Alright makeup-wearers, hold onto your fishtail or chicken wing brows or whatever the fuck we are doing with them now, and get ready for a whirling shit storm of truth.
We all know regular makeup wear can clog pores, cause breakouts and irritation, throw off the pH of our skin, and cause dullness or excess oil production. But what if your makeup was actually fucking killing you?
Let’s do an experiment. Grab your favorite skincare or makeup product. Write out the ingredients and put a checkmark by all of the ingredients you can identify, and know how they affect your skin.
I’m sure most of you took one look at the long list of impossible-to-pronounce chemicals and said girl, I do NOT have time for this shit. So instead, make a mental checklist of the chemicals you can identify. If you can only check a few, or none, chances are you shouldn’t be putting it on your face.
You’re probably thinking, “So, what’s the big deal not knowing what these ingredients are? I’m not a gotdamn chemist?” The problem is, these unknown chemicals are usually carcinogens.
Products temporarily enhancing your beauty, are actually fucking yo ass UP in the long run.
The average woman puts 515 synthetic chemicals on her body DAILY. Why is this a problem?
Well, cosmetics are poorly regulated by the FDA. The safety and effectiveness of the ingredients are rarely tested.
According to Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),
“More than 80,000 chemicals permitted in the United States have never been fully assessed for toxic impacts on human health and the environment. Under the current law, it is almost impossible for the EPA to take regulatory action against dangerous chemicals, even those that are known to cause cancer or other serious health effects.”
What do I mean by “serious health effects?” This shit ain’t pretty. We talking
hormonal imbalances
genetic mutations
birth defects
neurological disorders
immune system diseases
cardiovascular diseases
prostate and breast cancers
childhood health problems.
Halitosis
Ingrown pubic hair
Okay maybe the last two are my personal problems.
“So you’re probably thinking, Magyn, what the FUCK? What do I do? What am I even looking for?
What should you be avoiding? Pretty much every main fucking ingredient in conventional makeup. These dick noses gave ZERO SHITS about your health when crafting these chemical laden pancake masks.
The truth is scary. But lucky for you, ya girl here has done extensive research to ensure you don’t bog down your precious meat sack with chemicals and cancer-inducing carcinogens.
Unfortunately, there are too many to count, and I’m time limited or lazy or whatever you wanna call it, so I broke down the top ten for you. If you want an extensive list of chemicals you should avoid, I’d recommend checking out the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) list of harmful ingredients to avoid. I put the link at the bottom of this article for ya.
So without further adieu, buckle up sugar tits and be prepared for a plethora of mind fucks.
TOP TEN MOST HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN COSMETICS
1. Parabens
What is it?
- widely used preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products.
Why is it harmful? - possess estrogen mimicking properties associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
(actually been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. wut the FuQqqqq?)
Where are they found? - makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers. Also food, pharmaceuticals
2. Synthetic Colors- FD&C or D&C
What is it?
- letters stand for food, drug and cosmetic or drug and cosmetic
- chemicals derived from petroleum or coal tar
Why is it harmful? - are suspected to be a carcinogen, skin irritant and linked to ADHD, cancer and certain allergies.
- considered a carcinogen and banned in Europe
Where is it found? - bruh. Errwhere. Most things that are synthetically dyed, including food like m&m’s and children's fruit snacks
3. Fragrance
What is it?
- don’t actually know what the hell it is.
- started as a way to keep companies formulas a secret
- now used to hide all kinds of chemicals and toxins
Why is it harmful? - EWG database associates “fragrance mixes” with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system (on God)
Where is it found? - perfume, cologne, conditioner, shampoo, body wash, anal bleach (idfk but would you doubt it?)
4. Phthalates
What is it?
- group of chemicals used to increase flexibility and softness in plastics and other compounds
most common are: - dibutyl phthalate in nail polish
- diethyl phthalate in perfumes and lotions
- dimethyl phthalate in hair spray
Why is it harmful? - known endocrine disruptors linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females. (Ok now they’re fucking up our babies too? Ruthless.)
- not identified on every label because they are often added to fragrances, (as part of their “secret formula” LOL)
Where is it found? - deodorants, perfumes/colognes, hair sprays and moisturizers.
5. Triclosan
What is it?
- widely used antimicrobial chemical
Why is it harmful? - known endocrine disruptor — especially thyroid and reproductive hormones
skin irritant. - studies show connection between Triclosan and bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Where is it found? - toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants
6. Formaldehyde
What is it?
- chemical to help prevent bacteria growth
Why is it harmful - certified carcinogen by International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) (sounds legit af)
- linked to nasal cancer (from inhalation)
- cause allergic skin reactions, may also be harmful to the immune system
Where is it found?
-nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows, nail polish treatments
7. Toluene
What is it?
-petrochemical derived from petroleum or coal tar sources.
-may see it on labels listed as benzene, toluol, phenylmethane, methylbenzene
Why is it harmful?
-potent solvent able to dissolve paint and paint thinner (?!?!?!?!)
-can affect your respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate your skin.
-also causes developmental damage to fetus of expectant mothers (why do these guys hate babies?)
-linked to immune system toxicity
Where is it found?
-nail polish, nail treatments and hair color/bleaching products.
8. Propylene Glycol
What is it?
-alcohol commonly used as a skin-conditioning agent
Why is it harmful?
-skin irritant and penetrator (not the good kind)
associated with causing dermatitis/hives in humans
Where is it found?
-moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup products, conditioners, shampoo and hair sprays.
9. Sunscreen Chemicals
What is it?
-chemicals used to absorb UV rays.
-common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate.
Why is it harmful?
-endocrine disruptors believed to be easily absorbed into body.
-may also cause cancer and cellular damage
Where are they found?
-sunscreen products or makeup with added sunscreen
10. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
What is it?
-surfactant/cheap foaming agent
Why is it harmful?
-skin, lung and eye irritant.
-potential to combine with other chemicals and form nitrosamines (carcinogen)
-can lead to Kidney and Respiratory damage
Where are they found?
-literally fucking everywhere
-90% of personal care and cleaning products
-shampoo, body wash/cleanser, mascara, acne treatment, your actual human soul.
Your reaction to this information is probably one of two.
I’m shook. How is this shit legal? pLs HLp, I need more information.
Hell no. You know how long it took me to find my Holy Grail foundation and mascara? And now you’re telling me I have to start the process all over again, in Green Beauty Land, where my ass doesn’t have GPS? Nope. Bye. I’ll stick with my Too Faced.
No matter what your reaction is, I encourage you to read my next article, How To Transition To Non-toxic Makeup Without Losing Your Fucking Mind. Even replacing ONE item in your makeup bag can drastically reduce your risk.
Making the switch isn’t nearly as painful or expensive as you think. I actually had way too much fun rehauling my makeup bag. It might be just a little addicting buying makeup you can actually feel GOOD about wearing. And there are all kind of tricks and secrets to finding your HG without breaking the bank. Take my hand, allow me to be your personal concierge around Green Beauty Land. I promise you’ll never want to go back to Scary Fucking Toxic Makeup World again.
Extensive list of ingredients to avoid
Thanks EWG, you the motha fuckin MVP
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/#.Wmi4PXanHIU