I know this is a long post, but read it. It’s important!
The cosmetic industry today is booming, churning out new products faster than you can apply lipstick. Every day, it seems like L’Oréal has whipped up a new kind of mascara, MAC has a new vibrant eyeshadow, or some B-list celebrity has a new perfume. With all of this rapid-fire production, you start to wonder, “Where are all of these products coming from? How are they made so fast?” and, if you’re like me, “What the hell is in them, anyway?”
I’ve mentioned several times that I’m on a quest to make my own cosmetics. The main reasoning behind this venture is that I want to know what I’m putting on my body. In shopping for my own lotion and body wash bases {because it’s really hard to make them yourself, especially on a tight budget}, I’ve become more aware of some of the harmful ingredients that go into making cosmetics. This series, “What’s In Your Cosmetics?” will be a few posts on some of the dangerous chemicals lurking in your lipsticks, powders, soaps, and moisturizers, and what companies {if any} refrain from using these harmful ingredients. First stop: parabens.
Parabens are chemicals that are used as preservatives, specifically to kill bacteria and fungus, in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Products: Parabens are typically found in moisturizers/lotions, shaving gel, shower gel, personal lubricants, toners/astringents, pharmaceuticals, and even toothpaste.
Scientific/Chemical Name(s): Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben… pretty much anything containing “paraben.” However, companies may sometimes trick you by listing them as: Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoic acid and Parahydroxybenzoate.
Hazards: The effects of these chemicals can be as minimal as a small rash and as severe as breast cancer. Parabens have been linked to endocrine disruption, which can lead to reproductive problems, changes in hormone levels, brain and behavior problems, early puberty, a weakening of the immune system, and even cancers. These effects, specifically reproductive problems, have been found even at low doses of parabens. These chemicals have also been connected to muscle weakness in the nervous system and brain.
Paraben-Free Products: In my research, I found it really difficult to find whole companies that are dedicated to providing paraben-free cosmetics. Even companies that I thought used naturally-derived, organic ingredients were using parabens, too. However, Luca Cusolito of Lollibomb is wholly committed to the paraben-free cause, and Lollibomb is 100% paraben-free. Afterglow Cosmetics is also 100% paraben-free and Solay Wellness provides many paraben-free products, but I haven’t personally tried either of these companies.
What’s the take-away? Check your labels! And it’s very important that you understand that “organic” doesn’t necessarily mean a product is better for you. There are currently no real, enforced restrictions on using the word “organic,” so a company can use certified organic shea butter in their ingredients, but then also use parabens, and still say they are “organic.” Not good.
Find out more about the ingredients in your cosmetics, and the effects they can have on your body, by checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, because a savvy consumer is a smart consumer ;)
Good to know!