No matter how hard we try to avoid it, the makeup products we use are often full of toxins we aren’t even aware of. The term toxin-free makeup is a pretty popular concept to be incorporated into the modern beauty industry. Surely, you want to make sure your favorite lipstick or foundation is safe to use, but also to have the promised quality.
Every toxin-free makeup review you read contains so many strange terms that, instead of calming you down – make you even more upset about the commonly used ingredients, like parabens, formaldehyde, talc, or even lead. And we all know that the ingredients are much more than mixed pigments in a popular formula.
Can you be sure the products you use are absolutely toxin-free? Is there any amount of that ingredient that is safe to use? And even more important, how much damage you caused to your skin previously, and can you get back from it?
We need to immediately calm down because if you use well-known brands of makeup, you can be sure they’re following specific production standards, making the products relatively safe to use through the years. Sadly, there are some anonymous brands that largely produce makeup without noting the ingredients – as you suppose, you shouldn’t use that kind of product.
Embracing Clean Beauty: The Rise of Toxin-Free Makeup
As years went by, makeup users became aware of the hidden dangers behind the makeup. You surely know that in ancient times, they often used pretty toxic materials like malachite powder mixed with animal fat – which is something we don’t even think about these days.
But we have to note that embracing clean beauty is not a trend but care for your overall health. No one wants to put toxic materials on their face.
When it comes to commonly used chemicals in traditional makeup, we must get familiar with them, so let’s take a closer look at what the popular brands have in their products:
- Parabens – are often used as preservatives in many personal care products, including makeup. They have been linked to hormone disruption and cancer, but that happens pretty rarely with the modern formulations. Keep in mind that without parabens, every cosmetic product will get spoiled in a few days after opening. So, overuse of parabens can be dangerous, but the moderate quantities are approved by health organizations.
- Phthalates – are often used to soften plastics and make them more flexible. They are also found in some makeup products, such as nail polish and lipstick. In large quantities, phthalates have been linked to reproductive problems and developmental disorders.
- Formaldehyde – a preserving ingredient that is also known as a carcinogen element. It is used in some makeup products as a preservative and to set nails. In general, you can find it in almost all cosmetic products that have longer durability.
- Talc – a mineral often used in makeup products, such as powder and foundation. You can often find it in hand and foot creams or even deodorants. Some studies linked it to a few cases of ovarian cancer, even though there is no strong evidence for their connection.
- Lead – a heavy metal that can be toxic to the body depending on the amount used in a particular product. It is sometimes found in makeup products, such as eyeshadow and eyeliner.
Some other ingredients that you can find are artificial fragrances that give the products a pleasant smell. Turns out, many people have reactions from those fragrances particularly, so these days, those ingredients are highly avoided when formulating products.
What Does It Mean to Use Toxin-Free Makeup Products?
Using makeup and other personal care items that are free of hazardous chemicals is known as “clean beauty.” Natural materials, such as plant extracts and essential oils, are frequently used to make these products. The greatest method to safeguard your health and appearance is with clean beauty products (or in most cases).
But what are the exact reasons you need to consider shifting towards this kind of product?
Let’s find out:
Gentle Ingredients to Calm Your Skin
Gentle ingredients like ceramides, peptides, cica plant, and plant-derived oils nourish your skin and provide hydration and protection. Many use products with natural ingredients or replace some chemicals with their organic counterparts to move toward clean beauty and care more for the skin.
Targeting Skin Sensitivities
By avoiding artificial dyes and fragrances, you make sure you avoid skin irritations – just the opposite: you nourish the sensitive parts of your skin. Clean formulations mean you can enjoy makeup without worrying about how your skin reacts to specific ingredients.
Ethical and Sustainable Production
Using clean cosmetics is also good for the environment. When you buy sustainable products, you care about preserving our planet. Many brands include eco-friendly formulations and packages while maintaining cruelty-free testing for the products.
Protecting Your Overall Health
By avoiding traditional makeup products full of harmful chemicals, you can promote your overall health condition and avoid a range of negative effects like hormone disruption and skin irritation.
You Feel Good About Yourself
Knowing that you care for yourself, the people around you, and the planet you live on is such a good feeling, right? Just a small shift can make a huge difference, especially when you really care for your overall well-being. So, start by replacing your mascara, and then consider investing in quality lipstick and foundation. After that, you are ready to make a significant change for yourself, and it’s such a relief to know you don’t put anything toxic on your skin.
Conclusion
As you can see, sometimes we need to take tiny steps and avoid using harmful products for our personal care. Make sure you review all the products you use and decide what should go first.
Initially, you may feel bad, but in the long term, you’ll be thankful for your knowledge and courage to finally make such an important change in your life. By changing the makeup, you set a good example for your friends, sisters, or other women around you who need support for such a shift, too.
