SAY NO TO POISON IN YOUR MAKEUP AND SKINCARE

I love makeup. All girls do. Some love it more .Recently, while shopping online I came across this campaign for safe cosmetics. I just couldn’t dismiss it as overcautious attitude towards cosmetics.

You have to use the cosmetics everyday. No one wants lead poisoned lipsticks or toxins in their systems.

Yet,according to a study conducted in the US 16 toxic chemicals like phthlates, triclosan and musks were found in urine,blood samples of teenage girls.These chemicals cause cumulative toxicity and cause so many fertility problems.Parabens have been related with breast cancer.

 Here is the list of some of the harmful chemicals and their effects:

 LEAD:

 A neurotoxin in popular hair dye Grecian Formula 16 and other black hair dyes for men. Lead from hair dyes travels from hair to doorknobs, cabinets and other household items, where children can ingest it.Lead is also found in lipsticks.Read my article on lead in lipsticks here.

                          

METHYL CELLOSOLVE(OR METHOXYETHANOL):

 Fragrance ingredient and solvent that is an irritant, neurotoxin, possible mutagen (may cause DNA mutations that could lead to cancer) and developmental toxicant. It should be barred from personal care products.

MERCURY AND MERCURY COMPOUNDS:

Mercury damages brain function. It is occasionally found in cosmetics as an impurity or even as an intentionally added ingredient. Over-the-counter drugs like ear and eye drops may contain mercury.

NANOPARTICLES:

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles appear to be among the safer and more effective active ingredients in U.S.-marketed sunscreen creams because they do not penetrate the skin. Sprays and powders containing these nanoparticles should be avoided. 

Many other nanoparticles have received very little testing, yet they readily penetrate the skin and contaminate the body. Cosmetics manufacturers are not required to disclose the presence of nanoparticles in products. 

EWG analysis has found that one-third of all personal care products on the market contain ngredients now commercially available in nano forms.

NITROMETHANE:

Anti-corrosive agent found in a few aerosol hair sprays. The U.S. government considers it a probable human carcinogen.

PHENACETIN:

 Component of some face and arm hair bleaching agents, a probable human carcinogen, according to the U.S. government.

PHENOLPHATHLEIN:

A few shampoos and texturizing products contain this chemical, a probable human carcinogen, according to the U.S. government

PHTHALATES:

A growing number of studies link this chemical to male reproductive system disorders. Pregnant women should avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phathalate. Everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” indicating a chemical mixture that may contain phthalates.

PLACENTAL EXTRACTS PROGESTRONE: 

Extracts from human and cow placenta are advertised as conditioning agents for skin and hair. Placental extracts in cosmetics may contain enough hormones to spur breast growth in toddlers, according to recent studies.

So, reading all the above mentioned facts, One wonders what is the safe alternative to all these chemicals and cosmetics?Good news is someone has realized this long before us and they are called:

 Environmental Working Group. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ 

EWG is a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.Campaign for safe cosmetic. 

Skin Deep(safe cosmetic database online) helps fuel and inform this nationwide coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, women's, environmental and consumer groups working to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of dangerous chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives. They are doing real well.

Some cosmetic giants(revlon,l'oreal) may not be ready to join yet but they have a fast growing number of members.

More than 1,000 companies have joined the effort by signing the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to produce safer products and publish safety data.

 

Here is the list of  all the companies that have signed the compact.http://safecosmetics.org/display.php?modin=50

322 companies have met the goal of safe cosmetics and removed all the harmful chemicals from their products.These are called the champions.

Here is a list of champions:http://safecosmetics.org/downloads/MarketShift_CSC_ChampionsInnovators.pdf

 You can easily find the company which suits you.

Stay tuned for more as I use and reivew cosmetics from the champion companies.You never know your favourite company might be in the list.If not find a substitute before it is too late.

Some of the good brands I found in the list are:

Queen Helen

Jane Iredale

Mineral Hygienincs(hurray from my heart ^_^)

Juice beauty

Dr T's super goop

Alima minerals

Eco tools

Bare organics

Yes to carrots

Zoe organics

Eco glo minerals

There are more but I am writing only brands available at ulta or  sephora or have read amazing reviews of.If you know of such brand, do share.

 Hope you find it useful.Do you believe in safe cosmetics?