Why Your Makeup Matters
While the food we eat and absorb is of utmost importance, we mustn’t overlook the impact that cosmetics can have.
Popular makeups contain irritants like methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), petroleums and formaldehydes and even potential endocrine disruptors like triclosan and parabens.
There are lengthy lists of common cosmetic ingredients that have shown to potentially impact both the planet and its people in numerous ways.
For the health of the human body, it’s important to check your makeup ingredients to spot any carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, or other possibly harmful toxins.
Common carcinogens: Formaldehyde, Phenacetin, Coal Tar, Benzene, Mineral oils (untreated and mildly treated), Ethylene oxide, Heavy Metals, Cadmium and its compounds, Arsenic, Chromium, Silica Read more here
Common endocrine disruptors: Benzophenone, Butylated Compounds, Homosalate, Nitrosamines, Octinoxate, Parabens, PABA, Teflon Read more here
Conventional cosmetics take a toll on the ecosystem too.
Think about it… You wash your face at the end of the day, and the product that hasn’t absorbed into your body already then goes down the drain. And where does it go?
Parabens for example, are contributing to the killing of coral in the ocean, and have even been found accumulating in animal tissues, like bears and birds.
HOW TO MOVE FORWARD
Question the labels: “Fragrances” can be a cover for hidden toxic ingredients… just so you know. “Natural” or “Hypoallergenic” don’t always mean clean. These words aren’t regulated, and basically anyone could use them.
Celebrate the good news! It’s easy to get bogged down in the disturbing facts. Take a look at the changes happening and celebrate them! For example, some big companies have begun to voluntarily phase out parabens and phtalates,
Try new things! One of our favourite brands is Elate Cosmetics. Not only are their ingredients the cleanest of cleans, actually nourishing for your skin, but their packaging is refillable, and eventually biodegradable!
SOURCES
Your Fave Makeup Could be Harming the Environment (Huffington Post)
The Ugly Side of Cosmetics (Green America)