Is your makeup poisoning you? New study reveals alarming levels of toxic chemicals
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We here at the SDC love nothing more than a good pampering session. Whether we’re putting on a face mask, doing our nails, or simply slathering on some lotion – it just feels so good to take care of ourselves!
And when we want to feel and look our best, there’s no better solution than reaching for some makeup. A little bit of foundation can cover up those pesky blemishes; mascara brings our tired eyes to life and a touch of blush or lipstick can really brighten up our appearance (and mood).
Do you know what's in your makeup? Image source: DALLE.
But as much as we love being able to treat ourselves with cosmetics, there is one big downside: they don’t always play nice with our skin. In fact, many popular beauty products contain harmful ingredients that can damage your health in the long run – something that was brought to light in a recent study.
The study in question was conducted by researchers from Silent Spring Institute and Duke University, who analysed 231 makeup products from around the United States and Canada. They found that 52% of these products contained PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are toxic chemicals typically found in Teflon and Scotchgard-type products. And what's even worse is that many of these chemicals were not even listed on the product label!
So what does this mean for us? Well, according to the study, exposure to PFAS can lead to a number of health issues, such as impaired immunity, increased cholesterol levels, and even kidney and testicular cancer. Pregnant women who are exposed to these chemicals are also at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
‘PFAS are notorious for how toxic they are at small doses,’ according to David Andrews from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organisation that researches and brings environmental issues in consumer products to light. ‘It's best to eliminate and reduce exposure as much as possible.’
Are you putting toxic chemicals on your skin without knowing? Image source: DALLE.
Now, we know what you’re thinking – this all sounds pretty scary, and you might be tempted to ditch all your makeup products immediately. But before you do that, we want to reassure you that there are ways to minimise your exposure to these harmful chemicals.
One way is to check the labels of your products and avoid any that list chemicals with names that include ‘perfluor’ or ‘polyfluor’, however as noted above, this isn’t a surefire way of avoiding PFAS.
You can also try to purchase only ‘clean’ makeup and beauty products. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind:
1. Check the ingredient list:
Even though they can’t always be relied on, if you're unsure about whether or not a product is clean, checking the ingredient list is a good place to start. As well as PFAS, you might want to consider avoiding products that contain synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals.
2. Do a patch test:
Before using a new product, it's always a good idea to do a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product to a small area of skin (like your wrist) and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions.
3. Check the company's website:
Many companies will list their ingredients and manufacturing processes on their website. Checking this information can give you a good idea of whether or not a product is ethically produced and safe to use.
4. Read online reviews:
Reading online reviews can be a helpful way to learn about other people's experiences with a product. Keep an eye out for reviews that mention skin irritation, breakouts, or other negative reactions.
5. Ask a friend:
If you know someone who uses clean makeup products, ask for recommendations. They may be able to point you in the right direction.
6. Visit a beauty store:
Many beauty stores now offer clean makeup products. This is a great option if you want to see and feel the products before you buy them.
7. Check for certifications:
Some clean makeup products are certified by organisations such as the Natural Products Association or the Leaping Bunny Program. Look for these certifications when shopping for high quality and ethically produced products.
Of course, you could even learn to make your own! The internet is replete with instructions for creating your own cosmetics - everything from lipstick to mascara.
Check the video below for several DIY makeup tutorials (the good stuff starts at around the 1-minute mark):
So, there you have it – some simple tips that can help you avoid exposure to harmful chemicals in your makeup. Now go forth and pamper yourself in the safest way possible!
And when we want to feel and look our best, there’s no better solution than reaching for some makeup. A little bit of foundation can cover up those pesky blemishes; mascara brings our tired eyes to life and a touch of blush or lipstick can really brighten up our appearance (and mood).
Do you know what's in your makeup? Image source: DALLE.
But as much as we love being able to treat ourselves with cosmetics, there is one big downside: they don’t always play nice with our skin. In fact, many popular beauty products contain harmful ingredients that can damage your health in the long run – something that was brought to light in a recent study.
The study in question was conducted by researchers from Silent Spring Institute and Duke University, who analysed 231 makeup products from around the United States and Canada. They found that 52% of these products contained PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are toxic chemicals typically found in Teflon and Scotchgard-type products. And what's even worse is that many of these chemicals were not even listed on the product label!
So what does this mean for us? Well, according to the study, exposure to PFAS can lead to a number of health issues, such as impaired immunity, increased cholesterol levels, and even kidney and testicular cancer. Pregnant women who are exposed to these chemicals are also at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
‘PFAS are notorious for how toxic they are at small doses,’ according to David Andrews from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organisation that researches and brings environmental issues in consumer products to light. ‘It's best to eliminate and reduce exposure as much as possible.’
Are you putting toxic chemicals on your skin without knowing? Image source: DALLE.
Now, we know what you’re thinking – this all sounds pretty scary, and you might be tempted to ditch all your makeup products immediately. But before you do that, we want to reassure you that there are ways to minimise your exposure to these harmful chemicals.
One way is to check the labels of your products and avoid any that list chemicals with names that include ‘perfluor’ or ‘polyfluor’, however as noted above, this isn’t a surefire way of avoiding PFAS.
You can also try to purchase only ‘clean’ makeup and beauty products. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind:
1. Check the ingredient list:
Even though they can’t always be relied on, if you're unsure about whether or not a product is clean, checking the ingredient list is a good place to start. As well as PFAS, you might want to consider avoiding products that contain synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals.
2. Do a patch test:
Before using a new product, it's always a good idea to do a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product to a small area of skin (like your wrist) and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions.
3. Check the company's website:
Many companies will list their ingredients and manufacturing processes on their website. Checking this information can give you a good idea of whether or not a product is ethically produced and safe to use.
4. Read online reviews:
Reading online reviews can be a helpful way to learn about other people's experiences with a product. Keep an eye out for reviews that mention skin irritation, breakouts, or other negative reactions.
5. Ask a friend:
If you know someone who uses clean makeup products, ask for recommendations. They may be able to point you in the right direction.
6. Visit a beauty store:
Many beauty stores now offer clean makeup products. This is a great option if you want to see and feel the products before you buy them.
7. Check for certifications:
Some clean makeup products are certified by organisations such as the Natural Products Association or the Leaping Bunny Program. Look for these certifications when shopping for high quality and ethically produced products.
Of course, you could even learn to make your own! The internet is replete with instructions for creating your own cosmetics - everything from lipstick to mascara.
Check the video below for several DIY makeup tutorials (the good stuff starts at around the 1-minute mark):
So, there you have it – some simple tips that can help you avoid exposure to harmful chemicals in your makeup. Now go forth and pamper yourself in the safest way possible!
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