Swati Banerjee

Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics Cosmetics are fun and fashionable and most girls have at least one cosmetic item in their possession. However, many cosmetics have some disturbing ingredients that you should be aware of. Most girls will read nutrition labels to see what's in the food they eat, but often times, much less consideration is given to the ingredients in cosmetics. By paying attention to what is in your cosmetics, you can help prevent skin irritation, breakouts, and even more serious illnesses, as well as avoiding some pretty disgusting ingredients. Parabens Most of the time, parabens are not listed as just "parabens" but ingredients that end in the word "parabens". Used as a preservative, these chemicals are estrogen disruptors, and you can imagine what that might mean. It is thought that in women these preservatives can lead to many health conditions, from breakouts and odd hormonal imbalances to breast cancer. Many consumer-conscious brands have started to create paraben free alternatives. Try to seek out cosmetics that do not have parabens included in them. Petrochemicals Petrochemicals, like petroleum jelly, are used in many different cosmetic products. Does the name sound a little familiar? That's probably because petrochemicals include things like coal, tar, and gasoline. That's right, the same "petro" in your car might find its way into your cosmetics. Most of the time these are used for consistency and in dry-skin remedies, but there are many cosmetic brands and products that are free of petrochemicals, and it would be wise to seek them out. Formaldehyde If you've ever watched a crime show or have experience in biology, you know that formaldehyde is used to preserve bodies. However, it's apparently also used to preserve your beauty. Many cosmetic products contain formaldehyde, which was named a carcinogen in 2004. It has been linked to cancer, asthma, and other conditions including eye, nose, and mouth irritability and inflammation if used repeatedly. Since cosmetics are usually used on a daily basis, which would qualify as repeated use, formaldehyde as an ingredient in cosmetics can be extremely dangerous. Don't Let the Name Fool You There are some makeup brands out there that do a great job of convincing you that they are straight from the earth and chemical free. Origins Cosmetics would be an example of one of these brands. While their products are great, nearly all of them contain parabens and other types of harmful chemicals. Not so organic. Other makeup brands do the same thing, marketing their back-to-nature packaging and look while infusing their makeup and skin products with chemicals and preservatives. Always check the ingredients. What's a Girl to Do? If you're wondering what you can possibly do to avoid these and other harmful ingredients, like talc, the best option is to seek out vegan cosmetic brands. Vegans, as a rule, do not use any chemicals or animal products. Everything is plant-based. Contrary to popular opinion, vegan cosmetics are just as effective as chemically-infused cosmetics; in fact, most of them are actually more effective because they don't have harmful ingredients. Three of the best vegan cosmetic brands are: E.L.F (Eyes. Lips. Face.) which can be found at stores like Target, Urban Decay (look for items with the purple paw logo), and Ecco Bella. Be aware of the ingredients in everything you use. The amount of information that product manufacturers are not required to tell you can be rather shocking. You would think that a product with ingredients like the three listed above would have to have a label stating "caution" much like cigarettes. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Being an educated consumer is your best bet when it comes to protecting yourself and looking great without having to worry about harmful consequences.