If you’re serious about upgrading your makeup bag to healthier, nontoxic products, here are a few things you need to know to be ingredient savvy:
greenwashing
What the heck is this? You’ve heard of whitewashing? Putting a spin on something? Well, the beauty industry is no better. A common (and deceptive) marketing practice is to package goods to look environmentally friendly and natural. But this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s so important to be your own watchdog when it comes to buying cosmetics and personal care products.
the skin deep database
Thankfully, this Green Beauty series can aid you in your search. I use the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database as my guide in locating products free of hazardous ingredients. This is a wonderful tool and free for anyone to utilize. (However, if the long list of ingredients below overwhelm you, it bears repeating that you can always depend on my series to do the hard work for you!)
ingredients to avoid
Occasionally, you may come across a product you’re just dying to try but are unsure if it’s safe. If it is not already included in the Skin Deep database, you can go old-school and just read the ingredient list. Below is a list of common cosmetic ingredients to avoid.
1,4 Dioxane: Carcinogen found in products that create suds (shampoo, bubble bath). Banned for use in cosmetics in Canada. Look for sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, chemicals that include the clauses xynol, ceteareth and oleth.
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine): Linked to liver tumors. Found in many personal care products. Already banned in Europe.
FD&C colors: Can cause allergic reactions. Listed as FD&C or D&C followed by a name and number (FD&C RED NO. 40)
Formaldehyde/DMDM Hydantion & Urea (Imidazolidinyl): Found in nail polish, shampoo and soaps. Also listed as Formaldehyde, Formalin, Urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and Sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate.
Fragrance, parfum: Typically, added fragrances are synthetic and thereby harmful. Opt for products with natural fragrances such as organic essential oils.
Isopropyl (SD-40): Found in many skin and hair products, fragrance, hand washes, and even shellac and antifreeze! Can promote brown spots.
Lead: A neurotoxin linked to brain damage and low IQ. Found in lipsticks, nail polish, hair color and whitening toothpaste. How to identify: lead acetate, chromium, thimerosal, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, sodium hexametaphosphate.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT): Preservatives found in many liquid personal care products. Also listed as 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one, Neolone 950 preservative, MI, OriStar MIT and Microcare MT, 5-Chloro 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, MCI.
Mineral oil: Coats the skin like plastic and interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. Causes premature aging. (Jojoba and other vegetable oils are great alternatives.)
Parabens: Preservatives used in a wide variety of personal care products. These are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Also listed as butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, and other ingredients ending in -paraben.
Petrolatum, Petroleum Jelly: May contain impurities linked to cancer. Found in skincare, lip balm and makeup.
Phthalates: Found in hair spray, lipstick, perfume and nail polish. Banned from cosmetics in the European Union. Listed as phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP and fragrance.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Can increase the appearance of aging. Commonly found in cleansers, even spray-on oven cleansers!
Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol: Alters skin and cellular structure. It’s also strong enough to remove barnacles from boats! Found in many products. How to identify: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol, PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol).
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: Alters skin structure. Animals exposed to this can experience multiple problems, including death. Found in shampoo, cleansers, body wash and toothpaste. Also listed as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium.
Synthetic sunscreens: Found in sunscreens, moisturizers and lip balms. Also listed as 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC), Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3, Octyl-methoyl-cinnamates (OMC), Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA), Homosalate(HMS).
Triclosan: Found in antibacterial soaps. Registered by the EPA as a pesticide! Also listed as triclocarban.
extra resources
EWG’s Top Tips for Safer Products – a quick reference guide written in laymen’s terms
EWG’s Healthy Home Tips – helpful guidelines for reading labels
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – a very informative website
