They say a little lipstick never hurt anyone, except in this case it might actually. In Europe, there are 1,373 chemicals that are banned from cosmetics. While in the United States, there are only 8. That’s not to say you need to completely pause the pout, but knowing what ingredients exactly are present in your powder is a good start to preventing harmful side effects. Let’s be honest, skimming that long list of ingredients of hard to pronounce words isn’t always our first instinct when shopping for new shadow, but at least knowing what to avoid is essential.
Formaldehyde has been known to cause cancer, and it can be found in nail polish, hair gel, shampoos and lotions.
Triclosan, yet another harmful ingredient, can be found in soaps, deodorants and toothpastes and can disrupt the body’s natural hormone system.
Parabens, which are used as preservatives, are found in breast cancer tumors, as well as have been linked to reproductive toxicity. These are present and can be found in many lotions and ointments.
Ethylene oxide is a recognized carcinogen and can be found in fragrances and shampoos.
Talc, which can be found in eye shadow, blush and deodorant, has been linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems.
Lead is a neurotoxin linked to learning and behavioral problems and can be found in lipstick, foundation and over 650 other cosmetics. This is also usually not listed as an ingredient because it’s technically a contaminant.
In the United States, there are no laws that require cosmetic companies to demonstrate the safety of their products, and that’s why learning to read your makeup ingredients, as well as more generally just being aware of what you’re putting on your face is crucial. Beauty may sometimes be pain, but it doesn’t have to be in this case!