Makeup has become an essential part of our lives, and with the introduction of organic and all-natural makeup products, the usage of these products has increased in recent years. Post pandemic there has been a surge of all these clean, organic and natural food and cosmetic products in the market. But don't you think just trusting the claims itself and putting those only key natural ingredients on the label is enough? There should be ingredients transparency. To dig deeper what actually your makeup contains, you need to up your ingredient reading game.

Not all products marketed as "organic" or "natural" are safe for your skin and health. In fact, some clean brands cleverly hide those harmful ingredients under their brilliant marketing jargon.

In this article, we'll explore why you need to be careful when using any makeup products and, if you still want to use them, what ingredients to avoid in them. 

Avoid These Sneaky Ingredients In Your Makeup

1. Syntheic colors

Keep an eye out for makeup labels that list D&C (drugs and cosmetics) and aluminium lakes. They are present in your eye shadows, lipsticks, foundation. As these symbols comes before a specific shade and number, for example., D&C Yellow 10. They are made of coal tar and petroleum and these components have been linked to skin irritation, ADHD in children and cancer.

2. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetics and skincare to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life. However, parabens have been shown to disrupt hormones and cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Parabens are found in creams, lotions, shampoos, and makeup products like foundation, mascara, and eyeshadow.

3. Glycols: petroleum-based compounds

Beware of the Glycols such as polyethylene Glycols (PEGS), polypropylene Glycols (PPGS), propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene and caprylyl. They are used as moisturise carriers, emusifers and to give good texture and thickness to the cosmetic product. However, they can be harmful to the skin as they clog pores, cause irritation, and even has been linked to negative health effects such as kidney and liver damage. The most common makeup products these compounds can be found are; concealers, foundations, eyeliners and mascaras.

4. Tetrasodium EDTA

It is common practise to include tetrasodium EDTA in cosmetic formulations to increase their stability and shelf life. However, it also has the potential to harm ecosystems and people's health. Tetrasodium EDTA is harmful to aquatic life and can increase pollution in waterways. It also has the potential to increase the skin's sensitivity to and susceptibility to irritation and allergy-causing chemicals. Makeup products like eyeshadow, foundation, and lipstick often contain tetrasodium EDTA.

5. Silicones

If you see the ingredients ending with -cone or -xane in your makeup labels then it is better to avoid the product. As these are called silicones and are used for their moisturising and smoothing properties. But the worst part is they are derived from petroleum which clogs pores and causes acne.They are potential hormone disrupters and can sabotage your immune, reproductive, and nervous system health. Silicones are commonly used in primers, lipsticks and foundations.

6. Phthalates

Nail polish, hairspray and perfume are just some of the many cosmetics that contain phthalates, a class of chemicals commonly used as plasticizers and solvents. Yet research suggests that phthalates may contribute to reproductive and developmental issues by interfering with the body's hormones. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are just a few examples of phthalates that you should look out for if you use cosmetics. Those who are pregnant or trying to conceive should exercise extra caution when shopping for products because of the presence of phthalates.

7. Mica

Mica is a mineral that adds a shimmery finish to highlighters, eyeshadows, and blushes. Inhaling mica particles during application can lead to long-term lung damage. It's best to look for synthetic mica or mica-free cosmetics as alternatives to products that contain the mineral. Mica can be found in cosmetics by checking the label for the words "mica," "CI 77019," or "pearlescent pigments."

8. Talc

The mineral talc is popular in cosmetics due to its ability to absorb moisture and give a silky texture to products like foundation, blush, and eyeshadow. Talc, however, can easily be contaminated with asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral.  This suggests that using cosmetics containing talc may raise the risk of cancer and other health issues. Look for talc, magnesium silicate, or cosmetic talc on the label to find it in cosmetics. Choose cosmetics made with cornflour or arrowroot powder instead of talc if you want to avoid using this harmful ingredient.

9. Chemical UV filters

Chemical UV filters are often added to foundation, BB creams, and tinted moisturisers to protect the skin from damage caused by the sun. But these filters can be bad for both the skin and the environment. Chemical UV filters have been linked to hormonal disruptions, and skin irritation. When washed off into the ocean, they can also damage coral reefs. Look for ingredients like avobenzone, oxybenzone, octisalate, and octinoxate in your makeup to find out if it has chemical UV filters.

Conclusion

Makeup that claims to be natural or organic may not always be safe or effective. Always check the ingredient list and do your homework to make sure the products you buy are safe to use. You can control what goes on your skin by choosing healthy alternatives.