I'm in the process of detoxing from heavy metals, and one thing my naturopathic doctor mentioned is to look into my makeup bag because I could be getting toxins from some of my face paint like lipsticks, foundation, and mascara. I did a Scooby-Doo when she said that. "What do you mean I need to look into my makeup?"
Did you know that personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, after shave, lotion
and makeup are not regulated by the FDA or any other government agency because they are not technically considered edibles. It's not kosher to test on animals but hey the makeup people can do things like load lead in your lipstick to make the color richer & longer lasting, and you lead toxic as a side effect. However, makeup like lipstick is something we easily ingest when we bite our lips or kiss other people. Likewise, anything you rub onto your skin will be absorbed into your body. Just because something isn't "eaten" doesn't mean that it can't get into your body.
Because there is no governmental regulations, personal products companies can use ingredients that are "known or suspected to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins in the their products." Yikes! This is where the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CFSC) comes in. The mission of this group "is to protect the health of consumers and workers by requiring the health and beauty industry to phase out the use of chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems, and replace them with safer alternatives."
The CFSC has a list of all makeup manufacturers who have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics where the said makeup makers have "pledged to not use chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects in their products and to implement substitution plans that replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives in every market they serve." Sadly though, the makers of the makeups I use are not on this list. I'm scared to find out what is in my makeup.
Over at The Cosmetic Database created by The Environmental Working Group you can do a search for your makeup and see where it is ranked in toxic "hazardousness." As an example, I did a search on all the makeups I use, and here's the scores and what they mean:
A score of 0-2 is "low hazard", 3-6 is "moderate hazard", and 7-10 is "high hazard" (time to revisit your makeup choice)
In Stephanie's Makeup bag:
- MAC Studio Fix Foundation/Powder: 3
- MAC Eye Shadow Paint: 4
- MAC Lip Liner: 2
- MAC Lipsticks: 3
- MAC Tinted Lipglass: 3
- Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow: Not listed
- CoverGirl Professional Waterproof Mascara: 7
So, I'm ditching the CoverGirl mascara pronto. I was saddened that the majority of the Cover Girl mascaras have a 7 ranking, as I have used the Cover Girl mascaras for years. One of the great features of the Cosmetic Database is that it can give you alternatives to your current "high hazard" makeup product that have lower hazard rankings. For me, Loreal, Revlon, and Maybelline offer lower hazard 3 ranking waterproof mascaras so "Yes, maybe this girl is worth it."
I like many others love MAC makeup and would have been devastated to find out that it was "high hazard" makeup. To a big sigh of relief, the majority of MAC products rank 5 and under. Not to say that using moderate hazard makeup is necessarily good for you but it's not high. There were a few 7-10 "high hazard" ranking MAC products which included MAC: Ezr, Green Gel Cleanser, Scrub Mask, Select Tint SPF 15, Strobe Cream, Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15.
So, go to the Cosmetic Database right now and check out the hazard rankings of your makeups. While you are there, you can also check out the hazard ratings for other personal products including: Skin Care, hair Care, Eye Care, Nail Care, Baby Care, Oral Care, and Perfumes. It's definitely an education.
