About Non-Toxic Makeup
On the surface, a product such as lipstick does not appear to be particularly harmful--after all, our mothers and grandmothers have been using it for years. However, scientific findings have made a connection between health issues and many of the ingredients commonly used in makeup. Don't worry; you don't have to give up little pleasures like painting your nails. Companies that offer nontoxic makeup and other beauty products are on the rise. Even inveterate brands have begun making changes in order to keep existing customers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Significance
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If you take your health and well-being seriously, chances are that you read the labels on prospective purchases, including those for cosmetics. With synthetic preservatives in makeup linked to breast cancer, and the use of phthalates feared to affect female reproductive capabilities, any concerned consumer has reason to stay informed about the ingredients of the goods she brings home. The dangerous beauty practices that may have withstood in the past, like sitting in the sun for hours at a time to get a tan, have revealed ugly and sometimes fatal consequences.
Types
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The list of the most toxic cosmetics include nail polish and other nail enhancers, hair dyes and bleach and hair relaxers. Some men are also known to use beauty treatments. Even children and babies are not immune, as the cosmetic industry does not regulate everything that goes into the products on the market, including baby soaps and shampoos. There are a few steps you can take to help in this crusade. For starters, buy safer products. Continue to educate yourself on ongoing developments on the matter, and get the word out about your findings via a blog or newsletter. Don't think that your voice is too small to be heard. With the growing number of petitioners writing to cosmetics companies with requests for safe products, everybody's efforts add up.
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Effects
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The greater awareness among buyers has led to a movement determined to eliminate the use of toxic ingredients from cosmetics. Even the most established beauty companies are listening. Aveda and Origins, for instance, are well-known brands with a commitment to making safer products (see resources). Both are owned by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder.
On a more personal level, those who have switched to healthier varieties of makeup have reported several changes for the better.
Misconceptions
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More specialized types of makeup don't have to cost more money. If you shop at department stores, you will likely spend more than you have to. However, with the successful sales of mineral makeup, smaller businesses that sell the same items as designer brands on a generic level, andat a more affordable price, have made a noticeable presence online. Make sure that the mineral makeup you favor is paraben-free, as the label "mineral" does not automatically guarantee the absence of these preservatives.
Warning
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Throw out your makeup once the color and scent begin to change, or according to the guidelines advised by authorities (see resources). Even if you make it a point to purchase healthy and eco-friendly cosmetics, these can still be a threat to your well-being. If you continue to use makeup past the expiration date, you subject yourself to bacteria and invite infections in. In fact, all-natural beauty products may very well fall apart in composition much more quickly than their preservative-laden counterparts, so keep track of your purchases.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Leprechaun Art & Photography
