ChemicalsInMakeUp-related stories
How safe is your daily beauty routine?
Natural Products, Sustainable Community, Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Lead in lipstick, carcinogenic mascara -- it's hard not to ignore these headlines, and it's harder still to avoid the fact that the beauty products we use every day are loaded with nearly unpronounceable chemicals. But are those chemicals really dangerous? The debate rages on.
On one side, we have the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group, who say that women use up to 200 chemicals before they walk out the door every morning. These chemicals, they say, are scientifically linked to birth defects, cancer, and infertility and include things like parabens, petrochemicals, and phtalates. On the other side, we have product manufacturers who say that these claims have been circulating for years, that they are unfounded, and that the FDA sees no reason to address them again now.
I'm not sure where the truth really lies on this issue, but I do think that every time we can avoid using a chemical, it's a good thing. If you're concerned about the issue of chemicals in beauty products, read this article and follow some of their suggestions for reducing your exposure.
On one side, we have the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group, who say that women use up to 200 chemicals before they walk out the door every morning. These chemicals, they say, are scientifically linked to birth defects, cancer, and infertility and include things like parabens, petrochemicals, and phtalates. On the other side, we have product manufacturers who say that these claims have been circulating for years, that they are unfounded, and that the FDA sees no reason to address them again now.
I'm not sure where the truth really lies on this issue, but I do think that every time we can avoid using a chemical, it's a good thing. If you're concerned about the issue of chemicals in beauty products, read this article and follow some of their suggestions for reducing your exposure.
Make-up chemicals: 5lbs a year may be absorbed
Healthy Habits, Natural Products, Organic, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health
Being a stay-at-home mom, I don't feel the urge to get made up every morning like I did when I had leave my house to go to work. I don't use nearly as much makeup as I used to (and I didn't use that much to begin with), and after reading this post over at Styledash, I'm kind of glad. A recent report found that women who use the most make up may absorb as much as five pounds of chemicals into their body each year. That's astounding.
What's worse is that if you use a large variety of products every day, you could be combining chemicals that may not have ever meant to be combined, though industry spokespeople say that's an urban myth. Either way, I know I'll be thinking twice before I slather on that foundation and mascara just to play with my kids in the backyard.
For those of you who are interested, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a huge database of personal care products and the potential health risks associated with each one. And as Jonathan pointed out, other -- perhaps safer -- options include organic cosmetics or natural beauty solutions.
What's worse is that if you use a large variety of products every day, you could be combining chemicals that may not have ever meant to be combined, though industry spokespeople say that's an urban myth. Either way, I know I'll be thinking twice before I slather on that foundation and mascara just to play with my kids in the backyard.
For those of you who are interested, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a huge database of personal care products and the potential health risks associated with each one. And as Jonathan pointed out, other -- perhaps safer -- options include organic cosmetics or natural beauty solutions.
