What’s In Your Make-up Bag?

Many of us have made conscious changes to become “environmentally friendly”. Daily, we come across new recommendations and alternatives. Whether it is a natural cleaning product, or a new local farmer, there is always something to research, review, and test.

After participating in a local Breast Cancer Fundraiser, I came across literature that grabbed my attention. The poster was asking participants if they were aware of what is in the products they use on their face. “Of course I do”, I thought, “I mean it has to be safe, we have governing agencies for this, FDA approval, etc.” Feeling less than 100% confident, I began to pull out all of the products I use and research them online.

In 2004, a comparative study analyzed the different products that are deemed acceptable in United States, EU (Eurpe), Canada, and Japan. [1] EU has banned over 1100 ingredients in cosmetics and the U.S. has banned approximately 10. According to researchers, the highest concern products are:

• Hair color and bleach

• Hair relaxer

• Nail polish

• Skin lightener

• Nail treatment

Very few of the ingredients have been confirmed to have long term health concerns but there are seven ingredients consumers should be mindful of. They include:

Mercury - can be found in mascara

Placenta – can be found in moisturizers and toners

Lead Acetate – can be found in dyes and cleansers

Petrochemicals –can be found in nail polish; banned in the EU

Phthalates –can be found in nail polish; banned in the EU

Hydroquinone – can be found in moisturizers

Nanoparticles –can be found in bronzer and eye shadow

Often, we are diligent to avoid harmful chemicals in our food; we may just be doing the same damage by applying our mascara. To learn more about the products you are utilizing, check out the site cosmeticsdatabase.com.

Reference:

Comparative Study On Cosmetics Legislation. Retrived from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/doc/j457_-_final_report_-_cosmetics.pdf