Are Your Cosmetics Killing You?

Many years ago I learned about EWG’s Skindeep website, the cosmetic database listing health and beauty products along with their ingredient safety ratings and health information. I checked it out, and looked up my shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and sunscreen. And I was shocked!

EWG had rated most of these as “high-hazard” in terms of the number of toxic chemicals they contained. These products contain chemical ingredients known to cause learning disabilities, cancer, and birth defects. I tossed all mine and found new, natural, or organic versions of everything.

But I didn’t look up my cosmetics. After all, finding that perfect eyeliner or mascara that won’t smudge, or a lip color that will last can take years. Once you find your favorites, you’re loath to let them go. But are your cosmetics killing you? This short video on toxins in cosmetics is pretty eye-opening!

How bad can mascara, eyeliner, or lip gloss be?

Actually, they can be quite bad. After all, you put them on your lips and face. It’s a little-known fact that over 1,300 toxic, carcinogenic chemicals are banned in all of Europe and many other countries as well. Yet the United States refuses to ban these chemicals. Sadly for those in the US, only 11 out of the 1,300 toxic chemicals banned in the EU are banned in the US.

In fact, American companies regularly use these deadly chemicals in many of our cosmetics and health and beauty products. One frightening fact is that some of these chemicals have been shown to cause mutations to young girls’ eggs, which can show up as birth defects in babies born many years later. Ironically, when American companies sell products overseas they have to reformulate them without using those same toxic chemicals. So why do they continue to use toxic ingredients in the US? Because they are cheaper! 

So are your cosmetics killing you?

Check out this infographic: Fatal Attraction: Cosmetics and Chemicals, and David Suzuki’s Dirty Dozen Cosmetic Chemicals to Avoid. Then check your products at home and ditch anything toxic.

What are some safer cosmetic options?

After I saw that infographic, I could no longer ignore my toxic cosmetics. I did a thorough cleaning out of my make-up bag, ditching all my old favorites. Then I went in search of some good organic or natural cosmetics. Unfortunately, some of those nasty chemicals are what make make-up stay on without running or smudging.

I’ve tested a variety of natural and organic brands—some good, some not as good. Below is a list of the brands that I’ve found work very well for me. They are readily available at most natural food stores like Sprouts or Whole Foods. Though not as inexpensive as the drug store variety of make-up, they are generally comparable to or less than most department store brands. And after all, isn’t using toxic-free products for your health worth spending a little more for?

• Gabrial – Zuzu Luxe mascara
• Gabriel – eyeliner pencil
• Mineral Fusion – bronzer, blush, and eye shadow

Everyone looks for different things in make-up, so try these out, let me know what you think. Or leave a comment with your favorite natural or organic cosmetics.

2023 update:
How EWG evaluates and scores ingredients

EWG has a great database for researching toxins in your personal care products. However, it’s worth noting how EWG evaluates the ingredients. And it’s not all apples to apples. Due to the way ingredients are mandated to be listed in the EU vs. the US, some non-toxic European products get a bad rap from EWG. The EU mandates that all-natural components in essential oils (like terpenes and eugenol) are listed separately in the ingredients list. Because these are natural, volatile compounds found in plants, EWG lists them as potentially harmful. But in the US a product can just list “lavender oil”, and EWG doesn’t list that as potentially harmful at all. So you do need to know what you are looking at and take it with a grain of salt if a product contains essential oils. Essential oils are not harmful if used correctly (always with a carrier oil, never directly on the skin except for lavender and tea tree oils.)

In my quest to use and promote safe, organic health and beauty products, I’m thrilled to be an independent consultant for Lemongrass Spa. This US-based company (CO and FL) offers hand-made clean, toxin-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, organic, and sustainable products with the highest integrity and standards. Many of their products also contain pre-and pro-biotics to help promote a healthy skin microbiome. And I know you’ll love how your skin feels using Lemongrass Spa.

Lemongrass Spa Products Include

• skincare products for normal, oily, dry, anti-aging, men, and babies
• hand and body soaps and lotions
• shower gels, sugar scrubs, and bar soaps, foot scrubs
• shampoos, conditioners, styling products
• deodorants
• lip balms
• shaving products
• natural, toxin-free cosmetics

Organic and Fair-Trade personal care and beauty

Shop Online for these amazing clean, organic skincare products today. Or contact me for samples. And if you’re interested in a new career or side business Lemongrass Spa also offers excellent financial opportunities.

Please leave a comment to let us know one takeaway you learned about your cosmetics today?