10 Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Your Makeup & Skincare Routine

When I made the switch to cleaner, healthier lifestyle, nutrient-dense while food was the first swap. I'd also heard that plastic and BPA was pretty bad for your hormone regulation, so I ditched that too. As a matter of fact, clean skincare never crossed my mind, until my Grandma, who had been diagnosed and beat Breast Cancer, asked for beauty products that were "phthalate and paraben free" for Christmas. What in the heck are those, and why are you avoiding them I thought?! So, I went to target (note, this was several years ago, before Target had their natural beauty collection, which is GREAT, but still be sure to check ingredient labels!), and found nothing that didn't have one of those 2 ingredients listed on the back. I eventually found some random hand cream online, but then my curiosity struck. If my Grandma, who has no choice but to watch after her health and hormone regulation, is avoiding these ingredients, what do they really do and why are they allowed in our products?

There is almost zero federal regulation of the cosmetics industry in the United States

Yup, you read that right. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, only regulates misbranding or false advertising on packages- not what actually goes inside the packages.

There are over 1,300 chemicals banned for use in consmetics in the European Union due to questions over their safety. In the U.S., only 11 have been banned.

One more thing to note- "natural" doesn't mean much when it comes to cosmetics.

Many products labeled natural contain just as many harmful ingredients as conventional products, including heavy metals. Even "unscented" products contain fragrances. The only way to know for sure is to read the label. But what are you looking for in the label? Let's dive in:

1. Parabens

Preservatives found in most conventional products from hand soap to makeup.Examples include: methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben. If “paraben” is in the word, avoid it. Parabens are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body and can lead to hormonal imbalances, and possibly even breast cancer. For example, a recent study found concentrations of parabens, specifically methylparaben, in human breast tumors. Another study found 99% of all cancerous breast tumors contained parabens.

2. Artificial Fragrance/Parfum

Almost every single conventional skincare and cosmetic product (even “unscented” ones) contains artificial fragrances. Manufacturers aren’t required to reveal what’s actually in their fragrances, so you’ll simply see Fragrance or Parfum on the ingredients list when it could actually be a cocktail of carcinogens, allergens, endocrine disruptors, and irritants

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate

SLS/SLES are foaming agents found in toothpaste, shampoo, and cosmetics. They can cause skin irritation and trigger allergies. Additionally, chemical compounds known as “nitrosamines” are common by-products of the sulphation process. 90% of nitrosamines are believed to be carcinogenic.

4. Toluene

Toluene is a chemical commonly found in nail polish and hair dyes. It is a volatile petrochemical solvent that can be toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects. If you’re pregnant, be especially careful and avoid nail polish containing toluene entirely.

5. Phthaltes

A phthalate is a plasticizer that is added to plastic to keep it from becoming brittle. Phthalates are used in cosmetics primarily in fragrances, and can also be found in other personal care products, such as hair spray and nail polish. Examples include: DBP, DEHP, DEP and others. Like parabens, phthalates are endocrine disruptors and can cause hormonal and reproductive problems and birth defects.

6. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) is used is many types of cosmetics as a thickener, especially in lotions, shampoo, and sunscreen. PEG is often contaminated with both ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-Dioxane (which causes respiratory problems and is banned in Canada).

7. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in cosmetics. It’s a known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. It can be found in preservatives such as quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea.

8. Oxybenzone

Sunscreens come in two different forms: chemical and mineral filters. The most common sunscreens on the market use chemical filters such as oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is a known endocrine disruptor and can alter thyroid function. It’s also linked to skin allergies. Chemical sunscreens should be avoided at all costs—especially with children. Oxybenzone can also be found in moisturizers, lip balm, and makeup.

9. Diethanolamine

Diethanolamine is a foaming agent. It’s a known carcinogen and respiratory toxin, which is why the EU has restricted its use in personal care products. Despite this, it’s still used in bubble bath, body wash, and shampoo in the US. It’s often abbreviated as DEA on cosmetic labels.

10. Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent once used in antibacterial soaps. In 2016, it was banned from soap used in health-care settings, but it is still allowed in personal cosmetics. Not only does triclosan contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria, but it’s also an endocrine disruptor and was shown to contribute to gut inflammation and promote tumor growth in mouse studies. Not good.

How to choose Safer Cosmetics

Besides reading labels, one of the best resources I have found to discover the safety of products is the Environment Working Group's Skin Deep Database. Each product is given a score based on the ingredients it contains. It's super easy to type a product in and see if it meets your family's standards.

I've also spent the last couple years trying various products and brands that pass my ingredient label check. I will admit, it's been hard to find brands that match up in terms of effectiveness, though. I actually went a little too deep in thinking that the less ingredients the better; trust me, that is not the case.

That's why I primarily rely on Beautycounter. Safer skincare that contains both natural and organic synthetic ingredients that are safe and truly work. I have dry, acne prone skin, and their makeup does NOT clog my pores, dry me out, or leave my skin feeling worse after a day of wearing makeup than it did prior. Their skincare itself has done wonders for me skin, too. From healing my acne scars, the weird red / blotchiness I had on just the left side of my cheeks for years (I even saw a dermatologist for it, and they couldn't figure out what it was), to brighter more glowing skin I'm confident in.

They have products and whole product lines for all skin types- normal/dry, acne prone, sensitive, and aging too.

Beautycounter has committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what is legally required in the United States, and doesn’t include any of the 1,500 known harmful ingredients in their products. They are the only company I know of that tests both raw materials and finished products for contaminants and heavy metals, and go above and beyond to advocate for better legislation in the beauty industry to protect people and the environment.

If you have any questions about how to make the transition toward safer skincare, please don't hesitate to ask!