Are Your Cosmetics Safe?

We often think about the toxicity of what we put into our bodies, but not always about what we put on our bodies, specifically when it comes to cosmetics. Women put a lot of time into deciding what makeup to buy based on what it does to the outer appearance of their skin but not always based on what it does to their insides. Are there toxins in your cosmetics, and if so, is it possible to buy safe cosmetics?

What You May Not Know

The cosmetics industry is largely unregulated by the FDA which means cosmetics companies get to decide what is and isn't safe to put into their products. Many companies put ingredients in their products, especially those with fragrance, that are known carcinogens or are known to cause birth defects. In Europe, the cosmetics industry is regulated, and companies are forbidden to use known carcinogens in their products, but this is not the case in the United States. Toxins such as phthalates and formaldehyde are known to cause birth defects and are still widely used in cosmetics. They can be found in everything from nail polish to men's aftershave and most likely are in your bathroom or vanity right now.

What Is Being Done

More and more cosmetics companies are recognizing the danger they are putting their consumers in by using toxins in their products and they are taking steps to make their cosmetics safe. More than five hundred cosmetics companies have signed agreements to stop using known carcinogens in their products and that number is growing. However, that does not mean that all cosmetics will soon be safe cosmetics.

What You Can Do

First, check out the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics online. There you can find out which companies have pledged to make their cosmetics safe and also find out if the products you're currently using are safe or not.

Second, as with everything else you buy, you should always be striving to be a better-informed consumer. Look carefully at the labels of the cosmetics you're buying. Phthalates and other toxins are not going to be listed clearly on the label but obviously the more natural the ingredients are, the better the product will be for you. And don't think the search for safe cosmetics stops with women either. Men's products are just as likely to be unsafe, especially if they have fragrance in them.

It's impossible of course to avoid all toxins and things potentially harmful. Just breathing the air everyday exposes us to things that are bad for us, but if we can cut down even a little on the things we expose our body to, the health benefits will be worth it. There are so many companies out there that are changing the way they make cosmetics, that finding cosmetics that are good for you, and look good on you, shouldn't be a problem.

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