harmful Toxins To Avoid In Makeup
Anyone that’s ever been within a mile of a makeup store knows that there is a huge selection of products,, however, navigating the ingredient lists on these products can sometimes feel like deciphering a code. Certain ingredients have come under scrutiny in recent years, raising concerns about their danger on our health.
Here is a list of the dirty toxins often found in cosmetics, however, it's important to remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and the safety and suitability of any ingredient can vary depending on the specific formulation and individual sensitivities.
Here are some dirty ingredients in your makeup:
Parabens: These preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria in cosmetics but have been linked to hormonal disruption and potential health risks like breast cancer. Look for products labeled "paraben-free."
Synthetic Fragrance: This catch-all term can encompass hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, some of which may be allergenic or irritating to the skin. Consider fragrance-free options whenever possible.
Phthalates: These plasticizers are used to improve product texture but can disrupt hormones and potentially affect fertility. Look for products free of ingredients like "DEP," "DBP," or "DEHP."
PEG-10 Laurate: This ingredient is found in creamy makeup and moisturizers and may have hormone-disrupting effects.
Ethanolamines (MEA, DEA, TEA): These can react with other ingredients to form carcinogens and have been linked to promoting cancer in animal studies. The European Commission has banned DEA in cosmetics.
Butyl, Propyl, and Ethyl Parabens: While some debate surrounds the extent of their risk, these preservatives have been linked to potential hormonal disruption and increased cancer risk. Opt for paraben-free products whenever possible.
Petroleum: A known skin irritant and potential carcinogen used in some products for moisture retention. Be wary of ingredients like paraffin wax, mineral oil, and petroleum derivatives.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): This preservative and fragrance ingredient has been linked to potential carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting effects.
Sulfates (SLS/SLES): These foaming agents create a lather in cleansers but can be harsh and drying on the skin. Opt for gentler surfactants derived from coconut or corn.
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents: These preservatives can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Look for products labeled "formaldehyde-free."
Coal Tar Dyes: These synthetic colors add vibrancy to makeup but can be carcinogenic and cause allergic reactions. Opt for mineral-based pigments.
Aluminum: This metal is found in some antiperspirants and can potentially disrupt brain function and be linked to Alzheimer's disease. Choose natural deodorants with aluminum-free formulas.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: These sunscreen ingredients are known to disrupt coral reefs and may have endocrine-disrupting effects. Look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Triclosan: This antibacterial agent is found in some cleansers but can contribute to antibiotic resistance and disrupt thyroid hormone function. Look for "triclosan-free" products.
Coal Tar Coal: This ingredient is used in some hair dyes and can be carcinogenic. Choose natural hair dyes with henna or plant-based pigments.
Healthy Makeup Recommendations
Cosmetic Retailers
Beauty Heroes (Higher-end): Curated selection of clean beauty with a focus on luxury brands. No formal clean beauty certifications, but emphasizes avoiding parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Credo Beauty (Mid-range to High-end): Strict ingredient screening, avoids formaldehyde, coal tar, and triclosan. Credo Clean™ certification for some products meeting their standards.
Brands
Safe & Chic (Mid-range): Free from common allergens and irritants (gluten, fragrance) - ideal for sensitive skin. No third-party certifications, but emphasizes ingredient transparency.
Ogee Luxury Organics (High-end): Organic and natural ingredients, certified cruelty-free. Avoids parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. USDA Organic certification for some products.
Ilia Beauty (Mid-range to High-end): Clean, high-performance makeup with organic and natural ingredients. Leaping Bunny certified (cruelty-free).
Tower 28 (Mid-range): Clean, hypoallergenic, and vegan makeup. Avoids added fragrance, glitter, and potentially irritating essential oils. EWG Verified™ for some products (environmental working group safety rating).
Good Molecules (Mid-range): Focuses on high-quality, effective skincare with a commitment to transparency and key ingredients. Avoids many common concerns like parabens, sulfates, and fragrance.
Apps to Identify Toxins
With so many ingredients listed on product labels, deciphering which ones are safe can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, several handy apps can help you navigate the world of cosmetics and identify potential toxins.
Healthy Living (EWG) App: Developed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization focused on environmental and health research, this app allows you to search for specific products or scan barcodes. It assigns each ingredient a score based on its potential health concerns. The app also provides information about product certifications and allows you to create shopping lists of EWG-verified products.
Yuka: This user-friendly app allows you to scan product barcodes or search by brand name. Yuka then provides a detailed breakdown of the ingredients, rating them on a color-coded scale from green (low risk) to red (high risk). The app also offers explanations for each ingredient's rating and suggests safer alternatives.
Think Dirty: Scan barcodes to assess product safety. Think Dirty uses a "Dirty Meter" score and highlights concerning ingredients.
Learn More
To learn more about toxins, check out The Non-Toxic Living Guidebook: Hacks, Strategies, & Natural Products for Better Health. I wrote this comprehensive guide as a way to break down the complexity of toxins into a simple, easy-to-read format with practical tips and clickable links to the least toxic products I could find. Get your copy today and use the code MBD20 at checkout for a 20% discount. You can also get a paperback or hardcopy on Amazon.
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