I bet you'd be surprised to know there are hidden ingredients in your makeup, I know I was.
The average woman unknowingly applies over 500 synthetic chemicals per day to her body. That sounds crazy but it adds up fast. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, makeup, lotions, sprays... all before you leave your bedroom. The fact is our skin absorbs 60–70% of the products we apply.
Before we talk about the good news and better options let's discuss six common toxic substances that are found in most commercial cosmetics. Chances are, these things are in your makeup bag right now.
PARABENS (METYL, PROPYL, ETHYL, BUTYL): Parabens are chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to prevent bacteria and act as a preservative in deodorants, lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more. Parabens can mimic estrogen and act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors in our cells. Parabens have been found in breast tumors and are possibly linked to breast cancer.
TALC: Talc is a mineral substance made up of mainly magnesium, silicon and oxygen used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products such as baby powder, body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene products, eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants and face masks. Some talc may contain the known carcinogen asbestos. Talc should be avoided in powders and other personal care products.
BISMUTH: Bismuth Oxychloride is a naturally occurring heavy element found in nickel, tin and silver that’s primarily used to manufacture metal by-products. It’s used in cosmetics because it has a distinct shimmery appearance and a fine white powder texture that adheres well to the skin. Many cosmetic companies use bismuth because it hides flaws, adds a radiant glow to the face and is a dirt-cheap filler! It also has binding qualities, so the make-up will “stick” to your skin and last all day. Many women will experience itchiness when wearing products containing bismuth, most noticeably when they sweat. This can often lead to nasty rashes and severe acne.
LEAD: Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Although it is natural, it’s NOT SAFE for human consumption. Lead is a known carcinogen. It can be in your cosmetics and personal care products and doesn’t have to be listed on the label because it's not an ingredient, but rather a contaminant. The FDA has determined a "healthy lead contamination level" is acceptable in cosmetics and personal care products. WHAT? A lot of us apply those products every day, several times a day. Not acceptable.
On the FDA's website it states that 99% of all cosmetics contain lead.
MERCURY: Mercury is poison. It is a known toxin, especially dangerous for pregnant or nursing women. Breast milk can become contaminated and in utero exposure to mercury has been attributed to an increase in neural tube defects.
And last but not least, MINERAL OIL: Mineral Oil (also called “liquid petroleum”) is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of higher alkanes from a mineral source, particularly a distillate of petroleum. Most often, mineral oil is a liquid by-product of refining crude oil to make gasoline and other petroleum products. Mineral oil is a common ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and cosmetics. Researchers stated, “There is strong evidence that Mineral Oil hydrocarbons are the greatest contaminant of the human body.”
There was a scientific study that removed fat specimens from women who underwent cesarean sections, and also collected milk samples from the women after delivery. They found both fat and milk samples were contaminated with Mineral Oil saturated hydrocarbons—and stated that these compounds likely accumulated over time from repeated exposure.
We encourage you to run your current cosmetics through the EWG Skin Deep Database or the Think Dirty App and see where they rank.
