Exposing Toxins in Our Makeup

Why You Need To Look At Makeup Ingredients​​When we go shopping for our makeup and beauty products, the last thing on our mind is that we could be buying something dangerous for our health and well-being. The reality is, we ARE and on a regular basis and we don’t even know it.
 
Current regulations in North America are so poorly enforced that most cosmetic and makeup companies have no real motivation to drastically change their use of toxic and dangerous chemicals in their products. Generally speaking, these toxic and industrial chemicals include hormone disruptors, pesticides, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and allergens. Not only are these ingredients dangerous for your skin and health, but they are also damaging for the environment. For now, though, here are the basic chemicals you want to avoid in cosmetics. A 2010 survey done (1) on products available in Canada revealed that 80% of surveyed products contained at least one of the many toxic chemicals we will talk about below.

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BHA and BHT
BHA (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHT (butylated hydroxyanisole) are preservatives used in cosmetics and makeup. They may cause cancer and also may be an endocrine disruptor. In terms of the environment, they leech into water sources and can harm fish and other wildlife.
 
Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five-digit number (but not all in this family)
Many companies used natural and inorganic colourings in their products, some of which are toxic to the brain. Specifically, look for ingredients with the letters CI and then a 5-digit number in the 75000 and 77000 family. Note that, not all materials with these numbers are harmful, but many are. Sometimes, instead of the CI-number format, the American name might be listed (e.g., Blue 1). The heavy metals found in these ingredients are the main concern, so try to avoid as much and as many as possible.
 
DEA-related ingredients
Examples include MEA and TEA, these ingredients can react with other ingredients and cause cancer. Mostly found in moisturizers and shampoos. Note that these chemicals are also harmful to fish and other wildlife.
 
Dibutyl phthalate (Nail Products).
May disrupt endocrine systems and is a reproductive toxin and are mainly found in nail products.
 
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Mainly look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. These ingredients are dangerous because they slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.
 
Parabens
A favourite preservative for the majority of companies (sadly!) and is a known endocrine disruptor. And since many cosmetics are also used by males (deodorants, creams, shampoos etc.) it is also linked to interfering with the male reproductive organs.
 
Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
Many of the smells whipped up in factories and companies are a toxic mixture of fragrances that are synthetic. Note that, even in some products marketed as "unscented " there are still traces of these fragrances. The main concern with these fragrances is that they can trigger allergies, asthma, and are also linked to neurotoxicity and cancer.
 
PEG compounds
PEGS are compounds used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers and are commonly found in cream-based makeup. The main concern here is that it can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Also look for  propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., polyethylene glycol).
 
Petrolatum (Petroleum)
May cause cancer and is usually added to products and a moisture barrier (lipsticks and balms) and for shine.
 
Siloxanes
Mainly used to moisten, soften and smoothen makeup. Similar ingredients include words ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone." Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane).
 
Sodium laureth sulfate
May cause cancer and typically included as in foaming agent in cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Related chemical is sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
 
Triclosan
Antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpaste, cleansers and antiperspirants and linked to endocrine disruption and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. ​

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Take Home Tips

• The basic rule of thumb is, the simpler the ingredients the better. Look for products that have words you recognize and with a relatively shorter list.
• It may be difficult to find products that are totally chemical-free so just try to eliminate as many as you can. Better to eliminate a few in your cosmetics than none!
• Try to switch out your cosmetics one by one. It can be intimidating to change everything at once, take it one step at a time! My journey started 1 year ago and it still continues!

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References
[1]https://davidsuzuki.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/REPORT-whats-inside-counts-survey-toxic-ingredients-cosmetics.pdf