It is a medically recognized fact that our body absorbs significant amounts of what we put on our skin. Yet, one third of all personal care products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens. Women are unknowingly exposing themselves to some 100 chemicals every morning when applying make up. In fact, many lipsticks, creams, eye shadows, foundations, nail polish and perfumes have been regularly found to contain toxic chemicals known to cause infertility and cancer.
Did you know? 89% of 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have NOT been evaluated for safety.
Yet, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Handbook, which is the "bible" of regulations and standards laid down in the United States for the manufacture of food and drugs, including cosmetic and skin care products, cosmetic manufacturers are not required to register with the FDA. The result is that nearly all commercial makeup products are contaminated with a variety of harmful ingredients.
1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant, which is considered to be a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a clear-cut animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Also, it is on Californias Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels. (read more)
Parabens are known hormone disruptors, which evidence suggests can mimic the female hormone oestrogen, and a lifetime of increased exposure to oestrogen is linked to a heightened risk of breast cancer. One study found parabens present in 18 out of 20 breast cancer tissue samples (though it is important to note that the study did not prove they'd actually caused the breast cancer). Parabens are also thought to adversely affect male reproductive functions.
"I never in a million years thought I could be exposed to chemicals which could damage me through my make-up. Make-up makes me feel good and it wouldn't have even crossed my mind that it could be doing me harm." -- Charlotte Kohl (read article)
A recent study by the Women's Environmental Network in conjunction with the Swedish Study for Nature Conservation found that four out of five popular beauty products they tested contained chemicals called phthalates - pronounced 'thalates'.
Phthalates have been found to harm the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially developing sex organs in males. It can also cause premature breast development in girls, low sperm counts in men and cause the testicles to waste away.
Two phthalates are already banned in the European Union from being used in chewable plastic toddlers' toys because of the risk to developing reproductive organs. But women could still be absorbing a range of different phthalates through their beauty products and risking the health of their unborn children. An American study found that every single man and woman they studied contained traces of dibutyl phthalate. The levels of this phthalate were particularly high in women between the ages of 20 and 45, largely due to the fact that they use more cosmetic products than men. (read article)
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that a significant proportion of lipstick manufactured in the United States and used by millions of American women contains surprisingly high levels of lead. According to new product tests, 61 percent of brand-name lipsticks tested contained detectable levels of lead, which can be toxic if ingested. (read article)
Did you know? The FDA grants approval to some lead-containing colorants used in most lipsticks.
Here's what the FDA's handbook on mercury in cosmetics states:
"Mercury compounds are readily absorbed through the skin on topical application and tend to accumulate in the body. They may cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, or neurotoxic manifestations. The use of mercury compounds as cosmetic ingredients is limited to eye area cosmetics at concentrations not exceeding 65 parts per million (0.0065 percent) of mercury calculated as the metal (about 100 ppm or 0.01 percent phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate) and provided no other effective and safe preservative is available for use."
And this from the FDA handbook:
"Cosmetics containing as ingredients amines or amino derivatives, particularly diethanolamine or triethanolamine, may form nitrosamines if they also contain an ingredient which acts as a nitrosating agent as, for example, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol, Onyxide 500), 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (Bronidox C) or tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane (Tris Nitro), or if they are contaminated with a nitrosating agent, e.g., sodium nitrite. Amines and their derivatives are mostly present in creams, cream lotions, hair shampoos and cream hair conditioners. The nitrosation may occur during manufacture or during product storage.
"Many nitrosamines have been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals. They have also been shown to penetrate the skin. Nitrosamine contamination of cosmetics became an issue in early 1977. In a study of 29 cosmetic creams and lotions, N-Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) was determined in 27.
"FDA has urged cosmetic manufacturers to voluntarily remove from the cosmetic any ingredient which may combine with others to form NDELA and to conduct additional testing to determine why cosmetics become contaminated with NDELA."
In other words, cosmetic manufacturers can do as they please. But wait, there's more harmful chemicals that the FDA suggests manufactures should avoid, but doesn't require them to eliminate:
"Because of its neurotoxic effect and ability to penetrate human skin, hexachlorophene (HCP) may be used only when an alternative preservative has not been shown to be as effective."
The FDA handbook lists more hazardous chemicals that are prohibited as cosmetic ingredients EXCEPT when unintentional contamination occurs due to the manufacturing process, yet there is nothing in place to regulate the manufacturing process to prevent the contamination:
And that's just a small sampling of what you are putting on your face every day.
There are things you can do to protect yourself from the hazards of cosmetic contamination. For starters, here is additional reading to help you know what you are really putting on your face every day:
At last, there is a non toxic, chemical- and lead-free cheek and eye make-up choice: Honey Bee mascara and eyeliner and Signature eye shadows and cheek colors.
An eye-opening expose of some of the most common ingredients used in today's personal care products. more info
A guide to food additives and cosmetic ingredients. more info
This silky, lash-defining mascara is totally weightless yet provides all day color. The smooth light-as-a-feather base boasts no flaking or smudging and zero clumping due to the absence of clay in the superior lash-conditioning formula. Water-resistant, work-out proof. NOT water-proof.
Mascara comes in Black Magic, Espresso Black-Brown and Chocolate Truffle Brown. more info
Enhance and define the natural beauty of your eyes with confidence. This easy-to-apply smooth jojoba-based formula won't drag or pull delicate skin for a perfect, long-wearing look. more info
Honey Bee eye liner pencils comes in the following shades: Jet Set Black, Smoking Gun Charcoal, Belgian Chocolate Dark Brown, Brown Sugar, Blue Jeans Deep Navy Blue, Envy Rich Deep Emerald Green and Passion Deep Smokey Plum.
Created from 100% natural minerals, Signature blushes are non-comedogenic and have a natural SPF of around 15. They come in six luscious shades. more info and color samples
Accent Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Accent Matte |
|
Moss
Light Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Moss Light Matte |
|
Soft Brown Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Soft Brown Matte |
|
Taupe Matte Signature Minerals
Eye Shadow Powder - Taupe Matte |
|
Light Eggplant Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Light Eggplant
Matte |
|
Dark Eggplant Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Dark Eggplant
Matte |
|
Midnight Blue Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Midnight Blue
Matte |
|
Charcoal Silky almost luminous charcoal - the perfect charcoal liner and great for creating smoky eyes. Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Charcoal Matte |
|
Terre Light Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Light Terre
Matte |
|
Terre Medium Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Medium Terre
Matte |
|
Terre Dark Matte Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Dark Terre Matte |
Champagne Pearl Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Champagne Pearl |
|
Driftwood Pearl Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Driftwood Pearl |
|
Khaki Pearl Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Khaki Pearl |
|
Fuchsia
Pearl Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Fuchsia Pearl |
|
Lavender
Pearl Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Lavender Pearl |
Aurora Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Aurora Shimmer |
|
Moon Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow
Powder - Moon Shimmer |
|
Plum Pizzaz Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Plum Pizzaz Shimmer |
|
Soft Pink Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Soft Pink Shimmer |
|
Sparkle Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Sparkle Shimmer |
|
Sky
Blue Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Sky Blue Shimmer |
|
Moon Crest Shimmer Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Sparkle Shimmer |
Bronze Metallic Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Bronze Metallic |
|
Turquoise Metallic Signature Minerals Eye Shadow Powder - Turquoise Metallic |
Created from 100% natural minerals, Signature blushes are non-comedogenic and have a natural SPF of around 15. They come in nine luscious shades. more info
Adobe Sun Matte Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Adobe Sun Matte |
|
Damask
Pink Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Damask Pink |
|
Pink Jazz Shimmer Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Pink Jazz Shimmer |
|
Buff Apricot Matte Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Buff Apricot Matte |
|
Rose Semi Matte Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Rose Semi Matte |
|
Dusty Mauve Matte Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Dusty Mauve Matte |
|
Roseberry Shimmer Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Roseberry Shimmer |
|
Gleeful Mauve Matte Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Gleeful Mauve Matte |
|
Rosewood Shimmer Blush Signature Minerals Blush Powder - Rosewood Shimmer
Blush |
Define and perfect the shape of your lips with artistic precision. Rich cocoa butter and skin-friendly jojoba allow our lip liner to glide on smoothly. Accentuate your lip line and keep lipstick from feathering. The creamy formula blends easily leaving no harsh lines. Neutral shades blend naturally with your skin tone to compliment your look. Honey Bee lip liners come in the following shades: Warm Pink, Mocha Rose, Rosey Cinamon, Medium Warm Berry and Deep Red Berry. Read more about Lip Liners
Honey BeeLuscious Lip Gloss is enriched with Vitamin E , cocoa butter, olive oil and shea butter. This PARABEN-FREElip gloss is super-moisturizing. It provides long-lasting shine without the stickiness of conventional lip glosses. Lip gloss comes in Innocence, Glam I Am, Hollywood and Viper. more info
Honey Bee Lip Balms are never waxy, not greasy but last for hours! They contains jojoba oil to protect and moisturize your lips, and come in a convenient twist-up tube. Honey Bee Lip Balls are totally natural lip care. Available in four luscious lip-smacking flavors: Vanilla Pie Lip Balm, Strawberry Champagne Lip Balm, Orange Mimosa Lip Balm and Tropical Lip Balm. Read more info about Lip Balms
You need the protection only a lip balm can provide. But you also want the color of a lipstick. Why compromise? Our lipstick combines lip-quenching botanicals with natural ingredients to give you all the benefits of both! PARABEN-FREE!! No mineral oil, no FD&C colors. Only natural beneficial ingredients likecoconut oil whichpenetrates and moisturizes lips, shea butterwhich protects your lips,sesame seed oil to heal and soften, vitamin E as an anti-oxidant,and pure botanical extracts which act as a 100% natural preservative. We carry eight luscious shades. more info
Karma - Pale Matte Nude Pink Peach |
|
Romance - Neutral Cool Matte |
|
Cherokee - Neutral Warm Matte |
|
San Francisco - Neutral Warm Pink
Frost |
|
Paradise - Cool Neutral Pink Rose |
|
Dream - Warm Neutral Rose |
|
Tuscany - Red Grape Sparkle |
|
Camelot - Ruby Plum Red Sparkle |
|
Seduction - Neutral Antique Rose
Matte |
|
Goddess - Red Plum Frost |
|
Vintage Merlot - Deep Wine Red Matte |
We publish four FREE monthly email newsletters: Click Here to Subscribe to One or More Newsletters