Many beauty products contain toxic ingredients.

The list is long, and alarming. It can include lead, cadmium and even mercury

Most personal care products now contain parabens. These compounds are added as preservatives.

However, parabens mimic estrogen. So there’s concern they can potentially fuel a hormone-driven cancer. This link still hasn’t been proven. But it’s certainly cause for concern.

Actually, it’s hard to find cosmetics that don’t contain potentially risky ingredients. Unless you buy a product line made from plants and minerals. These do exist. More good makeup choices are coming onto the market.

The good news is that we have a growing list of safer options. And, from personal experience, they work just as well, if not better than the nasty chemical concoctions we’ve grown up with.

Toxic Makeup List – 5 Products To Get Rid Of

(This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)

The first thing to get rid of is your lipstick. Because it might contain lead, cadmium and other heavy metals. Lipstick may also be made with formaldehyde, petroleum byproducts, artificial fragrances and, of course parabens.

Titanium dioxide may also be added. This is controversial. That’s because of concerns it may be a carcinogen, if inhaled in large quantities, based upon studies with animals. However, it’s being included in some lipstick formulas marketed as natural or organic.

However, it’s hard to find lipstick not formulated with titanium dioxide. (It’s also known as titanium oxide.) If you can’t, at least go with a brand made mostly with minerals and plant-based ingredients. At least you won’t be putting formaldehyde and petroleum products on your lips.

How To Avoid Toxic Products in Makeup

Personally, I find it scandalous that “beauty” products can contain any unhealthy ingredients. But it’s especially bad when they’re added to lipstick. Many women wear lipstick every day. Then, they reapply it throughout the day.

One of the best natural brands I’ve found is Ecco Bella lipstick, which comes in a variety of colors. These lipsticks contain no parabens, petroleum, artificial fragrances or titanium dioxide. If you can’t find Eco Bella lipstick locally, you can order it online.

Non Toxic Natural Cosmetics

Mascara should also be on your hit list. Did you know that in the United States it’s legal to add a little bit of mercury to the mix? Mercury is highly toxic, and not the thing you want to put on or near your delicate eye area.

As you know, mascara flakes off. These flakes land on your skin. What you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Granted, the amount of mercury is small. But there’s no safe level for this poisonous heavy metal.

You can read more about the problem with mercury in mascara here, in an earlier post.

To avoid mercury, you have several options. One is not to wear mascara period. Another is to buy a non-toxic brand. The kind I use is Physicians Formula non toxic mascara. It works just as well if not better than the potentially poisonous brands I was using before.

It’s really important to buy good natural mascara. Because this is something many women wear every day, and may apply again throughout the day.

Mercury in Skin Creams

The presence of mercury in skin creams is a potential problem with certain imported products, according to a report published in Forbes magazine. (This article was partially based upon a report issued by the FDA.) It said these products are made overseas and generally found in shops catering to ethnic groups.

The FDA noted that mercury may not be listed as such. Instead, it may appear on the label as mercurio, mercurous chloride, mercuric or calomel. If you see any of these, immediately stop using the product.

Skin creams with mercury may be marketed as skin lightening creams or anti-aging formulas, according to the FDA, which explained that these products are typically sold illegally.

How To Avoid Toxins in Nail Polish

As you can probably guess from the strong smell, nail polish contains chemicals you should avoid. One of these is toluene.

Toluene is a petroleum-based compound that causes the hit-you-in-the-face chemical smell when you open a bottle of nail polish.

A bigger worry is formaldehyde. This is found in some formulas. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that’s used as an embalming agent.

There seems to be a move to phase out formaldehyde. But for now why not just use something formulated with safety in mind. One brand you may want to look into is Keeki Natural Nail Polish. It contains no parabens, phthalates or formaldehyde and it comes in a range of colors.

Does Dying Your Hair Cause Cancer?

Hair dye is loaded with chemicals. Some of these are known irritants and allergens.

One is a suspected carcinogen. The chemical in question is called phenylenediamine or PPD. This compound functions as a darkening agent. So it’s used in formulas designed to cover gray hair.

The evidence is not conclusive that PPD causes cancer. But it has been linked to a number of malignancies, including bladder tumors, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

PPD is a well-known allergen though. In 2006, the American Contact Dermatitis Society voted it as “Allergen of the Year.”

There’s another problem with chemical hair dye. It’s more of cosmetic than a beauty concern. But it’s distressing.

Hair dye can do a number of your hair. It left my hair strands thin and mousy looking. My hair would look okay right after I colored it.

But when the color washed out, the mousiness was evident. So was the fact that each strand of hair looked thinner, as if it had been eaten away. Clearly, the chemicals had damaged my hair.

Thankfully I discovered natural henna. Then I discovered Rainbow Henna and I can’t say enough good things about it. (Rainbow Henna comes in different shades.)

It colors my hair and conditions it, instead of damaging it. You may be able to find Rainbow Henna locally. If not, you can order it online.

For More Information

Mercury In Skin Lightening Creams