Most women admit they can’t live without makeup. Take it from a 2015 British study published by U.K. website, the Mirror Online, who found that 73% of women admit they began wearing makeup as early as age 12. While the majority of women polled said they planned to wear makeup well beyond age 60.. If you still don’t buy it, only 1 in every 14 women said they’d go out bare-faced without makeup on.
It seems makeup is considered a necessity by women around the globe. However, research suggests that some carcinogenic ingredients (i.e., parabens, BHA, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc.) in beauty products can be harmful, and have even been associated with increased risk of cancer and several other diseases (i.e., reproductive issues, stomach cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease). Here’s why many women are switching to natural and organic makeup products:
1. Gentler on skin
Consider foundation made with all natural ingredients vs. foundation made with several chemical ingredients. Surely the natural product will be more gentler on your skin, particularly if you have sensitive or aging skin. In fact, many of the synthetic ingredients (i.e., polyethylene or PEGs) in store bought cosmetics dry your skin out as they “beautify”, which just ends up drying out your skin further and putting you at risk of premature aging (i.e., fine lines and wrinkles). For instance, PEGs, which are common in exfoliators and makeup, penetrates and irritates skin easily.
2. Chemical free
Have you ever heard of a “band aid effect”? This refers to a product that improves the appearance and texture of skin only temporarily. It’s a fact that many cosmetics contain harsh chemicals that irritate skin and lead to more severe skin reactions in the long run. A good example of this are phthalates and parabens in makeup, which the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has linked to several types of cancer (i.e., breast cancer).
3. Nature-friendly
Many store bought cosmetics are anything but natural. For instance, mascara is a major culprit, featuring many petroleum-based ingredients. Petroleum-extracted mascaras not only increase the risk of developing conditions like contact dermatitis, they’re also call on a ton of other chemicals (i.e., aluminum or led) to produce (refine or mine), and put many of the world’s natural resources at risk (i.e., rainforest, wildlife, natural land, etc.).
4. Sensible scents
Many people ignore the “personal” in personal care products, like makeup and hygiene products. They end up opting for a fast fix or a cheaper price and risk their greater health. For instance, you may like the strongly scent of your favorite perfume or lip gloss, but some of these aromas are thanks to harsh chemicals that when inhaled, can cause allergies and lung infections. Take butylated hydroxyanisole (or BHAs) as an example. The European Union deemed BHAs “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” and notes that they produced liver damage, disrupted hormones, and even caused stomach cancer in animal lab testing.
