Makeup products can contain a wide variety of ingredients that are added to give the product its desired look, texture, smell, and efficiency. Some of these ingredients are derived from nature, while others are manufactured. It is important to be an informed consumer of healthy cosmetic products, as cosmetics can contain ingredients that are harmful to you and the environment. Here are some key categories of harmful ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products:
- Surfactants
- Formaldehyde
- Ingredients listed as “fragrance”
- Hydroquinone
- Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Oxybenzone
- Parabens, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and isobutylparabens
- PEG/ceteareth/polyethylene compounds
- Petroleum distillates
- Phthalates
- Resorcinol
- Retinyl palmitate and retinol (vitamin A)
- Toluene
- Triclosan and triclocarban
Cosmetics and other personal care items must be labeled in accordance with regulations, and all intentionally added ingredients must be listed on the product label.
Some makeup brands use organic and natural ingredients, and are dedicated to sustainability and ethics. Here are some examples of clean makeup brands using organic ingredients in 2023:
- ILIA
- Well People
- RMS Beauty
- Kjaer Weis
- Axiology
It is important to note that not all companies are complying with reporting requirements, and the database may not contain all cosmetic products that should be reported under the Safe Cosmetics Act.
