Clean Living: Chemicals in Cosmetics

Just going to jump in here with one of the craziest stats that we’ve seen around chemicals in cosmetics. It kind of just shakes ya:

“A study by EWG notes that a woman applies about 168 different chemicals every day.”

UM WOAH. Why is this the norm??

Some of the most confusing parts about transforming your skincare and makeup routines are:

1. Transparency and understanding.

What’s really in that bronzer? There has been such little transparency with chemicals in cosmetics and skincare that it’s hard to know what to look out for and where to start.

2. Making the switch to cleaner products.

This seems like a lot of work because we all have our absolute favs we can’t live without! Not having them in our routines seems undoable.

But, we’re in this together!

You don’t have to toss all your beloved products and start from scratch. This is a gradual process. Over time, you’ll find new brands and must-haves for that makeup bag and skincare setup! And you won’t look back because the products will be clean, transparent, and feel even better because they aren’t doing you any harm. 🙂

Below, you will find some quick and digestible info that will help you wrap your mind around the harmful chemicals in cosmetics. Lay that knowledgeable groundwork so your future self can thank you! Being aware of them at a high level is a fabulous start.

Here’s the link to all product swap suggestions you’ll find throughout the post!

Let’s jump in, learn some lingo, and what chemicals in cosmetics to avoid!

1. Synthetic Fragrances / Perfume

We all love our signature scent and all the good smells! We know. This one is HARD. We’re all so used to fun scents and smells that make us feel good. But it’s a great first ingredient to start ditching across all products.

Why Avoid?

This one ingredient can hide dozens or hundreds of different mystery chemicals. Fragrances require zero regulation from any third party because the fragrance industry is deemed “self-regulated.” They appear on labels because the FDA requires this. However, no regulations are in place because most fragrance concoctions are deemed a “trade secret.” Fragrances can be derived from petroleum and around 75% of fragrances contain phthalates, a known carcinogen.

Top Health Hazards

The chemicals in fragrances are also endocrine disruptors. This means the synthetic chemicals mimic or interfere with your body’s hormones, known as the endocrine system, causing issues with your reproductive health and overall hormone health.

What to do?

Start switching to “fragrance-free” products or look for products scented with essential oils. Even if a product doesn’t seem to have a scent, take a look at the ingredients and check for “fragrance, perfume, parfum, etc.”

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Perfume
Body lotion
Body wash
Shampoo and conditioner
Deodorant
Cleansers
Face lotions

2. Phthalates

First, let’s pronounce Phthalates together: tha-layt. It’s a silent P 😉

Why Avoid?

Phthalates are used as a chemical or artificial preservative to make products last way longer than needed. They’re also used as an “adhesive” to make products like perfume stick to your skin.

Top Health Hazards

They’re significant endocrine disruptors and can cause hormonal reproductive issues in both males and females, developmental problems in children, respiratory problems like asthma, and immunity issues.

*Also, they’re sneaky and are lurking in perfume and fragrances!

What to do?

Look out for these ingredients on your labels: ingredients ending in “-phthalate” and fragrance. (!!) These are the two easiest ways to look out for phthalates. For example, these long terms all end in phthalate: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP).

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Perfume
Scented lotions
Scented body washes
Nail polish
Hairspray
Truly anything scented!

3. Parabens

Why Avoid?

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as artificial preservatives to make products last way longer than needed.

Top Health Hazards

They work with other cell receptors to potentially switch on certain cancer genes. Many recent studies have found parabens in breast cancer tissue. They can act like the hormone estrogen and cause endocrine disruption, fertility issues, neurotoxicity, and skin irritation.

What to do?

Gradually make the switch to paraben-free products the next time you run out! Look for ingredients ending in “-paraben” or butyl-, propyl-, and ethyl-parabens. Nowadays, most products address this on the front product labels.

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Shampoo and conditioner
Hair treatments
Fake tanners

4. Aluminum

This one caused quite the ruckus within the deodorants/antiperspirant world.

Why Avoid? & Top Health Hazards

When the aluminum compounds hit our skin, they melt and are absorbed. They collect in our tissue, mimic our estrogen, and there’s a debate around aluminum contributing to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

What to do?

Make the switch to a cleaner deodorant than your standard Secret or Dove. Aluminum exposure won’t be completely eliminated depending on the brand but it will be less and the rest of the ingredients will be much cleaner!

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Deodorant
Antiperspirant
Dry shampoo

5. Triclosan (TCS)

Why Avoid?

This is an antimicrobial ingredient often used as a preservative.

Top Health Hazards

Triclosan has been linked to leaving a significant negative impact on reproductive and thyroid health issues. So much so that it’s banned in other countries. In the US, the FDA has banned it in antiseptic soap, but that’s it so far.

What to do?

Make gradual changes and swaps to your products as you use the rest of what you have. Look out for TCS on labels!

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Hand sanitizer
Antibacterial soap
Deodorant
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Shaving cream

6. Oxybenzone

Why Avoid?

This bad boy is an active ingredient in sunscreens and systemically absorbed into the skin just after one use.

Top Health Hazards

A study published by the FDA noted that oxybenzone can linger in our bloodstream for weeks after you’re done using it. It’s also another significant hormone disruptor for both females and males.

What to do?

Avoid it altogether and purchase sunscreen products that do not contain oxybenzone.

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Sunscreen products are the biggest offenders here! This includes:

Sunscreen lotions, sprays, moisturizers, and lip balms
Cleaners
Fragrance
Some baby products

7. BHA & BHT

Why Avoid?

These two bad brothers are man-made and used as preservatives and stabilizers in personal care products and makeup. They’re also used as flavor enhancers in processed foods. BHA and BHT are synthetic antioxidants, but this doesn’t mean they are healthy ones. These are banned from products and food in Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan!

Top Health Hazards

Both are also linked to a slew of health issues like cancer; hormone disruption; thyroid, kidney, and liver issues; autoimmunity; and rashes and hives.

What to do?

Try to avoid them altogether! Look for “organic” products. On labels look out for “butylated hydroxyanisole” (BHA) and “butylated hydroxytoluene” (BHT).

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Lipsticks
Lip balms
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Fragrance
Creams
Eyeshadow
A wide range of makeup products
A wide range of food products

8. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Why Avoid?

They’re an extremely cheap chemical, synthetic surfactant, and foaming agent found in many soaps and cleansers. They simply create the suds and foaming feeling we associate with “clean.”

Top Health Hazards

While these are being produced, a by-product called 1,4 dioxane is made. This by-product is carcinogenic to humans, according to the EPA.

They’re also the main residents of “toxi-city,” causing organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruptors.

What to do?

Take a look at your soap labels!! The big brands still haven’t phased out these two chemicals.

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Laundry detergents
Fabric softeners
Hand soap
Dish soap
Shampoo
Cleansers
Body wash
Toothpaste
Anything that has a foaming feeling!

9. Talc

Why Avoid?

Talc’s primary use is as an absorbent in cosmetics. This particular ingredient is tricky in the sense that it’s generally “considered safe” but has a high potential of being contaminated with asbestos (known for causing lung disease). The exact supply chain is hard to pinpoint for most products that use talc.

Top Health Hazards

There have been a number of safety concerns and studies around mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

What to do?

It’s best to just opt for cleaner products that don’t contain talc.

Top Beauty Product Offenders

Think anything powdered!

Dry shampoo
Baby powder
Face powder
Setting powders
Bronzers
Eyeshadow

Whew!!! You made it to the end. The commitment is real. We love it.

This little article was meant to be education-driven and not fear-based. Hopefully, it gave you insight into what is in your beloved cosmetics and gave you a solid reason why making cleaner swaps is best in the long run. Your future body and self will thank you big time!!

Ready to check out product swaps? Head to this post!

Sources:

Aluminum

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-know-about-aluminum-in-deodorant#health-concerns

https://www.allure.com/story/beauty-ingredients-to-avoid

Fragrance

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018511/

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/secret-scents-the-hidden_b_2907073