Makeup products can contain a wide variety of ingredients that are added to give the product its desired look, texture, smell, and efficiency. The ingredients used in cosmetic products are vast and can be derived from nature or synthetic sources. Natural makeup products are typically free of certain chemicals and synthetic ingredients, and they prioritize natural ingredients that are safe for both humans and the environment. Some makeup products can contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful to health, so it is important to read cosmetic labels and know what to look for. Here are some details about makeup ingredients:
Ingredients in Cosmetic Products
- Water: the most common cosmetic ingredient, used as the base of many products. It also acts as the main solvent to dissolve other ingredients in the product.
- Pigments: these give color to products and are often made using powder-based chemicals such as iron oxide, mica flakes, manganese, and beet powder.
- Active Ingredients: cosmetic ingredients in cosmetic products that have a specific purpose, or address a specific concern, like dry skin, fine lines, or acne.
- Natural Ingredients: those found in nature that have beneficial properties when used in cosmetics. They can be either animal or plant-based.
Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
- Synthetic preservatives: natural makeup doesn’t contain preservatives designed to increase shelf life.
- Artificial colorants: the bright colors of regular makeup depend on synthetic dyes and pigments. Clean makeup uses natural sources instead.
- Parabens: a type of preservative that can mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system.
- Phthalates: a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and can be found in some fragrances and nail polishes. They can disrupt the endocrine system and have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems.
- Formaldehyde: a preservative that can cause skin irritation and has been linked to cancer.
It is important to note that the presence of some trace ingredients in makeup products can be controversial, especially since makeup worn on the lips is not just absorbed through the skin, but also swallowed with drinking and eating. The presence of a nanomaterial in a cosmetic product must be explicitly stated in the notification to the European Commission.
