If you have been keeping abreast of the latest updates about the cosmetics industry, you probably know by now that most of the mainstream makeup that we use daily, are full of extremely harmful chemicals. Yes – many of the products that we apply on our face can actually cause cancer and serious birth defects.
Before we pooh pooh these ideas (after all, how much can a bit of BB Cream or eyeliner hurt you?), we would do well to remember that skin is the largest organ in our body, and 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer this year. Would you voluntarily expose this organ to cancer causing chemicals each and every day? I hope the answer is no… Yet, that is what each of us is doing on a daily basis.
Much has been made of the fact that the EU has banned about 1,400 different chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products, while the U.S. has banned a paltry 11.
Yes, we all know that we should be careful about the ingredients that go into our cosmetics and personal care products, but with so many brands flooding the market, how do we decide which products are good for us? Usually, we go for the reputed brands, assuming that such big names will never make a product that will harm our health. And yet, most of the time, these big names are also the biggest offenders. They’re all about maximizing profit, and they have lobbyists and legal teams to cover up their misdeeds.
Most of the major drugstore and department store brands fall woefully short on safety and environmental standards, even though they may be very popular. As a typical example of mainstream cosmetics brands, The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics checked for the most dangerous chemicals that have already been proven to be highly toxic, and found that all of the drugstore and department store products (like Maybelline, Clinique, L’Oreal and similar brands) either openly contained these toxic ingredients, or contained them in secret (as an unlisted ‘contamination’).
The bottom line is that drugstore and department store brand makeup and cosmetics are simply not safe.
As consumers, it is both our right and duty to be mindful about the cosmetics that we use and to ensure that we shun any products which can pose a health hazard to us and our children. Once we start avoiding products that are harmful, we will hit the cosmetic giants where it hurts most –their revenues and bottom lines– forcing them to swap out the most dangerous ingredients for (hopefully) safer ones. It is up to each one of us to make that happen.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “Nearly 90% of the 10,500 ingredients the FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA or any other publicly accountable institution.”
Fortunately, there are several nonprofits that have taken it upon themselves to analyze and rate the various personal care products that are available in the market. Tools like GoodGuide and the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database provide critical health information about many consumer items including personal care products. And if you want to check how effective these products are, then sites like Beautypedia and the user reviews on Amazon provide useful information (keep in mind that there are a lot of fake consumer reviews out there!)
Here’s a great video that explains how so many toxins end up in our makeup:
So, the next time you buy any of your favorite makeup, visit a few websites like EWG Skin Deep and GoodGuide and see if they withstand the safety test… or simply purchase products from your health food store that have zero ingredients that sound like chemicals.
It is funny how cosmetics change people’s life. When I first met my girlfriend, she was all glam-up and I found her really attractive. And then when we hang out in their house, I saw her bare face and I told her she is even more beautiful without all those she is using. I love her natural beauty, plus she is safe from all the chemicals mentioned here.
My and family are now users of anything organic. As a mom, I only want the best for all of us. I started supporting organic products since my daughter has very sensitive skin, so while looking for something mild and gentle for her skin I have discovered also few amazing products that are working not only to her but to all of us. And from then on, we were replacing gradually or household products and food with organic and non-chemical products.
This is nice. It is a good investment to find healthier and chemical free alternatives to the usual products we are using since you are not only saving your money from medicine when you get sick but also for a healthier lifestyle. Keep it up!
In our hopes to look better than we already are, we put so many products on our face that we are not even aware of harmful. But who doesn’t even want to look beautiful, when the society treats you differently when you are not in the “pretty” category.
Yes, it is true! When I was in high school I experienced being bullied because of the way I look especially my thick hair and acne marks on my face. So, I learned how to put foundation on to cover up the marks and tried different hairspray for my thick hair. But then I developed even worse acne problems maybe because of the makeup I have been using just to be beautiful in front of everybody. So I stopped it and now people treat me the same way again but I do not care anymore. I love myself more than their opinion,
It is so sad to see that most of the popular drugstore makeup brands are listed here with these harmful chemicals. Aside from all the commercials and models these brands have, the people from youtube are all raving for almost all of these. So then the viewers and followers trust not only the influencers but the brands.
I used to assume that the government made sure that the cosmetics we used were safe for us just like with drugs and food. Well, depending on which country your cosmetics are produced in, some are safer than others. The cosmetic industry is essentially self-regulating, and most large companies don’t do a great job at it. ?
I want to make the switch to all natural makeup, but I also don’t want to stop using my favorite shampoo, or lipstick, or that sunscreen that doesn’t make me break out. 🙁
I keep reading that almost all cancers can be attributed to known carcinogens and carcinogenic lifestyles, such as tobacco, alcohol, sun, excessive red and processed meats, lack of fruit and vegetables, obesity, bacteria, viruses and lack of exercise. Hardly any doctors or medical websites talk about makeup. Yet with so many people getting cancer these days, not to mention the apparent increase in fertility problems, allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome and other modern-day maladies, it’s not surprising people worry about man-made chemicals in our food, homes and the environment. They should worry! I am!
These days it’s difficult to avoid hearing about the effects of what we put in or on our body. A lot of people have been paying attention and are much more thoughtful about the food they eat, but haven’t made the leap to changing the cosmetics they use.
This is the truth especially for skin care. We think it’s always the best for our skin, not knowing it’s way more harmful than helpful.
Makeup is an essential beauty item used by women all over the world, and I don’t think many women are in a hurry to ditch this daily necessity, despite the fact that it exposes the wearer to a range of health concerns. Myself included.
Great video! I wish more people realized that the cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and other products we put on our bodies can be just as harmful as anything we eat. I was already aware that ingredients found in face washes, sunscreens and more have been linked to everything from hormonal disruptions to cancer, and what’s worse is that they go directly into your bloodstream when applied to the skin or hair. While there are certainly lots of studies with different perspectives on this topic, everyone can agree that using more natural products or, better yet, making your own is the safest bet for you and the environment.