Warning: Makeup Contains 4 Cancer Causing Ingredients (Here’s how to replace them)

If you’re like most women, it is likely that you’ve been conditioned to wear makeup since you were young. You may not even do it because you enjoy it because you think it makes you look good—it’s simply an expectation in today’s world.

However, makeup isn’t the harmless bit of fun that many people think it is. Rather, cosmetics have been shown to come with all sorts of health risks, including those that can have lifelong impacts on your health. Find out why the makeup you wear is so important and how you can buy makeup that is good for you.

Ingredients

One of the main areas of concern with makeup is the ingredients used in it. It’s important to analyze the ingredients in your makeup, just like you would with your food. There is very little oversight in this industry, and the small amount of research that is conducted on cosmetics is typically paid for by the cosmetics industry.

In fact, very small amount of products that hit the shelves every year are tested for ingredient safety. You may find that your makeup contains some of these ingredients:

1. Alpha hydroxy acids and 2. beta hydroxy acids: These ingredients are commonly found in facial cleansers and makeup that is meant to be safe for those with acne. However, high levels of these ingredients can cause pain, burning, swelling, and redness. These products make your skin more susceptible to UV rays, putting you at risk for skin cancer.

3. Phthalates: Phthalates make cosmetic and beauty items more flexible, softer, and longer-lasting. However, since phthalates are a type of plastic, they have been linked to many adverse health effects. Some of the risks include reproductive side effects, birth defects, and an increased risk of cancer.

4. Coal tar : Coal tar is used in products that impart color, like makeup and hair dye. Although the industry does not plan on banning the use of this ingredient in products, scientists have told consumers that reducing their use of products that include coal tar may decrease their risk of cancer.

In particular, this ingredient has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

How They Infiltrate Your Skin

These are only a few of the scary ingredients that are found in your makeup. There are dozens more that the makeup industry does not have to disclose.

However, you really should know what’s in your makeup. Your skin is the number one way that pathogens and bacteria get into your body. The same is true for the toxins found in makeup. Particularly if you wear makeup every day for eight hours per day, you are giving your skin plenty of time to absorb the chemicals in your cosmetics.

Making Good Cosmetics Selections

The good news is that the cosmetics market is coming up with new solutions for those who prefer natural ingredients in their makeup. Consider spending a little bit more to get products that are made with organic and natural ingredients.

These companies often disclose their ingredients on the labels, so you can feel safe knowing what you are purchasing.