It may surprise you that the average adult is exposed to over 168 synthetic chemicals each day from cosmetic products. Many of these chemicals are known to be toxic and can cause serious health problems like cancer, infertility, birth defects, and skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Choosing natural cosmetics are a great choice for both the environment and your skin.
1. Don’t Read Labels
Unlike the food industry, there are no laws for words like “natural” or “organic” on cosmetic labeling. Many products advertise as “all natural”, “organic” or “pure” in their name but still contain synthetic petrochemicals, toxins, and harsh preservatives. Don’t trust labels, they’re just marketing gimmicks.
2. Read Ingredients
What ingredients are in a product is the most important thing to look at. It’s impossible to memorize all the hazardous ingredients to avoid but as a rule of thumb – if you can’t pronounce it; it’s probably toxic. Take for example: METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE, it’s used as a preservative in many personal care products, is difficult to pronounce (and spell), and is highly hazardous.
The most common toxic ingredients you want to avoid are:
- Butyl Acetate,
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Coal Tar
- Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Ethyl Acetate
- Formaldehyde
- Fragrance
- Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl)
- Petrolatum (petroleum jelly)
- Phthalates
- Propylene Glycol
- Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate
- Talc
- Toluene
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
3. Choose Fragrance-Free Products
Fragrance is found in many products like shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and shaving creams. By-law companies don’t have to disclose what ingredients are in “fragrance”. But most often fragrance contains hundreds of hazardous ingredients which may be toxic to the brain and can cause immune system damage. Look for products that do not contain the word “fragrance”, instead choose products that use natural essential oils. Be aware that some products may say “un-scented” but still contain fragrance to cover up the other chemical scents.
4. Avoid Big Brand Names
There are thousands of companies that make cosmetic products, but generally it’s the larger “big brand names” that are most often guilty of mislabeling products and using synthetic ingredients. Though this is not necessarily true of every product so always try to read the list of ingredients; however avoiding big brand name products is usually a good start.
5. Buy Only Cruelty-Free Products
Make sure that the products you buy clearly advertise that they have not been tested on animals. Look for the PETA “cruelty free” or leepingbunny.org logos on the packaging.
6. Look for Eco-Friendly Packaging
Choose products that come in recycled or recyclable packaging, such as paper boxes or glass bottles. If the product is in a plastic container check that the fine print so see if it’s BPA free.
7. Choose Mineral Makeup
Mineral makeup can usually be a safer alternative to traditional cosmetics. Look for mineral makeup without talc, nano-particles, petrochemicals, FD&C and lake dyes, carmine, mineral oil, and irritants like bismuth oxychloride.
8. Use Water-Based Nail Polish
Conventional nail polish and removers contain toxic chemicals like toluene and formaldehyde which are linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other negative health effects. Try water-based nail polish and remover which are odor free and have a very low hazardous rating.
9. Use Fewer Products
A simpler routine will reduce the number of chemicals you are exposed to.
10. Use the Internet
The best website for researching cosmetics is The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep – you can search any ingredient or product and get a detailed profile of its health concerns. You can also view lists of alternative cosmetic products as well.
very good, thank youu
nice blog! I loved the tips, I always tried to buy natural products but did not know the right way to choose! very good your blog, I will follow you here on the blog! you can follow me too? thanks ^^ (I had added you on youtube ^^)
Laíssa Shimada.
There are so many who just really try and test what you think might work for you. the skin of each is different and will react to different products in different ways. I like to stick to natural products, but I have many friends with great skin, which only go to the local pharmacy and buy things there. Unfortunately, I could not help
To Oana :)
I recommend for natural mineral makeup Orglamix, Earth’s Beauty and 100% PURE.
to Mj:)
mineral oil is the commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin just like plastic wrap. The skin’s natural immune barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin’s ability to release toxins is impeded by this ‘plastic wrap,’ which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.
Can you recommend any natural mineral makeup. What about smash box? or Loreal Paris Bare Naturale?
Why is mineral oil bad? It concerns me to see it on the list of things to avoid; I don’t use it, but a few of my daughters wood toys have it as a natural finish and when I touch these toys I can tell it comes off on my hands.
thank guys <3
Thanks for the great video Charmaine. I just shared this on Facebook and Twitter. I love the focus on ingredients and the EWG is such a great resource. We are launching our new website next week which will include resources and research on intelligent ingredients for the skin. Hope you’ll come by for a visit.
Best,
Catherine
wow! what a great article! bravo ♥
Thank you guys for all the nice feedback. It is so important to spread the word to women and women wanting to become pregnant. I want to start having kids in two years and realize how toxic being a beautician was. I thought I was doing everything right being a skin care specialist for 8 years now this April. Skin deep (cometicdatabase.com has help me so much on buying the right products) plus reading not just a pretty face. also on youtube check out 10 Americans from EWG. For skin care lines I recommended Karen Botanical, pomega5, Cocoon Apothecary and 100% Pure.
Hello!
I’ve just come across this blog through Twitter and just wanted to say i love what you’re doing.
I think it’s so great you are helping to spread awareness, as I know so many woman don’t realise whats in cosmetics..
Victoria :-)
Thank you so much for making us aware of the dangers of Makeup ingredients. How about face creams? How should we know if they really do what the company advertises? How can you choose the right face cream for our needs? Thanks
Thank you for this greatly needed info. With the amount of chemicals in everything, you have given me a place to start when replacing my beauty products! I’ll make sure to pass along the info.
This was so helpful i sent it to a few friends. Thank you :)