Toxic chemicals, hormone disruptors, heavy metals, carcinogens and bacterial contamination…these all sound like problems you are more likely to encounter in a toxic waste dump than in your makeup case. Truth is, even “safe” cosmetics can go bad and expose you to all kinds of health dangers. Here are several potential health disasters that can be avoided.
1. The Danger: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Fungus in mascara.
These germs, normally found in the eyes, settle in your mascara tube after coming in contact with the applicator wand, making it a virtual breeding ground for bacteria. Experts recommend that most mascara tubes be thrown out after about three months of normal use, but be aware that keeping mascara in your purse or your car where the temperature is higher than it is in your makeup drawer or under your sink will reduce the efficacy of the preservative system, thus allowing bacteria to multiply quickly and shorten the product shelflife.
The Solution: Be sure to store your mascara in a cool place. Sniff often to detect early spoilage.
2. The Danger: Mercury and hydroquinone in skin lighteners.
Skin lightening creams are popular with both men and women for reducing the age spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skintone most of us develop as we get older. Two bleaching ingredients should be avoided at all costs: hydroquinone and mercury. Mercury poisoning can cause serious issues, including neurological problems, memory deficiencies and abnormalities in vision and hearing.
The lesser known but commonly used hydroquinone is associated with a slew of health issues, including toxicity, allergic reactions (severe burning, stinging, swelling, trouble breathing), photosensitivity, possible carcinogenic properties, and ochronosis – a blue-black discoloration on the skin that ironically develops from using the very hydroquinone bleaching creams intended to lighten the skin. These concerns have been widespread enough to warrant the ban of hydroquinone in several countries. The FDA has suggested removing it from products in the U.S. as well, but has yet to do so.
The Solution: Read labels carefully. Be aware that imported creams may use other names for mercury, such as “mercurio”, “mercurous chloride”, or “calomel”. If the product in question does not publish a list of ingredients and you don’t know what’s in it, don’t use it.
3. The Danger: Lead in lipstick.
There is no federal lead limit set for cosmetics and no safe level established for children. However, according to the FDA, lead in lipstick does not pose a significant danger to women if used correctly, citing that the average lead content in lipsticks ranges between 1.11 ppm (parts per million) and 7.19 ppm, well below traditionally acceptable levels. Children six years old and under are at greatest health risk from exposure to lead, which makes one wonder about the potential danger to a fetus in even trace amounts when used by a pregnant woman. Although it is hard to imagine anyone chowing down on a tube of lipstick, small amounts do make their way into the body when a woman eats food, licks her lips, or kisses someone.
The Solution: Remember the old axiom: “when in doubt – leave it out”? It might be wise to err on the side of caution, read labels and opt for a lipstick that does not include lead.
4. The Danger: All-Day Foundation.
As tempting as the notion is of applying your makeup once in in the morning and having it last all day, consider what it takes to make foundation cling to your skin and look flawless no matter what the weather, or how much you sweat in aerobics class. All day makeup usually contains a heavy dose of Phthalates - a solvent routinely used in cosmetics that makes it easier for ingredients to dissolve in water and preserve your picture perfect appearance. This dangerous chemical can be absorbed directly through the skin or simply by breathing it in. Studies have shown that phthalates cross the placenta barrier causing birth defects in both male and female reproductive systems, are hormone disruptors when applied to the skin, cause premature breast development in girls, and may be responsible for increased childhood asthma rates. As if this wasn’t enough, phthalates have been linked to breast cancer since 1997. Phthalates are banned in the EU, but not in the U.S.
The Solution: Deal with looking a little less than perfect. Choose a brand of foundation that is phthalate-free, and simply touch up your makeup throughout the day and night as needed.
5. The Danger: Mineral Makeup
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard a great deal of buzz about mineral makeups. Touted as safe and all-natural because they contain mineral pigments from the earth, many of these formulations contain plenty of other nasty ingredients, including the aforementioned phthalates, parabens (petroleum-based hormone disruptors that mimic estrogen and have been incriminated as a possible cause of breast cancer), titanium dioxide (classified as a possible carcinogen), mica (which is a lung irritant that can cause internal scarring), and talc (which is closely related to asbestos and been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims). The bigger problem here is the nanotechnology being used to create smaller and smaller particles of minerals that apply smoothly to the skin. Unfortunately it also allows them to become airborne easily and inhaled into the lungs, which is potentially harmful to everybody’s health.
The Solution: You are better off using a liquid foundation and applying a pressed powder (as compared to a loose one) sparingly if at all.
Summary: We all derive great pleasure in looking good. A good appearance is life-affirming: it shows that you respect yourself, and affects the behavior of the people around you. When we look good, we feel good and this can be contagious. You don’t need to give up cosmetics altogether – just take precautions when choosing the ones you do use. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Copyright 2013 Sharon Gnatt Epel for La Isha Natural Skincare
This blog is brought to you by La Isha Natural Skin Care!
