Most beauty products contain harsh chemicals that can cause harm to our bodies over time. Here’s why you should make the switch to natural beauty.
The average woman uses 12 personal care products a day containing 168 different chemicals. And some of these chemicals do more harm than good to our bodies.
Parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and triclosan are just a few of the potentially harmful ingredients that can be found in everyday beauty products. And yet we use many products that contain these chemicals daily without a second thought.
Currently, the FDA does not regulate what chemicals are used in makeup and beauty care products—that is the responsibility of the cosmetics and skincare industries. And compared to other countries, the U.S. is very lax in its regulations on chemicals found in these products. The U.S. currently only partially bans 30 total, and of that 30, only 11 are completely banned. This is compared to approximately 1,400 that are banned by the EU and 600 by Canada.
So, even though you and your aunt with flawless skin who lives in Paris might be using the same brand of face creams, chances are, because the EU has much stricter regulations, they actually aren’t the same cream at all.
According to the FDA, “Under the law, cosmetic products and ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval, with the exception of color additives. Companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. Neither the law nor FDA regulations require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients. The law also does not require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with the FDA.”
It’s important to remember that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. According to a study by the Herb Research Foundation, skin absorbs up to 60 percent of the chemicals in products it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. So our bodies are literally ingesting the harmful chemicals from our makeup, shampoos, body washes, shaving creams, moisturizers, etc.
The good news is that with the recent popularity of the Wellness Movement, more people have become cognizant of the harmful ingredients in their beauty care products, and as a result new and old beauty brands are offering products with organic and all-natural ingredients, or at least products without the most commonly used harsh chemicals.
Beautycounter, for example, is committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what’s required by U.S. law. They have banned the use of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals through their “Never List”—all while ensuring their products are as good as any other luxe shampoo, lipstick, or oil in the market. To ensure that you know what ingredients are in the products you’re using, Beautycounter has an Ingredients Glossary on their website, detailing every ingredient used in all their products, their sources, and key ingredient properties. The company carries a wide variety of products too, so you can buy safer makeup and body and skin care products all in one place.
When it comes to makeup, there are quite a few top industry players in the organic and natural cosmetic market. Afterglow Cosmetics was the first certified gluten-free makeup line, and offers a wide range of makeup with pure organic and natural ingredients. Juice Beauty creates organic and natural clinically-validated skincare and vibrant plant-pigmented cosmetics. All their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and USDA certified organic too. RMS Beauty’s cosmetics are well-renowned in the industry for a reason—the products are produced with raw, food grade, and organic materials that are not only non-toxic, but actually heal and nourish skin. Other organic and natural beauty companies include 100% Pure, Real Purity, Jane Iredale, Vapour, Alima Pure, and Hush + Dotti.
For products for the rest of your body, Leahlani Skincare has you covered. Leahlani Skincare is an artisanal skincare line made from fresh Hawaiian nectars, potent and vibrant botanical actives, and tropical beauty oils that is meant to unveil a balanced and vibrant complexion. One Love Organics is another green beauty brand that has won many awards for their eye, skin, and body care products, including a 2016 Glamour Beauty Award and 2017 Byrdie Eco Beauty Award, among others.
One product that many of us use everyday but don’t think of as containing harmful chemicals is hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers often contain parabens to extend their shelf life; synthetic fragrances, which are often loaded with toxic chemicals; and non-alcohol-based sanitizers often contain triclosan, a chemical that isn’t regulated by the FDA. OLIKA’s Birdie hand sanitizer is made up of seven naturally derived ingredients and is scented with a combination of high-grade essential oils. The only reason their Birdie isn’t 100 percent natural is because of the use of denatured ethyl alcohol, meaning it has a few non-natural additives to prevent against misuse (intentional ingestion).
So while it might be easier to just pick up cheap makeup on your stop to the drugstore or try out that new mask everyone is raving about without a second thought, it’s important to take a look at the ingredient label before you purchase. Many of us do it with our food labels, so why not with our beauty products? It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and your body will thank you later on.
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