It can be difficult to determine the positive and negative aspects of beauty products without knowing the specific product. However, it is important to be informed about the ingredients in skincare and makeup products to make informed decisions about what to use. Here are some resources that can help:
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EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database : This database rates products based on nearly 60 integrated toxicity, regulatory, and study availability databases. It also evaluates ingredients and provides information from ingredient labels and scientific and industry literature on personal care products.
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Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials : This resource explains popular skin care ingredients and what they do. For example, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) may help with fine lines and wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, and age spots, but can cause mild irritation and sun sensitivity. Silicones can be beneficial for dry skin, especially in the winter.
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Healthline : This resource provides information on harmful ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products. For example, fragrance can contain chemicals that cause an allergic reaction, and certain chemicals may be toxic. The article lists several categories of harmful ingredients, including surfactants and parabens.
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FDA : This resource provides information for small, emerging, and home-based businesses producing cosmetics. It includes information on using color additives in cosmetics and using available safety data.
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Coconuts & Kettlebells : This resource provides a list of 10 ingredients to avoid in skincare and makeup products, including parabens and phthalates. It also includes a guide to clean beauty brands.
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The Fox & She : This resource provides a list of 8 toxic skincare ingredients to avoid, including parabens and fragrance. It also includes safe alternatives to these ingredients.
It is important to note that not all ingredients are harmful, and some may be beneficial for certain skin types or conditions. It is also important to consider the source of the information and to do further research before making decisions about what products to use.
